What are your thoughts on a large 40th birthday party?

[Anonymous]

I've been to a few of these and would never want one but am happy to attend as a guest

[Anonymous]

Sure. Why not.

[Anonymous]

Go for it!

[Anonymous]

I hate to be the center of attention so I would never want one for myself but I would happily attend a friend;s.

[Anonymous]

Do it and enjoy. I don't even see what the possible problem could be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do it! But make it clear that you do not want or expect gifts. It is super awkward to try to buy a birthday present for a non-relative adult, and if I were you I would feel silly taking presents from my friends like that.

This. Or expect them to pay for dinner at a restaurant. A friend did this to celebrate her birthday and I couldn't believe it when the waitress came with the check.

[Anonymous]

Wow! You are very quiet/reserved and have this many close friends? Could you give some tips how to make this happen?

[Anonymous]

Agree with 13:53 that the host should be paying. There is something odd about someone throwing themselves a party and expecting others to pay the tab.

[Anonymous]

I don't see anything wrong with it! Then again, I had a couple hundred people at my 40th. (It was in a bar, and it was very clear to people that no gifts were expected or desired.)

[Anonymous]

15:15 here - and no, I didn't pay for everyone, but we did choose a bar with no cover charges and drink specials, so people could come for one drink or 10, whatever they preferred. That's how a lot of birthdays are celebrated in my circle.

[Anonymous]

If you'd like a large party then go for it. I personally don't care for one but the family threw me a surprise party and they enjoyed doing so and I appreciated the effort.

What I will say is that hardly anyone has 50 close friends. I have quite a lot of acquaintances and inviting 50+ people would be easy but I don't think I have more than a handful of close friends - and that would be stretching it.