[Koala77]

I have a milestone birthday coming up soon and hubby wants to start planning a celebration of some kind but I can’t decide what I want. He said I could have a party, or go out to dinner, or we could take a trip ... anywhere in the world.

I am not and never have been the partying kind in fact, I cringe at the thought. I have not had a birthday party since I turned 18, and even that was under duress.

I need to go visit my favourite aunt and hubby needs to see his elderly mother. Both live in different states, and each in a different state to where we live now. That would be nice and I’d like that, but it would more of an obligation trip that I will do anyway, rather than a fun trip for me to celebrate a special occassion.

Hubby’s been wanting to go to Europe for a while; maybe taking a trip to the Greek islands or a cruise down the Rhine, but I don’t want to go. He can't seem to understand why but the thought of it doesn’t excite me at all. Distant travel anywhere makes me shudder at the thought, mainly because I know I would not tolerate the long flights, but also because I've become a bit of a recluse and would much rather stay at home. So, although most people would be thrilled to be offered an overseas trip, it would not be a fun thing for me to look forward to. Besides, with the economy the way it is, I’m reluctant to take such a big chunk out of our savings at the moment.

I suppose we’ll end up going out to dinner....... again. That’s about the only thing we ever do to celebrate an occasion, so I wondered if you might have any ideas of how to make this year's birthday a bit more special for a change.

[Blessings2You]

How about a week-end getaway at a nice hotel or resort? Spoil yourselves with massages, some nice meals, maybe a show?

[Aarcyn]

weekend getaway sounds good. Also sounds as if DH wants to get away so my thought is that although it is your birthday, he also wants to celebrate.

My first thought was to have dinner catered in your house. Someone that does set up, dinner and clean up.

[Aarcyn]

Originally Posted by Aarcyn

weekend getaway sounds good. Also sounds as if DH wants to get away so my thought is that although it is your birthday, he also wants to celebrate.

My first thought was to have dinner catered in your house. Someone that does set up, dinner and clean up.

gourmet, of course. fancy shmancy.

[Lady]

How about visiting your aunt and going out to dinner, then visit his Mum and go out to dinner? You get everything done that way, and two parties. Much cheaper than Greece and you both have a get-away.

[Jomar]

We often splurge on a extra pricey cut of beef or seafood and make an extra special meal at home.

We're just not much for "going out" anymore.
Either the food at restaurants is not as good as I can make at home and we get disappointed - or it is highly overpriced for the quality..

[Dejibo]

They sell foliage tours of NEw England and Canada in the fall round here. VERY popular, and wonderful! So many wonderful colors, and mountains and sights to see, and yet all from the cozy comfort of your cabin or your deck chair. Close to home, yet far from it all. Very reasonable.

they also have great train rides across Canada in the fall that are amazing, and the trains have dinner cars, sleeper cars, and so on. How romantic! also reasonable.

I say take the trip, but dont go do anything for anyone but you! Pick where YOU want to go, and head on out.

Many New England states have romantic bed and breakfast get a ways that will surround you in a blanket of fall colors, cooler temps and awesome foods. Pick Maine and eat lobster. Pick connecticut and see the Eagles nests. Pick NH and see Mt Washington or Vermont and eat Ben and Jerry's till you cant take anymore. Lake Winnepausauke offers wonderful B&Bs with lake tours and train rides up mt. washington.

[SallyC]

I know exactly how you feel not wanting to go on a trip or even out on the town, where you have to look your best, be your best and sit next to a bathroom..

I love Aarcyn's idea. Have a masterchef come in and cook you a gourmet meal of your choice and serve it and clean up after, leaving you and DH to lull in your easy chairs watching a great flick.

[Koala77]

They're all wonderful ideas and some of them are enticing. So far I'm leaning towards the idea of a weekend at a resort somewhere, or a catered dinner. Not sure if we have them where I live, but it's something I could look into.

A close GF asked me recently what "WE" are doing for my birthday. I have friends who want to be part of my celebrations too so I suppose we will end up going out to dinner. I could do that the week before my birthday in order to leave my birthday weekend free, but if I did suggest we all go out to dinner, does hubby pay for their meals or do they pay for their own? I'm thinking that an invite to a special celebration automatically assumes it's prepaid for guests.

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by Koala77

but if I did suggest we all go out to dinner, does hubby pay for their meals or do they pay for their own? I'm thinking that an invite to a special celebration automatically assumes it's prepaid for guests.

If it's entirely your suggestion, then yes, you pay...but, if your friends and DH take you out to dinner, then you are the only one who doesn't pay.

You and DH need to do some fanagling..