Ultimate 40th Birthday Party Ideas Guide in 2022

Last updated on June 3rd, 2022 at 11:13 pm

40th Birthday party Guide

It’s going to be really fun to share some of the awesome 40th birthday party ideas with you today. Whether it’s for men or women, I have everything you need to know for making this occasion perfect.

So for whom you are looking out for some 40th birthday ideas is it men or women? I have prepared a list which is suitable for both cases.

So stay tuned there is a lot more stuff is waiting for you. Go through each idea from the list to pick up few out of the list.

40th birthday party ideas for men and women

I Love sharing ideas for parties, because they are so much fun to share. So today I will be sharing some of the very interesting 40th birthday party ideas.

I am really not sure if you are finding 40th birthday celebration ideas for your relative, friend or yourself, but what I am sure about is that I will be sharing some the great party ideas that can suit any man or woman.

A man or woman at forty is more mature, responsible and sensible, but does it make sense to consider their birthday party celebration as sensible as the age.

If you are thinking or expecting that I am going to give you some mature ideas for her 40th Birthday, then probably this is not a place for you because here I am going to give you ideas to make the party awesome, fun, interesting and wired too.

I am going to make it really fun and let you enjoy exploring these ideas.

I am very excited to give you this list of some amazing 40th birthday ideas. I hope you will enjoy reading the list.

1. Comedy night

40th-birthday-ideas-Comedy night

Plan out a comedy night for the occasion. You can book some of the comedians to plan out a comedy night show. All you have to do is to plan a comedy show which everyone can enjoy.

Make the guest laugh till they chock. You can also invite the guests to come on stage and share some comedy incident or to crack a joke. I know this going to be some much fun.

2. Beachside Villa Party

40th-birthday-ideas-Villa party - Beach side

Don’t think a beachside villa party is a fantasy of young brats only, no way. You can also have the fun when you have money in your pocket and awesome guest in your invitation list.

Book a villa which is on the beach side, if you belong to a place where you don’t have any beach, then you can also book a villa near your place where there is pool, lawn, terrace. In short you need a place where you can have too much fun.

Select a Theme – I know you are here to ask me some ideas but I am asking you to find out idea. No, no, I am just saying try to give it a theme first because that what makes it easy to plan everything else. Here are three options I would like to give for the theme.

3. Bollywood theme

40th-birthday-ideas-Bollywood theme

If you don’t know what Bollywood is, then let me tell you what it is. It is Indian cinema which is named Bollywood.  When we talk about Bollywood, then it pictures colors, fun, happiness, Larger than life.

It would be really amazing to plan a Bollywood theme party for the guest. We had planned a Bollywood theme party for our uncle last year and it was too much fun to come as movie characters.

4. Retro Fun theme

40th-birthday-ideas-Retro

This is another theme option you can consider. Retro is a charm for any theme party. It’s on everyone’s favorite list. So have this party in retro style. Rent some retro style clothes, decoration materials, invitation cards, etc..

5. Casino Party

40th-birthday-ideas-Casino party

Why not to make it really fun for the big boys. Who don’t want casino parties where no penny is used from the pocket. For this you can rent some casino tables and machine for the party. Guest will really enjoy the game.

I know looking at the picture you might be already thinking about this. I actually got this ideas from some of the online source, so I thought it would be great to share with you.

6. Young forty

40th-birthday-ideas-Young forty men and women

As I said I would make it more of happening party not very mature. So I think it is the time to feel more younger rather feeling old.

Make it a coolest party, have fun, enjoy dance and music, drink and eat. Do everything which makes this party to be fresh start from age forty, as if a new beginning.

7. Grape Stomping

40th-birthday-ideas-Grape stomping

Grape stomping is too much fun for any party. I think many of you already aware about it but who are not, let me explain it to you what it is.

Grape stomping is a traditional method of making wine. In this method, grapes need to be crushed by the foot in a big container to release their juice which leads to go in process of making wine.

Nowadays people make it as fun rather than any process. People enjoy crushing the grapes in the container and believe me it is too much fun. So make an arrangement of it for the guests.

