Planning milestone celebrations for your kids can of course be daunting. A 21^st birthday is an especially huge deal and most parents want to create a memorable evening that their child will remember for years to come. A 21^st birthday is, after all, a rite of passage that marks the transition into adulthood and should be celebrated in style. Listed below is the entire process from beginning to end so you can stay calm and relaxed throughout the process whilst still pulling off the party of his or her dreams.

Whilst it is tempting to throw a surprise party, involving your son or daughter in the planning process not only ensures that they get what they really want, but it also helps build excitement for the day as they see it all coming together. There will always be opportunities for you to add little surprise touches.

Decide on the Size of Your Guest List

Work with your son or daughter to determine if they would like an all-out bash that includes all their friends and/or relatives, or whether they would prefer a more intimate celebration. This will immediately help to set the tone of the celebration and help you decide on important factors like the size of the venue.

Set a Budget

Before anyone starts getting carried away with planning, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. Using a party budget worksheet can really help to ensure that your budget is divided sensibly between various costs and will keep you from forgetting all of the last-minute shopping emergencies that can soon add up.

Pick a Theme

Working to a theme can help when it comes to a lot of decisions which can otherwise seem daunting. Your son or daughter might have a hobby or a favorite film that you can work around or, you may choose to pick an era. As an example, should you pick a period film like The Great Gatsby, you will have determined your dress code, music, decorations, invitations and food. The glitz and glamour of the swinging twenties can really make an event stand out. Imagine towers of champagne glasses, a live band and sparkly dresses or Charleston dancing on the dance floor.

Other themes worth considering are:

• James Bond
• Masquerade
• Around the world
• Carnival
• Arabian nights
• Monochrome
• Neon
• Speakeasy
• Disco
• Hollywood glamour
• Year of birth
• Burlesque

The All-Important Venue

The venue is another important factor and should first and foremost be based on the number of guests you are expecting. For smaller groups, you may decide a spa day is in order, or your son or daughter may love the idea of an escape room. But for those wanting a larger get together, there are hundreds of venues to choose from to make your day/evening special. You could look at hotels, disused fire stations, caves, wineries or celebrate with a yacht party in Marina Del Rey where your guests can enjoy an ever changing landscape as they move through the tranquil waters.

Before putting down that deposit make sure you know what you want from the venue.

• Would you like food and drink included?
• Is a banging dancefloor at the top of the list of priorities?
• What kind of AV capabilities do they have?
• What are the transport links like?
• What time does the liquor license end?
• Will you be sharing the party space with members of the public?
• Will underage cousins/siblings still be able to attend?

Compare quotes from different venues and always check that they are happy to accept 21^st birthday parties.

Entertainment

Entertainment can keep your party flowing steadily all night. Whether it be a live band, a DJ, a casino, a magician or a photobooth, the options are endless. If there are speeches, make sure that the appropriate equipment is available at the venue you have chosen. A guest book with a polaroid camera where people can leave photos and messages for the birthday girl or boy makes for a nice memento. Alternatively, have their friends put together a list of unusual dares to be completed throughout the evening by guests as a way of getting people talking. If you are doing your own music, consider asking your guests to RSVP with a song that is guaranteed to get them up on the dance floor.

Send Out Invitations

Whether your party is large or small, sending out invitations not only marks the date in your guest’s diaries but also gives them an idea of what to expect. The style of your invitations will usually be reflective of the theme or decoration that you have chosen. Of course, there are masses of options when it comes to invitations, but try not to be bogged down with the small detail. Make sure you’ve included the invitations in your budget as that will help determine the options that are available to you. If you are on a tight budget or would rather redirect this money elsewhere, there are birthday invitation templates available online that you can print yourself at home. Of course, the least expensive option is to send out a digital invite straight to your guest’s inbox which also gives you the option of implementing a digital RSVP. You should aim to send your invitations out six to eight weeks before your party — the earlier the better, especially if you are asking your guests to sort out a costume or themed outfit.

Plan Your Menu

Of course, many people opt to go for a sit-down menu; however, should you have a limited budget, little bites and canapes that your guests can nibble on between dancing and conversing, and sipping on champagne are perfect.

For a Different Take on the Traditional Party

Not all people are the party type, but there are, of course, other ways that they can celebrate their big day without having to endure the discomfort of a big party.

• Plan a weekend away with their best friends
• Paintballing
• Go-karting
• Rock climbing
• Horse riding
• Spa day
• Escape room
• Road trip
• Winery or Brewery
• Attending a sporting event
• Scavenger hunt