How to Plan the Ultimate 40th Birthday Party

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We all know the saying, “life begins at 40”, so why not celebrate your 40th birthday in style by planning the ultimate party!

Planning a 40th birthday party can be hard work. There’s plenty to think about and organise, but it doesn’t have to be a hassle.

Hopefully you’ve started thinking about everything in advance, but don’t worry if you’ve left it a bit late. There’s still time to get everything sorted before the big day!

When planning a 40th birthday party, start by setting your budget and tracking your spending. Then move on to the guest list, pick the date and time and move you efforts to booking a venue.

Now you’re ready to move on the fun stuff like the theme, food, drinks, decorations, music and entertainment! We’ll go through all this and give you loads of great ideas to make your party a night to remember. So let’s get started planning your ultimate 40th birthday party!

Take a look at this ultimate party supply pack to get all the essentials for your event. I was surprised at how cheap I could find this one on Amazon.

Budget setting
Guest list
Best days and times
Venue
Best party themes
Party food
Party drinks
Decorations & supplies
Entertainment ideas
Party music
Order of events
Unique ideas

Set a Budget

We’ve created this guide so you can plan the ultimate 40th birthday party no matter what your budget is. But the first step of planning any party is to set a budget.

We’ll go through plenty of ways to keep the cost of your party down throughout this article, but if you want some more help, check out our quick budget party planning tips!

After you’ve set your budget, you need to make sure you stick to it. You can track your spending either by the old fashioned way or writing it all down, or electronically.

It’s really easy to create an excel document and use the formulas to work out how much you’ve already spent and how much you’ve got left. So no excuses!

Finalise the Guest List

Once you’ve got your budget figured out, it’s time to start drafting your guest list. The number of guests you can invite to your party will be mostly decided by your budget, so don’t skip the first step!

Figure out how much your party will cost per person by looking at the price of food and drink per head, and then go from there. We’ll go through this more later, so feel free to skip ahead and come back to your guest list.

You’ll also need to consider the size of your venue, and how many guests you can realistically fit in.

So if you’ve got a rough idea of how many guests you’re inviting to your 40th birthday party, it’s time to decide who’s made the cut. Get a list together of guests that you definitely need to be there, and then start building up the numbers by looking at their friends and family until you’ve reached a good number.

Check out our top tips for deciding your guest list.

Choose the Best Date and Time

Now you’ll need to start thinking about when you want your 40th birthday party to be.

Of course, weekends are always preferable. Saturday is our favourite day to host a party if it’s going to be a late one because your guests won’t have to rush to get ready after work. Friday is still a good day though if Saturday isn’t an option.

If you’re hosting your party in the afternoon, Saturday and Sunday are both great. Speak to your essential guests to see what day best suits them if you’re struggling to decide.

After you’ve picked a date, start thinking about the time slot. Most 40th birthday parties last around 3-4 hours, so keep this in mind when planning your party.

If you’re hosting in the evening or night time, think about whether you want to serve light snacks or a proper meal. Serving snacks is definitely the cheaper option so might be worth considering if you’re on a tight budget.

The best time for a 50th birthday to start in the evening is around 20:00. It’s not too late to eat but early enough so your party doesn’t go on all night, unless you want it to!

If you’re hosting an afternoon party, think about starting it at around 14:00. This way you can get away with serving just snacks to keep your guests going. But if you want to serve a proper meal, go for a later start time and serve dinner rather than lunch.

Find the Perfect Venue

After your budget, guest list and ideal date and time are all narrowed down, then start thinking about booking a venue.

If you want to keep the cost low, then there’s no harm in hosting your 40th birthday party at home or in your garden. Just be realistic about how many guests you can cater for. Check out our tips for hosting an outdoor party in a small space for more help!

But if you’ve got a large guest list and more to spend, it’s well worth hiring a venue. But make sure you book it early! There are plenty to choose from, from restaurants, bars and functions rooms to boats!

Here are some things you should consider when trying to find the perfect venue for your party.

