and table wear, maybe a hearse-ride to the restaurant, a headstone in the front yard, and games like "Now that you're 40, you can't ...."

This Is Your Life

 Nostalgic retrospectives are always fun as a 40th birthday party idea, and 40 is a good time to look back and see what someone has done throughout their lives. Decor is simple: pull out the pictures from as far back as you can go, mass the trophies and awards on a draped table behind the buffet, and from the high-school days. For lots of laughs, encourage guests to come dressed as if they were in the birthday person's high school or college class. If possible, invite an old teacher or mentor as a second "special guest." If you can get two or three significant people from the honoree's life, stage a real "This Is Your Life" retrospective.

The Places We Went

 Take a tour -- maybe in a limo -- of the places that the birthday person used to frequent as a traveling 40th birthday party idea. The childhood home, the elementary and secondary schools, "grandma's house," any special theatres or parks, and so on. End the tour at a favorite restaurant for dinner and celebratory desserts.

Travel Surprise

 You've heard of destination weddings -- plan a destination surprise party! Find out someplace that your birthday person has always wanted to visit, and gather as many friends as possible for a special surprise party. If the place the person wants to go is too far for guests to travel (like Azerbaijan), or if it's too exotic for a good surprise party venue (like the African veldt), then recreate the place in a local . With enough time and the right people, you can create just about anything on a small scale.

Masquerade

 Throw a masked ball. Everyone likes a good excuse to dress up, and everyone enjoys the mystery of dancing with unknown partners. Be sure to have a big "unmasking" ceremony near the end of the party. If the birthday person has a favorite movie, book, or historical period, then you have a ready-made party theme.

A Four Decades Party

 The world changes a lot in four decades. Have decorations divided by decade, with the food and decor selected to represent what was popular in each decade. For example, for the 1950s, jello salad and avocado green plates, for the '60s, tie-dyed table linens. In various places around the room, or on the various tables, have collages of various items that were new in that decade: think about it, there are a lot of people who've witnessed the birth of the personal computer, the compact disc, the DVD, the SUV ... It takes a little (but only a little) research and it's a fun kind of retrospective for a 40th birthday party idea.

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 * * * * * * --> 40th Birthday Party Ideas - LoveToKnow Party

40th Birthday Party Ideas

From LoveToKnow Party

Are you or a loved one turning the big four zero and need some special 40th birthday party ideas? The yard signs and crepe paper decor say it all. Besides the typical, traditional, and overdone, what can be done to celebrate this milestone birthday?

Over the Hill 40th Birthday Party Idea

While 40 gets younger every year, most folks still consider 40 the age when they hit the top of the hill and start heading down the other side. Yes, the "over the hill" party is traditional, but that can be a plus. Everyone will know what to expect. Black décor and table wear, maybe a hearse-ride to the restaurant, a headstone in the front yard, and games like "Now that you're 40, you can't ...."

This Is Your Life

Nostalgic retrospectives are always fun as a 40th birthday party idea, and 40 is a good time to look back and see what someone has done throughout their lives. Decor is simple: pull out the pictures from as far back as you can go, mass the trophies and awards on a draped table behind the buffet, and play games from the high-school days. For lots of laughs, encourage guests to come dressed as if they were in the birthday person's high school or college class. If possible, invite an old teacher or mentor as a second "special guest." If you can get two or three significant people from the honoree's life, stage a real "This Is Your Life" retrospective.

The Places We Went

Take a tour -- maybe in a limo -- of the places that the birthday person used to frequent as a traveling 40th birthday party idea. The childhood home, the elementary and secondary schools, "grandma's house," any special theatres or parks, and so on. End the tour at a favorite restaurant for dinner and celebratory desserts.

Travel Surprise

You've heard of destination weddings -- plan a destination surprise party! Find out someplace that your birthday person has always wanted to visit, and gather as many friends as possible for a special surprise party.

If the place the person wants to go is too far for guests to travel (like Azerbaijan), or if it's too exotic for a good surprise party venue (like the African veldt), then recreate the place in a local banquet hall. With enough time and the right people, you can create just about anything on a small scale.

Masquerade

Throw a masked ball. Everyone likes a good excuse to dress up, and everyone enjoys the mystery of dancing with unknown partners. Be sure to have a big "unmasking" ceremony near the end of the party. If the birthday person has a favorite movie, book, or historical period, then you have a ready-made party theme.

A Four Decades Party

The world changes a lot in four decades. Have decorations divided by decade, with the food and decor selected to represent what was popular in each decade. For example, for the 1950s, jello salad and avocado green plates, for the '60s, tie-dyed table linens. In various places around the room, or on the various tables, have collages of various items that were new in that decade: think about it, there are a lot of people who've witnessed the birth of the personal computer, the compact disc, the DVD, the SUV ... It takes a little (but only a little) research and it's a fun kind of retrospective for a 40th birthday party idea.

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Comments

is a great idea! -->

Thanks for sharing, Billie Jean. A party bus rental is a great idea!

-- Contributed by: Lorie Witkop

My husband is turning 4o in 2 weeks and I rented the Big Cheese (school bus) and we are Pub Hoppin around town. It's safe and even the DD can have fun!

-- Contributed by: Billie Jean

Along the lines of the kids activities you've already mentioned, go-carts could be fun. Guests of all ages can have fun speeding around a track. Since your husband's birthday is in October, you could also take advantage of fall activities and invite the guests to a cider mill or a haunted house attraction. Hope these ideas help get you started.

-- Contributed by: Lorie Witkop
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