40th birthday party planner
Forties often mix friends from every part of life: school, work, the kids' friends' parents. A good plan gives each group a reason to mix — a theme everyone can join, food that works standing up, and a short speech that ties it all together.
- Start planning
- 8–12 weeks ahead
- Guests
- Usually 30–80
- Planner length
- 3 months, starting now
Free to preview. Opens with the party pages, title and a 3-month calendar already set — change anything.
40th birthday countdown
Start 8–12 weeks ahead. These dates go on the countdown page of your planner, with tick boxes.
12 weeks before
Choose the format, book the venue and babysitters if needed.
8 weeks before
Send save-the-dates, choose caterer or menu.
5 weeks before
Send invitations, book a DJ or make the playlist.
2 weeks before
Chase RSVPs, order the cake, plan speeches.
1 week before
Confirm everything, prepare the photo slideshow.
On the day
Speeches before dessert, photos with each friend group.
40th birthday ideas
Pick one and build the plan around it. There are blank ideas pages in the planner for screenshots and sketches.
Forty and fabulous
Black and gold, a cocktail menu named after moments from the last 40 years.
Decade party
Dress code: the decade you were born in.
40 reasons
Ask guests to write one reason they love you; read some out.
Adults-only weekend
Book the babysitters early and go somewhere for two nights.
Something new at 40
A class, a race, a trip you always meant to take — start it on the day.
What's in the planner
Every page is linked from a tab, so you tap once to reach the guest list or the budget.
- Event Overview
- Party Countdown
- Party Budget
- Guests & RSVPs
- Menu & Drinks
- Shopping List
- Decor & Supplies
- Vendors
- Day-Of Timeline
- Photo Shot List
- Gifts & Thank-Yous
- Ideas & Inspiration
- Monthly and weekly calendar
- Notes
Tips for a 40th birthday
- Book babysitters as soon as you fix the date — friends with kids need them too.
- Ask one person per friend group to round up their people's RSVPs.
- Keep speeches to three: a friend, a partner or family member, and you.
- Plan photos with each friend group on the shot list.
40th birthday questions
What are good 40th birthday ideas?
Decade themes, a weekend away, a long dinner, or a party with a cocktail list named after your life. See the ideas above.
Can the planner handle a surprise party?
Yes. Use the guest list's notes column to track who knows and who's keeping the guest of honour busy.
Can I print it?
Yes. Every planner downloads as a print-ready PDF in Letter or A4 as well as tablet sizes.
Other birthdays
Also: anniversary planners by year, wedding checklists by timeline, or the party planner.
Plan the 40th in one place
Countdown, budget, guests, menu, decor, photos and thank-yous — hyperlinked for GoodNotes, Notability or print.