Party ideas

Birthday party ideas for turning 44

Eight ideas that suit your forties, plus a four-step planning timeline you can count back from the big day.

Eight ways to celebrate

Golf or spa day

Spend the day on the course or at a spa with a friend or your partner.

Concert or theater night

Get tickets to a favorite band or show and make dinner beforehand part of the plan.

Family game night

Gather the family for board games, snacks and a homemade cake.

Cooking class

Book a hands-on class with friends and sit down to the meal you made.

Family hike or beach day

Pack a picnic and spend the day outdoors with the people you love.

Small surprise party

Let a close friend or your partner gather a few people for a surprise dinner at home.

Dinner at a favorite restaurant

Reserve a private table and invite the friends and family you most want around you.

Weekend getaway

Book a cabin, a beach rental or a city hotel for a trip with your partner or best friends.

6 weeks outDecide between a party and a quiet celebration, choose a date and arrange sitters or time off.
3 weeks outSend invitations or book the trip, restaurant or tickets.
1 week outConfirm the plans, order the cake and gather any photos for a slideshow or display.
The day ofSet up early, keep the schedule loose and leave time for toasts and stories.

Add the birthday to see the dates for each step.

A toast to borrow

Here's to the wisdom, laughter and adventures still ahead. Cheers to another great year!

Card message

Happy birthday! Wishing you a day as wonderful as you are.

Find gifts picked for the age and budget, or build the whole birthday in the planner.