Your 21st birthday might be a bigger celebration over in the States than here in the UK, considering we’re allowed to drink and go clubbing from 18, but it’s still a significant milestone in your life and a time when you might be graduating from University or trying to build a career.
So below I’ll dive into some potential gift ideas, ways to celebrate and things you could plan for someone’s 21st birthday.
Gift Ideas
Jbuds Lux Anc Over Ear Headphones
The JLab JBuds Lux ANC are wireless over-ear headphones featuring 40mm drivers and Spatial Audio for an immersive listening experience. Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling can reduce outside noise by up to 35dB, while Be Aware mode lets you hear more of your surroundings when needed.
They offer over 70 hours of battery life, or 40 hours with noise cancelling switched on, along with Cloud Foam earcups and an adjustable headband for added comfort. You can also customise the sound through the JLab app, connect to two devices using Bluetooth Multipoint and use the built-in noise-cancelling microphones for clearer calls.
Price: £79.99
Brook Taverner Chelmsford Brown Leather Belt
The Chelmsford belt from Brook Taverner is made in Italy from 100% Italian leather, with subtle stitched detailing for a smart, understated finish.
It features a removable clip-on buckle and comes in sizes from small to XXL, with lengths ranging from 32 to 44 inches. At £49.95, it is a simple wardrobe staple that works well with both smarter outfits and everyday wear.
Price: £49.95
Oshun Electrolytes
Oshun Electrolytes is a pure electrolyte concentrate that can be added to water or other hot and cold drinks. It is completely unflavoured, so it won’t change the taste of whatever you add it to, while also containing no sugar, sweeteners or calories.
Each bottle contains around 200 servings, with 70 trace minerals and four essential electrolytes including magnesium, potassium, sodium and chloride. You just add a pump to a glass of water or a few pumps to a larger bottle, making it an easy way to increase your electrolyte intake throughout the day.
Price: £35
Nonni Electrolyte Drink
nonni offers lightly sparkling electrolyte drinks created for everyday hydration, rather than just post-workout recovery. The drinks are low in sugar, salt and calories, while also providing magnesium and a mix of B vitamins.
The two flavours are Pomelo Grapefruit with Green Lime and Pink Himalayan Salt, and Sicilian Lemony Lemon with Garden Mint and Green Lime. Each comes as a four-pack of 330ml cans, making them an easy option to keep chilled and grab when needed.
Price: £9.99 per 4-pack
Party Ideas
Turning 21 is a pretty big milestone, so it is worth doing something a little more memorable than heading to the local for a couple of drinks. Of course, the right celebration will depend on the birthday person’s personality, the size of the group and how much everyone wants to spend.
One option is to hire out a pub or private room for the evening. This works particularly well for larger groups as you can invite friends, family and workmates without having to squeeze everyone into your house. Some pubs have function rooms available to hire, while others may let you reserve an entire area of the venue. Add your own decorations, organise some food and put together a playlist for the night.
Alternatively, you could book a dedicated party venue and make a proper event of it. Depending on your budget, you could arrange a DJ, catering, decorations and even a photo booth. If you don’t need quite that much space, private dining rooms can be a good middle ground, giving everyone the chance to sit down for a meal before heading elsewhere for drinks.
For something during the daytime, bottomless brunch has become a popular birthday option, particularly if you want the celebrations to continue into the evening. Cocktail-making classes are another fun choice, as are wine or gin tastings for a smaller group.
You could also build the celebration around an activity. Karaoke rooms, bowling, crazy golf, escape rooms and competitive gaming venues can all work well for a 21st, especially when you have a group of friends who might not all know each other.
If the weather is on your side, a garden party can keep costs down while giving you much more freedom. Set up a barbecue, drinks station, outdoor games and some music, then decorate the garden for the occasion.
Finally, if one night doesn’t feel like enough, turn the 21st into a weekend away. Pick a UK city, book accommodation together and plan a mixture of meals, activities and nights out to make a full weekend of the celebrations.
