Hello, I'm glad you stopped by to chat about these incredible 40th birthday party themes for women.
Are you looking to celebrate with the best 40th birthday party themes for women? You have come to the right place.
I just turned 40, along with family members and friends (at least I am not alone in this!), and boy oh boy, do I have so many memorable birthday party ideas for you!
There are so many memorable 40th birthday party themes for women below, and I also threw in some easy party food ideas, 40th birthday party decorations, 40th birthday party games and activities, and more.
After you get through all this, the hardest part about planning her 40th birthday party is which idea to pick. Great news - You can choose more than one!
Let’s get planning her party with these fabulous 40th birthday party themes for women.
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Best 40th Birthday Party Themes For Women
Birthday Party Food
I love hosting. These appetizers and desserts have always been a hit with my guests.
Girl, be prepared to hand out these recipes.
40th Birthday Decorations
I love easy decorations and that is exactly what these 40th birthday party decorations are. They are cheap and cover a lot of surface area too.
This fun banner, poms, and swirls are a great start.
Photo Booth
If there is one thing you have to have for her 40th birthday party, it is a photo booth (photo area). You will be so glad you did.
All your guests will want to join in on the fun.
Keep it simple by using a background like this and then add some colorful balloons.
Birthday T-Shirts
My crafty aunt did this one for my dad’s 40th birthday party and we have used this idea ever since.
Ask a few party guests to help you.
Make T-shirts with pictures of the birthday girl on them.
This iron-on transfer paper makes this whole project easy.
Use a different picture on every shirt. Your guests will have the best time looking at all of these.
Pictures
Since you took the time to gather all those pictures of the birthday girl, print some hard copies to put on display.
Or you can fill up this digital picture frame.
Trust me, you will love having it in your home after the party.
40th Birthday Party Themes For Women
Surprise Party
How good are you at keeping a secret? Throw her a surprise birthday party.
There are so many other great ideas below that will be amazing with a surprise party.
40th Birthday House Party
This is my favorite kind of party!
Whether inside or out, in the garage, or even in a shed – it is my favorite – so casual and laid back.
Put up those easy 40th birthday party decorations and you are ready to rock and roll.
Your backyard is the perfect place to set up these yard games.
Potluck
If you have a large crowd coming, ask everyone to bring a dish to pass.
I can guarantee they won’t mind because everyone loves to show off their best recipe.
Outdoor Movie
Have an outdoor movie night. It is a kid-friendly way to spend an evening with friends.
This movie projector and screen are so good.
Set up a snack bar with all the sweet and salty goodies.
What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below.
Set out blankets and don’t forget the bug spray!
Bon Fire
You can also set up a bonfire at your house party or outdoor movie night. Your guests will enjoy hanging out around it.
Birthday Brunch
You can’t party (and celebrate her) all day if you don’t start early.
Set up a champagne brunch for your birthday girl. A Bloody Mary bar works, too.
Here are a few easy brunch recipes.
Brunch Recipes
Dress Like Your Parents
Ask your guests to pick a picture of their mom or dad, then replicate that picture – hair, clothes, and all.
Tell everyone to bring the picture along to the party so everyone can see the comparison. This is hilarious!
Dress As The 1st Letter of Your Name
It is hilarious to see what your guests come up with.
For example: Amanda – A – Angel or Hank – H – Hotdog.
Spa Day
Get your birthday girl some pampering with a spa day.
This makes for a fantastic birthday gift and she can hang with her girls.
Mexican Fiesta
When my oldest sister turned 40, we threw her a Mexican Fiesta themed party because she loves a good margarita (me too😊).
We had a huge taco bar with all the fixings.
And my sister had the best time wearing this full size sombrero.
Thankfully, my birthday girl sister still agreed to make her margaritas using this margarita machine, they are the best I have ever tasted.
Roaring 20s
Transform your home into a 1920s Speakeasy.
There are so many easy ideas for this on Pinterest.
It is way more fun when the guys dress up like gangsters and the ladies as flappers.
Make sure you write this on the invitation.
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.
Escape Room
Try an escape room with the birthday girl if she likes solving puzzles.
Wine Tasting
You can keep this fun activity at home or visit a winery or 2.
I highly recommend hiring transportation if you plan to be out and about. Safety first!
Pub Crawl
Or is beer her thing?
