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This post is all about the best 21st birthday ideas for an unforgettable day.
There have been very few birthdays in my lifetime that I’ve done anything crazy for or have celebrated for days on end. One of them being, my 21st birthday! It doesn’t matter if you’re not a huge birthday person or you don’t love to drink, your 21st birthday is important no matter what.
Turning 21 really feels like you’ve grown up. You’re not a teenager anymore, you’re past 20, and you can *finally* go to the bars! How exciting!! If there’s one birthday that you deserve to celebrate as big and crazily as you want, this is the one.
I have so many ideas of ways that I would celebrate my birthday now if I were turning 21 again. It’s fun to dream up these ideas, but it’s even more fun to share them with girls who can actually put them into action! So here are my 39 favorite 21st birthday ideas for any kind of girl.
Places to Go for 21st Birthday
1. Spa
If you aren’t a crazy partier, than you might find a spa day with your girlfriends a bit more relaxing. This could be the perfect way to celebrate your 21st birthday. In fact, it’ll probably feel very adult-y!
Or, this could be a good recovery day idea after a night of going out. 😉
2. Bar crawl
If your birthday is during the summer, this is such a fun idea!! Gather a ton of your friends and put together your own version of a bar crawl. This would make for a really fun day, especially as 21st birthday ideas for guys.
3. Camping trip
Again, if drinking a lot on your 21st birthday isn’t your thing, a camping trip with your close friends or family could be so fun during the summer. If you’re an outdoorsy person, consider going camping somewhere you’ve always wanted to go.
4. Beach
Another super fun birthday idea for a summer birthday is having a beach day. You can bring drinks, food, and games and make it a whole day ordeal with all of your closest friends.
5. Girl’s weekend
And this could mean absolutely anything!! It could be a staycation, a short cruise, a flight to Mexico, literally anything! Your friends should want to do whatever you want for your 21st birthday, so take a long weekend and go somewhere where you and the girl’s can just have fun!
6. Las Vegas
Ah, a classic 21st birthday location. This would be so fun for a girl’s weekend or a big weekend with all of your friends and family. Vegas is only really fun if you’re 21 so this is the perfect time to go!
7. Wine tasting
If you’re looking for a more sophisticated way to celebrate your 21st, think about going to a wine tasting! Wine tasting are always so much fun and also make for the picture day activity on any day. Wine tasting and dinner afterwards sounds like the perfect birthday to me.
8. Fancy dinner
Like I said, a fun day activity and a nice dinner sounds amazing to me for any birthday. It’s always fun to find restaurants that serve fun drinks, and this is the best idea for having your first legal beverage.
9. Concert
OMG I’ve never been to a concert on my actual birthday but that sounds like a dream! I love concerts and think belting out songs with your best friends and getting to see one of your favorite artists would be such a memorable birthday.
This is also one of the best 21 birthday gift ideas. Surprise your friend with a concert on their birthday! They’ll love you forever.
10. Paint & sip
This is an activity that has become really trendy in recent years and it’s so cute! I love this idea for a girl’s night, birthday, or date night. It’s another really fun idea to do with a small group if you maybe don’t want to go out to the bars.
21st Birthday Party Ideas at Home
11. Boozy brunch
Invite all of your friends over for a boozy brunch! Make some delicious breakfast food, decorate your apartment or house, and get some supplies for mimosas. You’re all set to have the best, most relaxing, boozy brunch right from your home.
12. Costume party
If you just want to invite some of your friends over for a house party, make it a costume party! Your birthday doesn’t even have to be around Halloween for this to be fun. I think this is one of the best 21st birthday ideas for anyone who has a sense of humor and likes to have a good time.
13. Outdoor dinner party
I’m sure we’ve all seen the super aesthetic outdoor dinner parties on Pinterest and TikTok. Recreate your favorite one and you’ll have the prettiest and most fun summer dinner party. My birthday is in the summer and I just might have to try this next year!
