40th Birthday Party Ideas

My sister-in-law's birthday celebration!

A couple weeks ago a very special member of our family had a very special birthday! I asked my brother if I could be in charge of decorations...here's the outcome.

The welcome sign was created by gluing on a greeting (printed on my printer), pieces of scrapbook paper along the edges and I clipped on a silk gerbera daisy.

Nicki loves scrapbooking so I thought what better way to honor that than to use scrapbook papers she could use later to scrapbook about her party. My inspiration was a small but very expensive floral bouquet I'd seen at a local grocery store - the vase was only about 10" tall with black and white swirls on it - the flowers were elegant but simple red roses tucked closely to the edge of the vase. The cost $25!!!

Nicki lives in a 'guys' world with her husband and two rough and tumble sons so I thought we needed to glam-up her birthday with gems and flowers.


Once again, I borrowed clear vases from a friend (I did see them recently at a dollar store so you don't have to break the bank for centerpieces). I sprinkled gems around the table and since the party would go on until after dark, I took apart some of the gerbera daisies, placed them on the table and placed a votive candle on top. For an added touch of 'Nicki', I cut out large N's from scrapbook paper and glued them to the insert paper before I slipped them into the vase. I made swirled wire 'picks' to stick out the top of the vases and attached some pictures to the wire.

On some of the circles I put pictures of Nicki - loved seeing 'old' photos of her.


A garland can easily be made from scrapbook papers - just cut out circles, print off a greeting on your computer, glue them together punch a hole at the top of each circle and string them together with ribbon. Since I wanted a touch of glitz, I applied Aleene's Tacky Glue around the edges and sprinkled on clear glitter.

My sister made the three tier cake! Three DIFFERENT flavors too!



We needed to cover up some things on the patio so my mom came to rescue with quilts hand sewn by my great aunt!

Thanks for being a part of our family, Nicki! And here's to many, many, many more celebrations!!!