Turning 40 is a major milestone. You’ve made it through four decades of life experiences, challenges, triumphs, and treasured memories. Now it’s time to celebrate this momentous occasion with your loved ones!
Choosing the perfect invitation wording to commemorate your 40th birthday is an important step in setting the tone for your party. The right words should reflect the significance of the event while also capturing your unique personality and style.
To help you get inspired, we’ve put together over 100 examples of 40th birthday invitation wording. Whether you’re planning a sophisticated soirée or a casual backyard bash, you’re sure to find the ideal phrasing here.
Formal 40th Birthday Invitation Wording
If you’re hosting a more elegant, upscale birthday party, consider using formal language on your invitations. Here are some 40th birthday invitation wording ideas with a touch of refinement:
- Please join us for a sophisticated celebration of Alicia’s 40th birthday
- Let’s raise a glass to Maria’s 40th year in style
- Steven cordially invites you to ring in his milestone 40th birthday
- Help us commemorate Daniel’s 40th birthday at a black tie dinner
- Karen eagerly awaits your presence at her 40th birthday gala
- Mark the big 4-0 surrounded by Jennifer’s dearest friends
- Dress to impress for Melanie’s 40th birthday soirée
- Join Thomas in toasting 40 amazing years at a formal cocktail reception
- Rachel requests the pleasure of your company at her 40th birthday ball
- Help Jason commemorate four decades of life at a swanky birthday dinner
Casual 40th Birthday Invitation Wording
For a more relaxed 40th birthday party, go with casual wording that sets a fun, laidback tone. Some ideas include:
- Fire up the grill – we’re celebrating Karen’s 40th birthday!
- Yahoo! Tracy is turning 40, so come on over for a backyard barbecue bash
- Leo’s over the hill, help us commemorate 40 years of awesomeness
- Jeff may be turning 40 but he still parties like it’s 1999 – join the festivities!
- No black tie required – it’s Mark’s laid back 40th birthday hoedown
- Come chill out and celebrate Erin’s 40th birthday with good times + good friends
- Can you believe Kim the party animal is turning 40? Help her celebrate in classic style
- Bill’s 40th birthday calls for an extra fun fiesta – we’ll supply food & drinks, you bring the festive spirit!
- Beth is ready to party like it’s 1989 at her rad 80s-themed 40th birthday – don’t you dare miss it!
- No fuss, no frills, just fun – come toast Sandra’s 40 with a relaxed BBQ at our place
Milestone 40th Birthday Invitation Wording
Play up the significance of the milestone 40th birthday with invitation wording that highlights this major life event:
- Let’s celebrate Ryan’s momentous 40th trip around the sun
- Jennifer has made it to the big 4-0! Help her commemorate this major milestone
- Cheers to four decades! Please join us for Maria’s monumental 40th birthday celebration
- Jason is excited to celebrate 40 years of amazing memories and invites you to share in the fun
- Karen’s incredible journey is a whopping 40 years strong – help commemorate her special day
- Fortissimo! It’s Ross’ 40th symphony so let’s party like it’s 1984
- Witness history in the making at Theresa’s momentous 40th birthday gala
- Grab your party hats and join the festivities as we honor Alicia’s 40 formative years
- Help Leo celebrate hitting the huge 4-0 milestone in classic birthday style
- Four decades of life calls for a magnificent celebration – be there for Sandra’s 40th!
Funny & Humorous 40th Birthday Invitation Wording
If you want to add a touch of lighthearted humor or self-deprecating snark to your 40th birthday invitation, here are some ideas:
- Over the hill? More like over awesome – celebrate Mark’s 40th!
- Furrowed brows and wrinkles? Bring ’em on! Karen’s celebrating 40 years of life experience
- Forty smorty – Erin’s birthday celebration is gonna be friggin’ epic, so be there!
- Wisened by her advanced age of 40, Angela’s ready to par-tay with you!
- Jennifer has dodged 40 years of disasters and dumb choices, let’s revel in her survival!
- Hangovers hurt more and the music’s too loud, but we’re partying hard for Steven’s big 4-0!
- No Botox or facelift yet, it’s just Clare’s 40th Birthday (but gifts accepted for any future procedures)
- Come give Leo your best wisdom for getting through the next 40 years – it’s his big 4-0!
- Bill made it to 40 without too much trauma – raise your glasses & toast his victory!
- Beth can’t believe she’s really 40 but refuses to grow up – let’s party like there’s no tomorrow!
Nostalgic & Themed 40th Birthday Wording
Consider referencing pop culture from their youth to add a fun, nostalgic touch to your 40th birthday invitation wording:
- Brenda feels fabulous at 40 – it’s her Roaring 20s once again!
- Karen is sleek, stylish and ready to sip martinis at her glamorous 40th Gatsby soiree
- Turning 40 means Jeff gets to relive his awesome ’90s prom days. Break out the plaid and grunge!
