The big 4-0 is a fourth dimension to celebrate. We're talking "My Big Fatty 40th Mega Fustigate" large. So when it comes to planning the birthday party—whether information technology'south for yous or a honey friend or family member—make information technology the best by considering the four T's: theme, tradition, time, and tone.

In other words, you'll desire to curate a altogether fustigate that's complete with a memorable theme, thoughtful traditions, and elegant invitations—all while paying special attention to the time of year to make whatsoever adjustments based on weather condition or seasonality.

Afterwards that, it's a slice of (birthday) block.

What is a practiced 40th altogether theme?

Whether you're excited or anxious to exist turning 39 for the second time, you lot deserve to throw a party that'due south all about you and your passions. That means you should pick a theme that you've always wanted to do—now'southward the time to go all out. Perhaps you love camping ground or you're a budding oenophile or yous merely desire to put on an outfit that makes y'all experience fabulous as you striking upwardly your favorite cocktail bar. No matter which theme yous choose (and trust united states of america, we have ideas), your 40th birthday commemoration deserves a footling extra pizzazz. Looking for memorable 40th birthday political party ideas? Read on!

" Plant Party " Flyer by Paperless Post

Make it a weekend getaway

What could be more relaxing than a weekend with your closest friends and family? Rent a cabin or pitch tents in a cute locale—a bloom-filled meadow, a cerise-stone desert, or a lake nestled in the mountains.

Welcome guests with an under-the-stars reception, consummate with delicious appetizers and perhaps fifty-fifty a signature cocktail. Then, end the dark with a corrupt dinner party and a night of dancing with your favorite songs from the by four decades.

When it comes to accommodations, each guest may have their ain preferences. As such, provide your guests with a selection of sleeping options—on-site glamping tents for lovers of camping and nearby hotels or holiday rentals for the less seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Later on a night of sleeping under the stars, say farewells to guests the side by side 24-hour interval with a village fête transport-off—an elaborate festival consummate with food, games, and entertainment. Information technology'll certainly be a weekend to reminisce on for birthdays to come.

Left:

" How to Build a Fire " by Paperless Postal service

Bring together forces and plan a family bash

Plan a traditional family weekend all of your invitees can enjoy, no thing their age. Ready out for the countryside with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins you tin can get together to gloat the adjacent decade of life. In the afternoon, fix activities suitable for cantankerous-generational fun, whether it'south a badminton tournament or a treasure hunt that pits youngsters against their elders in a friendly competition for a prestigious prize—the winner gets to choose dessert.

Pick a meadow with enough of space to picnic or pitch tents. Or, find a park pavilion with enough space to host family and friends. Once the youngsters are asleep, kick things up a notch for an evening of fun—drinks, games, and reminiscing nigh the concluding iv decades.

Left: Pile of Billboard cassette tapes | Right:

" Totally Rad " by Paperless Mail

Plan a surprise ʼ90s bash

Are you on party planning duty for a loved 1 turning the big four-0? Phone call all your all-time partiers and dancers for an epic surprise birthday bash that will transport your celebrant dorsum to the days of acid-wash denim, butterfly clips, and boy bands.

Remind your guests of any party must-haves before attending, whether it'due south a costume or a vaccination card. Then, become the celebration started with a DJ to play all the top hits from the ʼ90s (a Spotify playlist will work just also) for a peppy soundtrack to trip the light fantastic toe the dark abroad.

Provide your guests with a selection of ʼ 90s-era fruity cocktails like Cosmopolitans, Apppletinis, and Strawberry Daiquiris. We likewise strongly suggest ordering pizza for a much-needed refuel session.

Brand safety, laughter, dancing, and the birthday star's smile your top priority of the dark. A ʼ 90s party is the perfect gateway to a new feel-good decade. Plus, nosotros have the perfect invite . Y'all tin throw an ʼ80s bash, too!

" Coming Up Rosé " Flyer and "Schitt'due south Creek" cookies by Siddle Bear Cookies

Oh, Schitt . He's 40!

