Looking to celebrate turning 50? For years, women have dreaded the big 5-0 for a variety of reasons. It doesn’t help that entering mid-life has commonly been referred to as being “over the hill”. For women, these traditional signs of aging include gray hair, menopause, wrinkles, aches and pains, and reading glasses. It’s no wonder women wish this birthday would pass without incident or they could hide under a rock instead of acknowledging it.
I remember many years ago when my mom turned 50. Like many women her age, she was less than thrilled to celebrate this day. For her birthday, my sisters and I purchased tickets to the biggest rivalry football game at her alma mater. When my mom was growing up, she used to attend these football games with her grandparents who had season tickets, and this was a family tradition she always cherished. When her grandparents became too old to attend the games, and she couldn’t afford the season tickets herself, the family had to let them go. Knowing that this was something she always regretted, we surprised her with the tickets and spent her 50th birthday cheering on her alma mater as a family. She had so much fun that we ended up buying season tickets for the following year and have had them ever since. It has become a tradition for her to attend the games with her daughters, and now her grandchildren, much like she did as a kid with her grandparents.
Maybe you’re a wife, mother, grandmother, career-woman, or a combination thereof. You might have grown children and grandchildren to dote on, but you also have many friends and colleagues from various walks of life, all of whom you’ve shared wonderful life experiences with. While 18 and 21 have historically been the most hyped up birthdays, 50 has become the hottest new milestone.
No matter what your reason for dreading this day, throw it out and rethink your mindset. Turning 50 should be embraced and celebrated in a way only you should choose. Haven’t you always wanted to travel somewhere exotic, throw an epic theme party, or treat yourself to new life experiences? Here are 3 ways to celebrate turning 50 in style.
Plan a trip
If you’re looking for some travel inspiration, check out On the Go Tours’ 50th Birthday Travel Ideas, which include active adventures, bucket list destinations, safari holidays, and cultural city breaks all around the world. Regardless of your activity level, or preferred vacation type, there is something for everyone. Our travel guide also includes wonderful travel tips, so be sure to read up on fun ideas that include international and local travel, road trips, and weekend getaways.
Throw a party
Not all of us are into party-planning, so if you’re not, but want to celebrate with a party, hopefully you have someone close to you who can’t wait to help you plan the perfect party. However, if you prefer to do it yourself or need a few – perhaps 50 – helpful tips, The Spruce’s Fun Ideas for Celebrating a 50th Birthday is a great starting point. Consider making it a theme party based on your favorite movie or time period, or renting out your favorite restaurant to serve up all those comfort dishes that warm your belly. Invite the 50 most important people in your life and assign each of them a fun role for the party. The party-planning ideas are endless!
Make a list
If you’re not as into traveling or throwing big parties, don’t worry. Another great option is to 
make a list of 50 things you can do in your year of 50 that will make you happy. These don’t have to be extravagant ideas, but rather simple, every day pleasures. If you’ve always wanted to join a book club, take a yoga class, or learn to cook new recipes, now’s your chance. Our entertainment guide is a great place to find delicious recipes to add to your list. Maybe you just want to spend a night out once a month with your friends trying new restaurants or wine bars in your area, or you want to plan a few short getaway weekends with your spouse. This could also be a great opportunity for you to get involved in more philanthropic events, volunteer your time, or donate to your favorite charities.
No matter how you choose to celebrate turning 50, just remember that this is your day, your year, your adventure. Celebrate turning 50 in style doing what you want to do with the people you choose to spend it with, or on a solo adventure. Don’t forget to have fun and start planning how you’ll spend the next 50 years!