Hiring a Venue

If you’re hiring a venue, there’s some things you need to consider to make sure you pick the best one. There are plenty of options that might be suitable, including restaurants, function rooms, bars and boats. So here are some things to think about to help you decide.

Venue Size

The size, and ultimately the cost, of your venue will mostly depend on how many guests you’re inviting.

Venue Location

Try and choose a central location that’s convenient for the majority of guests. You might have your eye on a venue that’s quite far away, but some guests might be put off if they will struggle to get home after the party without paying a fortune for transport.

If you’re planning on going out afterwards, make sure your venue isn’t too far from any clubs or bars. Ideally, you want a short taxi ride or direct public transport.

Inside or Outside

If you’re hosting a winter anniversary party, it’s probably best to go with the safe option and host inside. But if you want to celebrate the occasion outdoors, check that the venue has a plan B in case the weather doesn’t go your way.

Catering

Some venues offer catering, but others just leave you to it. Think about the kind of food you want to serve at your anniversary party and if the venue fits in with your plans.

Check the Licence

Check the alcohol licence on your venue before booking. Some venues can’t serve any alcohol drinks after midnight, so if you’re planning on keeping the party going until the early hours then this is something to think about.

Any Extras

Some venues offer additional services which might sway your decision, for example a bar, decorations or some entertainment. Try and consider the whole package when choosing a venue to make sure you get a good deal.

Overall Cost

This depends on how luxurious your venue is, how many guests it caters for, and if there are any extras included. Make sure you are strict with yourself when choosing the venue and remember our advice about sticking to your budget!

40th Birthday Party Themes

So now let’s get on to the fun stuff! Choosing a theme for your party is the perfect way of taking it to the next level. We’ve even got a list of the 20 best party themes so you can get some ideas!

Why not go for a classic 80s theme party for your 40th birthday party? It’s a great way to reminisce and enjoy some great music, bright decorations and wacky outfits! Check out our 80s party theme ideas.

If you don’t want to choose a theme for your party, then you at least need to decide on a colour scheme for your decorations and supplies.

Black, gold and silver are classic party colour options that always work well. A pastel colour scheme is a bit different but is great if you want more understated decor.

Party Food

Getting the food menu right is one of the most important things you need to think about when planning a 40th birthday party.

Decide first if you’re going to hire a cater or do it yourself. Hiring a caterer is definitely the easier option, and often means you’ll be serving better food, but it’s definitely more expensive.

Think about sorting the food yourself and asking for friends and family to help if you want to keep the cost down.

Not sure what option is best for you? Check out our ultimate party food guide. It’s full of tips for choosing the best party food, serving sizes and tips to cutting the cost.

Here are some of our favourite party foods you can serve at your 40th birthday party.

5 Birthday Party Starter Ideas

Here are some of our favourite starter ideas that you can serve at your 40th birthday party.

Tarts

Tarts are super versatile, easy to make and a bit more exciting than soups and salads. You can choose any filling you like, from classic goat’s cheese and onion to exotic jerk chicken.

Scallops

Scallops are a very sophisticated party starter. They aren’t too hard to make, if you’ve had a little practice, and are an impressive dish to serve to your guests. Add any sauce to suit your chosen cuisine.

Pate

If you want a light and tasty starter to serve at your party, then look no further! Pate isn’t too difficult to make and can be served cold as soon as your guests arrive.

Stuffed Peppers

You can choose any filling dependent on what type of cuisine you’ve decided to go for. They’re great because you can prepare them before your guests arrive, and then just pop them in the oven when you’re ready.

Bruscetta

Bruscetta is a classic Italian starter and it’s perfect for a party because it’s served cold so can easily be made in the afternoon or morning before your guests arrive.

5 Party Main Course Ideas

Here are the best main course ideas to impress your guests with at your 40th birthday party.

Paella

If you’ve chosen a Latin themed menu, then paella is the perfect main course option. It’s easy to cook in a large batch and you have complete freedom with what other ingredients you add to it.

