Celebrate this landmark birthday with whimsical fun, wacky inspiration, or classic style. Check out ideas for themes, gifts, and favors to commemorate a special 40th birthday.

This Is Your Life

For a fun and funny surprise, throw a party that's a walk down memory lane. Invite special guests from the Birthday One's past to appear as a surprise (their kindergarten teacher, their basketball coach, their best friend from 3rd grade). You can easliy pull this off just like the old game show with a simple microphone and speaker: hide the guests in another room with the microphone, and have the speaker in the party room. Have each guest describe themselves (unseen) into the mic as the Birthday One guesses which person from the past they could be. Then reveal their identity by having them walk into the room!

Music Memories

Everybody loves the Oldies, and music always pulls on memory's heartstrings. If your Birthday One turns 40 this year, that means they came of age during the '60s and '70s. Return to one of these decades with the help of some tunes! Have a 40th birthday dance party featuring the songs of the '60s and '70s, or ask a talented friend to sing or play some of the Birthday One's favorite songs from that era.

Over the Hill

Although this theme is overdone, you can spice up an "Over the Hill" party with some of these cute and clever ideas. First, ask all of your party guests to dress in white, and have the Birthday One dress in black to draw attention to them. Pictures turn out great, and there's no question who the guest of honor is. Or, have a memorial ceremony "mourning" the loss of their youth, with eulogies and accomplishments! Add some carnations sprayed black, and some black partyware, and you have the perfect Over the Hill Birthday party!