Most of us know the popular “You’re 20? Nobody has to know” sound famously used in birthday TikToks. Except, contrary to popular belief, everyone should know about your 20th birthday because you deserve love, happiness, and celebration for being on this wild ride for 20 years! So if you’re a 2005 baby like me, or a 2006 baby and already looking forward to next year when you enter a new decade, here are six party themes to use for your upcoming celebration.
wHen you want to keep it classy
- Kissing My Teens Goodbye
For this theme, think reds and pinks. Think kisses and XO’s. Think cute banners and flowers. This type of party perfectly encapsulates a 20th birthday party as a way to reminisce about your teens while looking forward to a new era of love. A classy and fun itinerary for this theme can include a trip to botanical gardens for pictures, a dinner at a five-star restaurant in pink and red outfits, and gift-opening surrounded by friends and family. Plus, throwing in some red lipstick or a pink boa can never hurt!
“Kissing my teens goodbye” can be for the girls who enjoy a good meal, getting dolled up, laughing with friends, and the color pink, of course!
2. Tying up my Teens
For this next theme, black and white have never looked classier. With a hint of pink or blue (depending on the birthday girl’s preference), bows are the staple of this 20th birthday celebration. And because bows are very versatile, they can be used in outfits or as decor throughout the night. Bows in hair, bows on banners, bows on glasses, bows everywhere! An itinerary for this theme could look like a toast to 20 (with non-alcoholic drinks of course) after a shopping spree and before a nice dinner with friends.
“Tying up My Teens” can be for the trend-conscious girls who enjoy getting dressed up with friends, investing in their fashion choices, and a night of celebration!
When You want to keep it timely
3. Roaring Twenties
When you think of the Roaring Twenties, you might think of The Great Gatsby and the agony of reading the “classic” book in the 10th grade. Ew. But, since you’re 20 now and long past sophomore year English class, it’s time to give the Roaring Twenties a revitalized look. And what better way to revitalize the glitz and glam of the 1920s than throwing a party? So think gold and silver dresses, think full glam makeup looks, think elegance. A perfect itinerary for this day could include getting glam with the girls after exploring the city, attending a dinner in gold and silver attire, and ending the night with a trip to the theater to catch a show.
“Roaring Twenties” can be for the girls who thrive from a night in the city, love the bright lights, and crave the spotlight!
4. Y2K
Although a bit more modern, this party theme takes us back to the 2000s, when low-rise jeans, Juicy Couture, and chunky highlights reigned supreme. Although most of us 20-year-olds gained consciousness in the late 2000s and early 2010s, we can still honor our older sisters who led the way. So enjoy a night of Paramore, fun eyeshadow colors, and maybe even a fake tramp stamp tattoo, and celebrate the start of a new decade by going back two decades! A perfect itinerary for this day could be visiting an outdated mall (bonus points if it has an Abercrombie or Hollister) or maybe thrifting for 2000s fashion trends before eating at a nostalgic restaurant and having a 2000s movie night with the girls (more bonus points if Amanda Bynes, Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, or Emma Roberts are in these chick-flicks).
“Y2K” can be for the nostalgic girls who love a good chick-flick, can rock low-rise jeans with confidence, and find the mall food court exhilarating.
WHEN YOU WANT TO KEEP IT WILD
5. Club 20
Because most bars are 21+ (and all 20-year-olds abide by their real IDs), the club is a perfect setting for a 20th birthday bash! I recommend doing some research on clubs in your area and choosing one based on price, safety, and the overall feel. And if you want to keep things even more interesting, visiting multiple clubs can keep the nightlife going into the early hours of the morning. An itinerary for a club night can include a relaxed dinner with friends before getting ready to your favorite party playlist (where the birthday girl gets aux, naturally) and heading to the club for hours of music and dancing. If you crave attention, try wearing a birthday sash, headband, or crown to instantly bond with other girls (or get hit on by guys, but do with that as you want).
“Club 20” can be for the girls who are unafraid to get a little wild, crave a night out, or want to belt lyrics to their favorite songs unapologetically!
6. Death to My Teens
I personally love a cute mini black dress with boots or heels. It’s mysterious, yet simple and edgy, yet safe. And a night out is a perfect time to debut the “little black dress.” Although mourning our 20s may seem morbid, it’s actually the best time to celebrate the new you you’re becoming. So while you can say goodbye to certain things (especially old embarrassing high school stories), you can carry the things you’ll always cherish into the new era of your life (whether this is your personality, friends, or that PJ set you can’t bring yourself to get rid of). The best itinerary for celebrating the end of your teens is a funeral-made-fun for your teens (talking about embarrassing memories, laughing at pictures, and maybe even stalking your ex) before putting on your best black eyeliner and having the best night out with friends.
“Death to My Teens” can be for the mysterious girls who love dark humor, can laugh at the tragedy and beauty of their teens, and are not afraid to dress in funeral attire to a club.
conclusion
So there you have it, six wonderful themes to pick from for your 20th birthday! Whether you want to keep it classy, timely, or wild, I hope your birthday is filled with love and happiness. May this new decade be your best one yet!