Allow your friends know it would give you no greater joy than to spend the evening with them to gloat your 40th birthday! Pitch a "Schitt's Creek" dress lawmaking—grandiose wigs and hats for the Moiras, graphic sweaters and loftier-top Antipodal for the Davids, and chic dresses and ditzy hand flips for the Alexises. You can fifty-fifty compete in an "Ew, David" impression contest!

If your guests have no idea what you're talking nearly when you reference the Rosebud Cabin, encourage them to rampage the series before the birthday bash to grab them up on the hit riches-to-rags sitcom.

" Fabulous Forever " Flyer

Rent out a hotel

Go large with a hotel extravaganza! Many hotels permit guests to book a block of rooms (typically ix or more) at a discounted price for birthday celebrations. The hotel will most likely offer a slew of amenities and activities, from rounds of golf to spa days. Depending on the location, the hotel may fifty-fifty offer vino tasting events.

Before setting your guests loose, be sure to clarify which events are included in the hotel stay, and which aren't. Non-hosted events, similar the ones listed above, can normally be paid directly through the hotel during the result. Hosted events, such equally pool-side cabanas, casual dinners, and adieu brunches, are also a corking way to bail with your guests and celebrate the new decade!

Left: Photo of a cocktail on a wood table | Right:

" Bottle Stupor – Gold " by Kelly Wearstler for Paperless Mail service

Host a big dinner in the big city

If yous're lucky enough to live a train ride away from the Large Apple, invite guests to a swish dark on the boondocks with a "New York Glam" themed birthday dinner. Ask guests to tune into their inner Carrie Bradshaw or Samantha Jones with a clothes lawmaking that screams New York chic, then have to the streets for a night of corrupt treats, a broadway show, and a nightcap before bedtime.

Even those who are Midwest or Westward-declension bound can participate in the fun with a big-city-themed soirée , complete with Manhattan cocktails, a streaming of broadway-hit "Hamilton," and an Italian dinner for the ages (and ageless).

Left:

" Chalet Shindig " by Paperless Post

Throw a chalet birthday

If you love skiing, head to the slopes for a weekend packed with powder, moguls, more than a couple of cold ones at your a près party.

There's plenty of activities on and off the mountain to celebrate in thousand winter way—from mount tiptop dining to spa treatments at the guild. You can even agree a snowman-making competition to see which i of your guests can all-time portray the birthday male child or girl in a flurry.

Wondering how to beckon your closest family and friends to the slopes? Nosotros've got an invitation for that.

Left: Photo of a man with his back to the viewer at a bowling alley. | Right:

" Lucky Strike – Pinkish " past Hi!Lucky for Paperless Post

Hold a game night (or day)

Celebrate your 40s with a game night aslope a few of your closest friends and family unit.

Whether yous're figuring out whodunnit with Clue or partaking in fast-dealing property grabs with Monopoly, a game nighttime is an amusing way to celebrate your big day intimately. If y'all're looking for a more than agile celebration, consider competing in a laser tag competition, a paint gun state of war, or a bowling tournament. Or you can accept to the sand for a fierce game of embankment volleyball.

No matter your game of pick, make certain it's one your entire guest listing can become involved with and bask.

Left:

" Market place Table " by Paperless Post

Recruit friends and family to help give back

Your 40th altogether can also be a fashion to give back and make a divergence within your community. Bring forth friends and family unit to your favorite neighborhood charity or nonprofit to offering a few dozen helping easily to those in need. Most likely, there volition exist a food bank, an fauna shelter, or a homeless shelter nearby that needs extra assist. If you're not keen on participating in the 24-hour interval-to-day activities of the charity, consider altruistic food or clothes instead!

At the stop of the twenty-four hour period, what matters most is not the success you've accumulated over the years, but the people you've uplifted forth the way.

