Memorable Moments, Plans for a Special Occasion

Cherish Life's Special Moments


40th Birthday Party Ideas

Born in 1983?

Wondering how to celebrate this special occasion?

Want to make the party go with a swing, looking for ideas on how to throw a great 40th birthday party but not sure where to start?

Reaching the age of forty can be quite traumatic for both men and women, what better way then, than to throw a memorable party to help them celebrate, rather than commiserate?

After all, turning forty is when many people realise for the first time that they're no longer a part of the "youth" and are hurtling over the hill towards "middle age".

So, plan a fun celebration party to help mark this landmark year.

40th Birthday Celebration Ideas

Isn't it funny, we go to parties all our life, but can so easily get stuck when wanting to find a few special ideas for creating a fabulous 40th birthday party .

One of the most popular ideas, for good reasons, is to throw a theme or fancy dress party. This could be with something as simple as a 70's or 80's theme - or any theme you choose, from black and white, to a casino party, together with roulette wheel and your guests all dressed up.

Of course, throwing a surprise party is unlikely to ever go out of fashion. Getting all your friends and family to turn up to celebrate is easier than you imagine, though keeping it a surprise when everyone else is so excited might be harder than you think.

Book a venue, phone around and give verbal invitations, and make sure you keep the date free!

It's easy to get a whole bunch of "40" themed stuff - banners, balloons, cups, napkins, tablecloths - everything to help decorate your venue.

Ask a good friend to help with organising - make sure you arrange for a birthday cake and ask someone to say a few words.

As it's not usually a very serious occasion, the addition of a few jokes, humor or appropriate quotes into their short speech can help set the right tone and get people laughing, to get the right feel for the evening.


40th Birthday Quotes, Sayings & Jokes

Here's our favorite 40th birthday quotes, humorous sayings & funny jokes :-

"Life begins at 40"
WB Pitkin

This wine is forty years old. It certainly doesn't show its age."
Cicero

"You can only perceive real beauty in a person as they get older"
Anouk Aimee

"The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm"
Aldous Huxley

"I'm not 40, I'm eighteen with 22 years experience."
Anonymous

"Women are most fascinating between the ages of 35 and 40 after they have won a few races and know how to pace themselves. Since few women ever pass 40, maximum fascination can continue indefinitely"
Christian Dior

"At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At 40, we don't care what they think of us. At 60, we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all"
Ann Landers

"Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed"
Charles M. Schultz

and, finally, a limerick:-

"You're turning forty today,
Don't frown then with such great dismay,

We're all here to state,

That we think you are great,

And for you we'll all shout 'Hooray!'"

Certainly there are some great jokes about age and turning forty is probably the first time most friends will get the opportunity to tell them!

However once the speech is over, one or two toasts may be appropriate, but do make sure people are primed beforehand to enable them to find a few well chosen words.

For any 40th birthday, the evening would not be complete without a few classic party games - either grown up versions of childish games, such as pass the parcel and charades.

More adult games include passing balloons or oranges, trivia or memory games, and will depend on the size of your venue and number of guests.

Fortieth Birthday Gift Ideas

This is an age where it can be quite difficult to buy "useful" presents as the recipient may well have much of what they need.

Instead, you may wish to buy "experience" gifts, such as a balloon ride or a driving experience. Alternatively, family members may wish to club together and buy one big present such as a holiday or weekend stay away.

Fortieth Birthday Gifts for Women:-

Whether it's a friend, wife or girlfriend - females can sometimes be harder to buy gifts for than men.

Getting clues in advance can help greatly - where does she shop, what beauty products does she love, does she visit a beauty salon or beautician regularly.

If you really aren't sure what to buy, you have two choices.

Either buy a present that she can return and exchange, making sure you check the returns policy and include the receipt

Or buy a voucher for something she loves but can't quite afford - for a spa day, a beauty treatment, a theatre visit or her favorite store

40th Birthday Gifts for Men:

Most males enjoy sports, high excitement or cars.

So buy them some accessories for the car they already have, or something for the car they desire. Exhilarating experiences include paintballing, motor racing, rallying - or you could opt for tickets to see his favorite team playing.

Guys also love gadgets and toys - so anything from one of those gadget shops which they can play with is likely to go down well. Childhood toys such as space hoppers and rubiks cubes can be fun.

Why not track down those toys they wanted as kids on eBay and surprise them?

Thank you for visiting!

Birthday Party Resources

Discover more great party ideas