8. Magical show

40th-birthday-ideas-Magic show

Amaze everyone with a magical show for the party. Who says “the days are gone”, I know most of you must be thinking the same that our days are gone for this kind of things. But believe me its just the illusion.

I told you already that I am going to give you only some fun ideas. So if you are following me then I would like to suggest you a magical show, believe me you will really enjoy the show. You can fix up a show by calling some magicians or any birthday event management company.

9. Foodies party

40th-birthday-ideas-Cook food

Let’s plan something different for 40th birthday celebration. I know your mouth is watering by reading the title, most of you I guess. So what am I talking about? The ideas are simple, you need to plan a slot of time for making food and dishes.

Arrange for few mini kitchen tables where guest can cook something for each other ( who all are interested ). At the end of it, everyone will enjoy each others dishes, and a good time. For this you can plan the cooking session in your lawn or may be you can book one for the day.

10. Plan a surprise

40th-birthday-ideas-Surprise plan

You can plan out something to surprise. Think for some ways to find out how can you give a surprise,( if you are planning the party for someone not you).

It can be anything for gathering all those people who he/she haven’t met for ages. It can be gifting a dream thing to him/her.

11. Wishes board

40th-birthday-ideas-Pinboard

For the party, you can put one interesting thing in your list. It is a white board with different color sketch pens. You can also have 40th birthday decoration on the board.

It is for all the guest to leave a message for the birthday person. It can be anything, i.e wishing notes, funny lines, serious message, emotional message, etc.. You can also go for pinboard too.

For this give every guest, a note where they can write their messages and pin it to the board. So the guest can put anything on the board which they want to convey to the birthday boy or girl. You can plan it for the end of the party or at the beginning of it.

12. Happening places

40th-birthday-ideas-Game house

There are many places that you can book to have fun and feel like more young better than before. I am talking about a movie theatre, indoor club houses, bowling alley,etc..

You all can really have a good time for the day. Its time to rejuvenate as I said earlier and this part of life after age 40, it is the new beginning.

13. Party with nature

Party with nature

You must be excited to know what this “party with nature” is all about. Actually I made it a little quirky. The idea is simple, plan the 40th birthday party where you are surrounded by only nature.

I am talking about planning a mini trip to the nearest place where there is more of nature, i.e river side, mountains, valleys, etc.. You can book a mini bus for the guest and start your fun from the road to the destination, like a youngies do.

14. Games for fun

Games

Plan out some games for the party. I think this is going to be really fun to have games for the guest. Find out the list of games for adult people and pick few that are easy to play and interesting too. You can play games at home, lawn or you can book any banquet hall.

15. Bowling Tournament Party

You can also organize a bowling tournament and birthday party, complete with trophies and pizza at your local bowling alley. They will even put up bumpers if your bowling skills aren’t the best, to keep the gutter balls (and the embarrassment) out of the equatio

16. Over the Hill Party

This is a 40th birthday party idea only for those people with a very good sense of humor! If the birthday guy or girl is tortured about this big day, this isn’t the most sensitive option. But for this party, you would decorate with over the hill decorations, play lots of old music, and serve food that old people are famous for loving. Oatmeal, prunes, grilled cheese sandwiches… Or play a game of “pin the dentures on the old guy” using a photoshopped picture of the birthday guy or girl looking wrinkled and decrepit, printed out on a poster.

This is a fun theme, so have a good time with it!

40th birthday party ideas for men

1. Karaoke night

This is something which gets organized by a lot of restaurants on specific days. But if you don’t know you can create a karaoke night in the comfort of your home without stepping out and spending money in a fancy restaurant.

You get the karaoke setups at cheap prices and also at rentals. Just get the equipment and you can celebrate your special 40 singing the tunes of your favorite singers throughout. Just order a few beers to bring out the singers in everyone.

2. Movie marathon

If you and your friends are a big cinema buff then you can organize a movie marathon night or day. All you gotta do is churn out a few classic movies and set a playlist ready.

Also, prepare some light snacks like popcorn and chips to go with it. You can also take suggestions from your friends who are invited to this party. You have the option to invite either just closed ones or have a whole gathering.

