40th birthday: everything you need to know about planning a 40th birthday party
Ideas, planning tips, decorations & gifts for a 40th birthday
A milestone birthday is always a special occasion, but a 40th birthday is particularly magical. At age 40, you’re probably well rooted in life, you know what you want and what’s good for you, but you still have dreams, plans and wishes for the future. We’ll give you lots of tips and ideas for celebrating your 40th birthday in style, from decorations and great 40th birthday gifts to planning tips to help organise your celebration.
Planning made easy: how to celebrate your 40th birthday in style
At age 40, you’re at your prime. You may have an established career by now as well as a family, and your circle of friends consists of people who are really important to you. This is exactly why a 40th birthday can be a little bigger. Whether you opt for a stylish dinner party, a laid-back garden party or a celebration with family and friends, we’ll give you useful tips for a smooth planning phase.
Plan your 40th birthday ahead of time: guest list, invitations & more
A great party starts with good and early planning. To help you organise a 40th birthday party for a friend, you will find practical tips and ideas here:
Keep the celebrant’s wishes and personality in mind
What does your friend enjoy? Is he or she a sociable type and likes big parties or would the person prefer a quieter celebration?
What lifestyle does your friend lead? If he or she has children, you should think about child-friendly options. If the person is very busy, it’s best to keep the party simple and hassle-free.
Are there any special interests that you can incorporate into the planning (e.g. favourite drinks, favourite foods, music, dancing, activities)?
What atmosphere or theme would suit your friend’s taste?
Ideas for your 40th birthday party
Summer garden party with long tables, fairy lights, Mediterranean food or a BBQ and homemade drinks
An elegant and laid-back meal in a restaurant with beautiful table decorations
A party in a hired location with a DJ and buffet
Two-part celebration: brunch with the family in the morning, a party with friends in the evening
Creative theme party: boho chic, gold & green or ‘40 & Fabulous’
40th birthday ideas: little highlights that speak volumes
Personalised gifts for guests (e.g. personalised place cards with photos of shared memories)
A joint game or quiz about the birthday person
A guest book with instant photos and endearing comments
A surprise video with greetings from family and friends, collected in advance and shown in the evening
A photo box with instant photos and small gifts
Practical tips for organising your 40th birthday
Communicate the date of the party well in advance (approx. 2 to 3 months beforehand)
Send out invitations 4 to 6 weeks in advance with all necessary information (dress code, location, ‘children welcome’ if applicable)
Book location, catering or entertainment early if required
Consider bad weather alternatives for outdoor events such as a pavilion or a plan B if necessary
Many people turning 40 already have children. This generally means their guests also have children. Therefore, consider early on whether children should be present or whether you should plan a ‘child-free’ event.
40th birthday decorations: stylish and unique
For a 40th birthday, the decorations you pick can be a little more subdued and elegant, depending on what you have planned. Instead of bright colours, such as for a 30th birthday, you can opt for more natural colours and loving details. Whether you're celebrating outdoors or want to create a cosy atmosphere indoors, we’ll give you great ideas for timeless and beautiful 40th birthday decorations.
Naturally beautiful: 40th birthday decorations with greenery, wood and earthy tones
For a laid-back yet festive atmosphere, you can opt for natural decorations and colours:
Leafy greens such as eucalyptus (round and long-leaved) and baby’s breath look fresh, light and stylish
Tablecloths and place mats in earthy tones to match the natural decorations
Decorative elements made of wood, glass or linen (e.g. napkins, candle holders, crystal glasses) emphasise the natural look and are more sophisticated than plastic
Green plants in pots or small bouquets in discreet vases will replace classic flower arrangements and add a splash of colour
Candles in different heights create a warm lighting atmosphere
White place settings and gold cutlery emphasise the jovial ambience and perfectly suit the design
Lay out a small card labelled ‘40 things we love about you’ at each guest's placemat. Everyone should write down as many kind and lovely things as they can think of. At the end, you can compile a list of the 40 best quotes. This makes for a lovely highlight and something to talk about at the table.
Understated decorative highlights for your 40th birthday party
In keeping with the natural table decorations, you can opt for subtle accents that blend in harmoniously with the other 40th birthday decorations:
Fairy lights, outdoor candle holders or lanterns create a cosy atmosphere, especially for outdoor celebrations or evening gatherings.
Single balloons in muted colours (e.g. white, sage green, beige or with gold accents) emphasise the celebratory mood and go perfectly with the other decorations.
A simple number 40 made of wood looks much more stylish than a gaudy XXL number balloon. You can, for example, mount it to the wall, place it on the gift table or use it as an element for a photo box.
Suitable snacks for your 40th birthday celebration
Whether it's a laid-back get-together or a stylish dinner party, the food should match the location, the time of day and the style of the birthday party. Here are a few ideas that are easy to prepare and leave a lasting impression:
A cheese or antipasti platter with small labels
Mini burgers or wraps that guests can put together themselves
A BBQ with vegetarian alternatives
Quiches, savoury muffins and puff pastries
Beautifully arranged mini desserts in glasses, (tiramisu, crème brûlée, chocolate mousse)
Cupcakes decorated with flowers or a number 40
A wine or prosecco tasting bar with small, descriptive labels
Water adorned with fresh fruit and herbs looks beautiful and is refreshing
40th birthday gift ideas for creative, homemade presents
A milestone birthday is a once in a lifetime occasion and calls for a special gift from the heart that shows you’ve put some thought into it! We'll show you two 40th birthday gift ideas that you can make at home. This is a great way to gift a personal present that expresses deep appreciation for your friend.
