Anonymous wrote:If so. what was the budget? DH is turning 50 in a couple of months. He has a tendency not to celebrate as they are not festive people in his family. He has come up with an idea that I think would be beyond fantastic but also really, really expensive. Just trying to figure out what's reasonable or maybe reason shouldn't enter into it.

What does he like? What does he like to do? How about treat him to something special instead of a party. We are not party people either. I am taking a 3-week trip by myself. 7-8K.

Went to Disney World and stayed onsite in the Contemporary with my then 5 year old daughter and husband. I'd never been to Disney World. It was a great trip!! Expensive though...3 nights and four days..$3000.00.

Stayed in bed all day.

Yes. Husband threw me a dinner party for 25. $5500.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like many of my friends are doing fun expensive things (beautiful, large parties etc) and we really can't afford to do anything right now (we earn a lot but have a lot of debt and expenses). It's making me sad and depressed because I'd like to have a party or do something really special. Any ideas for something special that doesn't cost a lot?

This is us too. I turned 50 last summer, and because there's a lot of upheaval in our family right now (finances, two aging parents to deal with, first kid off to college, a move to a new city) we didn't do much for my birthday. It will be our 25th wedding anniversary in 18 mos. By then I'm hoping we're in a position to take a nice trip or do something special.

I feel like many of my friends are doing fun expensive things (beautiful, large parties etc) and we really can't afford to do anything right now (we earn a lot but have a lot of debt and expenses). It's making me sad and depressed because I'd like to have a party or do something really special. Any ideas for something special that doesn't cost a lot?

No -- I can't even remember what I did.

You should take a trip *you can afford* together, even if it is for a weekend.

I know someone who asked her friends to throw her a lavish 50th birthday party with a specific (costly) band, only this venue was acceptable, etc. To say this was vulgar, entitled and completely out of line is an understatement. Needless to say, everyone has their own expenses (apparently the friend is accustomed to handouts) and did not oblige!

PP, that was actually what we had been thinking and we wanted his golf friends to join us but they are too unreliable. He's come up with a new plan that involves a new car and a trip. I'm not sure I think car payments are really a good idea (we don't have any now).

Next year, my husband wants to be at St Andrew's (the old course) in Scotland on his 50th. So I think that will be a big trip.

I'm not there yet (does that mean I have to leave the forum?), but my husband is, and he wanted an expensive vacation for his 50th. So that's what we did.

We hosted a dinner party for ten at our house. I didn't want a gift - just the presence of our closest friends.

My husband surprised me with a party with kids and close friends. He bought me a beautiful piece of jewelry. We are low key, private people. It is also a time where we have lots of financial obligations.

Yes, we both did. One was an international trip. Maybe $12,000? The other was an event. Complicated to explain but it was expensive. Maybe $8000.

If so. what was the budget? DH is turning 50 in a couple of months. He has a tendency not to celebrate as they are not festive people in his family. He has come up with an idea that I think would be beyond fantastic but also really, really expensive. Just trying to figure out what's reasonable or maybe reason shouldn't enter into it.