- Maria has hit the big 4-0! Let’s celebrate with 90s music and movies – Can you still do the Macarena?
- Forty years equals Lisa’s 4th decade on this planet – Groovy Baby!
- No quadruple bypass or prune juice yet – Josh is a spry & sassy 40!
- Tracy feels forever young at 40! Slip on your leg warmers and moonwalk your way to her rad 80s party.
- Welcome to Jason’s 40th! Pull out your best Fresh Prince attire and get ready to party.
- Come party with Kim at her 90s throwback 40th birthday!
- Bill’s 40th calls for some serious 80’s dance moves – You shook me all night long!
40th Birthday Trip or Experience Wording
If the birthday celebration involves a trip or experience, incorporate it into the invitation wording:
- Join Jeff on an adventure to Cancun as he parties his way to 40!
- Say “Aloha!” to Rachel’s 40th with a luau celebration in Hawaii
- All aboard! We’re celebrating Ryan’s 40th with a cross-country train trip
- Mark the big 4-0 with Maria on a hot air balloon adventure
- Leon’s 40th birthday bash takes off in Vegas – slots, shows & all-night revelry!
- Beth is seeing 4-0 in style – join her 40th birthday Eurotrip & make unforgettable memories
- Toast Jennifer’s 40th under the stars on an African safari getaway
- Arena rock and VIP treatment – live large at Steven’s 40th birthday concert blowout!
- Mark’s milestone 40th sets sail on a Caribbean cruise – come aboard!
- Calling all yogis! We’re celebrating Erin’s 4th decade with a zen retreat in Joshua Tree. Namaste.
Personalized 40th Birthday Wording by Hobby
Make the invitation personal by including references to the guest of honor’s personality traits, hobbies, or interests:
- Lisa’s big 4-0 is sweeter than pie – help celebrate this delicious milestone!
- Roses are red, violets are blue – Angie’s 40th birthday rager is long overdue!
- Ring in 40 years of Jason’s stellar sense of humor and good times
- Jeff may be 40 but he still shreds – celebrate his birthday with rad skateboarding action!
- Toast Leon’s 40th on the green with a round of golf, brews, and buddies
- For Tracy’s 40th, we’re throwing a haute couture fashion show with bubbly and bites
- Mark’s hitting the big 40 so grab your tent and hiking boots for an extreme adventure!
- Bowties, moonshine, and bluegrass tunes – fiddle your way to Daniel’s down home 40th hoedown
- Beth is seeing 40 sipping bubbly surrounded by books – it’s a bibliophile’s birthday bash!
- Calling all Parrotheads! Jimmy Buffet tunes & island vibes at Karen’s 40th Tropical party
40th Birthday Wording for Moms
Acknowledge the birthday mom’s most important role with these invitation wording ideas:
- Cheers to 40 years of Michelle’s magical motherhood!
- Karen’s not getting older, she’s getting wiser. Celebrate 4 decades of parenting at her 40th bash!
- Maria’s motherly love and wisdom now comes with 40 years of experience – help her celebrate!
- Rachel has kissed 40 years worth of boo-boos – now it’s her turn to celebrate at her fabulous 40th!
- Brenda’s been wiping noses, bottoms and tears for 40 years – let’s give her the royal treatment at her 40th birthday!
- Jennifer’s guidance, care, and inspiration has enriched our lives for 40 awesome years. Now it’s her time to celebrate!
- Angela has given 40 years of tender loving care – now it’s her time to party at her spectacular 40th bash!
- Lisa’s hit the big 4-0 after years of PTA, homework battles, and mom taxi duties. Relax, have fun and leave the mothering to us!
- 40 looks good on supermom Amy! Celebrate four decades of her love and nurturing.
- Cheers to Theresa’s 40 years of parenting excellence – now take the night off and let loose, Mom!
40th Birthday Wording for Dads
For the 40th birthday dad, include wording that playfully references his paternal roles and qualities:
- Tim’s dad jokes and 40 years of wisdom make him the G.O.A.T. – help celebrate his 40th birthday!
- Thanks for 40 years of dadvice and corny puns – celebrate Mark’s momentous birthday!
- Leo’s been fathering for 40 years – party with this old man before his back goes out at his over the hill 40th!
- Jeff’s dad skills only get better with age – cheers to 40 years of fatherly love and lame jokes!
- Ryan has endured 40 years of parenting and deserves a night off. But first – birthday shots!
- Steven’s been doling out tough love for 4 decades – melt his stone cold dad heart by celebrating his 40th in style!
- Bill’s dad bod is 40 years strong! Celebrate this big milestone while he can still stay up past 10 pm.
- Don’t let Daniel’s terrible 40 dad jokes stop you from toasting his big birthday milestone
- Forget the lawn, Ian’s mowing down 40! Party with this quadruple decade dad.
