dh turning 50!

[Grog]

My parents never did much of a fuss around their birthdays. But my in-laws have thrown mighty parties for their big "0" birthdays.

For her 50th my MIL had a surprise party with everyone wearing a "mask" made out a picture of her face as a baby" and lots of silly things, including four friends dancing dressed up in "Full Monty" fashion (probably just a bit more). So yeah, embarrassing but fun stuff. My FIL's 50th was a "cowboy" party (no idea where that came from) with everybody dressed up as cowboys/girls, there were hay bales all over the house, and surprise guests again.

I don't think big gifts were involved though.

It really depends on what your life is like...

[Crankin]

My husband's 50th was last year at this time. I had a catered party at our house. We invited about 20 people, so it wasn't huge. It was so nice not to have to worry about cooking, serving, and cleaning up. People brought nice, but not extravagant gifts. The best thing was that our son was home from the Marines for this.
The party was actually a couple of weeks after his birthday. Two days before his actual birthday, we did a century and (foolishly) went out that night to a very nice restaurant and drank too much champagne.

We usually do bigger things for "0" birthdays.

[emily_in_nc]

My DH requested a special trip for his 50th (Dec. '03). I let him choose where he would like to go, he did some research online, and came up with the BVI (British Virgin Islands). What a wonderful time we had! He got to try sailing a Hobie Cat for the first time and wind surfing, we took a champagne cruise on a large sailboat, ate amazing food, went hiking, drank tropical drinks, and even got to ride cruiser bikes all over the rustic but elegant (and car-free!) resort, Biras Creek. It was a PERFECT week. Pricy, yes, but I didn't regret a penny spent.

I'm already thinking about where I want to go for my 50th (3.5 years away). I'm thinking maybe a Bike Scotland tour.

Emily