40th birthday ideas

[NeedSleepNow]

What have people done to celebrate their 40th birthdays?

I'm turning 40 soon and would like to do something to mark it. I don't have a huge budget so as much as I would love to do a big expensive trip somewhere that unfortunately is out. I'm a single Mum to 3 children who are desperate to be involved and to help plan it so I was thinking of inviting friends over for food/drinks, their partners and kids too . I hate organising things like this though, I don't have huge numbers of friends and worry that most of them will say they can't make it and barely anyone will turn up!

If I did have people over, what options would be good food wise. Would you suggest a cold buffet or hot food? I want to keep costs and preparation time down but I don't want it to look like I have put in no effort or am being tight with money!

Any other ideas of what I could do to mark the occasion instead?

Thanks

I think having a cold buffet is fine, and that's what we do if we have people coming over, as nobody is really a huge fan of cooking all day on their birthday or having some massive planning. If possible, I'd suggest going out somewhere nice. We've never had friends' kids coming to adults' birthdays, though, so I can't say much about food options in this case.

If there are any events you'd like to attend, or things you'd like to try out, do that. My mom took her friends to a pottery class on her 55th birthday because she had always wanted to try it out, and she continued with this hobby for quite some time after that. Might be an option, or you can treat yourself to a SPA day.

I also don't think people will decline or end up never showing up, so don't worry about that. And I'm more than positivie that even those who won't be able to attend will text you on your birthday or send a nice smartshow 3d video or a card, etc, so you won't be left alone.

One of my friends did her wedding in her friends’ back garden. They had a marquee up and served a cold buffet with a hot main at the end, very expensive champagne and paid someone to wait on people. It was brilliant, not too expensive but had a touch of luxury.

For my 50th, I made two chilli's (one with beef and one with Quorn mince as I knew some guests were vegetarian) and served with tortillas (the Dorito kind). I use the Schwartz chilli mixes - they're really easy and delicious. I cheated by buying pre-chopped onions. They can be made the day before.

Iceland do mini desserts which are very affordable.