My DH is turning 50 in October and I am at a loss as to what to do/where to go. I know he would rather have a nice gift or a weekend away than a party...but I get the feeling from his mom that she would like me to do a party (She offered to help pay if I decide to do one.) I'll be honest,, I think parties are overrated and dont feel like planning one...So, I need ideas where to go just for the weekend because with the kids being in school in October, we cant really ask anyone to watch them longer than that.

Anyone got any cool or different ideas? I feel like Im running out of time and my brain is mush!

PS We live in NJ.

Thanks!

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Jill
jatalamo@aol.com
Mom to Joey (8) and Gianna (6)

maybe a weekend alone and his mom can pay for a sitter or watch them kids her self???

How about one of those romantic getaways in the poconos Resorts (ceasars? etc....) - with the champagne glass tub and the pool in your room

Your in NJ, so it's not too far from PA

**PS - I am in NYC

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MyCoupons Is #1 for Holiday Shopping

What about the weekend in Manhattan. Since you are in New Jersey, how about Atlantic City. Or a drive to see the fall colors and stay at a bed and breakfast along the way.

What if on Friday evening you have a get together for the family and after dinner and cake and ice cream, Grandma takes the kids with her for the weekend. Then the two of you could have the rest of the weekend to follow one of the above mentioned suggestions. A kind of compromise with MIL's idea and your own.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

I love your idea, cashchik! Everyone gets a piece of the action (or cake or hubby ). Perhaps even throw MIL bringing the kids to wherever you go on Sunday for brunch as a wrap-up/transfer!

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I know it is slightly off topic, but I wanted to share the idea. My mom lives in California and we live in Washington state. She comes to visit every summer for a week...one year, the day of her 50th birthday fell on the day after she arrived. Not having her friends and more family here felt weird to have a party, but I wanted to show her we love her and celebrate her being 50.

We had someone from each state send a postcard...50 cards from people she didn't know...sending a postcard to say happy birthday. I had the cards come the week prior to her arriving and found a cool photo album that held them and had room left over for pictures of the vacation with us.

Most of the postcards came from mycouponers. I posted a thread asking if anyone would be interested...and I would say 40 of the state postcards came from mycouponers. They are great!

Like I said, I know it was slightly off-topic, but wanted to let you know that there are ways to celebrate thinking outside the box as well.

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I like cashchik's idea! Then MIL won't feel left out, and everyone ends up happy.

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Thanks for all the input everyone.

I love caschiks idea too but it wont work. MIL just had a stroke, (shes doing ok but...) plus she is 78. I wouldnt leave the kids with her for more than an hour, she just cant handle it. We live over an hour apart to boot. I could always plan a small surprise party earlier on, say like the end of the summer and then go away his actual birthday weekend. I dont want to dismiss my MIL's desire to celebrate her sons milestone, I hope we can find a way to satisfy all (especially hubby!) LOL

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Jill
jatalamo@aol.com
Mom to Joey (8) and Gianna (6)

Take him to the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, NJ. Oh so romantic, great food, right on the beach, GREAT SPA.

If you have to somewhere with the kids, check out GreatWolfLodge, Poconos.

It's easy enough to do a small dinner party or bbq for his actual b-day-a simple menu and a cake on a Fri. night, then at the party "surprise" him w/ whatever trip you'll be taking-what about a cruise to nowhere out of NYC?