3. Liquor dessert stall

You can have a party full of desserts and these desserts are not just ordinary ones but are made out of special alcohol. The menu can include assortments of donuts to icecreams to cakes to rum balls and so on.

This is a party especially for all the foodie friends who want to celebrate a cheat day on their 40th birthday. You can call in a chef to create exotic sets or can order from various places.

4. Beer float

It is a sort of a beer bash where people can have activities, games, and everything surrounded by the beer theme. You can also convert it into a beer tasting party. This one is for all the beer fans out there.

You have a mix of domestic, imported and some handcrafted beers for everybody’s liking. This can also be a theme for your food and dessert menu with all the dishes cooked in beer.

5. Rooftop scene

Especially if it is a season where the weather is not too hot and humid and also not that cold you can go to a rooftop party where you can put in cabanas for the guests. Partying under the sky has a different enjoyment altogether.

You can have an Arabic dessert style party on your terrace too with sheeshas and some Arabian activities planned for the guests. the two positive points of such parties are the open air and an open space.

6. Video game parlor

This is for all the men who still remember or would want to visit their teens back by playing those fun video games. You can either have a play station arranged or a real box video game setup with cassettes that prevailed during those times.

You can play those old games like Mario, Olympic games, contra and other such boxing games that will remind those teenage days to him.

7. Paintball

This is an activity which did not prevail during the 90’s thus the guys who are forty may not have known the amount of one can get by playing this game. Thus you can organize a paintball session with your friends to relive that childhood craziness. This is a great 40th birthday party idea for men.

40th Birthday party ideas for women

1. Milestone Marker

You can have a milestone marker party with a wall or a big art display anywhere. People can mark their presence and remember old times with the birthday girl by writing those memories on this memory wall art display by signing their names below it too.

One can also leave in a token of their relation with birthday girl in terms of a memento, thing etc. on the wall. This wall will be a great memory of her 40th birthday party.

2. Photo booth

This kind of party is gaining a great demand among the people in the urban areas these days. It is a fun party that has a booth placed at the entrance or at corners of the party.

One has a great number of props and wigs kept on a table which will also have a few marking the occasion the guests are in. Each one can click a picture of it and post it on the social media accounts with a fun hashtag that you can create for your birthday.

3. Alice in Wonderland party

Everyone wants to be a princess! If you are a woman or a girl reading this you obviously know what we are trying to tell here.

This is the day when you can make one feel like a princess by organizing a princess themed birthday party. You can create a wonderland out of the space and ask the guests to follow the theme in terms of dressing up.

4. Cruise tour

If you love the sea, then you can arrange for a cruise party between the sea, surrounded by water on either side. It is one of the best 40th birthday party ideas for women.

You can either go for a day-long party at cruise restaurants or can have a 1 or 2-day stay party on a cruise. You can arrange for an assortment of seafood dishes and some exquisite alcohol to make it more elaborate and exciting.

5. Beach bumming

Women love beaches because they get them a slick tan on their body that looks extremely gorgeous on the skin. Also, you can bring out those hot bikinis and celebrate your 40th party in extreme groove and style.

If this doesn’t convince you then these three words might do. They are Sun, Sand, and water. Doesn’t it sound exciting? So, what are you waiting for?

6. Party in a limo

Cause ladies you ought to have fun on reaching this milestone age of forty. Convert this fun into extravagance by organizing your bash in an expensive luxury drive like LIMO.

If you catch the FRIENDS TV show reference we are giving here then you know how much fun it is. It is a bash one should plan and have at least once in a lifetime and what better than the 40th birthday to tick it off from your bucket list.

7. Forty fiesta

You can have a carnival of sorts on your fortieth birthday by planning out games and activities going by that theme. It will be a big throwback to your childhood and you can once again live those amazing years in just one day.

40th Birthday party theme ideas

1. Comic

Birthdays are the days when one should celebrate life and spread happiness and laughter around. So the theme of the party should also not be that dark and sad but should bring smiles. What other than comedy itself to do this.

