21st Birthday Party Themes

It should come as no surprise that the most common 21st birthday party themes in America are drinking and gambling, seeing as this is the age when one can legally do both. There are many ways to incorporate these themes into a party without it being a bacchanal (unless that's what's wanted).

Alcohol is usually a big theme in a 21st birthday party.

Although Americans are deemed adults at the age of 18, the year they can vote, rent an apartment and join the military, among other things, they enter into full adulthood at 21, the year they can also drink and gamble legally. These being activities that a lot of people enjoy, it's no wonder young Americans look forward to their 21st birthdays with great anticipation and want to mark them in a big way. Many of them are in college when these birthdays hit, which can cut down on the funds and space for a bash, but add friends and a sense of freedom.

Even for those who aren't particularly interested in drinking or gambling, the idea of these themes as mandatory for a party is so ingrained in the American psyche, it's the rare 21st birthday that doesn't incorporate one or both of them in some capacity. However, there's no need for the birthday bash to be too hard on anyone's wallet or liver.

Just because the 21st birthday party theme is liquor, doesn't mean it has to be a kegger. After a couple of years in college, you've probably participated in a few of those, even though it was illegal to do so. A milestone birthday should be celebrated with some class so that it's a pleasantly memorable occasion. You can do this without breaking the bank.

Depending upon how big the guest list is, you may not want to host the party in a dorm room. A lot of dorms have a public space that you can use, or a friend may have an apartment and be happy to host. For a private party like this, you can have a special theme, like Mad Men with drinks from the 1960s. Encourage guests to dress the part and have the appropriate music and perhaps some games at the ready as well. Not only is this fun, but if people are in costume, they might be less likely to go overboard in drinking.

You can also do a "Roaring 20s" party and encourage everyone to come in 1920s dress. Drinks can be such things as "bathtub gin" and "coffee." Again, appropriate music and games will add to the fun.

You can also combine gambling, if you like, into these parties. Women might be interested in a Jane Austen party, where card games were all the rage. For a 1920s party, mah johngg would be the game of choice. Another idea for 21st birthday party themes is to combine drinking and gambling and have a James Bond party. All the martinis are to be shaken, not stirred.

If you want to hit the town on this big night, you can still do so and keep it classy. A fun 21st birthday party theme is sushi and sake. If you have a big enough group, you can book a large section or a room at a Japanese restaurant. Ask everyone to dress up to mark the occasion nicely and get everyone camera-ready for the inevitable snapshots of the night. It takes some work to get really drunk on sake, so you're more likely to just enjoy it rather than get plastered. Plus, there's the option of green tea for those who don't wish to drink or are not yet legal. Be sure to bring a cake and arrange for the restaurant to keep it in the kitchen till the big moment arrives. Depending on the size of the group, you might prefer to have 21 cupcakes!

Whether in-home or out on the town, a 21st birthday celebration can easily become a fun and classy affair.

• 40th Birthday Celebration Ideas
• Great Ideas for a 50th Birthday
• 21st Birthday Party Ideas
• Party Hosting Quiz

• Free Printable Invitations
• Free Birthday Party Invitations
• Free Party Invitations
• 50th Birthday Party Ideas
• 40th Birthday Party Ideas