Memorable 40th Birthday Themes For Women

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Birthday Party Food

If you are hosting, you need to make some delicious party food.

Here are a few fantastic appetizers and desserts that are so easy to whip up and perfect for any gathering.

These will have your guests lingering near the food table all night. 

40th Birthday Party Decorations

Now that we have the food covered, it is time to spice up your party with some decorations.  The great thing about decorations is that you can do just a few or get completely crazy. 

I usually land somewhere in the middle (leaning heavily toward the crazy).

Start with a fun banner, poms, and swirls.  

Next, you can sprinkle in 40^th birthday party balloons.  

And finish up with colorful streamers.

I love streamers.  They are cheap and you can cover a lot with them.

Photo Booth

If there is one thing you have to have for her 40^th birthday party, it is a photo booth (photo area).  Trust me, do NOT skip this!

Even your most camera shy guests will have a blast with this.

If you want to keep it simple then go with a background like this, add some easy to blow up balloons, and don’t forget those amazing photo booth props.

Walking Decorations

You will need a few of your party guests to help you out with this one.

Make T-shirts with pictures of the birthday girl on them.  

Use this iron on transfer paper and these white t-shirts.

Use different pictures on every shirt.  The rest of the guests will have the best time checking these out.

Birthday Girl Pictures

And since you took the time to gather all those pictures of the birthday girl, print some hard copies to put on display at your party.

1. 40th Birthday House Party

Honestly, this is my kind of party!  Whether it is inside or out, in the garage, or even in a shed – it is my favorite.

Put up those easy 40^th birthday party decorations we already talked about and you are ready to rock and roll.

The backyard is the perfect place to set up these yard games.

Bean Bags

Lasso Golf

Axe Throwing (This set is completely safe for anyone)

Laser Tag (Nope, laser tag isn’t just for kids)

2. Outdoor Movie Night

If her birthday is in the late spring, summer, or even early fall, I highly recommend throwing an outdoor movie night.  It is a kid-friendly way to spend an evening with friends.

Check out this movie projector and screen.

Set up a snack bar with all the sweet and salty goodies.

Don’t forget the bug spray!

3. Game Night

One of my older sisters loves to play board games so we included lots of them at her 40^th birthday party.

Pictionary and Catch Phrase are great games for a crowd.

If you have other games that are incredible for a crowd, let me know in the comments below!

4. Mexican Fiesta

3 summers ago, my oldest sister turned 40 and she loves a good margarita (me too😊) so having a Mexican Fiesta themed party was the obvious choice.

We had a huge taco bar, got a pinata for the kids, fun sombrero headbands for lots of people to wear, and even a full size sombrero for her.

Thankfully, my birthday girl sister still agreed to make her margaritas – which are the best I have ever tasted. 

She tells me it is mostly due to this margarita machine.

5. Hayride

Ask your guests to dress like they are in a country music video😊.

If you live in rural America like me, you know how fun a hayride is.  And it is simple too.

You can have snacks and drinks, and there will be lots of laughing on this leisurely ride.

6. Party Bus

If you know the hayride won’t be a hit, rent a party bus to hit the town.

7. Dress Like Your Parents

Have your guests pick a picture of their mom or dad then replicate the picture – hair, clothes, and all.

Ask your guests to bring the picture along to the party so everyone can see the comparison.

8. Murder Mystery Party

Maybe you are thinking, a Murder Mystery Party…I am not so sure.  Well, if you haven’t tried it, now is the time!

I have a large family and we have done this for bachelorette parties, Christmas, and even a housewarming party.

And you know what, everyone dressed up and played their part.

Check out these premade Murder Mystery Packets (nope, I am not sponsored but these are complete and so good).

9. 80s Theme

Your guests have so much fun dressing up in the 80s theme. The hair, clothes, and makeup – oh my!

Here are some fun decorations to get you started.

80s Themed Balloons

Rad Party Sunglasses

80s Decorations

10. Roaring 20s

Travel back in time by transforming your home into a 1920s Speakeasy.

