Party ideas

Birthday party ideas for turning 47

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

Eight ways to celebrate

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.

Backyard fire pit evening

Light the fire pit, set out good food and drinks and let the conversation run late.

Tasting menu or wine dinner

Treat yourself to a multi-course dinner with a small group of close friends.

Golf or spa day

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

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.