many happy returns nutgoneflake, I had a bog party for my 40th and it still brinmgs back great memories when I look at the photos, i contacted all the people from over the years that i had got to know and were scattered across the country, It was like a huge reunion but of people who had never met each other but all knew me! It was amazing how it turned out and it was like all my life was in one room for a night!! Even my husband was there with our best man and it went really well.
I think you should celebrate every birthday after 40 in a really over the top way though, you will have earned it.