i’m matt james

professional event planner

  • Over 25 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
SHOW More Show Less

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

  • Don’t make the common mistake of theming everything around turning 40.
  • Clichéd themes like ‘old as dirt’ and ‘oh crap you’re old’ are tired and lazy.
  • They make for an impersonal and unoriginal 40th birthday celebration.
  • Read my full post with ideas for how to make a 40th birthday special or preview some below
open full post
OR PREVIEW BELOW
ideas in this section

40 memories for 40 years

40 reasons we love you

photo slideshow

a gift every hour

40 years of memories letters

‘open when’ letters

40 years of memories photo book

photo collage memory box

reasons we love you photo book

AND MORE
preview

ideas to make it special

Check out this preview of some 40th birthday party ideas to make it special, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

40 memories for 40 years

Invite friends and family to mail a postcard sharing a favorite memory of the birthday boy / girl in the days leading up to their 40th birthday

read more
40th birthday memory postcards
the idea

a gift every hour

Spread the love over an entire day with 12 smaller gifts; one to be opened every hour….at 40 minutes past the hour!

read more
a collection of gift wrapped boxes
the idea

reasons we love you photo book

Invite friends and family to take photos expressing all the things they love about the birthday boy / girl to collect together in a keepsake photo book to celebrate their 40th birthday

read more
reasons we love you 40th birthday photo-book
the idea

40th birthday slideshow

Invite friends and family to contribute photos and videos of the birthday boy / girl to surprise them with an animated slideshow

read more
group of friends watching a backyard birthday slideshow
VIEW MORE

ideas to make it special

40 Reasons We Love You photo poster for a 40th birthday
40 years of memories personalized photo book for a 40th birthday
stack of illustrated brown 'Open When...' letter envelopes for different occasions
a stack of numbered '40 years of memory' letters in air mail envelopes
OPEN FULL POST
in this section

02 Make it personal

add creative twists & personal touches

  • A 40th birthday is a special occasion, so you need to make an effort.
  • Generic decorations from Party City or Amazon won’t cut it.
  • Cheap, shiny, and mass-produced in China doesn’t exactly say special does it?
  • It’s the creative twists, clever details, personal touches, talking points, and memorable moments that make a 40th birthday party more special than a regular get-together.
  • So, focus on customizable party supplies that use cute, funny, or embarrassing old photos of the birthday boy / girl to make them unique.
  • Read my full post about the party supplies I recommend and learn how to use them to surprise and entertain guests, create photo ops, and make your party memorable.
open full post
OR PREVIEW BELOW
ideas in this section

custom photo m&m’s

photo party hats

fan face custom cutouts

custom face banners

fun facts napkins

‘‘then & now photo banners‘

‘through the years’ photo banners

CUSTOM PHOTO WINE/BEER LABELS

life-size talking cutouts

CUSTOM PHOTO BALLOONS

CUSTOM PARTY CUPS

CUSTOM COOKIES

CUSTOM PINATAS

AND MORE
preview

ideas to make it personal

Check out this preview of some 40th birthday party ideas to make it personal, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

custom photo m&m’s

It’s the clever little details that create talking points, so swap regular candy for personalized M&M’s with photos of the 40th birthday boy / girl

read more
blue and yellow custom photo m&m's with a woman's face
the idea

photo party hats

Create custom party hats printed with old photos of the 40th birthday boy / girl from different stages of their life

read more
color photo party hats showing the 40th birthday boy now and as a baby
the idea

fan face custom cutouts

Create photo ops by providing guests with faces of the guest of honor at different stages of their life

read more
group of people holding custom fan faces of the 40th birthday boy in front of their own faces
the idea

custom face banners

Personalize your party decorations with custom face banners of the 40th birthday boy / girl at different ages

read more
40th birthday custom face photo banners showing birthday boy at different ages hung above party dessert table
VIEW MORE

ideas to make it personal

This Kid is Turning 40 and Look Who's 40 custom photo birthday party balloon decorations
custom photo personalized wine bottle labels for party drinks
Tri-fold custom photo collage display board personalized with the name Victoria
large styrofoam letters spelling Grace used as a dessert table base for birthday party decorations
OPEN FULL POST
ADVICE FROM A PRO

planning your own 40th?

