Turning 21 is a big deal – it’s one of the big milestone birthdays.
Some people dream of celebrating their 21st birthday since childhood. In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21. Adolescents are now considered adults. And for many, this calls for a big celebration with lots of alcohol, big parties, and lots of friends. As a sober person, how do you celebrate your 21st birthday while keeping your sobriety?
Thankfully, a 21st bash does not need to be centered around alcohol. If you’re sober, turning 21 takes on a different meaning. I was 20 when I got sober. I remember exactly what it felt like to be a recovering alcoholic on my 21st birthday. I wasn’t sure how to celebrate. My new sober friends in Alcoholics Anonymous suggested I have everyone over to my apartment, and we had pizza, watched movies, and played games. It was a blast.
Turning 21 can be the perfect time to think of fun things to do without alcohol and continue learning how to live sober. Plus, having a party without alcohol is so much cheaper than one with alcohol, perfect for a 21-year-old!
Here are some birthday party ideas for your next birthday.
Cooking Class
Looking for something fun and different to do for your 21st birthday party? Check out group cooking classes. You can learn unique hands-on cooking and learn to cook a variety of cuisines. Send some evite invitations to your sober friends to celebrate while cooking! Everyone will love this. And you get to take home what you make, and maybe even some kitchen gadgets.
House Party
Having a 21st bash is super fun at a house. Your birthday bash can include food, appetizers like virgin jello shots, soft drinks, sparkling waters, mocktails, and a birthday cake. Make it even more special by having your sober celebration as a themed party. Themed parties are great for social media photos, too! Some themes you may want to consider:
- Old Hollywood – old movies, glamourous plate ware, vintage glasses
- Friends (Sitcom) – coffee, 90s music, games, photo booth
- Western theme – cowboy boots, country music
- Color theme – pick bright colors and make everything at your party that color
- Harry Potter theme – magic show, Harry Potter music, play the movies, and ask people to dress up
- Costume Party – have everyone dress up in a costume
Fancy Dinner
You can have an elegant, good time at a nice restaurant. Order your favorite drink (non-alcoholic such as soda, Shirley Temple, sparkling water, etc.). There are many great places to choose from. Make reservations and tell them you are celebrating your 21st birthday sober. They might have some ideas for your birthday fun!
Frugal 21st birthday parties
For those on a tight budget, invite your closest friends and family members to your home or apartment to celebrate this special occasion with you. Or call a restaurant and ask to reserve a back room. Stick to a limited guest list. Order inexpensive, delicious food like tacos, excellent pizza, and salads. This is a great opportunity to spend time with a small group, such as your best friend and family.
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Another great option is to put together a photo scavenger hunt. A photo scavenger hunt is for those with cell phones. The idea is to go around the city and snap photos of the scavenger hunt items. This is a lot of fun for everyone. An excellent website to visit to learn more about a photo scavenger hunt is The Ultimate Photo Scavenger Hunt.
Escape Room
Escape rooms make a perfect sober party. Everyone has a great time solving the puzzles in the rooms. You worked together and can get to know one another more.
Road Trip
Take a road trip to see your favorite bands. Or you can take an entire weekend camping or stay in a nice hotel room outside your hometown. Road trips are a great way to explore restaurants and shops and meet locals. Take your close friends with you to share the experience.
Food Truck Park
Visiting a food truck is a great adventure. Food trucks offer different foods and mocktails, and you can listen to music at the park and hang out with friends. This is a great 21st birthday celebration.
Amusement Park or Theme Park
If you live in a large city with an amusement park, like Six Flags, plan a fun night with your friends to spend an evening there. Look for a comedy show or other special events that might be scheduled. Local theme parks are fun, too. They may offer 21st birthday party ideas and non-alcoholic drinks.
Spa Day
Book a spa day for yourself and some friends. Massage, acupuncture (if that’s your thing), manis and pedis, and maybe a steam room. Bring your favorite book and read if you’d like some alone time. Search for some local spas in your neighborhood to find the right place for you to relax on your special day.
Celebrating your 21st birthday is undoubtedly a special day and can be so much fun! You can celebrate this most special time with all of these ideas. No matter how you decide to celebrate this big day, we know you will have a happy birthday!