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Need Party Ideas for 40th Birthday, Please!
My 40th birthday is coming up in 2 months, and my husband & I are starting to plan a party. We're a little stumped on ideas, so maybe you brilliant Nesties can share your creativity with us! Here is what we have to begin with:
1. We're expecting 30-50 guests.
2. We want to put on a classy, upscale party.
3. Wine is important to us, so for our first idea, we are thinking of throwing the party at a local enomatic wine bar. But while the restaurant is very chic, the banquet room is small and completely plain and character-less!
4. We're not really interested in themes, with the huge exception of toying with the idea of throwing a murder mystery party.
Okay, what are YOUR ideas? What are some cool things that have stood out to you at parties you've attended recently?
Is a palm reader too over the top? Is a photo booth too wedding-y?
Suggestions are appreciated! 
Re: Need Party Ideas for 40th Birthday, Please!
My first thought was a multi-course meal with specific wine pairings, but that would be tough with 30-50. You could also do a wine tasting in your home.
Have you talked to the wine bar? You may see a characterless room, but they may have photos or ideas that would be exactly what you want.
I love your idea of a mystery party. I love helping my friends throw amazing birthday bashes and creating that perfect experience.
The mystery murder kit http://www.dinnerandamurder.com/ There are a huge variety of cases/mysteries.
I know your not into themes but a blank banquet area is not going to set the mood.
You can purchase a few mystery posters(Sherlock homes and Alfred Hitchcock) and fake cob-web. If you have the money. Try and rent two Grim-reaper costumes. Ask your nephew or niece to donate their time and have them dress up as grim-reapers. How amazing would it be if the grim-reaper served your guest drinks without saying anything? http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/lifesize-faceless-reaper-with-lantern/
A palm reader, a tarot card read or a psychic might or might not work. I think it's cool but it would depends on your guess. (religious conservative people can feel insulted) You know your crowd.
Since you like wine that much you can start off with Sangria.
http://www.dinnerandamurder.com/recipes/murder-drinks.html Mystery murder drinks.
This is the perfect music for your event http://www.whro.org/home/1920s/
What food were you planning on serving? Finger food and appetizers? You can get very creative with food.
You said that you want to keep it upscale. Maybe you should tell your guess it's a black and white affair to die for.
Hope that helps!!!
I love the idea of the palm reader! I know you're not into themes, but I can't help but think of a Gypsy Chic... lots of candles and lanterns as decor. Maybe some fabrics and beads hanging around the bday cake table. I think it can still be upscale and classy.
I think the most important thing here is the venue. Could you find a restaurant with a private area that doesn't have a big corkage fee so you can BYOW? Maybe a hotel bar?
A family member recently had a bog 40th bday party at a really cool loungue. Her palm reader-equivalent was a Hookah. I always think it's nice to have some sort of "entertainment." It gets people talking.
GL! Let us know how it goes.
If you want to combine the wine and murder mystery things, the invites could say "Wine and DInE for Chucktgirl's 40th!"
If you skip the murder mystery thing, it would be cool to have a wine and tapas/appetizers party. Have sharp-looking servers and bartenders. Hire a live band - that always makes a party better. Can you have the party half indoors/half outdoors? If you had a patio space you could even have dancing out there, and people just like hanging out on a nice patio if the weather is good.
Please visit my blog The Party Hostess
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