Everyone is now asking me what i want for my birthday, there’s this strange pressure that because it’s a milestone birthday, you have to have something lavish, people say “you’re only 50 once you know!” but you’re also only 49 once too! and the truth is, i dont know, i haven’t got the foggiest idea of what I want.
To be honest id be happy with a couple of bottles of rum, maybe a bottle of red wine, and the obligatory things you’d buy your dad on father’s day, things like socks, pants and some Lynx toiletries!!
It’s just another birthday.
Edit: i was mainly referring to the presents that some people want to buy me, rather than things to actually do. I’m having the usual birthday bash, so don’t go thinking I’ll be moping around the house!!
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I gotta tell you, I feel like 50 unlocked something in me. I feel more capable, more flexible in my thinking, more idealistic, and more ready to take on new challenges than I had for years before turning 50. (I’m a few years down the road now.)
I realize some of those statements are not what you typically hear, and I know that mental decline is an eventual part of aging no matter what. But I feel on fire in a way I haven’t since my early twenties, and I can see the effects of it in my life.
And best of all, my viewpoints have jumped hard left. (Not that they were particularly rightward in the first place.)
Well you did something big for 49, right? You’re only 7 squared once. Now you have to wait until 64.
Pff, you should be celebrating 64 because it’s 2^6, not 8^2. For most people it’s the last binary power age. I guess eventually someone will reach 2^7, though I’d say we’re pretty far off 2^8, if it’s even possible in the far future.
I just turned 50 last month. My husband got me a cake. It’s “just a cake” but he had to get up early and sneak out of the house and get back before I woke up and left for work, then hide the cake for a day. That’s what made it special.
Happy birthday!
See, id be more inclined to make a cake, i have been known to make a damn fine cheesecake, but not one of those ‘baked New York cheesecakes’, Oh no! im talking about a cheesecake with the biscuit base, it’s probably a British thing though as i know American biscuits are different from British biscuits!
Where were you on my birthday??
Btw I just recently had the pleasure of trying the Orange Dreamsicle Cheesecake from Costco and it definitely lives up to the hype. Graham cracker crust though, so you may not be a fan.
Where were you on my birthday??
Umm, in England!
I Googled Graham cracker crust, apparently the closest thing in the UK is Mcvities digestive biscuits, which is what i use, but it’s not baked, just broken into tiny crumbs, mix in melted butter, place mixture in a tin compact it, place in the fridge then add the filling.
But then that’s for a plain cheesecake base, i like being creative, chocolate digestive biscuits, Biscoff biscuits are very nice.
Do you not then bake the crust and filling or is it all just done it the fridge? I’d love to have your recipe!
Congratulations on the milestone!
No baking involved, the filling is just…
600g full fat soft cheese. 100g icing sugar. 284ml pot of double cream.
Plus any other bits you fancy, like flakes of chocolate, or grated lemon peel.
I presume you are a fan of cheesecake?
46 here, have sometimes lost track of my age starting in my early 30s. Because it’s kinda meaningless, unless we’re talking medical history or dating, I guess.
Well, i still feel like im 28 in my head, but i especially feel my age when getting out of bed!!
It is an anniversary, but it’s yours. If all you want is some booze and some company that sounds like a pretty good birthday to me.
My 18th birthday was the first time I didn’t celebrate. I haven’t celebrated a single birthday since and I don’t regret it. I think birthdays a bit overrated, so I can’t wait to reach 50 and do nothing about it. You’re good, don’t worry about it.
When I turn 50, I’m hoping to get a nap.
These days, i dont need much sleep, 5 maybe 6 hours and im ready for the day, normally awake before the alarm goes off, plus if i spend longer than 6 hours in bed i definitely feel it in my back!
Thoughtful experience gifts can be fun.
Knife or ring making, or some other hands on, niche craft? That way you learn something and can take away something special and unique to you as a bit of a memento for the birthday?
Everyone I know who’s done these have enjoyed the experience and come away quite proud of the thing they made. Have a search for options in your area.
Edit to say you can usually just get a certificate for these places and book in your session at a time that suits in the future
Edit to say I meant this to be an edit.
Now it’s just edits all the way down.
Definitely agree with experiences. Folks may want to mark it more than OP and they’re great ways.
Ring making sounds really fun. Great gift to give to someone too.
I usually just tell people “world peace”
I did nothing for my 50th but im not a birthday person. As a kid, sure I liked the presents, but as an adult I get what I need or want enough whenever and Im not big on celebrating my aging.
Yeah, that’s one of my issues with receiving gifts. If it’s something I need or want, I would’ve probably gotten it myself already. For my 40th I received a six pack of beer and a small wallet type card holder that I was routinely complaining about being impossible to find. Those plus this cast iron pan are among my favorite gifts.
Had my 37th a couple of weeks ago and I wanted a Mexico themed birthday. I got it. Mexican food and beer, tequila and even a piñata.
I already wished from my girlfriend that my 38th to be space themed. I will get it. And it will be glorious.
Here is my advice: Wish for whatever the fuck you want. It is your day. Do whatever makes you happy. As long as your loved ones are present, it will be awesome.
Ask for memories or expieriences. Unless there is something material you really need and can’t get for yourself, these are the things that really count in the end.
You could ask everyone to share their favorite memory of you in some form. Or bring a photo from something you did together and make an album. Or to plan a Camping trip or a weekend in a mountain cabin for all your extended family or a Fishing trip (or something you like to do) with your buddies. Or ask everyone to gift you an invitation for dinner or bbq at their house, so you have a years worth of evenings with your friends.
I just waded through decades of family photos for my mom’s 70th, to make an album for her with all her friends and family from youth until now and it was the highlight of the party.
I say I’m 50 because I’m trying to get used to saying it, but it’s actually a couple of months away. But what I want is to go see the Drive -By Truckers play live. They are playing around my area a few weeks ahead and I’m hoping my SO takes my hints.
If your SO fails to take your hints, will they be referred to as ‘Other’? Haha!
Hahah maybe.
As a SO that is terrible with hints: If it’s important to you, screw hints. Tell your SO in advance, book the time off, and buy the tickets yourself if you must. Just go out there and enjoy yourself!
Perhaps I will. Things have just been Really Expensive lately.
I hear this, and im in the same mindset, friends of ours have asked if we wanted to go on holiday with them in a couple of months, grab a bit of sunshine aboard before winter sets in, and i cant really justify it (id normally save up over 6 months or so to pay for it), especially what with Christmas soon to follow.
Literally everything is more expensive these days.
I bought oat milk yogurt this week for the first time in a bit, and it’s gone from 5 to 7 dollars a carton. How can anyone justify this? I had to buy a new car and the dog needed expensive surgery earlier this year. I’m grateful for all I have but it sure is hard these days.
We often do concert tickets, theater tickets, state Park pass, etc. its kinda fun because you get the excitement of opening it on your birthday and then later of going to the event.
I unfortunately can’t stand crowds so going to concerts fills me with dread!
I’ll probably end up going away with the wife, somewhere remote and enjoy the peace.
That sounds like a great birthday!
What do you like to do? Personally, I live to travel and go cycling. I’d be thrilled if a group of folks got me a trip along the Danube or Rhine or a tour around the Scandinavian countries. Japan or western US would be cool too. Even better if a few would join me.
Or a ski trip, or even a heli flight over a few volcanoes, with a week of vacation built around that.
I’m a few years behind you, but I tend do agree with your compatriots. I hit 40 during the Covid years and it was a bit of a bummer not to throw some kind of something, hoping 50 brings something a bit more memorable in a positive way.
