40Th Birthday Party/Event Ideas

J.,

My 40th birthday was last September. My husband pulled off the biggest surprise on me. My family all came in town for just a small family gathering at my home on my birthday (a Saturday). On Sunday, we were to go to a friend's house after church for fajita's on the grill because they hadn't been able to come to our home. I opened the door and walked in, because that's the kind of friends we are, there stood 60 of my best friends and family members, even my sister who had left earlier to head home. Anyway, that wasn't the best part. My friend had emailed all my friends asking them to send her a note written to me about what I meant to them. She did the most beautiful scrapbook with appropriate stickers and scrapbook stuff on every page with the letters that people wrote and pictures they sent. It took me 2 hours to read all of them. I cried all the way through. It was very touching to hear these people say the nicest and most sincere things about me. It is one of my most prized possessions. Anytime I am down, I pick it up for encouragement. My 40th birthday will be one of my best memories forever.

P.S.: Sorry it's so long.

Blessings,
K.

Hi J.,
I don’t have any original party ideas… but as a gift, I would create an “After the party” coffee table book (shutterfly or Kodak gallery) for her to always cherish.

I did this for my Moms 60th and had a notepad ready… everyone at the party wrote a special message and I captured that in the memory album. She Loved It, especially seeing what her friends wrote about her!

Good Luck,
E.

If your friend was involved in different activities throughout her life, a fun idea would be to have the smaller crowd of friends and have each one dress up as something she has participated in during her life. OK, this may sound confusing at first, but it is a lot of fun. For my past boss's birthday, one of us dressed up as a basketball player (he played in college), one dressed up as a pilot (he has a pilot's liscence), one as an orthodontist (his current profession), one dressed up in clothes with #1 Dad ribbons (he is a father), etc... He knew we were having a party, but had no idea how we were dressing up. He was pleasantly surprised to see how personal we made it!

I also will be turning 40, well not until next year but me and my friends have already began talking about what to do.
One I idea was to rent a skating rink for retro 80's party, where you come fully dressed in your 80's attire, big hair and all. If you come up with some ideas let me know as I am open to all suggestions as well.

M.

What about a private wine tasting? I would come into your home and guide you through tastng 6 artisan wines from Califoria: 3 whites and 3 reds. We would taste the wines with chocolates and cheeses and learn food pairing ideas. I would also share recipes selected to pair with the wines. We will go through the process of wine tasting and learn how to taste wine with your eyes, your nose, your mouth and your heart.

I also do personalized wine labels. You could put a baby picture of your friend on the label and any message you want.

Check out my website at www.FineWinesAtHome.com for more info and/or send me an email at ____@____.com

Cheers!
S.

I did a party last year for my parents. They both turned 60 in April. I had it at a small 'tea room' type place and had 30 people total I think. I got pictures from both my grandmas of my parents growing up and kinda did a timeline from one end of the restraunt to the other. Then on the sign in table I had baby pictures of both of them. I had made an 8x8 scrapbook for the occasion and had a page for guests to sign in and then I also had everyone write a page about how special my parents are to them and special memories to put in the scrapbook. This was a surprise party for them so it was really a blast and they were so surprised! We put tables together so it was one long table...low lighting...very intimate! Also, after we ate, since not everyone knew the other people at the party-we had each person stand up to introduce themselves and how they knew my parents and although it wasn't planned each person said something really sweet! There were a lot of happy tears that night!

I hope some of these ideas help and I hope your friend has a wonderful birthday!

We had a party at Dave and Busters with their Murder Mystery company, and everyone LOVED it! They provide the food (which you choose from steaks and other great food- gourmet food- and dessert.) You can offer drink tickets for those that would like to drink. It's entertainment and totally memorable!

