This is a collaborative post: As my 40th birthday approaches in just three months, I’ve been persuaded that I might want to celebrate, as opposed to just pretending it never happened and staying 39 forever which was my previous idea. Trying to think of ideas for things to do hasn’t been easy. I definitely don’t want to host a party as I am not very organised and these things don’t come naturally to me; plus most of my friends live far away and I’d probably be left last minute with a lot of food and a phone full of ‘sorry, my kid was sick’ texts. I know, I am that friend.
Here are some exciting ideas to make any 40th birthday celebration truly unforgettable.
Get Cosy in a Private Dining Room
One idea that caught my attention is reserving a private dining room for a more intimate dining experience, inviting just close family and friends. If you’re in the UK, you can look at options for reserving a private dining room and book via websites like Square Meal UK.
A private dining room is way more special than just booking a meal out in a restaurant. It allows you to create a cosy and exclusive atmosphere with a small guest list, without having to worry about the cooking or catering, or of course the cleaning up. You can set the budget or go as upscale as you like – you’re only 40 once!
Hold a Dinner Party
If fine dining isn’t really your thing but you still want to celebrate with a sit-down meal, then you can get a chef to come to your house and cater to your guests, with waiting staff and washing up included so that you can concentrate on enjoying yourself, in your own house. The pros of this are that you can create the menu to suit your own tastes and of course you don’t have to get a taxi home afterwards!
Go on a Destination Getaway
If you happen to be a travel enthusiast, then turning 40 is the perfect excuse to go somewhere you’ve always wanted to travel to, whether that’s could be a peaceful countryside retreat, a vibrant city adventure, or a tropical beach paradise. Going on a getaway allows you to spend quality time with loved ones while exploring a new and memorable destination, creating cherished moments and unforgettable experiences.
Enjoy an Adventure-filled Day
If you I love thrilling experiences, planning a day filled with exciting activities is a fantastic way to celebrate a 40th birthday. If you’ve never tried skydiving, bungee jumping, or zip-lining then what are you waiting for? Get an adrenaline rush and create unforgettable memories. You never know, you might become addicted to it!
Another slightly easier option is to organise a day trip to a theme park and enjoy all the thrills without having to jump out of a plane. If your partner isn’t one for heights or fast rides, this could be one for the family.
Have a Relaxing Spa Weekend
If you want to stay closer to home, then a relaxing spa weekend could be just the ticket to help you unwind on your 40th – particularly if you happen to want to spend it with a big group of your best girlfriends. Spa weekends don’t come cheap but you can often find very good deals which include treatments, afternoon tea, hotel stays etc for reasonable prices, or book well enough in advance that you have time to save up.
Rent a Holiday Cottage
If you prefer activities to relaxing, then renting a holiday cottage or Air BnB for the weekend with a group your best friends or your family could be a better bet, and perhaps cheaper too! Depending on budgets you don’t have to go too far; you can use the house as a base to explore the local area and enjoy activities, or you can bring the party to you, cooking your meals there and just relaxing. You can combine with the ‘personal chef’ to host a dinner party without having to invite people into your home or tidy up beforehand!
What will you do to celebrate your 40th?