Help me with DH's 40th birthday--need cheap supplies/favors/invitation wording help

[marshallandcartersmo]

Having DH's 40th birthday party at a restaurant next month. I'd like to get some decorations for the tables, and maybe some cheapy/fun favors for guests. But have you checked out prices for 40th birthday stuff---everything's crazy!!

Also, I'll be buying heavy appetizers and soft drinks for everyone that's coming, it's just a drop in party (will just keep them coming and full, so people can snack while they visit).....BUT, I frankly won't be able to afford everyone's alcohol. Especially DH's friends alcohol.

How can I word that on the invitation?? "Appetizers and soft drinks on me, alcohol on you" doesn't sound very festive??

 

[TNT123]

I threw a surprise 40th for my DH last year and had a blast. I did invites on the computer and said "Let's toast Bob on his 40th" on the cover; inside I put - No, that's no fun - Let's Roast Bob!" So that was the theme - a roast.

I didn't go to card stores for decorations - they were way too pricey, so I came up with a few things. I did get a couple of balloons that had 40 on them, but only spent like $12 for two bouquets to put on the cupcake table.

For decorations, I bought a couple bags of the mini Hershey bars (the mixed kind). I then got on my computer, created a table and typed little sayings on them like "Oh, no - the Big 40!", "In dog years, you'd be dead", "Bob's wife is younger than him", etc. Just goofy stuff. Search the web for 40th b-day sayings and you'll be able to find some. I taped them on the candy bars and put them on all the tables where people sit.

The funniest thing I did was find some close up pix of him. He loves putting on hats on vacation, so this was easy. I had 5 x 7 glossy pix made (about 4 different ones) and then cut around the head shape. I taped them on popsicle sticks and put a few in a plastic cup filled with beans so they would stand up. It cost about $20 to print all the pix off, but it was a hoot. People would all hold them up in front of their face or wave them up and down. I also made a collage of him through the years, so there were pix of him from baby, through school, scouts, and into adulthood. A lot of people got a kick out of that. Simple and inexpensive.

To save $ on cake, I made cupcakes and just arranged them to be a 4 and a 0 on a table. No messing with cake, plates, etc.

For your invites, maybe just add something funny like "appetizers and cake are being served along with over-the-hill jokes". That way no one will come expecting a full meal.

Good luck!

 

[Disneyelf10]

maybe you can write on the invite appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks will be served. This way, like it was mention, no one will be expecting a full dinner/drink meal.
I second the mini candys w/ wrappers- very easy to make and useful- who doesn't love chocolate!?

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

some great ideas!! thank you!!

 

[disneydreamersx4]

I'm going to subscribe to this post since my DH is turning 40 in January and me and his mom are going to throw him a party, not surprise. I love the chocolate idea! Friends of ours (husband and wife) were turning 40 a few years ago and on their invitation they sent it was saying that since they were born in the 70's to dress up like that era and they were going to have that type of music at the party.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I threw a surprise 40th for my DH last year and had a blast. I did invites on the computer and said "Let's toast Bob on his 40th" on the cover; inside I put - No, that's no fun - Let's Roast Bob!" So that was the theme - a roast.

I didn't go to card stores for decorations - they were way too pricey, so I came up with a few things. I did get a couple of balloons that had 40 on them, but only spent like $12 for two bouquets to put on the cupcake table.

For decorations, I bought a couple bags of the mini Hershey bars (the mixed kind). I then got on my computer, created a table and typed little sayings on them like "Oh, no - the Big 40!", "In dog years, you'd be dead", "Bob's wife is younger than him", etc. Just goofy stuff. Search the web for 40th b-day sayings and you'll be able to find some. I taped them on the candy bars and put them on all the tables where people sit.

The funniest thing I did was find some close up pix of him. He loves putting on hats on vacation, so this was easy. I had 5 x 7 glossy pix made (about 4 different ones) and then cut around the head shape. I taped them on popsicle sticks and put a few in a plastic cup filled with beans so they would stand up. It cost about $20 to print all the pix off, but it was a hoot. People would all hold them up in front of their face or wave them up and down. I also made a collage of him through the years, so there were pix of him from baby, through school, scouts, and into adulthood. A lot of people got a kick out of that. Simple and inexpensive.

To save $ on cake, I made cupcakes and just arranged them to be a 4 and a 0 on a table. No messing with cake, plates, etc.

For your invites, maybe just add something funny like "appetizers and cake are being served along with over-the-hill jokes". That way no one will come expecting a full meal.

Good luck!

these made me LOL. I think I'll post this on the community board too, maybe we'll get some more funny sayings.....

