The Perfect Message to Send to Your Friend Turning 40 (2024)

Birthdays always feel like big milestones, but there's something about the transition from your 30s to 40 that feels especially major. The big 4-0 can make you feel both older and wiser. It can elicit lots of excitement, but also a bit of sadness. Either way, it's super important to show the person you love turning 40 — whether that be your mom, dad, brother, sister, friend or coworker — that you're thinking of them. Baking their favorite cake and picking out the perfect birthday card are good places to start. For those who need a little inspiration on what to write in the birthday card and really want to pen a heartfelt message, we've compiled the best 40th birthday wishes to share.

Whether their personality will appreciate something deep and meaningful or short and funny, there are over 50 well wishes and thoughts to share when someone in your life celebrates their 40th birthday. There are lots of things to be stressed about in life, but a birthday shouldn't be one of them. Looking for a great gift for that special someone? Check out our favorite gift guides, from gifts for women to the most popular gifts of 2024, to find the perfect present for them.

Funny Birthday Wishes

The Perfect Message to Send to Your Friend Turning 40 (1)

  • Happy birthday! The best thing about turning 40 is that you’ve done all the stupid, cringe-worthy stuff before the Internet was around to document it.
  • Don’t lose hope just yet because you’re not officially middle-aged. Happy 40th!
  • Remember now that you’re 40, you’re just 20 but with double the experience and double the wrinkles.
  • You’re more fun than two 20-year-olds — and a heck of a lot smarter! I hope this next year is as wonderful as you are.
  • Congrats on hitting classic status! You're not old, you're vintage and vintage things are super valuable.
  • Welcome to 40, an age when you’re still young at heart, but other body parts are starting to falter.
  • The older you get, the older I feel. So please stop getting older. Anyway, happy birthday!
  • Forty, foxy, and only 20 years away from the senior citizen discounts! Happy birthday!
  • Over the hill? Nah, you're just getting to the good part of the hike. The view's better and it's less crowded. Happy 40th!
  • I hate to use the F-word, but … you’re forty! Happy birthday!
  • At least you’re not as old as you will be next year.
  • Age-appropriate behavior is highly overrated, and at 40, you've earned the right to be as inappropriate as you wish. Happy 40th birthday!
  • Here's to FORTY: Flirty, Optimistic, Risky, Teasing and Youthful!

Sentimental Birthday Wishes

  • My life got better ever since I got to know you. I wish you an abundance of happiness and health on your 40th. Happy birthday!
  • Remember you’re not getting older, you’re just getting better!
  • I can’t believe you’re 40! Sending you happy birthday wishes for this new chapter in your life.
  • You’ve achieved so much in 40 years, now the best is yet to come.
  • Four decades of awesomeness is no joke! So here’s to forty more years of happiness, prosperity, and health!
  • Wishing the best birthday celebration for the most wonderful person I know. I hope today and every day in the year ahead is as special as you are.
  • In the story of your life, 40 is the chapter where it all starts to make perfect sense. Happy birthday!
  • Wishing you all the love and happiness in the world on your 40th birthday!

Birthday Wishes for Your Husband or Wife

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  • Older than yesterday but younger than tomorrow. Congratulations, better half, on your 40th!
  • Happy birthday to the only person I want to grow old together with — and now, we're finally one step closer.
  • You have been the best 30-year-old I knew, and you’ll be the best 40-year-old I will ever know. Welcome to your forties, darling. Happy birthday.
  • The love and warmth I get from you are more than the world’s wealth. Forty looks fourteen on you. Happy birthday!
  • You have always been a good-looking guy. Now you are an even better-looking older guy. Here’s to 40 more years of melting my heart with your charm!
  • A young, loving, and caring man/woman is what I see in you every day. Happy 40th my love!
  • Happy 40th, darling. Don’t forget to take out the garbage.
  • Happy birthday! You’re now officially my favorite 40-year-old alive!

Birthday Wishes for Your Mom or Dad

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  • Sending the biggest birthday wishes your way Mom/Dad! We’ll be keeping an eye out for the signs of a midlife crisis. Happy birthday!
  • Are you 40 or is that just the number of times you ask for help with your phone each day? Happiest of birthdays to you!
  • You are incredible, and I’m so lucky to have you in my life. Happy 40th birthday, you deserve a wonderful day.
  • Maturing doesn’t have to be boring, and you certainly aren’t. Thanks for filling my life with 40 years of fun. Happy birthday Mom/Dad
  • Happy birthday Mom/Dad! I promise you don't look a day over 20!
  • Health, success, and prosperity – all my best wishes on your 40th Mom/Dad!
  • As you turn 40, know you’re valued and loved by us all. We wish you the best 40th birthday and a fabulous start to a new decade.

