Happiest Birthday

Having Some Fun on the 40th Birthday

I once read that forty is the old age of youth. It’s also said that many men go through a midlife crisis when they hit their 40th birthday. I thought that nonsense, until that cruel fate befell me. What is it about that magic age, why is it so devastating? I think it has to do with that number: the big four-zero. A man hits that, and he sees his life half over and wonders what he’s accomplished.

So, for my 40th birthday, my wife arranged some old fashion fun. She called our friend Bill, an old college buddy of mine, and he came over to pick us up. They wouldn’t tell me where we were going; just that it was to be a fun place. My first thought was, we’re going to Disney World. When we got on the interstate and headed toward Kissimmee, I was sure I was right, but they said nothing.

And then Bill pulled off a couple exits before the turn to Disney World. Okay, something was up. Instead, they drove to Downtown Disney, the shopping center for the park. Down at the end of the area was a place called "Disney Quest", a very big building indeed. Bill bought us tickets, and in we went. The elevator took us up to the third floor, complete with a brief animation piece featuring the Genie from Aladdin.

Stepping off the elevator, I discovered what this place was truly about; it was the ultimate in video arcades! They had everything from the classics: Pac-Man and Asteroids, to virtual 3-D games. They even had one where you sat in a rubber raft and paddled your way down a virtual river. There were also little jets that sprayed water in your face as the "waves" washed over the raft! It gave us quite a workout.

In terms of a 40th birthday, it was fantastic. When we got hungry, I asked about going up to the restaurant on the top floor and getting a pizza. Oh no, that had also been taken care of. Bill had reserved us a table at the Rainforest Café. So, we ambled on over to the place, and were shown to a table. As with all things Disney, the place was a feast for the eyes, as well as the stomach.

It was then that I realized, you’re only ever as old as you feel, and I felt as young as ever. With good friends and family, and a good time to remember, a 40th birthday doesn’t have to make you feel old at all. As for the 50th; well, we’ll have to see.

40th Birthday Ideas: A Monumental Responsibility for a Monumental Occasion

You have volunteered, been chosen or been drafted to come up with 40th birthday ideas. It didn’t seem to difficult when it was first spoken of now did it? Suddenly it has occurred to you that the 40th birthday is a very special one, monumental in fact, and therefore 40th birthday ideas must be ideas that are very very special and will require some really deep thinking.

As the person in charge of coming up with the 40th birthday ideas it is going to be up to you to set the proper tone for gifts. People will in all likely hood, knowing that you are in charge, be asking you for ideas; it is up to you to ascertain what sort of 40th birthday gifts would be best appreciated by the recipient to be; perhaps a better wording would be to say would be the most appropriate for the recipient to be.

If someone comes up with 40th birthday ideas which you feel would be totally wrong for the person having the birthday, how do you intend to tactfully stop them and steer them in a different direction?

As you think of 40th birthday ideas think of what kind of celebration this affair will be. Do you want just a simple get together with family and friends, perhaps a picnic or a cook out or is this to be a more formal get together, calling for semi formal or even formal clothing and special catering?

Perhaps you will want to sit down with paper and pencil and figure out how much money you can realistically expect to be able to spend upon this occasion. The amount of money available will certainly have an effect upon the planning of the 40th birthday ideas. It might be very easy to plan a high scale party or gathering, but very hard to actually carry out such a party or gathering without the proper amount of money.

Remember also, that there are ‘middle of the road’ possibilities also. If something more formal is desired then you might be able to rent a hall, rather than a banquet room and take advantage of the willingness of others to help with this special occasion, rather than making use of special caterers.

Take a deep breath, sit down and enjoy this opportunity to put together 40th birthday ideas. This is a time to celebrate and it will come out right.

Amazing Gift Ideas from Great American Days!

LORDY, LORDY, LOOK WHO’S FORTY

Depending upon the birthday person, the above headline on a fake newspaper may be looked upon as one of the great 40th birthday gifts or, again depending upon the person, it may not. You want to give a memorable gift for a person’s very memorable birthday, but you want the memory to be a good one.

40th birthday gifts must be handled with the greatest of sensitivity. This is the beginning of middle age. For many this is the beginning of a wonderful time, a time of celebration of gain and a time to look back on past accomplishment and forward to those things which one hopes to accomplish. For others, it is a time when one feels a sense of loss, the loss of feeling young. The dread of becoming old.

For some, the gift of the fake newspaper, will be met with great delight as one of their best 40th birthday gifts, something to framed and enjoyed with others, for others, a new baseball glove or bowling ball or something of that sort, will become one of the best 40th birthday gifts, something that reminds them that they are still young enough to be active in doing the things they have enjoyed doing in the past.

When in doubt as to what kind of 40th birthday gifts would be best appreciated and enjoyed, pick something that people of all ages enjoy. Perhaps a special dinner at a restaurant where you know the recipient has enjoyed dining in the past. Perhaps something that would contribute to a long time hobby, or even one recently taken up.