Left: Photo of a woman enjoying a nice evening on her balcony. | Right:

" It's Getting Lit – 40 " by Cheree Berry Paper & Design for Paperless Post

Belated birthday? Gloat with a xl.v birthday party

If your 40th birthday coincided with the lockdowns of 2020 and you were unable to celebrate with family unit and friends, consider throwing a 40.five birthday party now, belatedly.

If yous're feeling whimsical, go with an "Alice in Wonderland" theme complete with a Mad Hatter's tea party and a 40/5 mad hatter hat for the birthday boy or girl. Y'all can also go with a more than casual theme, such every bit a lawn get-together or a motion picture night with shut friends.

To make sure your guests don't miss the shindig, programme on sending party relieve the date cards to their homes.

40th birthday invitation wording

In addition to choosing 40th birthday celebration ideas, invitations are perhaps the most important aspect of party planning. They let your guests know when and where your party will take place, too every bit any additional details such as party theme, dress lawmaking, or gift guides. As such, you'll want to brand sure your invitations stand out in blueprint and wording. Luckily, we're here to aid.

" Milestone Moment " by Paperless Post

Milestone Moment Mark the momentous occasion with an invitation that's just as special. Dazzle with the invitation and continue the wording uncomplicated:

Bessie Glass is Turning 40

Bring together us in toasting

Her grand accomplishment

Saturday, July 10th at 1PM

9 Story Avenue

The Number Oh (Xl) Make the invitation stand out merely as much as the 40-year-old to exist with a card that makes an entrance, accompanied past a posse of straightforward details:

Benjamin'due south 40th Birthday

Sabbatum, June ii, 3 PM

The Pool Deck at the Taft Hotel

3400 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles

" Lucky Number " past kate spade new york for Paperless Mail service

Lucky Number – Complement an elegant soiree with a chic invitation:

Bring together Tracy Lord for

Confetti & Cocktails

In award of her 40th birthday

Fri, Dec 27th at 8pm

The Hepburn Hotel – Philadelphia

RSVP

" It'due south All Uphill from Hither (Forty) " past Paperless Post

It's All Uphill From Here – Throw information technology dorsum to uncomplicated schoolhouse with this scholastic design that'll remind guests just how far your birthday-basher has come:

Please Join Us

In Toasting

Maude Chardin

On the Occasion of

Her 40th Altogether

December 20th at 7PM

71 Ashby Street

San Francisco

Hosted by Harold | RSVP

" Neon Capitals (Forty) " by Paperless Post

Neon 40th – Become bold with an middle-communicable pattern and unique wording that'south certain to allude to the upcoming night-to-recall:

Join Us in Making

Mark Thackeray's 40th Ane For the Books

Saturday, June 14 at vii:30 PM

115 Cable Street | London

" Like We're in Our 20s " past Derek Blasberg for Paperless Post

Similar We're In Our 20s – Stay young with a chalkboard inspired design that invites guests to a youthful and lively bash:

If 40's are the new 30's

Tin can we political party like we're in our 20's?

Sabbatum, March 8th, Eight O'Clock

Employees only and other fine drinking

establishments in the Due west Village

Please respond

Make it a birthday to call back with Paperless Post

Turning 40 is a huge milestone, and while it's an exciting new affiliate in one's life, turning the big 4-0 may as well come with its slew of emotions, both good and bad. No affair where your head is at, it never hurts to get a head start on brainstorming 40th birthday ideas and plans, peculiarly when it comes to the invitations. There, Paperless Postal service has y'all covered. We offer a selection of online custom cards and birthday invitations to assist brand your altogether extraordinary. Want your invitations to double equally keepsakes? We also have a collection of printable invitations .

Using our in-site customization tools, you tin modify the bill of fare's text, style, envelope, and background color to make an invitation that'southward truly you.

We also provide RSVP tracking tools to aid organize your guest list and responses. With such a large milestone to come, it's only plumbing equipment that you have the experts in political party-planning behind you—Paperless Postal service.

Browse Birthday Invitations