Go on a brewery tour (if there is one in your area) or a pub crawl to try different beverages.
Game Night
One of my older sisters loves to play board games, so we included lots of them at her 40th 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!
Casino Night
Create the casino vibe at your home and host a casino party.
If you would rather, you can always take her to the casino instead. They have everything you need for a great birthday – food, activities, and a hotel stay.
Murder Mystery Party
If you are looking to solve a puzzle right at home, try a murder mystery party.
You will be surprised how everyone will dress up (encourage it on the invite) and play their part.
I have a large family and we have done this for bachelorette parties, Christmas, and a housewarming party.
These premade Murder Mystery Packets are complete and so good (nope, I am not sponsored).
Dance Party
Most girls love to dance, and if this sounds like your birthday girl, throw her a dance party.
You can play your music, hire a DJ, or even find an Elvis impersonator.
My aunt did the Elvis impersonator for my dad's 40th birthday and it was outstanding!
Kiss Your 30s Goodbye
Luau
A luau is a great way to take a little trip to paradise at home.
Favorite Color Party
Find out what her favorite color is and have a color party.
Ask all of the guests to wear that color.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Every girl knows that Tiffany blue color instantly. If your birthday girl is all about it, this is the party for her.
Garden Party
Host a fancy garden party for your girl and her ladies.
They will all enjoy getting dressed up.
Paris Party
Ooh la la, the city of love!
From the delicious food to the decorations to the effortless way the French dress – this party will be heavenly.
Pajama Party
Invite her best girls over for a pajama party and sleepover. You all can eat too much, drink too much, and stay up way too late.
Black Tie Affair
Ask all your guests to dress to the nines for a black tie affair. You can stay in for a cocktail party or hit the town, too.
Pretty in Pink
Pink or Rose Pink are the perfect colors for a woman’s birthday – so beautiful.
Check out these party decorations.
Prom
Still looking to get dressed up but don’t want to take it too seriously, have a prom party.
There are loads of prom dresses at thrift stores.
Back in X Party
Theme her entire party around the year she was born.
Think clothes, music, food, hair, decorations, and more.
Ice Cream Social
An ice cream social is a fun family friendly afternoon birthday celebration.
Don't even think about store bought ice cream.
Instead, make it with this easy to use ice cream maker. You will never want to have store bought ice cream again.
You can easily make it ahead of time and store it in these freezer-safe containers.
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.
Hayride
Ask your guests to dress like they are in a country music video😊.
If you have been on a hayride before then you know how fun it is. And it is simple too.
You can have snacks and drinks, and there will be lots of laughing on this leisurely ride.
Party Bus
If you know the hayride won’t be a hit, rent a party bus to hit the town.
80s Theme
Your guests have a blast dressing up in the 80s theme. The hair, clothes, and makeup – oh my!
We can never escape the 80s!
Harry Potter
Does she love Harry Potter? Have a Harry Potter costume party.
There are lots of fun decorations. Here are a few to get you started.
Pirate Party
I know you are raising your eyebrows right now, but hear me out.
Some people love pirates, like the Pirates of the Caribbean kind, and you can get so creative with it. Make it a costume party.
This is a fantastic pirate blow up for your yard.
These decorations are so much fun.
Set up your drink coolers to look like treasure chests.
Don’t forget the chocolate gold coins.
Kids go nuts over those.
40th Birthday Party Ideas for Women - Activities
Cooking Class
Expand your culinary knowledge with a cooking class. You all may find new recipes that you love.
Karaoke
Is your girl the queen of karaoke? You know what to do.
If she isn't looking to go out, this is a great karaoke machine.
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.
And did I mention, you don’t have to clean anything!
Take a Trip
Plan a weekend somewhere she has always wanted to go. You know she would love to do this for her 40th birthday.
One of my best girlfriends is going with her college girls to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. I have been there and wowza, it is amazing!
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.
Bowling
Go bowling with family and friends so everyone can join in.
It is a fun way to do an activity, have some food and drinks, and celebrate with the birthday girl.
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 a list of 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 that 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.
Concert
Get her tickets to a concert. And maybe some earplugs.
Boat Cruise
A fun way to enjoy the great outdoors is on a boat cruise.
If you live near water and it is the right time of year to be on it, this one is for her.
How do you plan to help her celebrate her 40th birthday? Let me know if I missed any dynamite ideas.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.
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