Tagines

Tagines are perfect for parties because you can simply add all the ingredients to a slow-cooker, and let it do it’s thing. It doesn’t involve much work at all but tastes amazing. Serve it with cous cous to create a classic Mediterranean main course.

Curry

Making the perfect homemade curry can take a bit of practice, but the results are more than worth it. Don’t go for anything too spicy though, unless you already know your guests can handle the heat!

Risotto

Risotto takes a little bit of attention, but doesn’t take up too much time. You’ll just need to make sure everything is ready to go before your guests arrive to avoid a long wait.

Beef Bourguignon

This is another great slow-cook dish that won’t take long to prepare. But it definitely tastes great and is a classic party favourite. Serve it with potato dauphinoise or crusty bread rolls.

Bakes

Bakes are perfect for parties because they don’t take long to prepare, taste great and are really easy to make. Choose a classic pasta bake or roasted chicken.

5 Dinner Party Dessert Ideas

You’ll want to finish the menu as strong as you started, so here are some dessert ideas to give you some inspiration.

Eton Mess

A really easy to make and popular party dessert option. It’s great for guests who aren’t a fan of chocolate and is another cheap and simple option that tastes great.

Cheesecake

Vanilla cheesecake is a safe choice. But you can also try something different too. Go for a Black Forrest cheesecake or a splash a bit of Irish cream in to make a tasty alcoholic party dessert!

Mousse

There’s lots of options you can choose to make and bring to a party. Chocolate is a classic choice that tastes great and is easy to make lots of servings.

Sorbet

This is a great party dessert idea because it doesn’t take much preparation and is served cold so you won’t have to keep your guests waiting long!

Torte

Chocolate torte is perfect for a dinner party because it’s served cold so you can get it on the table super quickly if you take the time to prepare it in advance. Add hazelnuts or raspberries for added flair.

40th Birthday Cake

Every 40th birthday party needs a cake too! If you’re planning on having a cake, you should try and get some plans in place early on to avoid having to rush later on.

Hiring a professional in your area to decorate a show stopping cake is great idea to make your party special. Or if you fancy yourself as a bit of a star baker, why not make the cake yourself to keep the costs down.

Birthday Party Drinks

If your venue has a bar, then don’t worry about the drinks! Just remember to drink responsibly and make sure your guests are aware of public transport in the area.

Champagne is a classic 40th birthday party drink. If you’re feeling generous, offer your guests a glass of bubbly when they arrive! Add some Chambord for a to make a sophisticated Kir Royale cocktail. Prosecco is a great option though if you want a cheaper alternative.

You need to make sure there’s plenty of variety with the drinks menu. Try and include some popular alcoholic drinks like beer, wine and spirits with mixers but also think about offering your guests some cocktails too! Gin is all the rage at the moment, so think about incorporating it into your party drinks menu.

It’s essential to have some non-alcoholic options too. Treat the designated driver to some mocktails inf you’re feeling adventurous. But don’t forget to offer some fizzy drinks, water and juices too.

Here are some great drink recipes to help get you started. If you need some more ideas, check out our list of the 10 best party drinks!

Blueberry and Ginger Fizz (non-alcoholic)

Ingredients:

Ginger beer 250ml
Small handful of Blueberries
50ml Sugar Syrup
Juice of 1/2 Lime

Throw the blueberries, sugar syrup and lime juice into a cocktail shaker with ice and mix. Strain into a chilled glass filled with ice and top with ginger beer.

Strawberry Daiquri

50ml Rum
25ml Fresh Lime Juice
25ml Sugar Syrup
3 Fresh Chopped Strawberries

Another classic party drink! Just shake all the ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled glass and enjoy.

40th Birthday Party Decorations and Supplies

You’ll also need to think about some decorations for your 40th birthday party venue. Here are some of our favourites:

Add a balloon garland to the entrance of your venue.
Pin photos from the past 40 years on a board or around the venue on the walls.
Personalised banners and paper fans are great budget decoration ideas.
Flowers make elegant centerpieces that are perfect for a sophisticated 40th birthday party.