Thus you can have a comical theme where people can also dress up as comic characters. You can blend in the theme with the decoration and the different game as well.

2. Retro

How about going for a flashback on this milestone birthday? This theme could be celebrating the glorious and the beautiful past that the person lived in during his or her childhood. People can dress in the fashion that prevailed during those times.

Also, the place could be decorated likewise with old musical instruments. Many of the activities could also be planned based on this theme. It will be basically celebrating the era that we have left behind.

3. Hawaiian

If you cannot go to Hawai to bring in your party then bring Hawai to your party by following it as a theme. Each of them can be dressed in Hawaiian outfits with grass skirts and garlands and so on.

Drinks could be served in fruits instead of glasses. This kind of party can either be planned on a beach or the poolside. Although it can also be planned if you are planning to through a house party.

4. Remembering the 60’s cinema

Just like retro, this theme also celebrates the bygone era but it also remembers the cinema that prevailed during that time. You can have a Hollywood theme party but from the 60’s.

You can put in posters and statues as decors and request your guests to dress up like the actors from that era or the characters from different movies that were released in the 60’s and id still remembered. It is a nice theme for all the cinema lovers.

5. Down the memory lane

Go down the memory lane by dressing up as somebody you were years back in your childhood or the teenage years. This is a fun theme idea that has a personal feel to it.

You can also especially create a lane like entrance wherein you can put some mementoes or pictures that depict the memories from the years the birthday boy or girl has lived through to reach here. Put different things to meet up with this theme perfectly well.

6. Black and white

If you are somebody who prefers greyscale or black and white over colors then this is your option. It is a fun theme where everything right from the decor, to the dresses, to the cutleries to anything and everything can be placed in the color scheme of black or white.

You can also plan some fun games and activities around this theme. Such themes just bring a sync to the party and give an altogether different vibe to it.

7. King & Queens’ style

If you are also somebody who is fascinated by the medieval times when the countries were ruled by kings and queens and were adorned by prince and princesses, then why not create a theme out of it for your 40th birthday party.

It is a fun theme where people can dress up like a king’s party. The decor can also complement this theme. You can place thrones alongside and can also create the king or the queen’s court.

8. Vampire Diaries

Bring in the Halloween night on your birthday by throwing a party that will call out all the unrecognized beings present in the universe. You can decorate the space on the vampire theme and can also ask people to dress in like that.

You can go for a specific vampire theme or can go all out with a more generalized Halloween themed party. Both ways it will be very fun and frolic to organize such a party.

40th Birthday party decoration ideas

1. Bohemian

Bohemian refers to involving the element of nature in your set up. What is mainly important to create bohemian decor is lots of flowers, garlands, ethnic wood and other natural elements. You can hang around glass bottles with different colored flowers in it.

You can hang balloons with wrapping flowers around its string. This looks very beautiful and will stand out in your party. You can also create tents with bamboos for your guests to sit and enjoy.

2. Pastel decor

Talking about decoration, you can set a color scape of your decoration to make it look more organized and coordinated. Pastel should definitely be your first option since it is the birthday of a mature adult.

Try picking out all your cutleries and table accessories in these shades only to keep them aligned with your decor theme. Go for balloons, streamers, etc in pastels too. To add synchronization to your party you can request the guests to be dressed in the same palette.

3. Color coordinated

If pastel is not your taste then think of your favorite color and organize your entire decor theme plan in shades of the same color. You can also think of two colors and put all your set up within these two colors.

A color-coordinated theme looks more organized and creates an aura for the party. Like a bright yellow setup would have its own feel and vibe of the party than an entire blue scheme decor would.

4. Play with lights

This works if you have a night party planned and your location is outdoor. You can have different kinds of lights in different DIY setups. You can have different colored lights that complement each other.

Depending on the kind of vibe you want to create you will need to choose your lights accordingly. Putting strings of lights in a bottle or going for dimmers are some of the ideas you can try on.

5. Glitter splash

This one is especially for the birthday party of a woman who has reached her 40’s. Women like glitters and the vibe it brings to a thing. You can design your decor in such a way that you can put glitter elements in each of the materials.

