What do you do for milestone birthdays?

Not weird at all. Nothing worse than forced celebration. I haven't cared about birthdays (mine or anyone else's) since I was a kid. Do or don't do whatever you want.

No, OP. Not weird. Lack of delusion is not odd in the chronically depressed and defeated.

Have fun!

I turned 50 right after the lockdowns started in March, so I baked a cake and at it by myself - not all at once.

*ate

What date OP? Mine coming up in 2 weeks.

That's how I feel, OP and R1. Once I mastered "Pin The Tail On The Donkey" around age 5, I lost interest in celebrating birthdays. I still love cake but now I have it whenever I want to (and don't have to share)!

Nothing weird at all about that. It seems that it is only narcissists who demand to be recognized on their birthdays.

What I hate are people who INSIST on celebrating other people's birthdays. It's all about them, instead of the birthday person who's been quite clear about declaring that he doesn't want a fuss made. That's a peculiar kind of narcissism, which pretends the actor is thinking about someone other than himself when he's actually doing exactly the opposite of what his victim wants.

I have a milestone birthday coming up too; in absence of other things to do, I am looking into splurging on a nice hotel/spa

I agree with almost everything said above.

Life is too short. If you want to celebrate your B-day, throw your own party. Get some friends together for a nice dinner (but please don't expect them to pick up/split the bill. You are hosting YOUR event.) Planned group activities can be fun. Do as much or as little as you like.

I have no time for those whose feelings get hurt when I've forgotten their B-days. ("But it's on my FaceBook wall!") I barely acknowledge my own. I am minimally obliged to acknowledge family members'. Please don't make your B-day a condition of our adult friendship.

I flew to Australia, leaving Los Angeles the night before my fiftieth birthday and arriving in Melbourne on the day after what would have been my fiftieth birthday but which day was lost somewhere across the Pacific, never to be seen again. Or maybe it's still out there, bobbing around like all that plastic from the tsunami.

No matter: I never had a fiftieth birthday and like a latter day Jack Benny plus a decade, I am perpetually forty-nine.

I am jealous, R11. If I could afford to do that every year (or even once), I would. My birthdays don't bother me but other people's reaction to them does because I hate being the focus of attention -- eliminating the day altogether is the answer!

You're 50! Do whatever the hell you want! I hate the pressure of birthdays--milestone or otherwise. Do whatever you need to do to please yourself and don't worry about how anyone else thinks you should "celebrate."

Also, the 50s are awesome! Welcome! You really stop giving a crap what anyone thinks and become much happier.

Not a damn thing.

Why do we even celebrate the day that brings us closer to the coffin every year? I never understood why I need to be reminded of inching closer to my deathbed and have a party.

In 18 months I turn thirty, and I’m just vehemently pretending it’s not happening.

My 60th occurred during the pandemic. What a blessing. A few zoom calls and it was done.

Do something special, OP. Big or small budget, make it memorable and take pics. I regret not marking my milestones even though at the time I was apathetic about it. Maybe buy a great clothing item you'll have and use for a long time.

I was dreading my 60th birthday (5 years ago) so my husband and I spent 5 great days in St Martin. It came and went without much notice, which is just how I wanted it.

I am turning 70 this summer, I always thought I would die young, but clearly that isn't happening. I don't feel almost 70 and fortunately I don't look almost 70 or so people who learn my age tell me. I was thinking about doing something special, but I will probably do nothing.

[quote] Maybe buy a great clothing item you'll have and use for a long time.

R18, since we get older with every birthday, we won't have "a long time" to use our new clothes.

I have shitty New Years Eve for my birthday. My best birthdays have been trips away. I came to SF from OC when I turned 21. I was in Kauai with a BF once Christmas through Jan 3 or 4, not a milestone birthday but it was excellent to be away. I was on my favorite Caye in Belize snorkeling, swimming and drinking in the sun when I turned 40. I was in Jamaica, swimming, barbecuing and living a hammock lifestyle upon the beach when I turned 50. I went on both those trips by myself.

I have just been thinking of where I'd like to go to turn 60 in 2022. I hope getting around will be feasible then. A friend said he & his husband would be into going somewhere with me for that birthday, so I have been considering different destinations. To go for a week I am happy to be a lazy lounger, but my friend needs some getting out options. I am thinking about getting a little cottage in Paia, Maui. I was there on a work trip and I liked the little town, there was a selection of different beaches to go to, a good crunchy granola supermarket, shops, restaurants, a shave ice shack and a few bars. The main road around the island is right there, if my friends want to venture off exploring. I don't think I want to go to another country, just away from home is enough.

Birthdays are for children