After watching Legends of the Fall, Louis wants to go camping for his 40th birthday. However, the kids abhor the idea and try to change his mind. Meanwhile, Honey convinces Jessica that she needs to put more thoughts into her gifts.
- Birthday Party Goes Wrong: At first, Louis wants to go camping, which the kids hate. So the kids convince him to do something more interesting, emphasizing that it might be the last major milestone before everyone goes their separate ways for education, leading Louis to start planning a completely over-the-top event with dance choreography the kids need to practice that they hate even more. In the end, they realize that all Louis really wanted was to spend quality time with family, and settle for camping in their backyard.
- Compliment Backfire: In the days before Louis' birthday, after Honey convinces her she needs to be more mindful of Louis' emotions for the big milestone, Jessica attempts to be more affectionate with him and fails; for example, complimenting his breakfast-making skills makes Louis think she only wants him to cook her breakfast too.
- Description Cut: Toward the climax, the family decides to watch Legends of the Fall to figure out how to make Louis' birthday a good one, and Evan states that they "might even have a good time". Cut to after they watch it and remark how it was just a depressing story about a family wishing they spent more time with each other...causing an "Eureka!" Moment by realizing that Louis is a Family Man.
- Horrible Camping Trip: In The Tag, despite the family merely camping in their own backyard for Louis' birthday, it turns out that all the Huangs (even Louis) are uncomfortable sleeping in a tent and decide to head back inside the moment it passes midnight.
- My New Gift Is Lame: The Jessica/Honey plot centers on this, with Honey repeatedly insisting to Jessica that her yearly gift of a new tie won't be appropriate for a momentous occasion like Louis' 40th. In the end, after Jessica tries stealing Marvin's gift idea of an axe for chopping firewood while camping, it turns out Louis loves his yearly ties.