 

[prncess674]

Are you prepared to purchase a LOT of apps? If I were invited to a party at a restaurant or banquet hall I would assume a meal is being served. Is there somewhere else that you can host the party for a lower cost? Maybe a VA hall, Lion's Club, Swim Club, etc. That way you could provide your own beer and wine and apps.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

Personally I would put "cash bar" on the invite, just so my guests knew exactly what to expect. We've done this too, and it works out fine, as long as people know what to expect before hand.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Are you prepared to purchase a LOT of apps? If I were invited to a party at a restaurant or banquet hall I would assume a meal is being served. Is there somewhere else that you can host the party for a lower cost? Maybe a VA hall, Lion's Club, Swim Club, etc. That way you could provide your own beer and wine and apps.

Yes, I've told the manager (who is also DH's sister ) just to keep them comin'.

 

[dimimi]

Our boss had a party at the end of the year. She provided appetizers...drinks were on us. We had our own going away party..(3 of us were leaving) and we did the same thing.

On the invitation you could put:

Come celebrate the Big 4-0!

cake and appetizers will be served.

***The servers will start a check for each person's alcohol and make it easy for you. When you talk with your guests, just reiterate what you are doing so it isn't awkward at the party.

I would put "no gifts" on the invitation...especially since you aren't providing drinks. I don't think it is necessary to provide the drinks, but I think you should put no gifts. JMO

 

[JustineMarie]

My sister in law just threw my brother a surprise party for his 40th this past weekend. She used face in hole dot com and put his picture on all these different bodies and in different movie posters, etc and hung them up around the room and put some in 8 by 10 frames on the tables. She had a really funny family picture with my brother in a half shirt hanging up by the bar. He is really into hunting, so she had a cake made with a big deer head on top. She got it made by the Vocational school students for very cheap. She also made chocolate dipped pretzel rods with "40" jimmies. I dont' know where she bought them tho.

 

[maggiew]

Try the dollar store. I was there yesterday and they had some things.

You could try to get mostly plain items (like black but NOT over the hill, etc.) and then sprinkle in 40th birthday stuff. Maybe one big centerpiece thing on the cake table, or whatever.

I also would write cash bar on the invite. Your servers will probably be helpful when people ask for alcohol, they will say something like "Its a cash bar." or "Should I start you a tab."

For "favors" or decorations, you can do those candy bar wrappers as mentioned previously. You can google "candy bar wrappers" and get lots of ideas. I have made several before - for my grandma's 80th birthday and my DD's sweet 16. Candy is on sale right now because of Halloween, so its a good time to buy them. If you decide to do the bigger hershey bars, Walgreens has them sometimes 3/$1 with their in ad coupon.

I got my DH personalized M&Ms. Those weren't cheap though. I bought one bag and then mixed them in with other, regular M&Ms to cut costs a little.

I would agree that appetizers is one of the most expensive ways to go. A cheaper option might be a pizza buffet type thing. I had my DH's party at a chinese restaurant that had a buffet, but also a party room. It was relatively inexpensive.

Maggie

 

[Mom2Ben02]

Make one of these for a centerpiece! It is from my scrapbook board, but you could do the 40 on the computer.

http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=2828204&mpage=1&key=�

 

[An_Island_Girl]

I love the 35 sucks centerpiece! What a great idea.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Buy a helium tank at BJs for $19.99! These are the best. The ones at BJs (as opposed to ones at Walmart/Target for the same price) will blow up 50 latex balloons.

 

[simonsmom]

on the invite how about "lordy.lordy..look who's turning 40" along with a picture

 

[PixiePlanner]

on the invite how about "lordy.lordy..look who's turning 40" along with a picture

Some 25+ years ago, our neighbor rented one of those flashing signs with the arrow. Big letters stated, "Lordy lordy, Jane is FORTY!" This was how Jane found out she was the guest of honor at a party! Obviously, it left an impression since I still remember it. Does the restaurant have a sign?

 

[akcire]

When my neighbor turned 40...There was a big sign in the front yard that said " Lordy, lordy Peg is 40, please lend her support"

On the front lawn with the sign was some quick crappy clothes line, with 40 old bras and support hose.....I nearly wet my pants I was laughing so hard.

I would not recommend it for the party, but I am sure a male equivalent could be put on your front yard...

When my mom turned a very young 60 we asked people on the invitation to bring her gifts to help her in her old age--she got some really funny stuff...much of which was purchased at garage sales and the goodwill (and then donated to a nursing home)--of course we made her open her gifts at the party