Invitations

• Invitations should be sent out a month in advance and contain all of the important party information. Make sure to list the date, time, location of the party, and a phone number for guests to RSVP. If the party is a surprise 40th birthday roast, make sure to tell the guests on the invitation that it's a surprise. This way the guest of honor is less likely to find out about the party. Also, ask guests that are close to the guest of honor to think up an embarrassing story to share.
  
  

Decorations

• An "over the hill" theme is a good choice for a 40th birthday roast. For decorations, start by making a banner or having one made that reads, "Lordy, Lordy, (the guest of honor's name) is Forty." Hang it behind the stage where the roast will take place. Set up a stage with a podium and a microphone. Include enough chairs for the guest of honor and anyone participating in the roast. Tables and chairs should also be set up for the guests.
  
  Hang streamers and balloons in black and white throughout the party area. White Christmas lights can be strung as the main source of lighting. Cover the tables with white linens and then place small, black linens at a diagonal across the tables. Centerpieces for the tables can include candles or flowers that will compliment the theme.
  
  

Food and Drinks

• Keep the food simple by having a buffet. This works especially well if the party is a large one. Have meat and cheese trays so that guests can make sandwiches, along with vegetable trays and fruit trays. Include variations of chips and dip for guests to munch on as well. Purchase black and white M&M's and fill bowls with them to give the guests something sweet and add to the decor. Don't forget cake and ice cream to serve as dessert. Since it's a 40th birthday roast, rolling the cake out lit with 40 trick candles will add to the fun. Drinks can be kept simple as well. Beer and champagne can be served to those guests who may prefer alcohol, but soda and water bottles should be served too.
  
  

The Roast

• Plan 30 to 45 minutes for the actual roast. During that time, the guest of honor will be seated at the chair closest to the podium and the guests that will poke fun at him/her in the remaining chairs. One by one, each guest should get up and tell funny stories or facts about the guest of honor. Some ideas may include 40 funny facts about the guest of honor, embarrassing moments from the guest of honor's life, or even just a memory they'd like to share.