Birthday Wishes for Your Son or Daughter

The Perfect Message to Send to Your Friend Turning 40 (5)

  • My dear son/daughter, you are a remarkable child. Your forties will be just as amazing as you are.
  • Let’s celebrate another decade of you making us proud of the man/ woman you’ve become. Happy 40th birthday, my amazing son/daughter.
  • Happy birthday! Maybe now that you’re 40 you’ll understand that we weren’t grumpy parents — we were just getting old.
  • They say life begins at 40, but I think you’ve been living it up since you were born. Can’t wait to see how 40 and fabulous looks on you.
  • Happy 40th birthday! No matter how old you get, you’ll always be our little boy/girl.
  • No matter how old you get, you will always be my baby. Happy birthday to my darling son/daughter!

Birthday Wishes for Your Brother or Sister

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  • Maturing doesn’t have to be boring, and you certainly aren’t. Thanks for filling my life with 40 years of fun.
  • We’ve celebrated so many of life’s milestones together. From graduating preschool to getting married and having kids, we’ve been right by each other’s sides. I’m so happy to celebrate another big moment with you. Wishing you the most wonderful day for your 40th birthday.
  • As you enter this new decade, just know you are aged to perfection. Happy 40th!
  • No matter how hard we fight, you will always be the best brother/sister in the world for me. Enjoy your forties. Happy birthday.
  • Maturing doesn’t have to be boring, and you certainly aren’t. Thanks for filling my life with 40 years of fun.
  • Good riddance. The 30s are over. 40 is where the real fun begins! Happy birthday!
  • Happy 40 birthday! Don’t worry about getting older. You’re still gonna do dumb stuff — just slower.

Birthday Wishes for a Friend

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  • Well, would you look at that — you’ve managed to hit another milestone birthday. Happy 40th buddy!
  • Dear friend, 40 years of life sure is something to celebrate! Thinking of you on this milestone birthday.
  • Congrats on the big 4-0! Wishing you the best years ahead and a wonderful celebration.
  • Cheers to 40 years! I hope your special day is filled with fine wine, a sweet birthday cake, and top-notch friends.
  • The candles on your cake remind me of the encouraging light you shine on all those around you. Happy birthday!
  • Sending love to my favorite person on your special day. Here’s to another great year!

Birthday Quotes

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  • "Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind." ― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
  • "Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years." — Ausonius
  • "Life begins at 40."— Walter Pitkin
  • "The first forty years of life give us the text: the next thirty supply the commentary on it" — Arthur Schopenhauer
  • "The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been." — Madeleine L'Engle
  • "You don't get older, you get better." — Shirley Bassey
  • "To me, old age is always ten years older than I am." — Bernard Baruch
  • "The way I see it, you should live every day like it's your birthday." — Paris Hilton
  • "Youth has no age." — Pablo Picasso
  • "Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter." — Satchel Paige
  • "At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment." — Benjamin Franklin
  • "The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." — Lucille Ball
  • "Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words." — Plautus
  • "Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift." — Aretha Franklin
  • "We turn not older with years but newer every day." — Emily Dickinson

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Annie O’Sullivan

Assistant Editor

Annie O’Sullivan (she/her) covers holiday, gift guide, travel, and lifestyle content at Good Housekeeping. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and previously reported for Runner’s World, NBC New York/NY 4 and Woman’s Day. Annie also has experience writing entertainment news and celebrity-focused content.

The Perfect Message to Send to Your Friend Turning 40 (2024)

FAQs

The Perfect Message to Send to Your Friend Turning 40? ›

Happy 40th birthday, now put those 40 years of experience to good use! Happy birthday, say hello to your fabulous 40s because you're only getting better with age! Happy birthday, I hope your 40s are everything you want them to be! If your next 40 years are even half as good as the first, you'll have a great time!

What do you say to a friend on her 40th birthday? ›

Happy 40th birthday, now put those 40 years of experience to good use! Happy birthday, say hello to your fabulous 40s because you're only getting better with age! Happy birthday, I hope your 40s are everything you want them to be! If your next 40 years are even half as good as the first, you'll have a great time!

How to write a 40th birthday message? ›

Sentimental Birthday Wishes

Remember you're not getting older, you're just getting better! I can't believe you're 40! Sending you happy birthday wishes for this new chapter in your life. You've achieved so much in 40 years, now the best is yet to come.

