40th Birthday Party
Throwing a party for a loved one on their 40th birthday should involve some considerable planning. The big 4-0: They say that life begins at forty. Some believe that it represents the onset of middle age. For some, it is a time of reflection, a time to evaluate where you are in life and where you are heading. But, for everyone, it is a time to celebrate a life of accomplishment and of the promise of much more to come. Here, you will find suggestions for making the big day both memorable and fun.
For some reason, the 40th birthday is one of the biggest for surprise parties. Perhaps, that is because those that want to celebrate fear that the birthday person may want to avoid it all together. Surprise parties take a great deal of organization and planning to successfully pull off. First, an excellent diversion is required. The husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend may well be able to convince the birthday person that a quiet celebration at a restaurant with an early dinner followed by a romantic night at home is a good way to go. Another way to celebrate is to take the celebrant out to his or her favorite activity. This may involve a day at the golf course or a day filled with spa visits and pampering. In any case, by the time you arrive back home or wherever the party venue may be, a surprise party will be the farthest thing from his or her mind. In sending out invitations, be sure to indicate that this will be a surprise party and have people respond to your personal email or to that of a friend.
Venue
This may be your home, a favorite restaurant or catering establishment, a boat, or a club that may have significance in the life of the birthday person. Perhaps, there is a dance club where your significant other proposed to you or some other milestone took place. And select party favors to be given out to guests that will serve as mementos of this wonderful celebration. These can be anything from a tee shirt, hat or button with an appropriately printed slogan to a framed copy of the picture of the birthday person when the door was opened and all the guests shouted surprise.
Entertainment
A birthday roast is very popular for 40th birthday parties. Have each guest prepare a funny story about the birthday person. This will bring back wonderfully nostalgic memories of days gone by. Supplement them with pictures wherever possible. Be sensitive to the fact that this type of party requires that the guest of honor has a sense of humor about himself or herself. If it is a dinner party, then this makes pot roast a very appropriate dish.
If your tastes are more expansive, then you can rent a party bus and create a truly mobile party. This can be a club crawl throughout your city visiting clubs that are fun and that can bring back memories of younger days. Other stops can include venues where the old gang used to hang out.
Theme
One theme you might consider is a fantasy party. For example, a James Bond Casino Royale party with games of chance, show girls and intrigue. Enlist some of the guests to stage a murder mystery and have the other guests help the guest of honor to solve it. This brings a sense of mystery and suspense to the party that places a nice edge on the event.
If the season is right, a beach party is a great way to celebrate turning forty. The beach has a way of bringing back younger days and is a great venue for nostalgia. So break out your old beach towel and don't forget that glow in the dark Frisbee. Where circumstances allow, a beach barbecue makes for a great celebration. Music can come from a live band or from boom boxes. Food can range from simple hamburgers and hot dogs to more festive foods like Hawaiian chicken and Brazilian skewered beef dishes. A rousing game of beach volleyball can be an appropriate prelude to sitting around a campfire and reminiscing and singing songs of an era gone by.
Cake
The birthday cake should be large enough to handle forty candles without setting off any sprinkler systems. With music, bright lights, and being surrounded by friends and family, the birthday person should have a memorable kick off to his or her fortieth year with a ribbon appropriately tied around all of the wonderful memories that brought him or her there. Perhaps forty is not so bad after all, just a door opening to all of the great accomplishments that are yet to come!
