40th Birthday Creative Ideas?
Hello - My husband's 40th birthday is coming up soon, and we are looking for creative ways to celebrate it. My husband wants to do something "special". I know that can be subjective, but - for example - he doesn't want to have a party at our house or in a rented room at a restaurant/bar (although maybe he would be okay with those if there was an extra activity or something that would give it an added "oomph") . Maybe something else with more of a special activity or an event attached to it? Any suggestions or things other people have done for big (adult) birthdays?
We would not be including kids; we could do day or night; we have about 20 people we need to invite (but would love to do more if the activity/budget allows); and could probably budget up to a few grand for the right thing.
Thank you!
Parent Replies
The best birthday I ever had was when my best friends, about 6 of them, picked me up by surprise early on the day of my 30th in a rented motor home and we did a road trip to Marin & Napa, redwoods, wine tours, etc., ending with dinner in a great restaurant. It was all ad hoc, we just went where the spirit moved us.
With 20 people that doesn't completely translate, but your budget should accommodate a rented bus on a wine tour/special dinner. Perhaps outdoors at a winery, or somewhere with a sunset view of the ocean, like Muir Beach.
We all still remember that adventure fondly.
You should consider Mysteries for Hire for your entertainment. They are fantastic, typically doing a Murder Mystery over a dinner, but they always customize to fit your needs. The website is here: http://mysteriesforhire.com
You could consider renting out the East Brother Light House. If you rented all the rooms and had the place to yourself, that would be a lot of fun. They serve you appetizers as the sun sets over the Bay, and then a long, lovely dinner. It feels like you're far away, when really you haven't even driven an hour.
Happy birthday! :)
I always find that doing something unexpected can be fun. Like going whitewater rafting for the day. Or going to laser tag and pizza after. Or paintball. Or a huge nerf battle! Something a 40 year wouldn't necessarily do! Think outside of the box!
Hi - I did something similar for my husband's 40th earlier this year. We did reserve a bar and catered food. Aside from mingling, we had some musician friends / family perform. My husband's brother composed a song to the tune of a famous song that was hilarious. I made a trivia game (since my husband loves trivia) all about my husband that everyone played and enjoyed. There were a couple of speeches. At other 40ths I've seen people step up to the mic and say a few words about the birthday person. Another party had a theme, where everyone dressed up to the theme; music and food were in sync w/ the theme, so these are other ideas. Really think about things your husband likes to do or used to like to do pre-kids and see how you can celebrate incorporating those things, and you'll have a hit!
Hello,
We are now in our 60s but when my husband turned 40 we were in the midst of baby rearing and house remodeling with full time jobs. A grueling time with absolutely no time off for neither of us. So I surprised him, asked him to cancel all contractors for the house and no appointments at work, I took the day off at work, left baby in extended day care and I rented a red Mazda Miata (very difficult to do then with no internet and no "luxury" lifestyle set up in society yet. I had to find a 'luxury sports car" rental in SF and go pick it up myself). I got myself a sexy outfit, packed a picnic basket (borrowed) and we went to Napa for the day. I had reserved a glider flight there for him. It was awesome (you can do air balloon too). What we did not know is that gliders are only for the pilot and one passenger. so only he did it because we had to return to town for more celebration. For the evening I reserved a large table at a local restaurant and surprised him with a dinner with our closest friends. For us it was a fantastic day just to step away from the daily grind and spend time together.
We my birthday at SPiN in SF -- it's a ping pong bar. We had two ping pong tables reserved, and made a tournament board with brackets to track the tournament. It was fun for people to have something to do/watch, since not all of our friends knew each other. The events team was great and it really felt like a special event.
I just want to thank the responder who wrote about her experience from 20 years ago! I'm also in my 40s with babies and the whole story just made me feel like I'm not such a weirdo, and I really love your attitude!
My husband's 40's celebration was the best one by our friends account....
Mad Men was trendy and we were fascinated by it and by the 60's ( year my husband was born anyway)
So we invited around 40 people to join us to our Mad men party at our favorite bar called Penelope ( downtown Oakland) We talk to the owner, they provided like 3 cocktails of the 60's ( we payed for them, if people wanted something else, there was an "Open Bar" We brought a great playlist, they showed a movie on their flatscreen. People were very close because it was a small space, but they love it! People were excited to get dressed up and do something different.
I think we had to have like 10 platters of food, but it was a cocktail party and we invited after dinner, so nobody expected to eat at the party, just to have snacks...
It was a sensation....What about doing Game of Thrones one? or a 70's party, lots of dancing :)
have fun. it is great to be 40!!