Like the balloons can have a layer of glitter surrounding it or you can simply put see through glass bottles or jars around with glittery water in it. Throw around glitter everywhere you want but see to it that you don’t go overboard.

6. Falling helium balloons

This is one of the most popular decorations ideas for parties. Especially if your party is in an enclosed space then only you can opt for this one. All you gotta do is order a few balloons and leave them in the room with the air pressure they touch the ceiling.

You can leave some curled strings to the bottom. Each string can also have a picture memory of the person who is celebrating its 40th birthday party.

7. Real Flowers

Keep it a flowery party by using just real organic or fake flowers to decorate your party den. You can opt for different flowers depending on the liking of the person whose birthday you are celebrating.

Keep it in mind to look for complementing colored flowers to not make space look odd. Too many flowers can also go wrong sometimes so use it carefully. These flowers will spread a nice fragrant aroma in your party location.

8. Big 40th photo collage

This is one of the most popular and heart touching decor ideas because it brings a personal touch and feels to the party. This installation can be at the entrance or any corner of the party space from where it can be easily seen and observed.

You only need to create big digits of 4 and 0 by adding collages of different pictures of the birthday girl. Each picture should depict a memory and it can also have a mix of pictures of her with her closed ones.

40th birthday party games idea

1. Beer pong

This is a fun game that can be organized without much hassle. It is a simple game in which there will be two teams competing with each other. Each of the team’s members has to target the assortment of glasses on the next table and try and aim to put the ball inside the glass.

The member of the other team who is standing at the opposite table drinks a glass full of beer if the aim goes right.

2. Aim the glass and do the dare

It is similar to beer pong but instead of a ball here, you have a toy gun through which you have to aim the glasses standing at a shelf. One has to make the glass fall with a gunshot.

Each glass will have a dared written on it that another member has to perform. The choice of choosing a member who will perform the dare is on the guy who aims the glass right.

3. Blind Pictionary

It is a simple game of Pictionary with a unique twist that makes the game more fun and enjoyable. Everybody in the party who wishes to play this game has to divide ourselves into pairs to play this game.

Each team will get a chance to play this game one by one. One of them gets the clue on what to draw and he or she will be blindfolded, the other person has to guess basis the drawing the other person makes

4. Burst the balloon

This is a hilarious game that will make people burst into laughter. This game is also played in pairs. What you need for this game is just a couple of chairs and some unblown balloons.

It is a competition to burst a certain amount of balloons. One has to blow up a balloon, run to his or her partner and place it on his lap and burst it while sitting on it. You cannot burst it simply with hands.

5. Cake smash session

Just like kids on their first birthday’s or younger birthday play this game similarly one can play this game on his or her milestone birthday. It obviously has a certain twist to make it an adults game.

You can have a person stand behind a cutout board with his face coming out of the head cut out. One has to simply try and aim the persons face to score a point. The other person gets to take a revenge too.

6. Poker session

This is a game that people have been playing since ages but it obviously comes under gambling. You can also avoid the monetary part if you wish to or you can bring a twist to investing in it which is harmless and does not bring a loss to anyone.

You can either play with chips that have to be bought with a certain money. Once the chips exhaust you cannot redeem it but you have to step out.

7. Treasure hunt

This is a game that will make people reminisce about their childhood memories. This game can be played in teams. Each team has to set a treasure hunt design for another by hiding few chits here and there with clues Each clue will lead to the treasure.

The whole process can be timed. The same thing has to be done by the next team. Whoever takes lesser time to find the treasure is declared as the winner.

8. Pass the ball and recollect a memory

Since 40 is an age where people step into the decade of completing a century he or she may have a stack full of memories left behind.

Pass the ball is a fun game to reminisce about these incidences or memories with each other or some fun memory that will excite the audience to hear.

people have to pass the ball on a music and once it stops whoever has the ball will narrate a fun memory.

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I am pretty sure that I have given you some of the best 40th birthday party ideas for women & men. What do you think? Please have your words or if you are interested, then you can also share your ideas.