Turning 21? Here Are 5 Ideas To Make It as Iconic as It Should Be

There are several milestones that a person experiences in their lifetime, such as reaching double digits, becoming a teenager or finally being considered a legal adult. In college, there’s one in particular that gets a bit of notice — one that we all wait and wait and wait for throughout our college years. 

Maybe turning 21 doesn’t really mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it certainly does to a college student. Being surrounded by alcohol-centered events and not being able to partake in any of it makes you feel a lot younger than you are. Finally reaching the legal drinking age gives you a sense of being an adult — like you’re ready to take on the world outside of your small college town. It’s a metaphor, if anything, but a good one at that.

Still, a symbol or not, turning 21 warrants a decent amount of celebrating. 21-year-olds across the country have come up with a long list of party ideas to make the day as special as it should be. I’ve compiled some of my favorite ideas to share so that you can give your 21st birthday the attention it deserves. 

1. Make a sign

Before I came to college, I’d never heard of a “sign night.” Now, I’ve been to so many I can hardly keep count. Sign nights are one of my favorite ways to celebrate a 21st birthday. 

Signs are the focal point of a sign night (hence the name). In essence, a sign night is a fancy term for a pre-party, but one filled with themed decor, drinks and a sign. This sign is made by the person’s friends (or a friend of a friend who happens to be exceptionally good at graphic design) and includes a creative name for the night, as well as a collage of the birthday person’s favorite things. 

For example, say the person’s name is Hannah, and Hannah’s sign night name is “Hannah’s House: Track 21” (a play on Harry Styles’ new album). Maybe the sign would be printed in the shape of an album cover or an old-fashioned record. On the sign would be the name, as well as a bunch of other things that Hannah likes — such as Harry Styles himself, some snacks, funny inside jokes, etc. On the back of the sign, Hannah’s friends would write 21 fun and challenging tasks to complete by the end of the night. A popular one is to “take and post 21 selfies” or to “make a drink behind the bar.” The sign is kept a secret until a very dramatic reveal and a reading of the tasks at the end of the pre-party.

2. Make some stickers

Another iconic aspect of a sign night is to make stickers of the 21st birthday star. Again, these stickers would feature the themed name, as well as a picture of the person. Sometimes, the pictures are on-theme, like if Hannah’s were a picture from a Harry Styles concert. Other times, the pictures are chosen by friends and are just funny, slightly embarrassing moments. Everyone at the party wears a sticker on their clothes to show they’re “with the sign night.” Then, extra stickers are taken out and placed on walls at the bars. Some bars even have a designated sticker wall.

Put together a photo op. Besides the sign, the most important part of a sign night is to have a photo opportunity. Many people have a backdrop framed with a balloon arch. Some have even been adding neon signs that spell out their name, or just their initials. The photo op is used all night – especially after the sign reveal. This is yet another chance for an on-theme moment — like if Hannah made her backdrop the colors of Harry’s album. 

3. Make an alcohol tower

Whether you’re having a sign night or not, alcohol towers are such a fun and artsy way to celebrate. There are a number of ideas on Pinterest of how to make one — from boas wrapped around the middle to glittered signs glued to the top. The easiest way to make one is to get a tiered stand and place canned or bottled drinks (maybe glittered bottles… see the next idea) on the different layers. Then, add crafty decor in any way that you can. These towers are so fun for a party, or just for the person to take a bunch of pictures of. 

4. Glitter a bottle

As mentioned above, glittering bottles is a fun way to add a little pizzazz to the day. This can make for great decor, or just as a gift to the person. Glittering bottles is easy, too — just get some Mod Podge and a bottle of loose glitter, and you’re set. 

5. Make a specialty drink

This is a favorite of mine. I always love to see creative, on-theme drinks when I go to a sign night. How fun would it be if Hannah had a wine drink named “Grapejuice” (a track on Harry’s House)? There are so many ways to craft a specialty cocktail, especially if the party has a theme. 

Whether you decide to have a full sign night or not, any number of these ideas can be used on your 21st birthday to make it as iconic as it should be. You could have a sign day instead and bring it to brunch — or maybe just a wine night with a photo op and some embarrassingly funny stickers. Maybe you’re not interested in drinking at all, and you just want to celebrate because you’re older, wiser and better than ever. No matter the reason, you should celebrate; 21 is a great age to be. 

From a 21-year-old to another (or to those soon-to-be), I hope your day is unforgettable. Cheers to being 21!

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