*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
In this post, I’ll be sharing with you the best 21st birthday ideas to make your special day extra unforgettable!
AHHHH! You’re turning 21??? Congratulations!
Trust me, I’m just as excited as you are because turning twenty-one is such a big deal in the States. Crossing this milestone means that you are officially a legal adult. And you get to do adult things without having to sneak around all the time, haha!
Your 21st birthday party is probably going to be the most “important” party since your 18th. So I’m sure you’re kind of stressed about what to do for this special day!
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Today, I’d like to share with you some of the cutest and most creative 21st birthday ideas that I’m sure you and your friends will love!
21st Birthday Ideas Decorations
1. Gorgeous Fairy Lights Backdrop
Recreate These 21st Birthday Ideas:
This 21st birthday decoration idea is super easy to re-create! First, move your furniture around to make space for an empty wall, then simply add a bunch of gorgeous string lights and balloons to create a magical backdrop to take your 21st birthday photos in!
When my friend turned 21, she created almost this exact same backdrop in her tiny dorm room, and it turned out absolutely amazing! PS. The photos would look extra stunning if you use the flash on your camera.
2. Adorable Donut Board
Recreate This Birthday Idea:
Okay, this is another birthday idea that I absolutely LOVE! One of my best friends had this donut board for his 21st birthday party last year, and I was obsessed. I took a bunch of photos of it on my camera, haha!
If you’re serving dessert at your birthday party, you should definitely consider this idea. It’s creative, fun, colorful, and will for sure receive lots of compliments!
3. Drunk Barbie Birthday Cake
Recreate This Birthday Idea:
Birthday cakes are ALWAYS the center of attention of any birthday party (well, besides the birthday star of course!)
Turning 21 is a big deal, and you definitely want to make sure that your birthday cake is as extra as it can be. And what screams EXTRA more than a drunk Barbie birthday cake!
I wish I would’ve had a drunk Barbie cake for my 21st birthday, but I didn’t know about this idea at the time. Honestly so creative and hilarious!
Related Post: Insanely Creative 21st Birthday Cake Ideas That You’ll Love
4. Finally Legal Alcohol Basket
This would be a great birthday party gift for all your friends (assuming that they’re 21 already)
Most grocery stores sell these tiny adorable alcohol bottles in a whole pack. And all you have to do is tape them to wooden sticks, place them in a fancy little bucket, and walaaa! It’s definitely also an awesome last-minute party decor idea. And you can give them away at the end of the party to thank your friends for coming!
5. Giant Champagne Bottle Balloons
Recreate This Birthday Idea:
I’ve never seen this birthday balloon decor idea before, and wow! What an innovative design.
Of course, you can also have real champagnes at your 21st birthday party, but this balloon decor would just an extra drop of creativity on top of everything. Oh, and you can also use these Champagne balloons for your graduation party too!
6. Mean Girls Themed Photo Booth
Recreate This Birthday Idea:
Can I just say, this photo booth idea is SO CUTE! If I were the birthday girl, I would’ve been so happy to receive this “burn book” as my birthday present.
If you also love the movie, Mean Girls, pay tribute to it by asking all your party attendees to snap a photo of themselves with your polaroid camera, add it to the “burn book”, and leave a birthday message for you! Omg, I’m sure you’ll have so much fun looking through all the cute messages and photos your family and friends left for you! Such a great idea!
7. Milk & Cookie Snack Bar
Recreate This Birthday Idea:
Who doesn’t love milk and cookies? If you’re looking to host more of a PG-13 birthday party for your 21st birthday, milk and cookies can’t go wrong!
And if you want to get extra creative with it, you can also add a hint of Vodka in the milk, haha! Just kidding, pretend that I didn’t just suggest that. (Omg, I have a feeling that I might become that drunk aunt at every family gathering)
8. Under The Star Birthday Dinner
Recreate This Birthday Idea:
Ughhh! THIS IS SUCH A VIBE!
I also suggested this birthday party decoration idea in my other post: Amazing 19th Birthday Ideas To Celebrate Another Year Of Life, so you know how much I LOVE this decor!
If you have absolutely no idea how to decorate your house or dorm for your 21st birthday party, add string lights. Period. Honestly, they make a blank white wall look like the most luxurious and magical thing to ever exist.
9. Entry Fee Shots
Recreate This Birthday Idea:
Haha! If you want to hype up the energy at your birthday party, force your attendees to drink before entering the venue. Yup, that’s the way to go. (Again, please make sure they’re 21 before forcing them to take a shot ???? I don’t want to get in trouble)
10. Personalized Face Straws
Recreate This Birthday Idea:
I find this pretty hilarious honestly! But that’s the kind of birthday decor idea I enjoy, because it’s DIFFERENT! Have you ever been to a person’s 21st birthday party where they placed their face on every single straw? Probably not!
And that’s why you should do this for your birthday party! I’m sure your family and friends would be so entertained by it.
21st Birthday Ideas Gifts
11. Finally 21 Tiara & Sash Set
Yes! I’m 21 Bitches!