You’ll also need some essential party supplies if your venue doesn’t provide want or if you’re hosting at home. Here’s a checklist to help.

Ses of crockery
Wine glasses
Tall glasses
Table cloth
Table mats
Sets of cutlery
Serviettes

You can get paper dinner ware supplies if you’d like, but crockery and glasses are definitely more extravagant Ebay and Amazon are you great for party supplies and decorations.

But you can also have a look at your local party supply store for some great budget ideas and have fun shopping for your party!

Shindigz is a great online party supply store that you can use to find great decoration ideas with over 34,000 party supplies for every occasion and next day delivery!

Stumps Party is another awesome party supply store offering custom event supplies and regular deals and discounts.

40th Birthday Party Entertainment

If you want to go all for your 40th birthday party then you can hire some professional entertainment! Here are our favourite entertainment ideas for a 40th birthday party.

Ceilidh band
Dancers
Acrobats
Magicians
Caricaturists
Glow shows
Silhouette artists
Human topiaries
Sand artists

Throw in Some Karaoke

Everyone loves showing off their singing talents (or lack of). So why not involve some karaoke at your party to keep you and your guests entertained?

Your venue might already have a set up, but if not, then you can hire or buy a karaoke machine, some microphones and a screen for a pretty reasonable price online.

You can purchase some ready made karaoke CDs as a package too. Some places even let you create your own set list so you can choose your favourite songs!

Here are 10 classic karaoke song ideas to get you started!

“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston
“Angels” by Robbie Williams
“Don’t you Want Me” by The Human League
“Livin’ On a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
“Africa” by Toto
“Take on Me” by A-Ha
“Like a Prayer” by Madonna
“Summer Nights” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
“Mamma Mia” by Abba

Party Music Ideas

You’ll definitely need some great music to get your guests on the dance floor. Why not hire a professional DJ to keep your guests entertained all night?

There are plenty out there, so you’ll be sure to find one that suits your style of music in your local area. Hire a DJ that encourages requests to keep everyone happy!

If you don’t want to spend money hiring a DJ, that’s no problem. You can create your own party playlist and show off your DJ skills, all you’ll need is some good quality speakers, an AUX lead, Apple Music and your phone. Check out our guide on creating the ultimate party playlist for some great tips!

Or take a trip down memory lane with a classic jukebox! It’s guaranteed to impress your guests and get them on the dance floor. Jukeboxes are really fun idea for a 40th birthday party, and there really easy to hire online!

Apple Music is the perfect way to create a party playlist. It’s intelligent recommendation feature makes it really quick to add songs to create the perfect track list and it’s cross fade feature makes seamless song transitions. It’s only $9.99/ £9.99 per month and you can get a free 3 month trial to check it out. And don’t worry, you can use it on Android devices too!

Join over 50 million subscribers and sign up for your 3 month free trial today!

Can’t decide which option is best? Check out our post on everything you need to know about party music.

Speeches and Toasts

It’s usually tradition for someone to make a speech at a 40th birthday party. It doesn’t just have to be the birthday boy or girl that gives a speech. If you’re organising an party for a family member or one of your friends, it can be nice to say a few words and thank all the guests for coming.

If you plan on giving a speech, you don’t have to be nervous! All it takes is a bit of preparation and practice, and you’ll be able to make an amazing speech on the day. Here are some tips to help.

Start by introducing yourself if it’s not your birthday, but try to keep it brief, the night shouldn’t be about you too much!
Try and include a couple of jokes. Make sure they’re tasteful though and know your audience. You don’t want to say anything cringe-worthy!
Share a few key memories. It’ll help make the speech more meaningful and prevent it from being generic.
Thank everyone for their attendance.
Don’t go on too long! The best speeches are around 2-5 minutes long.
Practice your speech in front of a mirror. It might sound a bit silly, but getting used to the sound of your own voice and the way you say things can really help with your nerves.
Bring some notes but try not to look at them. They should only be there as a backup and you should aim not to use them at all.
Take a few slow deep breaths before you start talking to help lower your voice and maintain composure.