What is a good quote for turning 40? ›

Never stop dreaming, even as the years come and go.” “Look forward to all that this next decade has to hold.” “There is still so much life to be lived at the ripe age of 40.” “Strive to be a 40 year old that makes people go, 'I wanna be like that when I turn forty'.”

What do you say when someone is 40? ›

40th Birthday Wishes to Share with Loved Ones
  • We've celebrated so many of life's milestones together. ...
  • Oh lordy, you're forty! ...
  • Dear friend, 40 years of life sure is something to celebrate! ...
  • Happy birthday! ...
  • You're more fun than two 20-year-olds — and a heck of a lot smarter!
Sep 3, 2023

How do you make someone feel special on their 40th birthday? ›

Make it an Intimate Affair
  1. Backyard BBQ. Most people love a BBQ during summer or springtime (if she is lucky to be born in those seasons!), so you can't go wrong with this idea. ...
  2. Age Like Fine Wine.
  3. Private Chef at Her Service. ...
  4. Play Dress Up. ...
  5. Relax at the Spa.
  6. Host a Potluck Party. ...
  7. Beach Fun Day. ...
  8. Local Boat Tour.
Jan 9, 2024

How do you write a heartfelt birthday message to a friend? ›

Touching Birthday Wishes for a Friend
  1. “Happy birthday to someone who enriches my life in more ways than I can count. ...
  2. “On your special day, I want you to know how much your friendship means to me. ...
  3. “Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and all the warmth that your heart deserves.
Feb 5, 2024

What is a quirky 40th birthday quote? ›

If life were a video game, you've just hit the top score at level 40. Keep those thumbs limber; you're going to need them for level 41! They say life begins at 40... but so do forgetful moments, creaky knees, and those very naughty forties! Embrace the mischief—it's all part of the fun!

How do you write an amazing birthday message? ›

Casual, Short And Simple Birthday Messages Are Always A Nice Touch
  1. I hope your celebration gives you many happy memories!
  2. Enjoy your special day.
  3. Have the best birthday ever!
  4. Wherever the year ahead takes you, I hope it's happy.
  5. The day is all yours — have fun!

What makes a 40th birthday special? ›

What makes a 40th birthday special? A quote from W. B. Pitkin states: “Life Begins at Forty.” The literal term for a 40th birthday is called a “Ruby Jubilee.” Forty is spiritually significant since it marks the middle of your life.

Why is turning 40 so special? ›

Turning 40 often comes with a significant shift in priorities and values. This period allows for introspection and evaluation of past decades, providing a clearer picture of what truly matters. For many, this is a time to focus on personal growth, family, friendships, and passions.

What do they say about the age 40? ›

You can turn to anything that you want to. It also means you can turn on your passion, turn on your greatness, turn the page, turn the corner and move on! You are halfway through life, but you still have the second half. No matter where you are in your life, there are no rules where you should be.

How to wish a birthday to a friend? ›

Wishing you a day filled with happiness and a year filled with joy. Happy birthday!” “Sending you smiles for every moment of your special day…Have a wonderful time and a very happy birthday!” “Hope your special day brings you all that your heart desires!

What to say to a friend who turned 40? ›

Cheers to many more years of laughter and celebration. Happy birthday to the oldest yet the wisest person I know. May you enjoy many more years filled with boundless joy and happiness. Turning 40 is like welcoming a new sunrise in your life.

Is there a saying life begins at 40? ›

Although Pitkin did not necessarily coin the phrase "life begins at forty", the success of his book entered it into general circulation, such that after 1932 it became an American catchphrase for the remainder of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first (it is the title of a 1935 Will Rogers movie, a 1937 song ...

What is the significance of the 40th birthday? ›

A 40th birthday marks a turning point in life. It's a moment when we reflect on how far we've come, and how much more we want to accomplish. And if, as the saying goes, life begins at 40, a 40th birthday party offers a great way to usher in this exciting new phase of life.

What do you say to a woman turning 40? ›

Sweet 40th birthday messages for her
  • Wishing you the happiest of birthdays – welcome to your fabulous 40s!
  • Happy 40th birthday to a lady who is beautiful in every way, inside and out.
  • Forty? ...
  • Pop that prosecco, you're 40! ...
  • 40 looks good on you – wishing you many happy returns and a fab year ahead.
  • Hey, pretty lady!
Nov 29, 2021

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