I knew that I was going to throw a big party for my husband's 40th birthday, but I wasn't really sure how to go about it since it was for my "best friend and one true love", someone who I know don't want a big fuss when he is celebrating something, and of course, in general, A GUY!
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K2bEtHMNrOM/WBDRkD2lzKI/AAAAAAAARNU/irP6LsWPUs4WnN60p5aRhuOGh7rHsbBrACPcB/s640/PicMonkey%2BCollage5.jpg) |
Simple invite I chose from VISTAPRINT |
I was lucky to get the perfect venue that was still available in our town for Homecoming weekend, and luckily they had a bar and also catered too. So I thought all I had to think of were the decorations, which I really didn't know how to go about, since like I said, he was a guy. ;-) Also, since I would be spending a pretty penny already on venue, food and drinks, I didn't have a big budget for decorations!
So about 1 week before the party, I stumbled upon this on
ETSY...
I knew immediately I wanted this milestone birthday poster for my hubs birthday, and after browsing for some more stuff on
I'D RATHER DOODLE page, I found everything I needed to get into my decorating swing (Thank you Natalie)!!!!!
See? And all for a very, very reasonable price! I went ahead and started printing away, after all, this was my venue...
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-ws5BM5UgE/WBDR-FDlW2I/AAAAAAAARNQ/x53OFmTDzEwX4kr6TgOSOhPCZgDi_LdRwCLcB/s400/1234567.JPG) |
The Diamond Club at our local Baseball Park |
And here was how it looked at 11:30 am the same day of the party...
Party was at 6 pm, and I only started decorating with my son's help and another friend, the same morning! I knew balloons would be out, because it just felt 'young' for me after my daughter's balloon-filled birthday party!
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2uIm3qZ13OI/WBD-UG6nX2I/AAAAAAAARNk/49Lr8H0yaOk1AWB_L5HXM5j0vWEfmNwcACLcB/s400/123456.JPG) |
Centerpiece |
Centerpiece was very simple, placemat, plant and votive candle holders from IKEA, plus my printed sign, and viola, a simple, elegant centerpiece for MY GUY!
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHfOIYZd3BM/WBD-WwHdegI/AAAAAAAARNw/Kldv4K941-YawZKq3qMVTzljHox0Sy3AQCLcB/s640/14612505_1134501946641389_8975114790478995454_o.jpg) |
Gift table |
I added Kraft paper on top of the gift table so guests can write wishes and notes and then I took a photo of them afterwards for us to keep and remember!
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPtOl5F-e6I/WBD-YXsfhGI/AAAAAAAARN0/xVE3mP-rfbsul9iXnaVyDiCykPQF3L0VACLcB/s640/14712585_1134501873308063_7938044750901227869_o.jpg) |
Yup, the birthday Poster went here as well as extra photos from here... |
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwGtWSzbOSI/WBD-ZncP8KI/AAAAAAAARN4/PUPrDMQ758UQsTBNsOjTbJgB0aYcJANaACLcB/s640/14691365_1134502009974716_2243844256255283093_o.jpg) |
My favorite decor |
I stole this idea from Martha Stewart, saw this I think on her website or magazine years ago and thought this would be perfect. So I printed them the night before to fill this huge black wall by the buffet table.
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85C-dxyX3tQ/WBD-rFbfyoI/AAAAAAAAROU/5n5R_lNCS3snFYq5NId3-XyqEmSXqlktgCEw/s640/DSC_0869.JPG) |
Cake Table |
For the cake table, I brought in my fiddle leaf fig trees from home and just added the same ikea place mats and stars behind.
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjfzvQMwyGI/WBD-e7XkzcI/AAAAAAAAROA/QVO63Bes9hUIDc9qQAi4AtuJtXpIxn8FQCLcB/s640/14700982_1134501789974738_4704568918308435117_o.jpg) |
Pumpkin and smores cupcakes |
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXXj7hz0FvE/WBD-lhSZqcI/AAAAAAAAROU/geutNWXG7fgdFNzNgIrfjvGhunBl8_DqwCEw/s640/DSC_08641.jpg) |
Cake was a yummy buttercream mocha |
Overall the party was a huge success, everyone loved everything and though there were kids in the vicinity and we had to share the dance floor with them, I think it was what my husband exactly wanted - a "no-fuss' party that EVERYONE including, his own kids, enjoyed!
Have A Great Halloween Weekend!
VEL
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