Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

60th Birthday celebration ideas, what did you do?

(57 Posts)
Alltogethernow Sun 01-Dec-24 15:03:00

It’s my 60th next year and OH is asking how I want to celebrate. I really don’t know yet. I know I dont want a party as I am hugely introverted and attention makes me cringe and feel uncomfortable (yes, even with my own family) I don’t want to sit in the sun for a week ( it bores me these days) I don’t want a girly holiday ( see above: introversion) I do like Spas and fitness, gyms, walks etc…but OH hates them so I’d be on my own (he also has health problems so unreasonable to expect that from him)

Did anyone do anything for a big birthday that they’d like to tell me about or inspire me? Any suggestions.

GrannyIvy Wed 15-Jan-25 14:45:43

I arranged a meal out for all my family and my girls got me a surprise birthday cake.

Oopsadaisy1 Wed 15-Jan-25 14:33:12

I did the same as I did on my 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th and 70th. Nothing.

It seems that although I organise for other family members they don’t think to do the same.

Never mind, I see them quite frequently anyway.

theworriedwell Wed 15-Jan-25 14:20:34

My much loved 19 year old dog was dying, I spent the day mainly cleaning up after her before the final trip to the vet. I'd recommend pretty well anything other than what I did.

Granmarderby10 Wed 15-Jan-25 14:11:47

Aah,*Grandmabatty*😿 what a shame. Some people just cannot help themselves can they.

silverlining48 Wed 15-Jan-25 14:01:30

I don’t remember… presumably nothing special .

Granmarderby10 Wed 15-Jan-25 13:47:57

Nowt much it was in lockdown.☹️

Grandmabatty Wed 15-Jan-25 12:59:54

I took my family for dinner to a lovely restaurant. My daughter organised a beautiful cake and my son had a small gathering at his flat with party games etc. I didn't want anything fancy. My mum tried to ruin it and was very nasty to everyone there, including me. She made my (pregnant) daughter cry. Sadly, this behaviour was par for the course.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 15-Jan-25 12:28:35

My retirement birthday - twenty years ago!

We cruised around the Caribbean, then flew down to Barbados and spent 10 days in a hotel on the calmer west side.

I can’t really be bothered to fly long distance any more, although I suppose I could be persuaded if I fancied it!

Mt61 Wed 15-Jan-25 12:19:42

LadyInBlue

When it was my 60th birthday party 26 years ago, our family paid for my late husband and I to go on the Orient Express for a trip and a meal. I still have all the photos and paperwork, it was also the year I retired from work after 45 years.

Wow 😮

Babs03 Sat 14-Dec-24 09:23:05

I had afternoon tea with a few good friends then dinner at a nice restaurant with close family.
Nothing too big or pricey. They knew I would hate it.

mummytummy Sat 14-Dec-24 01:52:35

Me too M0nica, I’ve never had a birthday party, even as a child.

Always made sure my children had great parties though 😊

M0nica Fri 13-Dec-24 20:44:54

Nothing, I just celebrated it as another birthday.

Iam64 Fri 13-Dec-24 20:43:43

He’s a keeper FriedGreenTomatoes

pascal30 Fri 13-Dec-24 11:54:18

FriedGreenTomatoes2

My birthday is at the end of August. Himself and I flew out to our little apartment in Málaga. We took my mum and stepfather. Himself paid for their accommodation. I thought ‘that was it’ as our youngest daughter (a teacher) son in law and toddler boy had told me weeks before they were going to the Canaries. Imagine my delight not only to see said toddler running across the grass to me in the gardens “grandma, grandma I’m here!” - but that evening our Yorkshire Lass and her partner (now husband) surprised us at the restaurant later that evening! All flights and accommodations paid for the family by my darling man who knew I didn’t want a huge ‘surprise party’ at a local venue. No wonder I love this man. He really is the kindest soul and thoughtful of everybody. And we ALL enjoyed a summer holiday!

What a wonderful surprise and a very special, thoughtful OH

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Fri 13-Dec-24 10:50:36

My birthday is at the end of August. Himself and I flew out to our little apartment in Málaga. We took my mum and stepfather. Himself paid for their accommodation. I thought ‘that was it’ as our youngest daughter (a teacher) son in law and toddler boy had told me weeks before they were going to the Canaries. Imagine my delight not only to see said toddler running across the grass to me in the gardens “grandma, grandma I’m here!” - but that evening our Yorkshire Lass and her partner (now husband) surprised us at the restaurant later that evening! All flights and accommodations paid for the family by my darling man who knew I didn’t want a huge ‘surprise party’ at a local venue. No wonder I love this man. He really is the kindest soul and thoughtful of everybody. And we ALL enjoyed a summer holiday!

Yorkshirepudding4ever Fri 13-Dec-24 10:18:04

We climbed Whernside, the highest peak in Yorkshire, as we wanted a start to an active retirement.

nannyanna Thu 12-Dec-24 10:58:50

I would say perhaps just go out for a nice dinner with OH.
Somewhere you have always wanted try maybe - somewhere a little more expensive as a treat?

LtEve Wed 04-Dec-24 12:17:29

Mine is in January, I'm going on a Northern Lights cruise on one of the smaller Fred Olsen ships. plenty for both DH and me to do. I expect we'll have dinner out with the children at some point. I hate parties so would never want one.

Gymstagran Wed 04-Dec-24 12:05:44

I arranged for myself and adult children to go gorge walking in Wales a meal out and followed buy a spa break the next day. It was fun.

GrannySomerset Wed 04-Dec-24 12:03:48

For my 60th (now a treasured but distant memory) my DH bought me a sports car and took the family to Paris for a long weekend. We also had a big 40th wedding anniversary party later in the year. All wonderful, but the sports car had to go a year later because DGD arrived and I couldn’t put a baby seat in the MG. He didn’t often push the boat out but when he did DH was spectacular!

Iam64 Wed 04-Dec-24 11:46:19

15 years ago - I’m not big on Big parties so I had a party at home with my family. Mum was still alive, very much so. My older daughter had finished university, was living at home and doing all kinds of work as she worked out what next. She’d started dating her now husband. They’d been friends from age 11 - 18 at high school now both returned and were living with parents. Mum and the boyfriend really hit it off, spent a lot of time laughing (and drinking red wine)
I had a very happy birthday with the most important people in my life

HeavenLeigh Wed 04-Dec-24 11:38:36

I don’t think ruby1962 gransnettters are that interested in you giving magic Mike a happy ending! Obviously posting for the shock factor 🤣🤣

Ilovedogs22 Wed 04-Dec-24 11:26:33

Cry!!!! I don't want to be 6oyrs old but the alternative is far worse 😙

William1955 Wed 04-Dec-24 11:21:17

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

ruby1962 Wed 04-Dec-24 11:15:14

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.