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60th birthday ideas

(18 Posts)
Sbhrt21 Sat 04-Jan-20 12:29:36

Hi all, I’m new to the group but wanted to see if anyone had any ideas for how I can celebrate my birthday. My family/friends are spread all over the UK but I wanted to do something to mark the occasion with my nearest and dearest, that won’t break the bank. Any ideas?

lemongrove Sat 04-Jan-20 13:10:15

Hi, welcome to the forum Sb ?
Invite your nearest family over for a party or a special meal at your home?
Book a good pub and pay for those closest to you for a meal out?
Book the village hall or church hall, invite as many as you like and do the buffet catering yourself ( or with help from friends).

shysal Sat 04-Jan-20 13:50:27

Hold an open house on the day of your choice, inviting family and friends to drop in between certain times. You would only need nibbles or buffet food, with close family possibly providing some plus a cake.
My DD is doing this for her 50th. She will provide a fruit punch and soft drinks as most will be driving. I am baking a cake and savouries, and she also plans a 'doughnut wall', the board for sale cheaply or to hire.

Scribbles Sat 04-Jan-20 13:51:04

I marked my 60th by organising lunch in a private room of a central London pub for family and friends. There were around 30 of us; the cost was surprisingly reasonable and, because it was central London, it was easily accessible by train from all parts of the country so lots of "long distance" friends were able to be there.

This year will be my 70th and I may well do something similar .

Some years ago, I encountered a group of very giggly French women on a Dover/Calais ferry. One of them was celebrating her 75th birthday and they'd hired a minibus with driver and treated themselves to a weekend in England, doing the tourist sights in Kent; a couple of nights in London with shopping, tourist trail, etc. They were on the homeward run when I met them and clearly having lots of fun in the ship's bar. Maybe Sb and friends might enjoy the reverse - a weekend in Paris (if the strikes ever end) or perhaps Brussels or Amsterdam?

shysal Sat 04-Jan-20 13:52:21

Sorry, forgot to say welcome, Sbhrt21. Have a great celebration.

WOODMOUSE49 Sat 04-Jan-20 13:58:36

Celebrated my DH 70th by taking friends out for a meal which they paid for themselves. They all understood we didn't have much spare cash but we did pay for a round of drinks when they arrived at the pub,

I celebrated my 70th last week. Family and friends are 100s of miles apart so it was just DH and myself at our favourite beach restaurant. I am off to see my daughter and granddaughter in 3 weeks and will be celebrating it with her then.

This may not help you with your decision but friends and family will understand if you plan something within your budget and theirs. My family and friends really couldn't afford the travel and accommodation.

CanadianGran Sat 04-Jan-20 14:01:52

Welcome here, and happy birthday! All of the above ideas sound nice. Pick a city and date that you hope most of your friends and family will be able to accommodate.

ninathenana Sat 04-Jan-20 14:37:09

We went to Switzerland for my 60th. My birthday is in January and snow was thick on the ground the day I was born. So we decided to embrace the snow. Rather than seek out warmer climes. It was beautiful.

Cherrytree59 Sat 04-Jan-20 14:37:54

We are a very small family.

My lovely sister booked a few days on a French island for my 60th birthday last year.

Dh and I went first week in April 2019.
When returned home it was the Easter school holidays,
So we had family party in house/garden with bouncy castle.

As we loved our French island holiday so much, I have just
booked to go back middle of March this year.
Flights less just under £50 return.
Meeting my sister there and we are also taking a cousin who very sadly lost her lovely husband last summer.

As my birthday is again during Easter school holidays, we are visiting Harry Potter world with our DD and grandsons.

I know quite a few people who celebrate with family and friends by booking a house or cottage with hot tub.
Usually people to bring their own choice of drink with them and then have all food delivered by a local online supermarket.

For my husbands 60th birthday we went with friends to an old monastery that had cottages in the grounds.
The were very comfortable with big log fire places and lovely country walks.

Sbhrt21 however you choose to celebrate, when the time comes I wish you a very happy birthday???

SueH49 Sun 05-Jan-20 08:02:40

For my 60th birthday I did a Hot Air Balloon ride. It was an amazing experience.

Daisymae Sun 05-Jan-20 08:08:57

Some restaurants have private dining - one near here has a garden too so you can have drinks outside if it's warm. You can also decorate the room, or not. Makes a special occasion out of lunch or dinner

ginny Sun 05-Jan-20 08:21:36

For my 60th we hired a canal boat for the day. Just close family. My 3 DDs provided delicious picnic food . A lovely relaxing day and a surprisingly different view of our local area.

suzied Sun 05-Jan-20 08:40:14

My birthday is in September and my big family arranged a picnic in a local national trust woodland park with lovely walks. Everyone brought a contribution to the meal. It was great. My OH took me to a tropical island as well but that’s another story...

leyla Sun 05-Jan-20 09:19:10

I will be 60 this year. I am very lucky as both of my parents are still alive. I feel that it’s only right to celebrate with my mum as she is the one who did all the work 60 years ago!
I plan to have lots of low key celebrations with friends over the next few months but we are in the process of booking a lovely trip with some special friends in the spring.

leyla Sun 05-Jan-20 09:23:13

I forgot to add the answer to your question! We are going out for a birthday brunch with mum, dad, DD and my brother.

BradfordLass72 Sun 05-Jan-20 20:27:21

Welcome to the Forum Sbhrt21. I think the Open House idea from shysal is a good one; lots of flexibility there.

On my 60th, I took some crisps and biscuits to a social group I go to. They all enjoyed the goodies and the cake.

Sbhrt21 Mon 06-Jan-20 10:29:10

Thank you all so much for the ideas - got lots to think about now - in a good way! X

Susan56 Mon 06-Jan-20 10:34:42

I am 60 in a few weeks.We have booked to go to the Dutch bulbfields for a few days.Like you our family is scattered so not sure how to celebrate with family really.