Turning 40 is a huge milestone. While some might default to the basic “over the hill” party, why limit yourself? With these 40th birthday ideas for men, you can plan an unforgettable celebration for a loved one (or yourself, if you’re about to hit the big four-oh).
What are you waiting for? Get planning!
40th Birthday Ideas for Men Who Love Food
Everyone knows it’s the food that makes the party, so take your time on the menu. The style and theme of the party will dictate the foods you ultimately choose, but these ideas can work for most celebrations.
Appetizers
Whether you’re not planning to serve a full meal or want something to tide the guests over until dinner, appetizers are a must. You can always purchase frozen appetizers and heat them in your oven. If you’re planning to make them from scratch, there are plenty of easy appetizers out there:
- Pizza rolls
- Pigs in a blanket
- Chips and dips
- BBQ meatballs
- Pretzel bites
Depending on the guest list and what the birthday boy prefers, you might also put out a veggie or fruit tray. A spread of crackers and cheese is another quick and easy appetizer to toss together.
Main Courses
The best main course for a 40th birthday party is the guest of honor’s favorite meal. If that won’t work for your crowd, go with a convenient dish. Pizza is always a safe option and something that most guests will easily devour. Add breadsticks and green salad as sides and you’ve got the meal covered.
Food bars like nachos or potatoes are other great options to feed a bunch of hungry guys. A nacho bar starts with tortilla chips of your choosing. Next, melt some nacho cheese and throw together a batch of guacamole. Toppings include sliced olives, diced onions, grated cheese, salsa, black beans, refried beans, lettuce, sour cream, and anything else that brings the Tex-mex experience.
A potato bar starts with the perfect baked potatoes. Bring the protein with options like chili, ground turkey or beef, bacon, pulled pork, or fajita steak. Dairy such as sour cream, grated cheese, queso, and butter will hold it all together. On top of the dairy, you can have all your other options, including a wide array of veggies, sauces, herbs, and spices.
Perhaps your party is going to be on the formal side for a food bar. Instead, you can serve a nice steak with a side of mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables, or consider marinated chicken with potato salad and rolls. A variety of meats and fruits fresh off the grill will never be turned down by a group of partygoers, so grill to your heart’s desire.
Dessert
Some of the most memorable 40th birthday ideas for men come in the form of dessert. You can bake a classic cake and pipe a birthday message in frosting, or go above and beyond with a unique creation sure to impress.
Chocolate lava cake is easy to make and a big hit at birthday parties for people of all ages. Each guest gets a personal cake with the option of having ice cream or whipping cream on top. It’s easy to dress it up with a dusting of cocoa on top for a more formal party, but it also makes for a fun dessert when you add colorful sprinkles.
Cannoli dip is typically served in a personal dish, but in a large bowl, it’s available for everyone to enjoy together. To make cannoli dip:
- Blend 8 ounces of soft cream cheese with 1 cup of drained whole milk ricotta cheese.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, the zest of one lemon, and 2 teaspoons of orange extract.
- Gently stir in 1 cup of mini chocolate chips.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for half an hour or until it’s time for dessert.
When dinner is over and your guests are ready for dessert, serve this cannoli dip with cannoli chips, broken waffle cone pieces, pretzels, cookies, fruit, graham crackers, and a variety of other sweet dipping items.
Drinks
Get creative with your drink options so every guest has something to enjoy. Start with a cooler of varying brands of beer. A separate cooler can hold the non-alcoholic sodas and water bottles. These drinks should be available to guests the entire evening.
With dinner, consider serving one of many birthday cocktails. Take a look at your menu and decide which drinks will pair best with what you’re serving. A bellini is simple to mix up to create a classic party atmosphere. A combination of peach juice and white wine, it is reminiscent of a mimosa.
If you or your guests don’t drink alcohol, serve rootbeer floats or cherry bomb mocktails. A soda bar with several different sodas and syrup flavors is another option that will keep your guests happy and engaged in the fun.
No-Fail Ways To Entertain the Birthday Crowd
Some parties require a lot of games and interactive entertainment, while others are more suited to a relaxing experience. Consider what style of party the guest of honor would like best and choose the entertainment to match.
If you’re partying outdoors, set up a variety of lawn games. Ideas include ladder ball, cornhole, croquet, pong golf, and lawn darts. Create a guessing game with questions about the new 40-year-old’s life and see who knows him best.
For parties where the goal is to sit back, eat, and relax, live entertainment is always a hit. Hire his favorite local band to play in the background. Ask a magician or a comedian to take an hour entertaining guests. Put on a movie or a series of his favorite music videos to play on a screen in the background while guests visit with one another.
40th Birthday Gift Ideas for Men
How do you buy a gift for a man who’s turning 40? Even if he seems to already has everything he needs at this point in life, there are still a variety of both practical and fun options to celebrate the occasion.