Consider Hiring a Photographer

There’s no doubt that photographs are the best way to remember a great 40th birthday party. You can take your own using your personal camera or phone, but if you want the best quality photographs, think about hiring a photographer.

There are plenty of freelance and agency photographers out there, so it can be hard to choose the perfect one. Here are some tips on choosing a photographer for your 40th birthday party.

Narrow down your search by looking at the websites of some photographers in your local area, to see which style suits your party best.
Arrange a phone call with a few photographers to check their availability and pricing first, to make sure they’re a suitable option.
Ask to see a full portfolio of a recent anniversary party they’ve photographed.
Compare the best packages for your budget and requirements.
Check out some testimonials and reviews to make sure they’re reliable and professional.
Ask what the back up plan is. If for any reason they’re unable to make it on the day, can they make a plan B? If they are well known in the community and experienced, they should have no problem hooking you up with another photographer that’s a suitable replacement.

Order of Events

So now you’ve got everything booked and ready for the big day, it’s time to start thinking about the order of events.

It’s good to get a rough timeline ready because it’ll help you to relax on the night knowing there’s a proper plan so you don’t have to think on the spot. Here’s a rough order of events for a 40th birthday party.

0:00-0:30 Let the guests arrive and offer out some drinks.
0:30-0:50: Serve the starter
0:50-1:00 Brief break
1:00-1:20 Serve the main course
1:20-1:30 Speeches and toasts
1:30-1:50 Serve the desserts
1:50-2:15 Party entertainment
2:15-4:00 Hit the dance floor!
4:00 Start winding down and saying goodbyes

Unique 40th Birthday Party Ideas

So you want to make your 40th birthday party a night to remember? Here are some great ideas!

Photo Slideshow

This is a cool idea if you’re hosting a 40th birthday party for your friend or a family member. Hire a projector screen and make a slideshow of pictures to display at the party.

You can put it on the dance floor at the start of the night and then move it later on when the party gets going. Choose around 100-200 photos if you can, and have them on the screen for around 10 seconds each.

Champagne Bottle Souvenir

Champagne is a staple at a 40th birthday party. So why not turn it into a souvenir too? Buy a magnum bottle of champagne and get all the guests to sign it with gold and silver pens so you have something to take home and remember the night by.

Afternoon Tea Party

If you’re hosting your party in the afternoon, there’s no better theme than a tea party! It’s a unique and classy way to celebrate a 40th birthday party. Take a look at our guide to planning the perfect tea party for everything you need to know!

Ice Breaker Games

Think about adding some games into the mix at your 40th birthday party. Celebrity Who Am I, is a great game to play when your guests arrive.

Write the name of a celebrity on a post-it note and ask each guest to put it on their forehead.
They must then ask yes or no answer style questions to try and figure out which celebrity’s name they’ve been given.
The first to guest to guess correctly wins!

40th Birthday Planning Timeline

So now you know everything you need to do to plan the ultimate birthday party, but when should you do it? Here’s a quick 40th birthday planning timeline to help keep you on track!

8 Weeks Before

Set a budget
Make your guest list
Book the venue
Choose a tea party theme

4 Weeks Before

Send your invitations
Create your menu
Shop for your party supplies
Decide on the music

1 Week Before

Plan any games and activities
Follow up with any guests that haven’t responded to your invites

1-2 Days Before

Shop for the food
Check in with any event services you’ve hired for your party

Day of the Party

Prepare the food
Decorate your venue
Prepare the tables
Set up any games and music
Get your camera charged and make sure it’s got plenty of storage space available

So that’s it! Now you have plenty of ideas to plan the perfect 40th birthday party. We hope you have a great time!

Congrats for making it to the end of this blog post! As a thank you for reading, here’s our free printable party planning checklist to help keep you on track and make planning your tea party as stress and hassle free as possible.

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