Planning a 40th Birthday Party

Don't stress when planning a 40th birthday party. There are endless possibilities; some are simple while others may require a bit more work.

Plan a fun 40th!

Party planning can be fun and simple or it can be stressful. Don’t let it be the latter; instead be well prepared and plan ahead so that your celebration goes flawlessly. The earlier you start planning a 40th birthday party, the better. Proper planning ensures that all your bases are covered. Save yourself stress and give yourself plenty of time to plan a perfect party.

A 40th birthday is a great reason to plan a celebration in honor of someone special. Let the special people in your life know that they have reason to celebrate turning "the big 4-0" with a bash held in their honor. Once you have decided that you plan on throwing a birthday party, there are several things to take into consideration. The first thing to think about it whether you want to make the party a surprise party or let the guest of honor know about it ahead of time. There are other factors to think about as well. These include:

Deciding who to invite can often be challenging. Be sure to ask the guest of honor, if she or he is aware of the party, and those who are close, such as family members, other friends or co-workers, who they feel should be invited. You may need to set a limit on the number to invite to the celebration. Invitations should be sent in advance. Be sure to word the invitations so your guests know what to expect. If the party is to be a surprise, mention it on the invite so they don’t tell the guest of honor in advance.

Pick a date and time that is convenient to the guest of honor as well as those you are planning on inviting. A weekend usually works best for everyone. When setting a date and time, also keep in mind whether it will be an adults-only gathering or a family affair.

If you plan on having the party at a venue other than your home, be sure to book it ahead of time. Many venues have specific requirements, so make sure that you are aware of what they expect and permit at their location.

Many parties have a theme while others do not. If you are planning a 40th birthday party around a theme, consider one of the following ideas:

• Walk Down Memory Lane
• Hobby theme such as sports or poker
• Vacation Destination
• This is Your Life

If you decided on a theme for the 40th party, plan your decorations around that theme. If not, there are many ideas when it comes to decorating for a 40th birthday party. For example, choose black and white as your theme and use Over The Hill decorations such as black balloons and black streamers. A birthday party can let your imagination run wild. Have fun with the decorations and be creative. Other decorations to use:

• Happy 40th Banner
• Confetti
• Noisemakers
• Photos

Food plays a major role in most celebrations. Include favorites of the guest of honor as well as items that all your guests will be sure to enjoy. A buffet filled with finger foods and snacks always is a hit, and your guests can help themselves to their favorites. Be sure to have a cake with a 40th birthday message on it as well. Music can be included in the day’s celebrations. Play music from the decade that the guest of honor grew up in as a way to commemorate the day. A video can be made set to the music of the decade. Show photos of the guest of honor through the years. This idea is sure to be a hit and a fun way to take a walk down memory lane!

Games are a great way to break the ice and liven up a party. Keep the games simple. Some games to play include:

• Trivia
• Charades
• Name that Tune

Proper planning will ensure that your 40th birthday celebration is a success. Give yourself plenty of time to get organized for the big bash. Be sure to cover all your bases so all the details are tended to. Most importantly make sure that the guest of honor is having a good time and enjoys his or her special day.

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