i’m matt james

professional event producer

  • 27 years event-planning experience
  • Winner of 30 industry awards
  • Clients include:
  • Elton John,
  • Stella McCartney,
  • Sarah Jessica Parker,
  • Kevin Spacey……and more

welcome

Matt James professional event planner
CONTENTS

ON THIS PAGE

01 MAKE IT SPECIAL

Thoughtful ideas that celebrate the person, not their age, focus on the feel-good, and make a 40th birthday special

40 years of memories personalized photo book for a 40th birthday
'40 Memories for 40 Years' Share a Memory postcards for a 40th birthday
40 Reasons We Love You photo poster for a 40th birthday
Custom '40 Reasons We Love You' 40th birthday photo book with friends and family holding signs

02 MAKE IT personal

How to add creative twists and personal touches to create talking points and memorable moments

40 year old man standing alongside a lifelike custom pinata of himself
'celebrating 40 years' 40th birthday party dessert table tapestry backdrop with photos showing the guest of honor 'through the years'
custom face photo 40th birthday garland banner showing a man 'through the years' as a baby, kid, and adult
custom photo personalized Happy Birthday m&m's for a 40th birthday party

03 40th birthday party decorations

How to maximize your budget by concentrating your 40th birthday party decorations in a few key areas

40th birthday photo collage party decorations in the shape of the numbers 40 on a party dessert table
'cheers to 40 years' 40th birthday custom photo banner party decorations showing photos of the guest of honor 'then and now'
happy 40th birthday bambi spelled out in a yard card decorating the front of house
woman standing next to number 40 balloon mosaic and balloon arch 40th birthday party decorations

04 40th birthday party activities

How to break the ice, provide conversation-starters, encourage mingling, and create atmosphere

40th birthday guestbook alternative signing poster activity with photos of the guest of honor 'then and now'
Interactive DIY vodka bar with mixers and fruit set up at an event as an activity for guests
'how well do you know the birthday boy' 40th birthday party game quiz cards
retro telephone audio guest book set up next to an instructions sign inviting guests to record a message for a 40th birthday party

05 40th birthday party food

Why food stations geared towards small bites, tasting plates, and DIY options are better than buffets

Hors d'oeuvres and appetizers arranged in rows on a modern 40th birthday party buffet table / food station
40th birthday party food presentation ideas: fish salad served in margarita glasses with forks
40th birthday party hors d'oeuvres: cheese bites served on forks standing vertically
40th birthday party food ideas: individual portion charcuterie cups

06 dessert tables

How a dessert table can lend visual spectacle, save time, and maximize budget for a 40th birthday party

black and gold striped custom 40th birthday party dessert table backdrop
individual layered party desserts served in disposable shooter glasses
personalized custom caricature cookie of a man to use as 40th birthday party dessert table treats
blue sequin shimmer 40th birthday party dessert table backdrop

07 40th birthday party drinks

Get that professionally-catered look and give traditional drinks a creative twist

custom photo personalized beer bottle labels for 40th birthday party drinks
40th birthday party drinks ideas: boxwood hedge party drinks bar wall with shelves of self-service drinks for guests to help themselves to
custom photo edible wafer party drinks topper with a photo of the birthday girl floating on a cocktail
custom photo 'Fun Facts about the Birthday boy' 40th birthday party drinks / cocktail napkins

08 40th birthday party invitations

Why invitations needs to excite, inspire, and give guests something to look forward to

40th birthday party photo collage invitation showing the birthday boy 'through the years'
animated digital video 40th birthday party invitations displayed on mobile phone screen
balloon custom printed with 40th birthday party invitation details
custom vinyl record party invitation for a 40th birthday party

09 40th birthday gifts

Avoid uninspiring and clichéd gifts in favor of something that’s unique, meaningful, or a treat

woman standing next to a custom muppet-style puppet of herself given as a 40th birthday gift
custom personalized comic book for a 40th birthday gift
custom bobblehead of a man alongside his photo for an 40th birthday gift
personalized viewmaster reel viewer for a 40th birthday gift

10 40th birthday party ideas for men

40th birthday party themes, decorations, and ideas aimed at men

'the man, the myth, the legend' custom name 40th birthday party backdrop decorations behind a dessert table
40th birthday party beer tasting party supplies with bottles of beer in ice buckets
'the silver fox' custom name 40th birthday party napkins with grey hair icon
40th birthday party beer tasting party supplies with a cheese board
ADVICE FROM A PRO

40TH BIRTHDAY party tips

  • 40th birthdays are significant, so you need to make an effort!
  • Avoid the obvious: generic store-bought decorations emblazoned with 40
  • Instead, make everything as personal as possible
  • Celebrate the person, not their age
  • Avoid lame jokes and clichés like ‘old as dirt’, ‘over the hill, and ‘40 rocks’
  • Concentrate on making them feel loved and appreciated as they turn 40
  • Celebrate their life; their background, accomplishments, and all the things that have made them who they are today
  • Celebrate who they are; admirable qualities, characteristics everyone loves, and even their weird habits and obsessions that drive people crazy!
  • Celebrate your relationship with them; take a walk down memory lane, share memories, funny stories, embarrassing photos, amusing anecdotes, fun facts guests may not know, and indulge in a little sentimentality
  • Focus on things that are meaningful, because that’s what they’ll remember
  • If you’re planning your own 40th birthday bash, you should still take the same approach. Make everything as personal as possible so that it’s a reflection of you; your tastes, your interests, and your sense of humor—with plenty of embarrassing old photos and fun facts
  • I’ll teach you how to design your 40th birthday party like a pro; creating ‘beats’ or ‘moments’ that run throughout the event so guests continue to discover new things as the party unfolds
  • Think of the guest’s journey in terms of different touch points; arrivals, bar, room décor, food, entertainment etc.
  • Then, add a creative twist, person touch, or talking point to each
  • Don’t forget to include activities; things for guests to do that will break the ice, encourage mingling, provide conversation-starters, and create a fun atmosphere that includes everyone.
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MATT’S TIP

Matt James professional event planner
in this section

01 Make it special

celebrate the person, not their age

  • Limit the gag gifts and decorations and focus on thoughtful, feel-good ideas.
  • Make them feel loved, appreciated, and good about themselves.

AVOID CLICHÉS