14. Movie night
This one is for the girl’s or guy’s who are super chill and really don’t want to do much at all for their birthday. Invite your friends over for some snacks and to watch your favorite movie. Night complete!
15. Girl’s night in
A girl’s night in can mean soo many things. Do with this what you want, but if you do girl’s night in correctly, it could be a really awesome way to celebrate your birthday with your closest friends.
16. Slumber party
A cute, put together slumber party would be so fun!! Everyone can wear cute pajamas, make some good food, have a cute cake, and decorate however you want. Every slumber party I see on Pinterest is so cute, so I think this would make a great 21st birthday party idea.
21st Birthday Party Supplies
17. Sash and crown
No party is complete without the birthday boy or girl wearing something that says it’s their birthday. This sash and crown is so cute and perfect for making the birthday girl feel special.
18. Brown paper sign
These signs are the “it” decoration right now for literally any event or celebration you have. They’re especially perfect for 21st birthday decorations! Just grab your most creative friend and it’ll turn out so good haha.
19. Drink dispenser
A drink dispenser is an essential at any party, but especially at a 21st birthday party! Have the birthday girl or boy make their favorite drink for this dispenser that people can enjoy all night.
20. Cups
You obviously need cute cups to go with a cute drink!
21. Number balloons
Another 21st birthday ideas essential are “21” balloons. These balloons also make the best 21st birthday photoshoot ideas!
22. Cake stand
One of my friends in college had a cake stand that we used for everyonesss birthdays. It was so cute and honestly just elevated our decorations every single time.
23. Banners
What’s a birthday without a birthday banner??
24. Cake candles
I’m obsessed with how cute these candles are! They even make a plain cake look so good, and they’re cheap!
25. Shooters
These custom shooters are so cute! These will be something that they will keep for a long time.
26. Custom koozies
Not only are these custom koozies an epic party favor, but they would also make a super good and memorable 21st birthday presents for guys. A guy would love this and it’d help to never forget his 21st birthday.
21st Birthday Ideas Gifts
27. Cocktail Glasses
What better gift for a new drinker than nice glassware?? It doesn’t have to be super expensive but this is something that can start off their bar cart and get them making new cocktails!
28. Stony Clover Lane Pouch
These pouches are so cute and any 21-year-old girl will definitely use it for traveling.
29. Adidas shoes
Okay I’m obsessed with these shoes. Shoes are always a good gift and Adidas are so popular right now with college girls!
30. Shark FlexStyle
This is one of the nicer gift ideas for 21st birthday female. It’s just as good as the Dyson but a lottt cheaper. Because of the price and quality, though, it makes an excellent gift for such an important birthday.
31. Nice jewelry
Another more expensive gift idea for 21st birthday is a nice piece of jewelry. I absolutely love Gorjana and all of their pieces. They have fine jewelry that’s more expensive and cheaper jewelry that’s just as nice and cute!
32. Hangover Ice Head Wrap
This is a hilarious gift idea but also SO smart and I can guarantee that it’ll be useful.
33. Digital camera
A digital camera is an essential, especially for young girls in college. Giving this as a gift will also let them use it for their birthday festivities!
34. Sephora Perfume Sampler
I will always recommend the Sephora perfume sampler as a good gift idea!! The best part is that when it’s all empty, you can take in your favorite sample and you’ll get a full-size bottle of your favorite for free! It’s such a cool concept and a great gift idea.
35. Card Case
A nice card case is a great idea because now they’ll need a place to store their ID!
36. Custom Bottle Label
This label is SO cute and perfect for the tequila girls!
37. Suitcase
I got a nice suitcase for my 21st birthday and I think it’s such a good idea. Having nice luggage that’s only yours is so nice and not something that anyone really thinks of for themselves.
38. Nice purse
A nice purse to go with their brand new card case!
39. Shot glasses
Another essential to add to their bar cart! This would be a nice, classy 21st birthday gift ideas for daughter.
