40th birthday party - should I plan my own?

[GeorgeG]

Here's what you do:

Go to WDW and spend the day in Epcot. I usually start celebrating at the Rose and Crown and work my way around to Germany and back and forth between the two. They give you a big button to wear and hundreds of nice people will wish you "Happy Birthday!" If you plan ahead a little, you will have a bunch of people sing to you after dinner (they did it in both German and English at the Beirgarten one year). Then, you get to finish the evening off with a great fireworks display!

Friends and family can come if they want as long as they pay their own way.

 

[daisax]

Why does it have to be a birthday party for yourself if you just want to have a party with friends and family? Why not just throw a party?

You don't even need an occasion, and there's no gift giving awkwardness.

 

[GeorgeG]

Why does it have to be a birthday party for yourself if you just want to have a party with friends and family? Why not just throw a party?

You don't even need an occasion, and there's no gift giving awkwardness.

Epcot works for that, too!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

And FYI...GeorgeG will be attending.

 

[Disney Doll]

Another idea for a "no gifts" clause, because there are some people that always "have to" bring something...

Instead of saying "no gifts", say "in lieu of a gift for me, please bring a food donation for the local food pantry". That way, people who would ignore "no gifts" and bring you a gift anyway now have something to bring which will be useful to someone.

We have friends who throw a Christmas party, and they always tell people to do this in lieu of a "hostess gift".

 

[Becky2005]

That's what your dh is for - to be your "front man." DH should host it, you just do all the planning!

We've been known to do such things in our family. Fairly often actually if need be. Us girls tend to like to plan our own stuff because we all know what we want (although I am in the middle of planning my mom's surprise 70th birthday party!).

I'm hoping to have my 50th if all goes well in Disney. I also know my family, if I don't plan something, nobody will even remember my birthday. Too busy with end of school stuff & my one son's birthday.

 

[Kimmumum]

I threw my own 35th. We had a blast!!

 

[Shmily1]

I planned my 40th bday party... it went like this... "Hey, I'm making my reservations for Disney for my b-day. Anybody want to go with me should tell me now so I can add you to my reservations!" Everybody just looked at me and said "Of course we are going with you for your bday". Even DH who doesn't really care for WDW!!

I say plan it! It's a blast no matter where you have it (especially if it's WDW)!!!

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

I'm throwing myself my 50th birthday party the end of this month. My DH is a great guy but parties just aren't his thing. Plus he really doesn't know most of the people I am inviting. My kids are helping but they are both college students so can't pay for the party. I figured if I wanted a party, I had to do it myself. I did say No gifts on the invitation since I really just want folks to come and have a good time.

Go for it!

 

[kelleigh1]

My neighbor has been planning her 40th birthday party for months... She's very excited about it and I don't think it's weird or tacky at all - just funny as the day she turned 39 she was planning a huge blowout for one year later!

Enjoy!

I turn 39 on the 26th of this month. Your neighbor and I could be related. I'd love to know what she's planning.

 

[GeorgeG]

And FYI...GeorgeG will be attending.

I can do that. I'm only an hour away.

 

[Handbag Lady]

My cousin had her 40th earlier this year. She planned some/all of it and had "no gifts, please" on the invite.

Her dad requested to be in charge of invites and cleverly changed it to: No gifts, please, unless they are cheap and funny gag gifts about getting older.

She got some funny things.

 

[kelleigh1]

My cousin had her 40th earlier this year. She planned some/all of it and had "no gifts, please" on the invite.

Her dad requested to be in charge of invites and cleverly changed it to: No gifts, please, unless they are cheap and funny gag gifts about getting older.

She got some funny things.

That's cute. My husband would probably say "unless it's something that will really embarass her."

 

[okeydokey]

You could request that people bring their favorite or funniest pics of you through the years!

 

[elgerber]

I am turning 40 and planning my own, well with DH, but I will end up doing most of it. I will put no gifts on the invite also. I figure if I must turn 40, I might as well get cake out of the deal!