- Congrats to Jason on 40 years of fatherly wisdom! He finally understands those darn rap songs kids listen to.
40th Birthday Wording for Couples or Friends
If you’re celebrating with your partner or BFF, include both names in the invitation wording:
- Together Justin and Sophia mark an incredible 40 years of life and love
- Double the fun, double the candles – please join Justin and Angela for a spectacular 40th birthday party
- Witness history in the making as Maria and Leo commemorate four decades of life’s amazing journey
- Karen and Daniel cordially invite you to ring in their 40th trip around the sun – together!
- Rachel & Monica have been BFF’s for 40 awesome years – help them celebrate this amazing milestone!
- Come one, come all – Steven and Ryan are ready to party their way into their 40’s!
- Kim and Beth: Stylish sisters and fabulous friends hitting the big 4-0. Join them for a birthday bash!
- Jeff and Mark – partners in crime and 40 year friend-iversary celebrants. Raise a glass in their honor!
- Alicia and Erin are seeing 40 through rosy glasses. Share the love at their bubblin’ birthday soiree.
- Forty years of memories and still going strong – party with Bill and Ted as they charge valiantly into middle age!
Surprise 40th Birthday Invitation Wording
Planning a surprise? Make sure your invitation is crystal clear that guests need to keep the secret. Here are some ideas:
- Shhh! It’s a surprise party for Sarah’s 40th. Your lips are sealed!
- Top Secret Mission: Join us for a surprise party to celebrate Mike’s 40th birthday. Don’t let him know!
- Keep it quiet! We’re throwing a surprise 40th birthday bash for Jessica, and she has no idea.
- He thinks it’s just dinner. Help us surprise David for his 40th birthday!
- Don’t be late for a very important (and secret) date! A surprise 40th celebration for Emily.
- The worst kept secret is the best kind of party. Join us for a surprise 40th for Chris!
- Let’s make some noise… but not until the guest of honor arrives! A surprise party for Laura’s 40th.
- Can you keep a secret? We can’t! But please try… we’re throwing a surprise 40th for Matt.
- Her face will be priceless. Be there to see it at Nicole’s surprise 40th birthday party.
- Join the conspiracy! We’re planning a covert operation to celebrate Paul’s 40th year in style.
Our Top 5 Funny Wording Ideas
If you’re in a hurry, here are five of our favorite funny one-liners to get you started:
- Over the hill? More like over awesome – celebrate Mark’s 40th!
- Hangovers hurt more and the music’s too loud, but we’re partying hard for Steven’s big 4-0!
- Bill’s dad bod is 40 years strong! Celebrate this big milestone while he can still stay up past 10 pm.
- Leo’s been fathering for 40 years – party with this old man before his back goes out at his over the hill 40th!
- Beth can’t believe she’s really 40 but refuses to grow up – let’s party like there’s no tomorrow!
Essential Information for Your 40th Birthday Invitation
Once you’ve chosen the perfect wording, don’t forget to include the essential party details. Every invitation should have:
- The Guest of Honor: Clearly state who the party is for.
- The Occasion: Mention that it’s a 40th birthday celebration.
- Date and Time: Include the full date and the start and end times.
- Location: Provide the full address of the venue, including a zip code.
- RSVP Details: Give a deadline to reply and specify how (e.g., phone number, email, or website).
- Dress Code (Optional): If applicable, let guests know what to wear (e.g., cocktail attire, 90s theme, black tie).
- Gift Information (Optional): If you prefer no gifts, you can politely say so (e.g., “Your presence is the only present we need!”).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you politely say no gifts on a 40th birthday invitation?
It’s perfectly acceptable to request no gifts. You can add a simple and gracious line to your invitation. Popular options include: “Your presence is the only present requested,” “No gifts, please. Just bring your good company and dancing shoes!” or “Celebrating with you is the greatest gift of all.”
What is a creative theme for a 40th birthday?
A great theme for a 40th birthday often involves a bit of nostalgia. Consider a “90s Throwback” party where guests dress in 90s fashion, or an “80s Childhood” party with retro video games and music from the guest of honor’s childhood. Other popular ideas include a “Roaring 40s” Gatsby-style party or a theme based on their favorite hobby, like a golf, wine tasting, or travel-themed event.
How far in advance should you send out 40th birthday invitations?
For a milestone birthday like a 40th, it’s best to send invitations about 4-6 weeks in advance. This gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules, arrange for childcare if needed, and RSVP. If the party involves travel, such as a destination birthday, you should send out save-the-dates 3-6 months ahead of time, followed by formal invitations 6-8 weeks before the event.
As the founder and creative mind behind Layer7 Designs, I’ve seen how the right wording can set the perfect tone. I hope these samples spark inspiration as you plan the invitations for this momentous celebration.
Here’s to embracing life’s milestones and making lasting memories with those who matter most. Cheers to 40 years!
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