  • You should still use customized party supplies if you’re planning your own party.
  • Make it personal so the event is a reflection of you; your tastes, your interests, your sense of humor.
  • Use plenty of embarrassing old photos, amusing anecdotes, and fun facts guests might not know.
  • People often feel self-conscious celebrating themselves or worry that it might appear egotistical,
  • but if you include funny and embarrassing old photos, it has the opposite effect;
  • It communicates self-deprecation, honesty, and a sense of openness.
  • It tells people you don’t take yourself too seriously;
  • that you can laugh at all your bad old haircuts and crimes of fashion!
  • Guests will love it too; many of whom might never have seen you as a cute baby, cheeky little kid, or scruffy college student.
  • So, not only will they find this entertaining,
  • but revealing yourself in a ‘warts and all’ kind of way lets people in, makes you relatable, and fosters a connection.
  • All of which helps breaks the ice, provide conversation-starters, and create a relaxed, fun party atmosphere
SHOW More Show Less

MATT’S TIP

Matt James professional event planner
in this section

03 40TH BIRTHDAY DeCORations

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

  • Don’t try to dress the entire room/venue, this will spread decorations too thinly.
  • Instead, keep everything tight and compact, focusing on a few larger displays or ‘clusters’ of decorations in 4 key areas:
  • Entrance Decor
  • Welcome Area
  • Dessert / Buffet Table or Bar Décor
  • Room Decorations
  • Open full post to see all decor tips on my 40th birthday party decorations page or preview some of the ideas below
open full post
OR PREVIEW BELOW
ideas in this section

custom yard heads

‘through the years’ banners

paper luminaries

life-size talking cutout

‘through the years’ welcome sign

self-service welcome drinks

‘through the years’ party backdrop

photo collage 40 cutouts

paper circle garland backdrops

FUN FACTS BALLOONS

‘THROUGH THE YEARS’ PHOTO GARLANDS

THEN & NOW PHOTO BANNERS

AND MORE
preview

entrance decorations

  • Entrance decorations need to be welcoming and functional.
  • Use them to identify the location of the party, direct guests to the entrance, create a warm welcome, and put guests at ease.
  • The initial moments of a party set the tone and reassure guests, so first impressions matter.
the idea

custom yard heads

Bring a smile to guests’ faces as they arrive with custom yard heads showing the 40th birthday boy or girl at different stages of their life

read more
custom photo yard heads of a mans face arranged on a front lawn outside a house
the idea

‘through the years’ banners

Ensure your entrance stands out while making guests smile with vertical banners showing the 40th birthday boy / girl ‘through the years’

read more
Look Who's Forty custom photo vertical banners showing the birthday boy 'through the years' hung either side of house door
the idea

paper luminaries

For evening events, give guests a warm welcome by lining the route to your entrance with glowing paper luminaries

read more
guests arriving at a 40th birthday party at home with a pathway to the front door lined with paper luminaries
VIEW MORE

entrance decorations

pink, purple and turquoise balloon garland framing house door for party entrance decorations
happy 40th birthday bambi spelled out in a yard card in front of house
red yellow orange petal aisle runner party entrance decorations leading up to red barn
pink balloon lined pathway through a park leading to a party entrance
VIEW ENTRANCE DECORATIONS
VIEW ALL DECORATIONS
preview

welcome area

  • You can’t always greet every guest personally, so create a welcome area to:
  • greet guests; with signage, decor, and self-service drinks,
  • entertain; with activities, photo ops, and party favors, and…
  • manage flow; with directional signage for cloakrooms, bathrooms, table plans, and a gift/card table
  • This ensures guests feel acknowledged upon arrival and know what to do and where to go.
the idea

life-size talking cutout

Have the 40th birthday boy / girl greet guests at the entrance with a life-size cutout paired with a motion-activated voice recorder

read more
40 year old african american man standing next to a life-size cutout standee of himself
the idea

‘through the years’ welcome sign

Entertain guests by placing a photo collage showing the 40th birthday / girl at different stages of their life on welcome desks or bars

read more
celebrating 40 years birthday photo collage sign set up on a party drinks table bar
the idea

self-service drinks table

Set up a self-service bar at the entrance with pre-mixed or ready-to-pour drinks that guests can all help themselves to on arrival

read more
DIY self-service party drinks bar
VIEW MORE

welcome area dEcor

illustrated custom 40 and fabulous 40th birthday party welcome sign on an easel
Polaroid instant photo guest book and cameras set up on a party welcome area table
woman's hand placing a card into a custom wood card box with the name Wilson on it
'Oh Snap! Share the Love' custom hashtag sign for event photos
VIEW WELCOME AREA DECOR
VIEW ALL DECORATIONS
preview

dessert table decor

  • Maximize your budget by concentrating decorations around a dessert / buffet table or bar to create a focal point.
  • You’ll get more bang for your buck if you invest your budget in one well-dressed feature wall or large display.
  • This is better than trying to dress an entire room and spreading decorations too thinly.
the idea

‘through the years’ backdrop

Create a custom backdrop for a dessert/buffet table featuring pictures of the 40th birthday boy / girl ‘through the years’