40th birthday gifts for her: a creative money gift
This is a creative and playful money gift for a 40th birthday that shows that you’ve put some effort into it. Instead of simply placing the money in a card, you can make it part of the design of the card. The idea is to use banknotes to create a skirt for a figure printed on a card. We’ll show you how to make this cute 40th birthday gift.
Money gift for a 40th birthday: materials for the card
Thick, white paper or paper with a design
A printer or a fine-tipped marker
Banknotes
Adhesive tape
Tutorial: how to make a money gift for a 40th birthday
Firstly, you should decide whether you want to print the motif or draw it yourself. If you want to draw it, you can either draw a female figure freehand or trace the motif from an existing design. If you don’t want to draw the figure by hand, you can design the motif on your computer and then print it on the card.
In the next step, you can fold the banknotes into a trapezoid so that they form the shape of a skirt. Once you are happy with how you have placed them, you can double up the adhesive tape and stick everything in place.
In keeping with the theme of the card, you can also enclose a gift voucher, thus inviting your friend to an afternoon of shopping together.
40th birthday gift: a heartfelt gift basket
This gift comes from the heart and looks beautiful on any gift table. This gift basket with butterflies made of banknotes, flowers and a colourful garland, is not merely a gift but a true expression of joy.
DIY gift for a 40th birthday: materials for a gift basket
A wooden box
A plant (e.g. a flowering plant for the garden or for a flower box, a beautiful houseplant or herbs for the kitchen)
Wooden skewers, string and paper with a pretty design for the garland
A candle in the shape of a number 40
Decorations such as sparklers, labels etc.
A hot glue gun and adhesive tape
Banknotes (€10 and €5)
How to make this 40th birthday gift
Firstly, arrange the plants in the wooden box so that they look pretty. If you like, you can also paint the wooden box beforehand or label it with a large number ‘40’.
For the garland, attach two wooden skewers in the corners of the box with hot glue. Now, measure how much string you will need and cut it to the right length. Next, cut out small diamond shapes from the paper, crease them in the centre, place the string between them and glue the diamonds together to form a triangle. Fasten the diamonds to the string and tie the little garland to the wooden skewers.
Fold small butterflies out of the banknotes. You can find instructions here: How to fold banknotes into butterflies. Attach the banknotes to the wooden skewers with a string and arrange them in the gift basket.
Finally, decorate your 40th birthday gift by attaching the candle and arranging any other decorative elements according to your taste.
You can customise the gift basket to suit the celebrant’s hobbies and interests. For example, you can add a good book and a bottle of wine, a Blu-Ray and popcorn, special treats from your local delicatessen store or even beautiful accessories such as a handbag, sunglasses or a nice scarf.
More 40th birthday gift ideas
Special experiences: a wellness evening, a wine/beer/whiskey tasting, a cookery course, a guided tour of the city
Personalised gifts: engraved glasses, a memory book with photos and quotes, a homemade calendar
A book with a personal dedication: e.g. an inspiring book on life or a beautiful novel
Mindfulness and self-care: a yoga subscription, a meditation cushion or a set of scented candles
A cultural experience: theatre tickets, a comedy evening or tickets to an open-air cinema
Hobby gifts: a fitness gadget, garden tools or a DIY set (e.g. diamond painting or ceramic painting)
A stylish accessory: e.g. a handbag, a watch, a bracelet, a necklace with an engraving, an exquisite tie
Find your style: how to put together the perfect outfit for your 40th birthday
A 40th birthday is a special occasion and your outfit is allowed to express this. Whether you’re hosting the party or attending it as a guest, this is the perfect moment to arrive in style.
A 40th birthday outfit for women: choose an outfit that emphasises your body type and makes you feel confident. An elegant jumpsuit in muted colours, a flowing midi dress with floral prints or a two-piece suit with a blouse and high-waisted trousers are great options. Gold or silver accessories set stylish accents without being overbearing.
A 40th birthday outfit for men: a smart casual look is a good choice for a 40th birthday. A well-fitting pair of chinos, paired with a shirt or polo shirt, looks smart yet laid-back. For smarter locations, a blazer is a great option (e.g. in dark blue, grey or olive for a modern twist).
Conclusion: plan your 40th birthday well to ensure a great party
A 40th birthday marks not just another year of your life but an entire chapter full of new experiences and joy. It’s the perfect opportunity to look back and celebrate your life thus far. Whether it’s a sophisticated dinner party, a laid-back afternoon with family or a lively garden party with friends, with the right planning, loving details, well-thought-out outfits and personal gifts, your 40th birthday celebration will be an event to remember!
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The image sources in this text are in chronological order
Cover photo: New Africa – stock.adobe.com
1st – 2nd image in text: New Africa – stock.adobe.com
3rd – 4th image in text: C&A