If you have a friend that’s been waiting to turn 21 ever since birth, literally. You definitely want to get them this tiara and sash set because I’m sure nothing can better describe their excitement than this! It’s extravagant, bougie, and the epitome of princess energy!
12. Birthday-themed Bottle Labels
I’m for sure using this the next time I gift my friends Rose or Champagne bottles. Most alcohol bottle designs are honestly pretty boring, and whenever I gift my friends a bottle, I always worry that it doesn’t look fancy enough.
If you also feel the same way, you should check out these cute 21st birthday bottle labels!
13. Fancy Unicorn Birthday Mug
Want to let your friend know that she’s the best? This adorable unicorn mug will for sure make her feel like the most awesome 21st-year-old on planet Earth.
Show your friend some love and hype her up with this birthday present!
14. Adios Fake ID Candle
The absolute best part about turning 21 is not having to worry about getting your fake ID confiscated at the club.
Go ahead and gift your friend this “Adios Fake Id” candle so that every time they burn it, they’ll be reminded of the wonderful and peaceful aroma of being legal. (That makes no sense….lol)
15. College Party Drinking Game
Uff, drinking games are kind of dangerous because they can definitely get you more than tipsy! So make you’re gifting this drinking game to someone that can actually handle it.
When used with caution (I’m exaggerating), these cards can make pre-games and night-ins super fun!
21st Birthday Party Ideas At Home
16. Slumber Party With Besties
A slumber party? Yes, please. Where do I sign up!!? On your 21st birthday, invite your close friends over and have an epic Netflix binge-watching night! Wear your favorite pajamas, and order some delicious takeout food from your favorite restaurant. Or, you could even have a little co*cktail making party where you experiment with interesting drink concoctions. Haha!
Who says that staying home for your 21st birthday has to be boring! With board games, home-made co*cktails, delicious food, and awesome friends in your presence. I’m sure you’ll have yourself a night to remember.
17. Backyard Food Truck
My friend had a taco food truck in his backyard for his 21st birthday, and let me tell you, it was one of the best birthday parties I’ve been to. He invited all 100+ of his family and friends (I know right?) And we had a blast dancing and eating all night!
Food truck catering costs usually range from $10-$35 dollars per guest, which is probably how much you’d pay for a restaurant dinner. So if you rather eat till you drop at the comfort of your own home, this birthday idea could be awesome!
18. Throwback Party + Karaoke Night
Omg, throwback parties are so much fun! Blasting 90s hip hop and R&B and getting hype with all your family and friends? Sounds like the best time ever. For your party, you could even have a 90s themed dress code, and ask all the attendees to show off their best fashion picks from that decade.
If you’re in the competitive spirit, host a Karaoke competition on top of it all! Whoever does the best cover of Boyz 2 Men’s End of The Road wins a $100 Amazon gift card, or a cookie. Ha!
Fun Things To Do For 21st Birthday
19. Go Bar Hopping or Clubbing
I’m sure all of you have been waiting for this day! The day where you can finally walk into a bar or club confidently without having to worry about your fake ID being confiscated. The day of freedom and liberty!
Many bars will give you free shots and drinks for your birthday. So make sure to wear your little birthday sash and tiara, and make it know that YOU are the birthday gal! Now, just because the drinks are free, doesn’t mean you need to chug them all. Know your limits, because you definitely don’t want to blackout on your special day! Not cute!
20. Birthday Beach Picnic
A picnic at the beach is the perfect idea if your 21st birthday lands sometime during the summer. You can either bring food from home, or head over to Trader Joe’s with your friends to pick out your favorite snacks, sandwiches, and drinks!
The biggest perk to having a picnic at the beach for your birthday is how inexpensive it is. And! The quality time you can spend with your family and friends.
Don’t forget to apply your sunscreen and drink water. We have to stay hydrated to celebrate your entire birthday week! In fact, your birthday month!
21. Go To Vegas!
Going to Las Vegas for your 21st birthday is probably the most iconic birthday celebration you can have. If your budget allows, rent a hotel room for you and your friends, and stay up all night partying!
But please don’t drink too much y’all, let’s not end up remaking the horrifying scenes of the movie Hangover.
22. Brunch And Mimosas
My friends and I did this to celebrate our bestie’s 21st birthday! We spent hours in the morning doing the most extravagant makeup and hairstyle, and dressed up as if we were the real housewives of Beverly Hills. We arrived at the scene all bougie and ready to have a good time. I’m sure the waiters were shook.
Haha! Trust me, this is such a fun idea! Invite all your girlfriends and go all out on a fancy brunch and mimosa date! Treat yourselves like the queens that you are ❤
Happy 21st Birthday!
Turning 21 feels amazing! And I hope this post was able to help you come up with a bunch of awesome ideas for your birthday celebration. Enjoy, have fun, and most importantly, stay safe!
And if you’re spending your 21st birthday alone, TREAT YOURSELF! I spent my 21st alone when I was solo traveling in Guatemala, and let me tell you, it was one of the best birthdays I’ve had. I got to spend time with myself and discovered beautiful places in the country.
So no matter where you are, and whether you’re celebrating your birthday with anybody, make sure to savor the present moment, and express gratitude for another year of life!
xoxo
Spread the love
