40th birthday wishes to help mark an incredible transition.

When someone turns 40, they’re entering a bold new chapter that’s filled with wisdom, new experiences, and a whole lot of fun. Gone are the days of dreading the big 4-0. Now, it’s all about embracing this milestone and celebrating decades’ worth of wisdom, memories, and adventures.

Redefine celebrations with these 40th birthday wishes. Each one captures the excitement, humor, and sentiment of this special day. Whether it’s a heartfelt tribute or a memorable inside joke, there are countless ways to make a 40th birthday feel extra special.

Ready to craft something unforgettable and make this celebration one to remember? Look to this list of 40th birthday wishes and explore novel ideas for birthday-related creative projects.

40th birthday wishes to honor a significant life event.

What better way to celebrate this milestone than with genuine and creative 40th birthday wishes? Whether you’re crafting a witty message or keeping it short and sweet, how you present your 40th birthday wishes makes a world of difference.

Honor the celebrant’s journey, cherish memories of old and new, and embrace the future with excitement with awe-inspiring tributes and sweet birthday wishes. Adobe Express gives you the creative freedom to transform your birthday greetings into something extraordinary, from stunning greeting cards to dynamic banners.

• Cheers to four decades of incredible moments! May your 40th year be filled with as much joy as you've brought to others.

• Forty is not just a number; it's a celebration of life's journey. Wishing you a fabulous 40th birthday!

• To a life well-lived and a journey still to be explored, happy 40th birthday!

Personalization makes any birthday card even better. Add inside jokes, a short, genuine message, or nostalgic elements to make the celebrant feel truly celebrated.

Pair these 40th birthday wishes with a sleek and modern design. Feature bold typography and an unexpected color palette (pink, green, and yellow or pink, light blue, orange, and peach) to make your message pop.

• May your 40th be just like you: remarkable, inspiring, and unforgettable.

Speaking of unforgettable, why not make an augmented reality birthday card to bring your designs to life? Adobe Aero lets you build immersive mobile AR experiences that can make birthday celebrations stand out. Other AR tools worth checking out include Lens Studio and Effect House for TikTok. Add a QR code that links to a birthday video message, or use the AR tool to animate your design.

• Forty years of memories, and this is just the beginning. Have a spectacular birthday!

• Wishing you a 40th birthday that's as special and unique as you are.

• Embrace the beauty of 40 years well-lived and the excitement of the adventures to come.

• Happy 40th Birthday! May this milestone be the start of your best decade yet.

• Celebrating you and the 40 wonderful years you've blessed this world. Happy birthday!

• May your 40th birthday be filled with love, laughter, and everything that brings you happiness.

• Here's to 40 years of experiences, lessons, and joy. Wishing you a heartwarming birthday!

• On your 40th birthday, may you reflect on your accomplishments with pride and look to the future with excitement.

Happy 40th birthday wishes.

40 is a bold, exciting chapter that deserves to be honored with meaningful and uplifting words. A well-crafted birthday wish can turn a simple greeting into a cherished memory.

Why settle for generic greetings when you can amplify your wishes with visually stunning cards, posters, and photo collages? Adobe Express makes it easy to design charming birthday cards, elegant letters, and vibrant banners, so you can bring your message to life and make a lasting impression on the celebrant.

• Happy 40th Birthday! May your day be as bright and beautiful as the life you've created.

• Wishing you a happy 40th filled with all the love and joy you deserve.

• Happy 40th! May this milestone birthday bring new dreams and fresh beginnings.

Flyers don’t just serve as party invites. They set the tone for the party and make guests look forward to the event. Want to make your flyer invitations pop? Consider pairing a sleek and modern design with bold fonts and even bolder colors.

Doing a retro-themed birthday party? Add vintage elements and use sepia tones to add a nostalgic touch to your flyer design.

Make it more interactive by adding a QR code that leads to a video montage or a personalized birthday playlist to add a fun and unique twist.

