Getting Personal

                Dust Down Your Tail Feathers and Take to the Skies: A 50th birthday Surprise
            
                Madonna has done it. Michael Jackson has done it. Earlier this year, Prince Albert of Monaco even did it. 2008 has seen a host of famous people celebrate their 50th birthdays and whilst this half-centenary milestone might sound a little intimidating; there are a number of reasons why this should be an age to really celebrate.

So you may still have a few years left of work to go, your eye sight might not be as good as it was and your joints might be more reliable than the Met office; but as you enter your fifties you can expect to find life a little less stressful than it used to be. If the kids haven't flown the nest already then it shouldn't be long before they're off, and it's likely that you'll have little or no mortgage left to pay so what are you waiting for? These could be the most exciting years of your life.

If you know someone who is approaching their half-centenary or perhaps you just want to treat yourself, then there are a number of 50th birthday gifts that might inspire an exciting and new lifestyle altogether; all you have to do is look to the skies. 

With an adventure day 50th birthday gifts, you could treat someone to the experience of a lifetime such as 'Top Gun flying in a Bulldog', a 'helicopter tour' or even a day's flying lesson. These airborne 50th birthday gifts are a sure way to release some adrenaline and remind yourselves just how young you really are. These extraordinary days out may sound terrifying to the land-lover but as Leonardo De Vinci once said: "Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned forever skyward, for there you have been, and there you long to return". 

For the more hardcore thrill seekers, then how about something that puts a little bit more faith in the wind? Take away the engines and you're left with an amazing gliding experience. Thrust into the air by a winch, gliding relies on the same air currents that birds use to fly and you'll find never find peace and quiet like it – not convinced? Then why not watch a copy of 'The Thomas Crown Affair' and see just how it's meant to be done! 

50th birthday gifts are the perfect opportunity to give someone something they will remember forever, and what better way to do that than a serene trip in a Hot Air balloon? People have been hot air ballooning for over 200 years and it's easy to see why the likes of Sir Richard Branson can't get enough of it. With these 50th birthday gifts you can even tag along and celebrate the day with a glass of champagne 3,000 ft above the ground, just be sure to take a camera along too to capture the ride forever. 

If you've led a relatively quiet life up to this point then perhaps turning fifty can be the start of a whole new exciting lifestyle. It's time to make a list of things you've always wanted to do and start getting them done. It's probably too late to start a career as a rock star but if you found yourself putting your life on hold to start a family and work on your career, now is the perfect opportunity to pick up the mantle and run. You don't have to wait for someone to treat you, why not buy yourself some amazing 50th birthday gifts?

If you really want to feel the wind beneath your wings then why not just throw yourself right into it or out of it in the case of a 'Tandem Skydive Gift-pack'. For the ultimate in 50th birthday gifts then why not treat someone to the experience of jumping from a plane at 13,000ft? You could even work your way up to it yourself with an 'Indoor Skydiving' gift pack – with a powerful wind tunnel that recreates the thrill of freefall, these 50th birthday gifts are a great way to push back any wrinkles!

They say it's only when you've stared death in the face that you truly learn to love life and 50th birthday gifts like these might be just enough to kick start that half-centenarian into enjoying their freedom before the grandchildren arrive and they get stuck with babysitting duties. A day out at a health club could be the perfect opportunity to be pampered, or how about wine tasting at an English vineyard? Whatever you decide to give them for their 50th, the reminder that they still have a lot of living to do will be one of the greatest 50th birthday gifts of all.