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Life begins at 40!"
Whether it's a mid-life crisis for the celebrant or the guest of honor has the feeling that life is just beginning, 40 is a milestone birthday. As is true for any of the birthdays that end in "0," friends and family want to make more of a fuss than usual. They want to express their feelings of kinship, appreciation and love while celebrating, and many appropriate party themes can help them do just that. Does this Spark an idea?
One Foot in the Grave
For someone with a lively sense of humor, an "Over the Hill" party can be fun. Decorations should include tombstones, black crepe paper and balloons, and a rented wheelchair serves as the guest of honor's seat. Geriatric-themed gifts, such as lap blankets, incontinence pads or walking canes, add to the party, and guests can play trivia games geared to the birthday person's generation.
Childhood Revisited
A childhood-revisited party takes the guest of honor back to a simpler time. Entertainment options include clowns and pony rides (as long as the ponies are big enough to carry adults), and children's games, such as Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Musical Chairs and Green Light, Red Light. Gift ideas include toys the birthday person may have longed for but never received as a child, such as a train set, a toy oven, roller skates or a sled.
"You've Arrived"
Many people have made real strides in their careers by age 40. If this is the case with your celebrant, a "You've Arrived" party might be appropriate. Engraved invitations to a cocktail party indicate a touch of elegance. A string quartet provides the music while a white-jacketed waiter or two circulates with hors d'oeuvres. Gifts might include embossed business cards, a briefcase with the recipient's initials engraved on a brass tag or golf clubs (for those important business conferences).
40 Things
At a "40 party," 40 people enjoy music from the '40s and 40-oz. bottles of beer. Gift suggestions are groupings of 40 items, such as pairs of socks, skeins of yarn, roses or 40 weeks' paid membership at a local gym or swimming pool. Don't forget the birthday cake with 40 candles.
Tags: guest honor, birthday person