• Cheers to you on your 40th! May it be a day of reflection, joy, and celebration.

• Happy 40th Birthday! Here's to celebrating you and the amazing person you've become.

• May your 40th birthday be a gateway to a future filled with happiness and success.

• Happy 40th! May your heart be as full as your life is long.

• Wishing you a 40th birthday that's as fabulous and full of life as you are.

• Happy 40th Birthday! May this year be the one that brings all your dreams to life.

• Celebrate your 40th with the knowledge that the best is yet to come. Happy Birthday!

• Happy 40th Birthday! May your day be filled with the warmth of loved ones and the joy of new adventures.

• Wishing you a happy 40th that sparkles with fun and is topped with love.

40th birthday wishes for men.

Men turning 40 often embrace this milestone as a time of reflection, wisdom, strength, and newfound confidence. Your 40th birthday wishes for men should mirror this sense of accomplishment while adding a touch of warmth and admiration.

And because such a significant milestone calls for a bold celebration, why not set the stage with a striking birthday banner? The best banners don’t just announce the occasion—they also tell a story. Pair the banner with the 40th birthday wishes on this list to make a memorable tribute.

• To a man who only gets better with age, happy 40th birthday!

• Happy 40th to a man who embodies strength, wisdom, and a heart of gold.

• Cheers to 40 years of being an incredible man! May your birthday be as grand as your spirit.

• Wishing a remarkable 40th birthday to a man who makes every year count.

• Happy 40th, to a man who's not just aging, but upgrading with every year.

Use the Adobe Express banner maker to create birthday banners featuring a photo timeline of the celebrant’s life journey so far. Add sweet captions to each photo, as well as eye-catching graphics to make your banner stand out.

You can also make a banner that incorporates the celebrant’s favorite colors and references his hobbies. Together, these design elements can make your banner truly special. For example, design a “Level 40 Unlocked” banner and include references to favorite video games.

• To a man who's 40 and fabulous, may your birthday be a celebration of your journey so far.

• Happy 40th to a man who's just hitting his stride. Here's to many more years of greatness.

• Wishing a very happy 40th birthday to a man who brings so much joy and wisdom into the lives of others.

• May your 40th birthday be as strong and admirable as you are, filled with love and laughter.

• To a man who's 40 and fearless, may your birthday be a toast to your courage and character.

• Happy 40th Birthday! Here's to a man who proves that life really does begin at forty.

• Celebrating the 40-year legacy of a man who inspires everyone around him. Happy birthday!

40th birthday wishes for a woman.

A woman’s 40th birthday is a celebration of beauty, wisdom, and all the incredible experiences that have shaped her. This is also the best time to honor her strength, elegance, and unique journey through love and appreciation-filled 40th birthday wishes for a woman.

Design a lasting tribute befitting a great 40th birthday. A well-designed poster, for example, can serve as a visual time capsule that’s filled with the best moments, heartfelt messages, and playful anecdotes—all of which are elements that define the celebrant’s four decades of life.

• Happy 40th to a woman who shines brighter with every year. May your birthday be as radiant as you are.

Use Adobe Express to make a beautiful birthday poster that reflects the celebrant’s grace, beauty, and quiet strength. Browse customizable templates or create your design from scratch. Design it your way by featuring eye-catching imagery, a fun color palette, and elegant fonts.

Take your poster a step further by making a digital version and adding animation effects. Select the image you want to animate. Under Image, select Animation. Explore various effects like Bungee, Shrink, and Flash to instantly transform your birthday poster.

• To a woman whose spirit is as youthful as ever, happy 40th birthday!

• Wishing a fabulous 40th birthday to a woman who exemplifies grace, strength, and beauty.

• Happy 40th to a woman who brings warmth and light into the lives of everyone she touches.

• Cheers to 40 years of a woman who's been a beacon of inspiration and love. Happy birthday!

• May your 40th birthday be a reflection of the incredible woman you are: strong, loving, and wise.