In choosing the best possible 40th birthday gifts, and by the best I don’t mean necessarily the most expensive, choose them with love and with caring. Choose them with the person for whom they are intended in mind. When 40th birthday gifts are chosen with the heart, not just with the mind, they will be the right 40th birthday gifts for the person being honored because they will be gifts of love.

It's Her 40th! Celebrate With These Creative 40th Birthday Gifts!

A woman’s 40th birthday isn't something to be taken lightly. She is probably going to feel more strongly about "turning 40" than perhaps any other age. Even her closest friends and family members (note: this is where you come in) might find it difficult to come up with 40th birthday present ideas -- simply because, at 40, most people have so much going on in their lives, friends and family just don't know where to begin.

Fear not: there is an answer. There are truly 40th birthday gift ideas aplenty, to be sure, but let’s narrow down the possibilities:

First, because she may feel sensitive about her 40th birthday, your gifts and the ideas behind them have to be very carefully thought-out before they’re presented.

Now, she may not be quite as touchy as all that, but still, throwing a surprise party for her 40th birthday is probably, in all likelihood, NOT such something you’ll want to plan unless you know her very, very well.

Some especially good ideas for her 40th birthday gifts are those that represent her uniqueness, personal style, and basic personality "signature." With that in mind, take a look at these 40th birthday gift ideas:

Now, what 40-year-old woman wouldn't appreciate a heartfelt, framed poem for her birthday -- about herself? You write the poem, send it to a professional artist and editor, who will then, with the trick of the poetic and artistic pen, transform your work into High Art; this could be presented on a delicate, handmade card with matching ribbons and blue, pink, silver, or cream tissue paper -- all very feminine.

Another charming idea for a lovely lady marking her 40th birthday is a personalized gift of flowers -- doesn't something like a "White Diamond Bouquet" sound like the perfect gift? Specialty florists employ artists who can create a dainty "engraving" on the actual petals of the flowers, which include roses, white lilies, and snapdragons, among many others. What a classy gift idea! She'll love you for it -- and remember you, especially, when it's time to think up ideas for YOUR 40th birthday present.

For a really good "surprise" gift (in place of throwing that party), how about enrolling her in a continuing education class at her local college or university? Also, because you know her, you'll have a good idea of which subject to choose. What does she love? What has she always wanted to learn about?

Gift certificates are always good 40th birthday presents; this way, she will have the freedom to buy whatever she wants, in case you’re really not sure.

Tickets to special events never fail as great 40th birthday present ideas: If she’s a sports aficionado, get her season tickets. The musical type? Send her to the symphony or a great arena rock concert.

Another really perfect 40th birthday present is a colorful, detailed globe, set gracefully on an elegant wooden floor stand. This gift creates a statement of intelligence and culture, which makes a lovely addition to any woman’s home.

The Big 4-0 – Where did the time go?

I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but I turned 40 not long ago. Now, this birthday is supposed to be a watershed of sorts – at least that’s what I’ve always heard. I mean, if you live to be 80, you’re already halfway there. According to the government, I have 25 years of usefulness in the workplace and that senior discount at Denny’s is a scant 15 years away.

Perhaps that’s why the prospect of having a 40th birthday is more daunting than turning 30. On my 30th birthday, I still had the optimism of youth. Anything was possible at 30. I had a career ahead of me. I was single. I could still party all night and go straight from the club to work with nary a headache. And my physique was, well, still physiquey.

But 10 years later, gravity has gotten the best of my mid section. I never got a corner office or company car and my “get up and go” got up and went about a year or two ago. Instead of staying out all night, I’m lucky if I can stay awake through the first five minutes of the 11 o’clock news.

And I find myself thinking about the future a lot these days. Not necessarily in the most grandiose, far reaching ways either.

For instance, I’ve discovered a new interest in obituaries lately. I actually read them to see if I know anyone. I look at really old people and they don’t look so old any more. And I now realize that I’ll be almost 60 when my son graduates from high school.

I can just see it now. He’ll be stepping across the stage to collect his diploma and I’ll struggle to my feet, balancing on my cane, applauding wildly. Suddenly, I’ll realize I overdid it a bit and reach down to crank up the oxygen flow on the respirator. Afterwards, his friends will tell him how nice it was for his grandpa to be able to come to graduation.

That’s a bit off, I know. But it’s something you start to think about. My wife is younger than I and really doesn’t understand or identify with my mental musings about aging. But she still has the best years ahead of her and I… I…

… totally forgot what I was going to say just now.

I’m kidding a bit here. Having a 40th birthday isn’t all that bad. I’ve already passed through my Midlife Crisis. I found out I really don’t need a sports car. A minivan is fine. My hair is still mostly there and even brown. And I don’t miss the local nightlife because there is none where I live these days (no, I’m not in a retirement community in Florida, at least not yet).

And having a 10-year old son makes me feel like I’m a kid again. At least until the day when his teenage friends start calling me “Grandpa Man” to my face.