Your 40th birthday is a special occasion that deserves to be celebrated in style. Whether you’re hosting a blowout bash or a small gathering of close friends and family, your party should be fun and memorable.
To amp up the fun factor, choose a party theme that you and your guests will love. Your theme should reflect your personality, while also letting your loved ones let loose and get into the theme as well.
Take a glance at our top picks for a fabulous 40th birthday party theme.
Murder mystery dinner
If you want to get your guests to interact with one another, plan a murder mystery-themed party. At these events, your invitees will solve a “murder” that has just occurred at the party, which was committed by someone in attendance.
Each guest will play a character for the night and must take on the personality of that fictional person. Your guests will roam the party, asking each other questions to uncover who was behind the crime.
All you’ll need to do is a murder mystery party kit (which can be purchased online or at a game store). If you have a firm headcount, send out details about each person’s back story ahead of time, so your guests can prepare themselves to get into character.
Casino night
There’s nothing more exciting than a night of winning big at the casino. And with a casino-themed birthday party, you don’t even have to leave the house to experience the thrill of classic games like poker and blackjack.
Casino night parties are best suited for larger gatherings, so you can recreate the buzzing crowd energy found in casinos. Set up various table games around your home or party venue and hand out chips to your guests as they arrive. If you’d like, you can also request that your attendees wear formal attire for an extra special evening.
Decades extravaganza
Take your party back to where it all began with a throwback party that celebrates the decade when you were born. For instance, if you’re turning 40 this year, you could throw an ‘80s-themed extravaganza, complete with plenty of neon.
Before the main event, put together a playlist of your favorite hits from the decade. At the party, entertain your guests by bringing back some of the classic games from the era.
Around-the-world celebration
Celebrate your 40th trip around the sun with a journey around the world – all from the comfort of your home. Play music that highlights different cultures, and deck out your party space with flags and decor from countries that hold a special place in your heart.
If you’re on a tight budget, ask your guests to bring their favorite cuisine and drinks from the region of their choice. Or if you’re willing to spend more, cook up the dishes at home or order catering from local restaurants.
Planning your 40th birthday party doesn’t have to be daunting. The most important thing is to gather with your loved ones, whether it’s a small get-together in your backyard or a full-on bash at one of your favorite venues.
For more party-related content, visit the Party Joys blog.
