As stated by the title of Martin Dejnicki's famous poem, "life begins at 40." When you are organizing a party celebrating this milestone birthday, it is important to recognize this theme of life renewal. Embrace your or the guest of honor's enthusiasm, sense of humor and the recapturing of youth by encouraging all guests to dress up for the festive occasion. The entertaining costumes will be remembered for decades. Does this Spark an idea?
Celebrity Costumes
If you are an inviting an innovative crowd of people to your 40th birthday party, ask them to dress up as celebrities that were born in the same year as your birth year. For example, if you were born in 1970, guests can dress up as Heather Graham from "Boogie Nights" or "Austin Powers," Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who was Theo on the "Cosby Show" and tennis player Andre Agassi. If you were born in 1971, guests can dress up as dreamboat actor Antonio Banderas, singing sensation Ricky Martin and Shannen Doherty who starred on the original Beverly Hills 90201. Allow guests to guess who each person is dressed as.
'80s Theme
Organize an '80s theme party, especially if you spent some of your teen or young adult years during this decade. Encourage guests to relive their youth and dress in their best '80s garb to fit the theme. Women can wear leg warmers, acid wash jeans, big hair, a leotard reminiscent of "Flashdance" or Madonna styles. Men can wear a baja hoodie, a neon shirt and shorts, a preppy golf-shirt with a sweater tied around their neck or an '80s punk look.
Roast Theme
If you are organizing a party for someone who is turning 40 and who has a sense of humor, you can embrace the tradition of the "birthday roast". At a birthday roast, each guest stands up and tells a hilarious or mocking story about the birthday person. Play on the roast idea by adding a pig roast and Hawaiian costume theme. Encourage guests to wear beach shirts, leis and hula skirts.
Black Tie Event
Hold an elegant party to celebrate the 40th milestone. A black tie event will give everyone the excuse to dress up in their most ceremonial clothing and will provide many worthy photograph opportunities. Men generally wear a black dinner jacket, pants and tie with a white dress shirt or a full tuxedo. Women have more freedom as they can choose their favorite formal gown hanging in their closet. To complement the evening's ambiance, serve wine, champagne and hors d'oeuvres to guests as they mingle.
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