I am turning 50 next month. I really don't want a party - I never like being the center of attention and I certainly don't want to be at the center because I am getting older. My mom has thrown parties for me in the past when I said I didn't want one because she thinks I should have one.

DH and I live across the country now so we flew to DC for his 50th. Spent it with our 2 families in the DC area and a handful of us went to dinner at a nice restaurant on the big day.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a divorced mom, so no DH to even do the normal out to dinner.

But I have 2 great sisters who called me yesterday to say they're surprising me with a trip the weekend before my birthday -- just the three of us. I don't even know where I'm going, but just the thought that they want to mark the big day as special makes me so happy. Plus I think it's the first time we've been together without husbands and/or kids in 20 years.

Who is taking care of your kids?

I am going to do a lot of things!!! Give a significant chunk to charity, take myself on a nice mini-vacation, go out to dinner with the family. Time to celebrate!

I'm a divorced mom, so no DH to even do the normal out to dinner.

But I have 2 great sisters who called me yesterday to say they're surprising me with a trip the weekend before my birthday -- just the three of us. I don't even know where I'm going, but just the thought that they want to mark the big day as special makes me so happy. Plus I think it's the first time we've been together without husbands and/or kids in 20 years.

Anonymous wrote:What did you do to celebrate 50? I don't want to do anything... just keep it small. I want to spend the day doing something like going to get a massage but BY MYSELF. And then maybe dinner with my DH and DC. That's it. DH says that family is asking what we are doing to celebrate 50, party, etc... and he says we have to do something or people will think he's horrible. I'm having trouble with 50 - don't know why. But I really don't want a big celebration at all. What did you do to celebrate?

I'm the youngest of 3. My brother did what he does for events, he threw a backyard crawfish boil and general big party. My sister wanted the family to go on a cruise together so we all went. I may throw a big party at home or may just celebrate with a fancy meal out with several of my college friends who live nearby and have birthdays close to mine. Do what you want and don't be pressured by family and friends to do something you don't want. Your husband should emphasize that he's doing exactly what you've asked for, giving you a quiet day to pamper yourself.

I love being 50 and everything that goes with it. I feel so free. I planned my own day.

Bought my favorite cake, bought myself some flowers, went to the mall all alone and browsed, shopped, drank ice coffee, bought Chinese food for dinner on my way home and had sex with my old man.

Anonymous wrote:What did you do to celebrate 50? I don't want to do anything... just keep it small. I want to spend the day doing something like going to get a massage but BY MYSELF. And then maybe dinner with my DH and DC. That's it. DH says that family is asking what we are doing to celebrate 50, party, etc... and he says we have to do something or people will think he's horrible. I'm having trouble with 50 - don't know why. But I really don't want a big celebration at all. What did you do to celebrate?

I think it's perfectly fine to do what you want to do! He should not worry about what others will think.

I'm taking a fabulous trip for my 50th

Husband and I went to New Orleans and had a great time.

I am a cancer survivor, too, so it did seem like a bigger milestone.

DH and I had a dinner party for 10. We made beef tenderloin, salad, green beans, roasted potatoes and birthday cake.

Before dinner we had appetizers and champagne cocktails.

It was low-key, celebratory and exactly what I wanted.

Anonymous wrote:I turn 50 in May and I'm totally depressed about the day I have a wonderful life and family, it's just hard to believe that I'm turning 50. We're going to the Caribbean for Spring break - that's our big hoopla.

What is about turning 50? On a brighter note, Laura Linney turns 50 next month, and just had her 1st baby at 49!

When I turned 30, someone explained to me that I had already been in my 30th year for the whole year leading up to the actual 30th birthday. That put it in perspective for me. So you've already done the 50 thing, and it sounds like it has been going great!