What did you do to celebrate your 40th?

[zulubump]

I turned 39 not long ago and want to start getting some ideas rather than leave it to the last minute as I tend to do with these things! I'm feeling like I might like to have a party - hire a place and have some music - but not feeling totally confident about this. I have two young dc and they'll be 4 and 7 come my 40th. Also most of my friends have young dc and I'm thinking it would be nice to do something that kids could come to to save everyone getting babysitters. Anyone organised a party like this for kids and adults and how many do you think I'd need to make it work?

I hired a hall that had a bar and had a buffet and a dj. There were a few kids there as some parents couldnt get baby sitters and my 2 kids were there as well as my sisters 3 kids. It seemed to work out well

My friend had a similar set up as above but hired a hall with a kids playground attached so it was a win win situation. If you are in N London, ai can pm you details of the hall, the rates were quite reasonable.

She also hired a magician instead of a dj, which was v successful & all ages were involved from 0 - 80yrs. She set up her i-pod & docking station with nice background tunes. She ordered her cake from M&S which was lovely & it was a really nice chilled out affair.

Just sticking my nose in - wondering the same thing!

I milked my 40th

Went to a hotel Id always wanted to stay in with my OH. Had a suite overlooking the sea for 2 nights. champage etc (shame he turned into a prick 2 years later lol)

Had a family lunch in a very posh hotel on the day and at night my parents laid on champagne and a buffet for 2:close aunties, my godmother, close family friends - about a dozen in total.

then the Sat night it was cocktails and dinner in town with half a dozen friends

I loved it. Was even more special as my dad died suddenly 3 months later

Thanks for the replies! Had a busy weekend and just got round to checking responses. I was thinking along the lines of a hall with bar, buffet and DJ. Thanks for offer of hall details MsAsprey, but I'm not near London I'm afraid. Arkina, your 40th sounds lovely! That's the sort of thing I always thought I'd do - a few separate celebrations with different groups of people. But found myself fancying a big party! Been making a list of people to invite and can think of about 60ish (includes a lot of kids!) and wondering if that would be enough. I will ponder on...

60ish sounds fine. We invited around that many but had a few pull out at the last minute due to illness but it was still a good night. The kids helped as they made the place look busier!