40th Birthday Ideas That Don't Suck

40^th birthdays are entirely underrated. For many, it’s the first significant birthday where you KNOW who your friends are and you the thought of having them celebrate you doesn’t fill you with dread. But this doesn’t have to be a formal party – that’s what 50ths are for.

Instead, why not go and do something you all want to do without the speeches and canapes? We know that the list of party ideas could be endless, so endless you can’t think of any. STOP GOOGLING, you’ve come to the right spot! Here are some of our 40^th birthday favourites!

A day at the races

Unlike their metropolitan counterparts, country race meets are on all the time and are not jam-packed with silly little young things. Organise a mini bus to chauffeur you there for the day, throw out a few picnic rugs and let the chicken and bubbly flow.

Winery tour

Almost every state in Australia has a wine region and most are no more than 90 minutes from the CBD. And nobody says that you have to restrict yourself to wine only. Mix and match your choice of wineries, distilleries and breweries. A fantastic birthday experience from beginning to end for you and your guests.

Rent out a cinema

Although the big chains will charge you an arm and a leg, independent cinemas offer great rates on small cinemas that you can rent out for you and a small group of friends. See an old classic comedy that you can all laugh out loud to and chat to each other about, or maybe Titanic is back on and you can see it for the 100th time

See a show

Dinner and a show anybody? How about you take it to another level by arriving in stretched a hummer. Whip out that elegant dress (or now you have an excuse to buy a new one) and experience fine dining, followed by a night at the theatre.

A weekend of wellness

When you were 30, it may all have been about drinking the night away. Now you can focus on the inner you and indulge a little at a day spa. You’re only 40 once and every woman deserves some pampering now and then. Take some time away with friends for a weekend of pure bliss. Relax with spa treatments, such as, massages, facials, body scrubs and manicures. Then unwind further and spend the afternoon with wine and cheese.

A crazy costume party

OK, we said no parties, but sometimes you just have to. If you want your 40^th to include the family, but want it to be different to other celebrations, why not dress up? At this age, costume parties are few and far between so everyone will love the chance to use their creativity, and the kids will love decorating with Mum & Dad too. Make sure you give everybody plenty of notice!