You’ve made it through your 20s and 30s and it’s time to celebrate a brand-new decade, the big 4-0. While every birthday is worth celebrating, the decade milestones are extra special, and when it comes to 40th birthday party planning, we say go big or go home. There are endless 40th birthday party ideas to choose from so we wanted to give you a list of tips and tricks on how to host a 40th birthday party the right way. 

40th Birthday Party Checklist

1. Set a Budget

The first thing you will want to check off your list is setting a budget. Set an overall limit for what you are willing to spend and then break that down into smaller categories such as birthday party venues Long Beach, décor, food and drinks, entertainment, staffing and so forth, to make it that much easier for you to track and manage your budget. This will be a good reference and guide as you get further into planning to make sure you don’t overspend and hold yourself accountable.

2. Create Your Guest List

Next, you will want to create the guest list. Knowing the size of the party you’re hosting is crucial to so many other details for your event such as the size of the venue you choose, how much food and drinks you will need to provide, the type of entertainment and so forth. This can also help with details such as food allergies for guests or any accessibility needs they may have for the venue.

3. Book an Event Space

Now that you have set your budget and created your guest list, it’s time to start searching birthday party venues near me. You want to choose a venue that you can see yourself celebrating in and that will bring your party to life. We also recommend looking for a venue that offers event venue services to make your life easier when it comes to party planning. More often than not, venues also have connections with third party vendors for any additional staffing you may need for your birthday or any other holiday party.

4. Set a Time and Date

You will want to choose a time and date once you have selected a venue to make sure the venue has that date available. Once you have coordinated the set date with the event space, it is time to send out invitations to your guests. You want to make sure you give your attendees ample time to mark off their calendars and plan for your event.

5. Choose a Theme

One of the best parts about throwing a birthday party is choosing a theme. Come up with something that celebrates you and what you like as a person. The theme will tie into everything you do at the party such as décor, furniture, food and drinks, dress code and so on. Themes make parties memorable and allow your guests to participate with you.

6. Food and Drinks

No party is complete without food and drinks, and even more importantly, the birthday cake. There are many different options when it comes to food and drink. You could do a buffet style, single plate dinner style, waiters serving hors d’oeuvres and so forth. For drinks, you could provide a bar, serve your own cocktails, or waiters serving by the glass. Whatever you decide, make sure it coordinates with the theme.

7. Entertainment

Finally, you will want to decide on entertainment for your party. Will you have a live band or DJ? A photobooth or backdrops? Games for guests to play? Providing entertainment for your guests will make sure they are having fun all night long and stay at your party longer. 

At Ovation Square, we plan a variety of different events, and with our event space being located in the heart of downtown Long Beach, we are the perfect venue to host your 40th birthday party. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long in advance should I let guests know about my party?
A: We always recommend 4-6 weeks as a common courtesy. This is more than enough time for people to add to their calendars and make any adjustments with kids or work.

Q: What is a realistic budget when it comes to a birthday party?
A: That depends on a wide range of factors such as guest count, venue, location, date and so forth. Once we discuss details, we can better set your expectations when it comes to a realistic budget.

Q: Am I able to negotiate venue pricing?
A: Yes. The more venues you tour and have comparisons for, the easier it is to negotiate pricing and everything the event space has to offer.