• There are many creative ideas for throwing 40th birthday parties.birthday party image by Alexey Klementiev from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  When an individual turns forty years old, it is often seen as a monumental occasion, especially due to countless "over the hill" aging jokes and the old adage that says that "life begins at forty." Due to these factors, organizing fortieth birthday parties can often be intimidating and stressful. However, there are a lot of different and enjoyable ideas for putting together a memorable celebration.
  
  

This Is Your Life

• "This Is Your Life" was the name of a documentary television show that detailed the lives of individuals from the past to present. A "This Is Your Life" theme birthday party is a nostalgic way to take a forty year-old celebrant on a trip down memory lane alongside friends and family. Some ideas for decor include old photographs, high school awards and trophies and college memorabilia. For activities, play games that were popular during the person's school years. If at all possible, invite the 40-year-old's high school teacher to talk about the past.
  
  

Four Decades Party

• Throwing a four decades party is an inspired way to celebrate a person's fortieth. Many major changes can occur on the planet during four decades. Decor should span the entirety of the four decades, and all of the fixtures and foods should represent specific time periods. For example, represent the 1980s with items introduced to the world during that time frame, such as the compact disc and the VCR. Create collages of iconic items of each of the four decades to depict that time of the forty year-old's life.
  
  

Wig Out Party

• If you are looking to throw a carefree and wacky fortieth birthday, an exciting idea is to throw a "wig out party." Wig out parties are extremely simple. In the party invitations, notify the guests to wear any type of wig to the event. At the end of the party, everyone needs to swap wigs. In the event that someone is unable to or forgets to wear a wig to the party, it is a smart idea to have some extra wigs on hand (the more multicolored and kooky the better).
  
  

Surprise Party

• Throwing a surprise party is a classic way in which to have an enjoyable time for a fortieth birthday celebration. Make throwing this type of party significantly easier by eluding to the 40-year-old that a gathering is taking place at the scheduled time and place. This helps avoid delays or a catastrophe in which the celebrant doesn't show up. Do not reveal the names or number of invited guests. The biggest surprise can be in the magnitude of the party. For ease of planning, it is helpful idea to get coworkers in on the process. For example, they can get the person to stay later at work if it is necessary for him to arrive at the party at a specific time.