Great 50th Birthday Gift Ideas

This is a topic that hits very close to home with me, since I am about to celebrate the Big 5-0 in a matter of days.

This is a remarkable time for anybody entering the fifth decade of their existence.  It means, thank God, that you're a survivor, that you've weathered a lot of storms.  It doesn't have to mean, however. that you have one foot in the grave or that all fun in life is about to cease. As a matter of fact, there should be more fun, because at 50, you're at the point where you're open to things you might not have had the nerve to do when you were younger and less confident.

I think 50th birthday gifts ought to be out-of-the-ordinary and over-the-top, to mark the fact that this is a spectacular occasion and, confound it, we want to celebrate it!

These are gift ideas I think would give any new 50-year-old a thrill:


A Hot Air Balloon Ride

I would personally love to take a ride in a hot air balloon on my birthday.

Many cities have places that offer hot air balloon rides for special occasions. Just make sure you check your local BetterBusiness Bureau first to inquire about their safety record. Definitely make certain that the pilot is FAA licensed and has proven experience

The cost usually depends upon where you live and how many people will be aboard. 


Tandem Sky Diving Lessons

When I heard the report of George H.W. Bush, our former President,. marking his then 80th birthday by skydiving from several feet high, I thought he was starting to lose a few brain cells.

Now that I'm about to hit my 50th year, I understand completely what his reason was. The older you get, the more you want to feel a sense of excitement, because it helps you feel more alive and vibrant.

There are many places that offer a tandem skydiving lesson, usually around $220-00 to $225.00 per jump. Most include instruction and all equipment and some will videotape your experience at an additional cost.

Imagine, jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet in the air, your heart beating with a combination of abject fear and exhilaration, as you test your courage and then feel the pride of accomplishing a successful jump.