40th Birthday Party Ideas
Having a 40th Birthday Party is a milestone and for some is a Big deal. So, why don’t you go “Over The Hill” with these 40th party ideas. Send out some fun invitations with the typical “Over the Hill” jokes, or add a more mature theme by harnessing their accomplishments! Share with everyone what a great person they are. Stress that “Life begins at Forty!”
Be sure to have out old photo albums, scrap books and a “Before and After” photo for everyone to enjoy! Present a slide show. Make a time line of their life. From schools and education, to jobs and careers, travel, old cars, houses, relationship, kids etc.
Remember to keep it positive and not to depress anyone. This is suppose to be fun. Here is list of some fun 40th birthday party decorations, themes and ideas starting with some 40th Party invitations!
40th Birthday Party Supplies
- 40th birthday banner
- Put a sign on the front lawn that says “Honk if You’re Forty” Make it a game and raise a glass every time somebody honks to celebrate!
- 40th balloons and streamers
- 40th Mylar balloons
- Make a Sign: Lordy, Lordy! Look who’s 40!
- 40 Pink Flamingos or other plastic animals on the front yard
- Champagne
- Confetti
- Party hats
- Party noise makers
40th Birthday Party Ideas
- Invite 40 close friends and family
- If you are at a restaurant or public place for your party, advise everyone in the venue before hand to clap as the birthday boy or girl passes by. This may be tricky, but by arriving ahead of time with pre-made little notes for each table or telling the wait staff would be a great help!
- Rent a nice car or vintage 40 yr old car to drive them around in
- Make a surprise home made video! Get together with your guests ahead of time and have them record a personal message. Then play it at the party.
- Hire a comedian to get some laughs
- 40th birthday Trivia: In the year you were born …
- Go on a hot air balloon ride, or give as a group gift
- Go bowling
- Light some fire works
40th Party Themes
Here are a few popular 40th party themes. See our Adult Party page for some more great theme ideas!
Here are a few popular 40th party themes. See our Adult Party page for some more great theme ideas!
Top 20 hits from the 1970’s
- Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston
- Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton
- Last Dance - Donna Summer
- (They Long To Be) Close To You – Carpenters
- Best Of My Love – Emotions
- If You Leave Me Now – Chicago
- Mandy - Barry Manilow
- It's Too Late - Carole King
- Bridge Over Troubled Water -Simon & Garfunkel
- Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
- Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
- Ooh Baby Baby - Linda Ronstadt
- The Way We Were - Barbra Streisand
- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face -Roberta Flack
- Bad Girls - Donna Summer
- Killing Me Softly With His Song - Roberta Flack
- So Into You - Atlanta Rhythm Section
- You're So Vain - Carly Simon
- Right Back Where We Started From -Maxine Nightingale
- American Pie - Don McLean
40th Birthday Gift Ideas
- Fill a Gift basket with their favorite items, or buy a pre-made one
- $40 gift certificate. If doing gift certificates it would be great if they coordinated with the party theme
- For a gift certificate $40 might be too much for many so consider doing a group gift certificate. For instance, every couple donates $20 and with 20 couples (or $10 for the 40 guests) there will be $400 for the certificates (do four $100 gift certificates)
- For Men Sporting goods, home improvement store, coffee, movies, local pub, books
- For Women Spa, favourite clothing store, coffee, books, new restaurant, entertainment area (play, movie, live music)
- Birthstone jewellery
- Scrap book of life’s accomplishments so far
- 40 of a specific item in a gift bag
40th Birthday Food
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Should match the theme of the evening.
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 40th Twin Birthday Cake My good friend made this cake for my twin sisters' 40th Birthday Party. One loves music and the other loves volleyball, so it was designed for both of them! |
Should match the theme of the evening.
- E.g., for a beer tasting party, have the top 40 beers from around the world.
- E.g., BBQ – roast the guest of honor
- 40th Birthday Cake. Simple, use 2 large slab cakes and cut out the shape of a 4 and a 0. Use icing in the color of your theme and guest of honors favorite color.
40th Twin Birthday Cake
(Shared by Meghan)
My good friend made this cake for my twin sisters' 40th Birthday Party. One loves music and the other loves volleyball, so it was designed for both of them!