Hoping to uncover thoughtful and creative 40th birthday ideas for men? At Peerspace, we understand how amazing milestone birthdays are. A 40th birthday is a big deal, so we don’t blame you for wanting to do it right!
Keep reading for 12 creative 40th birthday ideas for men that will get you inspired as you start to plan.
1. Pick a cool theme and stick to it
The sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing themes. But once you’ve decided on one, try to stick to it with your decor, and food, to give your party a more cohesive feel.
In terms of themes, Shelterness suggests options like “Las Vegas, rustic, moustache, [and] beer party,” while Event Up raises ideas like “masquerade balls, the roaring ‘20s, or a Hollywood red carpet night.”
A lot of these ideas might work well in a rented space like this cider bar in Central East Austin, which has an understated yet masculine design that could adapt to all kinds of decorating schemes.
To quote one of many happy reviewers who booked a birthday party here: “Awesome spot with a beautiful outdoors and lovely decor on the inside. Maggie was very helpful in answering any questions I had. Justin, the GM, was very helpful in setting up the PA system and the projector for us as well as serving us delicious ciders.”
2. Choose the right gift
This suggestion of a 40th birthday idea for men assumes that you aren’t the birthday guy himself but a friend or loved one who’s trying to plan a birthday for someone! Picking the right birthday gift is a pretty important element of this special day.
In their article suggesting 40th birthday gift ideas, Byliner offers a few tips to ensure you choose wisely. One is to consider what the giftee typically buys for himself and pick the same category of gift. Another is to take into account what the birthday guy generally does with his free time, to better understand his priorities, and buy something that works well with those activities.
We would also add that you should consider gifting an experience rather than an object. Spending the day at a retro arcade might be a way more memorable gift than a watch, for example.
3. Include some funny decor
If there’s anything you learn when you spend four decades on Earth, it’s not to take yourself too seriously. Embody that spirit by selecting some of your decor on the basis of being funny rather than just being an attractive decoration. Not sure what we mean by funny birthday decor?
One of our favorites is these personalized face birthday banners that you can order on Etsy. Send the sellers a pic of the birthday guy making a funny face and use these to decorate your venue!
Get more inspiration with our birthday decoration ideas for adults resource page!
4. Camping trip
Some guys would prefer spending time in the great outdoors with a group of close friends over a regular party. If that’s the case, a special birthday camping trip is a wonderful choice.
Picture this: you’re all sitting around the campfire, stars twinkling overhead as you reminisce about favorite memories and discuss what you like about the birthday guy.
5. Go to a sports game
Another alternative to the standard birthday party for those who prefer to hang out with smaller groups of friends is a trip to a sports game to watch his favorite team. Whether it’s football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, this will make for a fun and memorable day that might well be a big improvement over a regular party.
6. Catch a great concert
Did you hear that one of your favorite musicians is on tour and will be in your area around the time of your upcoming birthday? If so, here’s yet another 40th birthday idea for men who don’t want to have a party. Instead, rock out to music you love while welcoming the next decade of your life in style.
7. Bowling party
If you’re the kind of person who wants your birthday celebration centered around an activity rather than unstructured socializing, consider a trip to the bowling alley! There are sure to be lots of laughs. The competitive atmosphere will also make this one of those fun and engaging 40th birthday ideas for men.
8. Reflect on your past
A 40th birthday is an ideal chance to reflect on the past four decades of your life and how you got to where you are now. Consider putting together a slideshow of old photos or having a loved one do so, making sure you include photos of yourself and your friends and your record of all the best memories you had together over the years.
9. Karaoke night
If you and your friends love to sing, head out to a local karaoke place or rent the A/V equipment to do karaoke at home and sing your heart out! Singing some of your old favorites is another way to reflect on your past as your birthday prompts you to look toward your future.
We have even more memorable 40th birthday party ideas here!
10. Outdoor grill & pool party
One of our favorite 40th birthday ideas for men is simply having your party outdoors and doing some grilling and swimming. Just be sure to prepare non-meat options for the vegetarians in the group!
If you don’t have an outdoor space where you can have an outdoor grill party, then rent one. This oasis at the Marquis in Fayetteville, Georgia has an amazing outdoor grill space. It also comes with a 40-foot swimming pool, a heated jacuzzi, a brand new firepit, and a sound system so you can blast your favorite tunes.
11. Paintball
Have you ever played paintball with friends? If not, age 40 might be the time to start! But if you have, you’ll know that it can get really intense and competitive – and can also be incredibly fun, to boot. So consider a paintball party for your birthday celebration!
12. Hire a photographer
If you’re planning a real party, you’ll probably want to have photos of the big day for when you’re looking back on it in the future. And sure, smartphones have cameras, and anyone can technically take photos of your event. But if you want the photos to be good, then you’ll want to pay a little extra to hire a photographer.
And if you book a Peerspace venue, then Peerspace’s Concierge service can help you book one near you!