• Happy 40th Birthday to a woman who balances elegance and enthusiasm in every step.

• Wishing a very happy 40th to a woman who continues to amaze us with her zest for life.

• To a woman who's 40 and phenomenal, may your birthday be as extraordinary as you are.

• Celebrating the 40-year journey of a woman who's made the world a better place. Happy birthday!

• Happy 40th Birthday! Here's to a woman whose beauty and spirit only deepen with time.

• Wishing a happy 40th to a woman who's not just aging gracefully but empowering every year.

Funny happy 40th birthday wishes for a friend.

They say life begins at 40, but let’s be honest—so do the backaches and misplaced reading glasses. A little humor goes a long way in making a milestone birthday lighthearted, fun, and memorable.

Whether it’s a funny quip, a playful jab at aging, or an iconic inside joke, these funny happy 40th birthday wishes for a friend can turn any message into something truly unforgettable. Take your greetings up a notch by creating hilarious birthday flyers that showcase your humor. Pair those with eye-catching designs and clever captions to make the celebrant laugh out loud.

• Happy 40th Birthday! Don't think of it as 40, think of it as 18 with 22 years of experience.

• Cheers to a friend who's been rocking for four decades! Keep setting the bar high for the rest of us youngsters.

There’s something special about receiving a sincere letter, especially on a milestone birthday. Add this funny birthday wish to your letter to make the celebrant’s day even better. Use the letter templates from Adobe Express to help you get started.

• Happy 40th! You're not old, you're a classic, and classics never go out of style.

• Wishing you a 40th birthday that's as unforgettable as the time you thought your phone was broken, but it was just on silent.

• Happy 40th, friend! You've officially reached the age where your back goes out more than you do.

• To my friend on your 40th: You're not over the hill. You're just on the summit with a great view!

• Happy 40th Birthday! Remember, the first 40 years of childhood are always the hardest.

While we’re on the topic of childhood, why not make a cute and funny “This is Your Life” timeline banner for your friend?

You have several options for this. You can hang physical photos featuring 40 key moments in the celebrant’s life in chronological order. Use cute clips to attach the photos to a piece of string. Alternatively, you can design an infographic-style banner. Adobe Express offers a variety of infographic templates, so choose one that helps you tell the celebrant’s life story.

• Cheers to 40 years, friend! If you were a dog, you'd be... well, let's just stick with human years.

• Happy 40th! It's the perfect age – you're old enough to know better but still young enough to blame it on youthful folly.

• Wishing a happy 40th to a friend who's been 29 for quite some time now. We're onto you!

• Happy 40th Birthday! You're not 40; you're 18 with 22 years of experience... and some extra wisdom highlights!

• To my friend on your 40th: You're not aging; you're just increasing in value. Happy Birthday!

40th birthday wishes that are funny.

Hitting the big 4-0? Well, welcome to the club. It’s the age where wisdom meets a whole lot of fun. Sure, there are a few more wrinkles, but let’s not forget the most important thing: it’s a chance to laugh at yourself. And making fun of yourself comes with some surprising benefits. It can help release tension and help you find comfort in uncertain times.

What’s more, making fun of yourself can help you manage stress, make you more self-aware, and view mistakes with kindness. Help the celebrant embrace this milestone with a grin. Add these 40th birthday wishes that are funny to birthday flyers, cards, or banners, and get ready to give the gift of laughter.

• Happy 40th! You're not old, you're just retro.

• Cheers to 40 years! If life were a video game, you just leveled up!

Capture the magic and all the hilarious moments in between with a visually stunning photo collage. You can feature unforgettable funny snaps from the celebrant’s childhood or showcase more recent candid photos. Add text overlays to serve as captions for the photos.

Launch Adobe Express and use the search bar to look up birthday collage templates, photos, videos, and other design assets. Add animation effects for digital collages for an unforgettable tribute.

• Happy 40th Birthday! You've reached the age where 'happy hour' is a nap.

