So next month I will have a birthday. A really, really big birthday. No, not that one, the really big one after that. Yeah.
Some years ago a friend hit that same milestone and threw herself a party. She made the guest list, chose the food and drink, even hired a pianist for her living room piano. It was exactly the kind of party she wanted because she made it so. I decided then that I would do the same thing for myself when the time came. But then a few months ago it dawned on me that my birthday falls just about 6 weeks before Pete's Bar Mitzvah, which means that (a) we will be sitting in the dark eating beans out of a can while the bills roll in, and (b) I will have long since reached mental and emotional capacity in terms of party planning. So there went that idea.
I know lots of women who have planned fun weekend getaways with a group of friends to a spa or New York City or even Wine Country, but I don't have a group of friends like that. Also, see part (a) above.
I briefly considered combining work with pleasure and sending myself to the ACES conference in New Orleans. I've never gone (to either the conference or New Orleans), I know several editors who are going (and would get a chance to meet more while there), and who knows—maybe I could learn a thing or two about my profession in between the beignets and jambalaya. But it's during the week and I have the kids to cart around to school and activities, as well as some of my own commitments already on the calendar. If I really want to go some year, I should do it when I can think about it in advance and make all the appropriate arrangements.
So that leaves me with no real plans for my big birthday, other than spending the day with the kids and having dinner out with Andy. Which will be nice, but somehow doesn't smack of "half a century." Any ideas?
Have you read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver? She has an amazing 50th celebration which does not break the bank and sounds like a lot of fun. Hay bales were involved.
The book is excellent and a worthwhile read, but if you want to find out about the party without slogging through the whole book, I think it's around page 100ish. Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: Katy | March 23, 2012 at 05:27 PM
I had that pleasure last October, chose to share a party with a friend, similar circle of friends and kept the costs in control. Next time I am going to do something for me, like the NY marathon! OK, maybe the Barcelona half marathon....
Posted by: Maura | March 23, 2012 at 06:05 PM
What about taking a cooking class from Joanne Chang or the chef at Oleana? Splurge like that? Or do the "half" birthday celebration at home with friends, wine and appetizers.
Posted by: Stephanie | March 24, 2012 at 09:21 AM
Maybe plan something for six months from now, so your birthday will keep going and going. We are planning a cruise to Key West for 4 days for MY big day in September!So what if I have two kids for whom I am paying tuition and my house needs to be painted?
Posted by: kate | March 24, 2012 at 05:52 PM
I agree with Kate! Who cares about all your Bar Mitzvah expenses?! That's what the credit card is for! But I do understand the difficulty of just up and leaving when the kids are so busy with sports and activities. That's the real issue. I agree you need a few months to plan it all out, but in the meantime, how about hiring a personal chef to come to your house some Saturday night and have an intimate dinner party for you, Andy, and 2 or 3 other couples?
Posted by: Rachel K | March 25, 2012 at 08:39 AM
Wait! How about this?
http://www.giltcity.com/boston/wilmingtoninn?affid=19&oaff=bdaffiliate&PID=3966477&AID=10963909. OK, well maybe moving sheep and loading hay wagons isn't exactly what you had in mind for your 50th, but the rest of it sounds fun, doesn't it?
Posted by: Rachel K | March 25, 2012 at 08:45 AM
I plan on doing the Ironman when I hit the half century mark. Kind of hard to do at the last moment, but should my plans fall through I will be happy to hang out with my closest friends.
Happy early Birthday.
Posted by: Jack@TheJackB | March 25, 2012 at 11:31 PM
My friends threw me a surprise party for my 50th. That was wonderful! No planning on my part!
Posted by: Elena | March 27, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Mine is in May and Amy's was yesterday. We are planning a weekend away to somewhere we have both never been...maybe Santa Fe!
Posted by: Di | April 02, 2012 at 08:41 AM
If you come up with any great ideas, please share them. I’m turning 48 in 2 weeks, and I suddenly thought, “Oh my God! I’m turning 50 in two years!” I’m realizing that if I want anything special to happen for that monumental milestone, I’d better start thinking up ideas now! Much of what you said applies to me as well, as far as those kinds of friends and beans and such.
Posted by: Laura | April 11, 2012 at 05:06 PM