Give a present to replace something he has worn out with a newer version. Gift the birthday boy with something he has always wanted but couldn’t bring himself to spend money on. A gag gift might be in order if the recipient has a good sense of humor. Make it personal (but not too personal!) and it should be well received.
Leather
Durability, strength, luxury, and functionality are just a few qualities that describe leather, so a gift made of leather shows the recipient respect and admiration with profound sentiment. Leather gift ideas for a man at 40 include:
- Slippers or shoes
- A bracelet with metal beads that name each of his children
- A wallet
- Books or journals
- A duffel bag
Many leather items are easily customizable, making them extra meaningful and special. Get something imprinted with a favorite quote or the recipient’s name. Because leather is so durable, vintage items are also fair game for 40th birthday gifts for men who like the classics.
Technology
When it comes to 40th birthday ideas for men, you can’t go wrong with a gift of the latest and greatest in technology. Maybe there’s something he needs replaced or upgraded, such as if he recently cracked his phone screen.
If you can’t think of anything he needs, consider something he can have fun with, like a drone, a record player, noise-canceling headphones, a digital watch, or something to improve his video game experience.
One great thing about giving technology is that the recipient doesn’t have to be tech-savvy to enjoy the gift. If the new 40-year-old in your life can’t figure it out, you have the opportunity to spend time with him teaching him how to work the new gadget. Most devices and toys, once the person knows how to use them, are easy to keep using.
Manly and Gag Gifts
A guy can look and feel great with a gift that speaks to his masculinity. Whether he hunts, golfs, works with wood, rides motorcycles, or has dabbled in beer brewing, there’s sure to be something he needs to improve his hobby. Ideas include:
- A knife set or Viking axe
- Cigars
- Personalized grooming bag
- Personalized pocket watch
- Flask or whiskey glass set
Clothes such as a hat or a jacket also make good manly gifts, and they can be a little cheeky, too, for a guy who likes a laugh. Give a shirt with the phrase “It took me 40 years to look this good” or a hat that says “Cheers to 40 years!”
40th Birthday Ideas for Men Who Like To Get Out and About
Planning a 40th birthday party and carrying it out can be a lot of work. While a party carefully arranged and hosted at home will be unforgettable, it’s not for everyone. If you’re someone who loves to get out and celebrate, consider scheduling a fun excursion for the big day.
Winery or Brewery Tour
Treat the man of the hour and his closest friends to a winery or brewery tour. Check locally to see if there is one in your area if you’re short on time. If you can travel, look into wineries at Merriam Vineyards in Healdsburg, California, or Archery Summit in Dayton, Oregon.
If a brewery is more his style, check out Maui Brewing Co. in Kihei, Hawaii, and spend some extra time exploring the islands. Is he more of a city guy? Brooklyn Brewery in Brooklyn, New York, is worth the experience, and you can spend the rest of the time enjoying the city.
Cruise or Beach Stay
Some of the more relaxing birthday ideas for men turning 40, include time on or near the water. Several cruise lines are out all year round, so regardless of when his birthday is, you can be cruising on party day. If it’s in the budget, let the guest of honor choose some of his favorite excursions.
The beach is another option if a cruise doesn’t work out. Whether in sunny California or beautiful Florida, reserve a home on the beach to throw the party and spend a few days honoring 40 years worth celebrating.
Camping Trip
Heading out into the great outdoors is another exciting way to celebrate with a guy who enjoys camping. While spending time soaking in the beauty of nature may be all the man of the hour wants, it’s also possible to take the party along. For those who like planning surprise parties, he may not be expecting a cake or other typical 40th birthday ideas for men while on a camping trip, so bringing along a few things can make the week extra special.
Pull out a birthday cake and candles after a meal cooked over the fire. Decorate his tent with balloons and crepe paper. Sing “Happy Birthday” at the top of your lungs so it echoes through the canyon or woods to make this camping trip stand out.
Getting Started With the Ultimate 40th Birthday Ideas for Men
Hosting or planning a 40th birthday party for yourself or other man just approaching his next decade is easy when you have a few guidelines to follow. Whether it’s a relaxing night at home with family or a busy excursion out of town with a dozen closest buddies, make a 40th party one no one will forget.
Get your party going by deciding on the location. If you’ll be at home, come up with a menu that will meet the needs of all your guests. Hire entertainers or purchase the games you’ll need to keep everyone engaged in the evening. If you’re going on an excursion, check into everyone’s schedules and make reservations ahead of time so everything will run smoothly. Finally, get the perfect gift so he will remember his 40th party for years to come.
For more ways to celebrate and additional 40th birthday ideas for men, check out other adventure ideas on Rugged Standard.