• Wishing you a 40th birthday that's less like a fine wine and more like a fine cheese – a little nutty and full of holes!

• Happy 40th! Remember, you're not getting older... just more distinguished.

• At 40, you're not old. You're a classic, and classics are priceless. Happy Birthday!

• Happy 40th Birthday! It's all downhill from here – and I hear that's the fun part!

• Cheers to 40 years of excellence – and by excellence, I mean dodging life's curveballs like a pro.

• Happy 40th! You're at the perfect age to start lying about your age.

• Wishing you a 40th birthday that's as fun as a round of golf... with a cart, of course, because who wants to walk?

• Happy 40th Birthday! You're not 40; you're 18 with 22 years of experience, and you've never looked better!

• At 40, you're not over the hill – you're just on a new horizon with a great view. Enjoy the scenery!

Short 40th birthday wishes to a friend.

Think you need a missive to make an impact? Short and sweet birthday wishes can be just as impactful as long and genuine messages, especially when paired with beautiful visuals.

Make someone’s day with these short 40th birthday wishes to a friend. Whether you’re keeping it simple or adding a dramatic, stylish flair to your design, Adobe Express lets you design adorable cards, photo collages, and banners that elevate even the briefest messages. To transform your short birthday wish into something truly special, consider adding a relevant, inspiring quote and a striking image and combining them with sleek typography.

• Happy 40th! Here's to more adventures, friend.

• Cheers to 40 years of you being awesome!

• Wishing you a 40th as fabulous as you, my friend.

Does your fabulous forty friends happen to like Pop Art? Why not make a banner design inspired by Roy Lichtenstein’s works? Use bold colors, halftones, and hard edges. Alternatively, use pop art templates and design assets from Adobe Express to help you create a stunning artsy banner in just a few clicks. Type “pop art” into the search bar to find pop art-inspired templates, photos, videos, and backgrounds.

If you’re making handmade cards, feel free to experiment with techniques like silkscreen painting and blend different art mediums to create truly unique designs.

• Happy 40th – let's make this decade the best one yet!

• Forty and fabulous – that's you! Happy Birthday.

• To 40 years of friendship and fun – Happy Birthday!

• Happy 40th, friend! Age is just a number, but you make it look good.

• Cheers to a friend who makes 40 look incredible!

• Wishing you a 40th filled with joy and laughter.

• Happy 40th! Keep shining, my friend.

• To a friend who's 40 and fierce – Happy Birthday!

• Celebrating 40 years of an amazing friend. Cheers!

How to make 40th birthday celebrations even better.

Aside from thoughtfully designed birthday cards, posters, and banners, these tips will help you make any celebration one for the books.

• Curate a playlist of their life’s soundtrack. A party, whether big or small, isn’t complete without music. Make this a playlist to remember by compiling songs from each decade of the celebrant’s life, from their childhood favorites to tunes that they enjoy listening to now. Play it throughout the event, or gift the playlist as a nostalgic keepsake.

• Stick to the theme. Design creative projects that align with the event’s theme. For example, if the theme is “spa day,” use templates, photos, or backgrounds that resonate with the theme.

• Add personal touches. This goes without saying, but personal touches like sharing stories about the celebrant’s childhood or past birthday can help strengthen connections and create a sense of nostalgia.

• Celebrate their individuality. Make your birthday wishes more meaningful by writing about what makes the celebrant special. For example, you can focus on their unique positive qualities or let them know about the impact they’ve made on your life.

40th birthdays were made more unforgettable with Adobe Express.

Reaching 40 is an incredible milestone, and every birthday wish should feel just as significant. Whether it’s through short and sweet messages, personalized designs, or letters from the heart, there are countless ways to make this occasion memorable.

A little creativity can turn any greeting into a keepsake that captures the magic of the moment. Make it bold, make it fun, and make it unforgettable with the help of Adobe Express. Explore an array of beginner-friendly tools and professionally designed templates to make your greeting stand out. Try Adobe Express for free today.

Design with your wish