Are you planning a 21st birthday party for a friend?

A 21st birthday is a historic occasion for any person (especially in the United States — you can finally legally drink!). But, planning the perfect party is always a stressful proposition.

But don’t worry — we can help. Keep reading to find out how to blow it out of the water.

Choose a Theme

Having a good theme can help you tie any party together. Some great birthday party themes you may want to consider include:

• Casino night, Monte Carlo, or Las Vegas
• Black tie
• Costume or masquerade ball
• Dress like the year you were born
• Spa party
• Movie, music, or book theme

Parties are always more fun when there’s a theme involved. Identifying the theme of the party will hugely impact the choice of decorations. You might always take into consideration decorations that are customizable to make an easy match for the occasion.

There are several customizable options for decorations, like custom-tailored inflatables, customizable streamers, neon lights, etc. Custom-tailored inflatables are a great way to bring the party theme to life. They can be customized to match the party’s colors and theme, and they can be used indoors or outdoors. Plus, they’re a lot of fun for kids and adults alike. Customizable streamers are another great option for party decorations.

They come in a variety of colors and can be hung from ceilings, doorways, or windows. And, like inflatables, they can be customized to match the party’s theme. Neon lights are another type of decoration that can be customized to match the party’s theme; if your friend has a good sense of humor, you may even choose a funny neon sign to make them smile on the day – it could make for some great photo opportunities too.

Also, they can be used to light up any room and add an extra bit of excitement to the party. So, choose the theme, get the decorations and let the fun part of the party begin.

But, you need to be sure that you carefully consider the theme you choose, to make sure you choose one your guest of honor will love.

Pick a Great Venue

A party is only as good as its venue, so make sure that you choose a 21st birthday party venue that your friend will love and that all your guests will appreciate.

For example, if your friend isn’t a big party person, you probably don’t want to book an evening at a nightclub. Instead, you might opt for a sophisticated evening at a cozy bar and restaurant, like Green Room, where you can enjoy a refined atmosphere and great food. You could even throw the party in your own backyard.

If your friend enjoys nature and the outdoors, you can even consider organizing a weekend camping trip where you can immerse yourselves in the beauty of the natural world, or plan a leisurely afternoon at the beach to soak up the sun and enjoy some fresh air.

Additionally, going to a concert could be the best for a music lover, so get everyone going tickets from somewhere like TicketSmarter and enjoy an evening of live music together. If your friend loves to perform, you’ll definitely want to consider having a night out at a karaoke bar. It would be a good idea to pair this music experience with some merchandise, or you can surprise them with a new album release of their favorite band or artist. You can pre-order new albums here if they are a fan of K-Pop or look on other genuine sites for who they adore. On the other side, if your friend loves a challenge, why not plan an evening in an escape room?

Have Party Favors

Along with a perfect gift for the guest of honor, you’ll want to have party favors for the other guests to commemorate the occasion. Have t-shirts printed with an inside joke and a picture of the birthday person. Give out things that will help your guests recover the next morning, like water and ibuprofen. 

But, make sure that the person you’re throwing the party for doesn’t feel neglected. Check out the top 21st birthday gifts so that you can buy the perfect present.

Make Sure There’s Food

Like every party, you want to make sure that there’s plenty of party food at your event. You can set up a buffet situation, or have appetizers go around the event. If you’re planning something on the casual side, you may want to throw a potluck so that all of your guests can bring something to the table.

And no 21st birthday party is complete without a selection of fun and festive cocktails to mark the occasion. Stocking up on a mix of classic drinks and creative concoctions ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy. Consider offering a signature cocktail themed to the guest of honor, as well as a range of options like margaritas, mojitos, and fruity spritzers. For an interactive touch, a DIY cocktail station with mixers, garnishes, spirits, and cocktail salts and sugars from somewhere like Colorwayz are sure to keep guests coming back for more. Don’t forget to include non-alcoholic mocktails for designated drivers and those who prefer a non-alcohol option. At the end of the day, a well-stocked bar helps set the celebratory mood and keeps the party going!   

Start Planning a 21st Birthday Party Today

Now that you’ve read these top tips and tricks, your friend will have the 21st birthday party of their dreams.

Do you need more party planning tips and tricks? Make sure you take a look at some of the many other posts on this website.