There are so many dynamite ideas for this on Pinterest. 

It is way more fun if you ask the guys to dress up like gangsters and the ladies to dress up as flappers.

Here are a few decorations to get you started.

We did this for my sister’s bachelorette party over 10 years ago, along with a murder mystery party, and we all still talk about it.  One of my favorite parties ever.

11. Favorite Color Party

Ask her what her favorite color is and have a color party.

Tell all of the guests to wear that color.

12. Luau

Everyone loves the Luau theme.

These are fun props that all your guests will enjoy.

Hawaiian Leis

Fun Umbrella Straws

Photo Banner

13. Pirate Party

Don’t look at me like that, you heard me right – Pirates.

Some people love pirates, like the Pirates of the Caribbean kind, and you can get so creative with it.

You can find pirate yard blow-ups, wear costumes, and of course, put up lots of decorations.

Have your drink coolers be treasure chests.

Don’t forget the chocolate gold coins. Kids go nuts over those.

14. Ice Cream Social

If you are looking for an afternoon kid-friendly party idea – try an ice cream social.

Don't even think about store bought ice cream. 

Instead, make your own with this easy to use ice cream maker.  You will never want to have store bought ice cream again.

You can make it ahead of the party day and store it in a freezer-safe container.

On the day of the party, set up an ice cream toppings bar with all the sauces, candies, fruit, and nuts you like.

Don’t forget the whipped cream and sprinkles.

1. Go Out To Eat

Keep it as simple as possible and reserve a party room/area at a restaurant.  You don’t have to clean anything!

My husband’s sister did this and noted on the invite that they were providing only the dessert.

Guests were responsible for their food and drinks.  It is a great way to keep costs down if you are on a budget.

2. Winery

One of the most “girly” birthday ideas on the list – visit a winery.

You can rent a party bus or other transportation if you don’t want to impose on anyone having to be a designated driver.  Safety first people!

3. Spa Day

Get your birthday girl some pampering with a spa day. 

This makes for a fantastic birthday gift and/or hang out time with the girls.

4. Bowling

Doing a bowling birthday party isn’t just for kids.

It is a fun way to do an activity, have some food and drinks, and celebrate with the birthday girl.

This is also a great kid-friendly party!

5. Make it a Weekend

Little getaways are a great way to recharge.  You know she would love to do this for her 40^th birthday.

Make it a weekend with as few or as many guests as she wants.

6. Karaoke

Is your girl the queen of karaoke?  You know what to do.

If she isn’t looking to go out, this is an incredible karaoke machine.

7. Head to the Beach

Relaxing girlfriend time on the beach is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Grab some dinner afterward.

8. Boat Cruise

Another fun way to soak up some sun is on a boat cruise.

If you live near water and it is the right time of year to be on it, this is one you have to consider.

9. Golfing

I know a few ladies who love golfing.  If this sounds like your birthday girl, hit the links.

10. Scavenger Hunt

Set up a scavenger hunt for the birthday girl and all her guests.  These are a blast.

Split the guests up into teams, give them what they need to find, explain the rules, and send them off.

We did this for one of my sister's bachelorette parties and the girls were nuts about it. 

A few of the rules we had were the girls either needed to bring back the items or take a picture of the item with someone in the group needing to also be in the picture.  We also set a time limit.

11. Go to the Theater

Take her to the theater.  There is always an amazing show to see. 

My favorite play so far is Singing in the Rain.  It rained on stage – so cool.

You can also go to the movies if there is a good one she is dying to see.

12. Concert

With so many concerts happening, I know there is one that your birthday girl wants to see.

13. Picnic/Garden Party

Host a fancy garden party for your girl. 

This is a fun way to let all her ladies get dressed up for the afternoon.

14. Casino

I have to say, I am not a gambler, like not at all, but it is fun to go with friends now and then.  This is a fun celebration idea if you have a smaller group.

What is great about casinos is everything is right there – food, activities, and a hotel stay.

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