Twenty-first birthday parties used to be a big deal when I was younger. These days the event is often celebrated with just immediate family instead of having a huge party. I guess part of the reason is that in New Zealand the legal age is eighteen for most things and has been for a long time. We get to vote and go into bars etc when we turn eighteen.
Hubby and I were invited to a twenty-first birthday party recently. It’s for a male who I don’t know very well. My hubby is friends with his father and often plays golf with the son as well. I’ve been wondering what sort of gift to take along to the party – frankly, girls are so much easier when it comes to gifts.
Do you celebrate twenty-first birthdays with a large party in your family? Do you have any gift ideas for a twenty-one-year-old male?
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June 2nd, 2009 at 8:51 am · Link
Since I live here in the US where 21 is the drinking age we still have big parties on the 21st b-day,usually involving copious amounts of alcohol. As to what to get an adult male, no clue. I generally get them a gift card to the electronics shop and they are happy campers because they can then choose to buy a movie, or a CD or a video game, etc .
I went and entered my name in the contest, sounds like fun!
Hugs!
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:33 am · Link
Hi Shelley, Most 21 year old Males have sex on the brain. I use to work with a kid who just turned 21 and us girls put our heads together and bought one of those BOOB shaped pans. HEE HEE!! and baked him a BOOB shaped CAKE. He LOVED it!! it was so funny!! SPENCER stores have them or online adult stores
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:47 am · Link
21 is spent with friends drinking in the states. Not sure what you should give someone you don’t know. Seems birthday parties with gifts should be limited to people who know the person… Perhaps a bottle of wine or like Amy said a gift cared.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:15 am · Link
I have a son turning 21 this year. He will be with his friends, for his kind of celebration. With me it will be just his family and cake and food and presents. As for the birthday boy (man) I would get him something to do with golf since he does that with his dad and your husband. The place they golf the most or some elite golf course in the area. I am not sure what I am getting my son.
Probably just money. I am not a fan of giving money as gifts. But my son is good with money and will use it for a good cause!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:43 am · Link
I’m a huge proponent of the gift card, too, especially if you don’t know the guy very well.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm · Link
Hi Amy – I was thinking along the lines of a gift card too. I love receiving them myself. The competition does sound like fun, doesn’t it?
Connie – that sounds like a fun cake. I bet your son’s friends thought he had a cool mother!
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm · Link
Catherine – my hubby said a bottle for a gift as well. I hate buying gifts for people I don’t know well, but I think it’s expected for a 21st.
Debbie – yes, I agree about money gifts, which is why I lean toward gift cards. I think this kid has everything related to golf already so that would be a bit tricky!
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:46 pm · Link
Helen – another vote for gift cards. I think they’re a practical thing to give as a present.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:31 pm · Link
I don’t have a clue what to give a 21 year old for his birthday! A new car maybe? (just kidding!) A gift card seems good. But the question is, to what store? Hard one.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:22 pm · Link
I celebrated my 21st birthday at the Cheese Burger in Paradise in Hilo, Hawaii w/ my fiance and soon to be in laws. It wasn’t planned that way but it just ended up being where I was. I didn’t order anything alcoholic, though.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:42 pm · Link
I had a surprise party that someone tipped me off about (I am not a huge fan of the surprise party and he knew that, bless him)…it was rather fun though, it was at college with all my friends. Also I twisted my ankle earlier that day, jumping in leaves, but I suppose I recovered enough to go to the party.
Can’t remember getting any terribly significant carlike presents but you know, I didn’t mind. I was having a terrific time anyway.
Found you through a RT on Twitter BTW! :)
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:16 pm · Link
Don’t they do Visa gift cards (or other credit card) out there? I fall back on these when I don’t know a specific store or restaurant a person likes, very flexible and convenient. Just an extra thought.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 am · Link
Kaye – I thought of itunes maybe. There are loads of different gift cards available these days.
Hey Pusserboots – I can think of worse places to spend a 21st. Maybe not the cheese burgers but I loved Hawaii when I visited.
Hi Lidian – thanks for visiting! I’m glad you found me. I’m not sure that I like surprise parties either, although it sounds like a great way to forget about a painful ankle.
Leaf jumping? That’s an interesting way to hurt an ankle.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:06 am · Link
Amy – yes they do. I noticed a whole lot of different ones when I visited the post office the other day.