Traditions for a 40th birthday differ from those of regular birthdays. Though gifts are still given, it is common for people to give gag gifts poking fun at the person celebrating the birthday. A major theme of the 40th birthday is that the person is now "Over the Hill," so most decorations and gifts imply that it's all downhill from here. Most gags for a 40th birthday involve common items associated with old age. Does this Spark an idea?
Decorations
Most decorations you'll find for a 40th birthday party are black. You can buy black balloons that say, "Over the Hill" on them in white letters. You can also buy black banners, wall hangings and streamers. Alluding to the fact that the 40th birthday is close to death, many people will buy Styrofoam tombstones and display them in the front yard for others to see, or place them around the room or hall if you're throwing a party.
Attire
Dressing up the birthday girl or boy is one of the best gags for a 40th birthday. There are 40th birthday variations on the traditional birthday hats, which are black and say, "Over the Hill" on them. You can also buy "Over the Hill" t-shirts; a common style is black with the text "You know You're Over the Hill When..." and has a list of age related jokes. They also sell black hats that say, "Over the Hill," as well as sashes, buttons, and pins.
Gifts
There are a variety of gag gifts you can buy a person for their 40th birthday. For instance, Spencer's Gifts sells an inflatable walker, and an "Over the Hill" cane with a horn and "Slow Moving Vehicle" traffic sign attached. You can also buy fake bottles of Viagara with candy inside. OvertheHillGifts.com also sells 40th birthday gag gift baskets, blankets, coffee mugs, books, and much more. These items are sold online. Another clever gag idea for a 40th birthday is to create a custom made "newspaper." At TrixiePixGraphics.com, you can order fake newspapers with a pre-written headline such as, "Cake Fire Claims Local Home," and an accompanying article with the 40-year-old's name and personal details. You can also write your own headline and article. You can order several copies and place it at the birthday girl or boy's house, office, and gym.
Cake
Over the years, cake making has become an art. Thanks to this new creative outlet, you can have a cake designed in any shape, for any occasion. There are many amusing ideas for "Over the Hill" cakes, from cakes that you can make yourself, to ones made in cake shops with elaborate details and designs. One common theme for a cake is a tombstone or graveyard shaped cake. Another design is taking the phrase "Over the Hill" literally with a cake that looks like a hill, or a cake that is designed like a hilly roller coaster. When it comes to a 40th birthday cakes, the sky is the limit.
Tags: Over Hill, 40th birthday, 40th birthday, birthday girl, cake that, gags 40th