I just did this for my sister on the 2nd of this month. We had only about 20 people there. We did it at my house and just did food, drinks, etc. My husband created a "time line" video for her and plugged in some baby pics, graduation pics, etc and also some filmed footage messages from her husband, son, and my parents. I don't know if you know someone who maybe able to create something like that for her, but she loved it. After it was over, we were able to give it to her on dvd. We played it while everyone was eating. Also, ask the guests to bring a school picture of themselves and have a contest for "Most Improved". I agree with the other comment about a mini scrapbook, you can have guest sign it with a personal message and give everyone a note with your email. You can get all the pics people take emailed to you and print them off and put them in her book. Have fun with it, more than anything, she will feel loved because you thought of her on her special day. My friend threw me a great party on my 30th and to date that was one of my BEST birthdays. Age is just a number folks!

I just turned 40 in January of 2007. My husband took me to a nice dinner and when we came home there were lots of family and friends. He rented a margarita machine and everyone brought a finger food to share. Lots of cameras and hugs, music and fun. I celebrate every birthday...don't let this be a depressing time for her. I have a brother who is a 6-year survivor of a brain cancer that should've killed him. I watched him loose his hair and then wonder if he'd even be around for his 40th. He just turned 42 in January. Celebrate the birthday, celebrate life and be thankful for those gray hairs!

Hi J.,
I turned forty this summer, and my sister and daughter sneaked pictures out of our many photo albums from different stages in my life and created a slide show with my favorite songs from over the years added on.
Watching it brought me to tears and allowed some guests to see how great I looked years ago!! :)

LeAnn
Mother of two, school teacher

My friend just turned 40. We had a small surprise w/ her close friends from work and family. She enjoyed it & was glad it wasn't a huge party. we just had appetizers and wine. was really nice.

Consider celebrating your friend's birthday by doing something that reminds them of their youth. For example, have a skating party. I own Lights-N-Motion skating rink, in Pilot Point, and we have very reasonable rates for private rentals. I have had a dual 30th birthday party where the facility was rented out for country and western dancing. We have also celebrated a 41st semi-private party where families came to celebrate in an open skate session.

Please contact me at ###-###-#### and I would love to discuss party options!

I might be able to help you and your friend with a unique birthday ida. I do "Spa Esacpe" parties in women's homes . It could be a "Ladie's Night In" pampering and de-stressing time or I do "theme" parties.

I come to a person's house and set up "stations" for ; hand treatment, foot treatment. mini facials, eye and lip treatments and a relaxation station as a group.

I have had Spa Escapes for a Ladie's Bible study group, a bridal shower, Frisco Thunder dance group and I am doing a birthday party next week for an Eye doctor in Plano.

There is alot of flexibility in these Spa Escapes. I would be glad for you to call me and I could answer any questions. I also have sample Spa invitations that I could e-mail you.

Best regards,
K.
###-###-####

40 for me was depressing. I would have hated a party. Is this a surprise? Yes, the number 40 is the depressing part because thank God I look and feel 30.

My hubby did surprise me though. I came home and had a new little sports car in the driveway to make me feel young again. So sweet!!

Turning forty was fun for me. I had just found out that my first grandbaby was on the way. Instead of my friends bringing presents for me that brought them for the baby.

HOWEVER, I am sure your friend does not want baby presents. So, I had a friend that rented a trolley to drive around to local places to eat and dance. They had the trolley for 4 hours. They had a blast. They went to several different places/bars. If you are not into the bar scene you could use it for a progressive dinner. Have the trolley or limo pick her up and take her to the first house where everyone would be waiting to surprise her. Then move on to the next houses. Plan to have around four stops. The last house would be for cake/ice cream/presents.

Another idea that I love is to have a girls night. Where everyone shows up in their pjs, we eat junk food and watch movies all night long.

Have fun!!!!!!!

I think a "spa day" is a great way to celebrate special days. You could invite a few very close friends and have a facial, mani/pedi, etc. at a spa or have a "spa" at one friend's home - just not the home of the special girl. Special food and refreshments and maybe a new pair of house slippers for each guest or a new bottle of nail polish in the new season's color. That's my idea of fun - and I'm 55. Maybe I'm getting old, but the quiet, intimate times with my dearest friends are the best. Good luck and have fun whatever your do.