- Best Foam Party Hats for More Festive Vibes - October 24, 2022
- 14 Best Birthday Squad Shirt Ideas - October 15, 2022
- Roblox Party Supplies Guide for Your Kid’s Birthday - September 30, 2022
Our 18th birthday is a landmark or milestone birthday. In fact, it is our very first milestone birthday, signifying our foray into adulthood and the privileges that come with it. Being 18 means we can exercise our right to suffrage, establish credit, purchase a house, and get married. As such, this major event has to be celebrated in the most memorable way. But how? Well, you’ve come to the right place because I have a few 18th birthday ideas for you.
I understand how it can be difficult for parents to plan an 18th birthday party for their kids. Unlike little children, 18-year-olds, just like most kids who are in their late teens, can be hard to please. We are talking about teenagers who are living more private and independent lives, and whose interests aren’t as transparent as they used to be when they were much younger. Parents usually tread lightly. That’s why I have a few 18th birthday party suggestions for parents who may be second-guessing themselves or just want something safe and foolproof.
These 18th birthday party ideas are also great if you’re the one turning 18 and are planning your own party yourself. I know you wouldn’t want anything too extravagant since you’re most probably still in school and are not earning your own money full-time yet. To put it simply, you’re most likely still getting the hang of this adulting thing.
Bottom Line Up Front
For any 18th birthday party to be successful, it should be fun in a show-stopping kind of way for both the celebrant and the guests. This can be easy considering that the celebrant and their closest friends share certain interests and certain personality traits. So all you really need to do is to look into these qualities and to always keep in mind what they’d like or prefer if you ever have to pick between certain choices.
Shortlisting 18th Birthday Party Ideas
I know how difficult it can be to pick a theme or a concept for an 18th birthday party. Not because of a lack of ideas, but because of the overwhelming number of ideas available when you look for them online. Choosing the kind of party to throw can be very time-consuming, and that doesn’t even include the actual planning yet. As such, I have sifted through this universe of party ideas so you don’t have to do it yourself and created a shortlist for your reference.
To make it easier and quicker for you, I have grouped these 18th party ideas into four categories:
1. For the Ladies. These are party ideas that would appeal more to the girls. Not saying the boys won’t also enjoy them.
2. For the Gents. This one’s for the boys (not that we love stereotyping, but you get the drift).
3. Guys and Gals. Parties where everyone can have fun. Our motto is: Nobody is left behind.
4. Big 18th Birthday Celebrations. These are party themes that are great for big celebrations where all friends and family members are invited.
See also: Your Ultimate Unicorn Party Supplies Guide
Planning an 18th Birthday Party: Things to Consider
When organizing an 18th birthday party, whether for your son or daughter or for yourself, you need to consider a few things first before you get into the thick of party planning. It is important to make this kind of checklist as it will set the limitations or boundaries for your plans. Don’t get me wrong, these limitations can be an advantage as they will help you set aside those ideas that don’t make the cut. Moreover, knowing your limitations early on can help you stay well-grounded and within course.
Budget
How much can you spend for the party, or how much are you willing to shell out for it? Are you going to shoulder all the expenses alone? If you are throwing your own party, will your parents contribute? These are just some of the most important questions you need to answer before anything else. Set a general budget for your party and break it down into specific expenses, like food, decorations, cake, and venue, depending on what kind of party you’d like it to be.
Party Size
Is it going to be an intimate party with just the celebrant and their closest friends? Or is it going to be a bigger one with a bunch of friends and the whole family? Keep in mind that the size of your party will dictate the activities you will do, or the main theme of the party. When deciding how small or big a party it will be, come up with an initial guest list. You can trim it down or add more if you want as your party plans take shape.
Interests
List down the celebrant’s interests and likes. You should list down their personality traits, too. Even if you know the celebrant very well, it’s always best to keep a list handy so you could also list down suitable activities for every interest.
18th Birthday Party Ideas
For the Ladies
Here are some ideas for an exclusive all-girls 18th birthday party. These party ideas are perfect for a small group of girlfriends. Of course, if close guy friends have no objection, you can invite them, too. The rules aren’t set in stone.
A Day at the Spa or Salon
For girly girls, a day at the spa is always a welcome treat. If every girl relishes going to the nail and hair salon or at the massage parlor by herself, then you can just imagine how much the birthday girl will enjoy it with her entire posse. The girls can get relaxing massages, have some chitchat in the sauna, enjoy facial treatments, get their hair and makeup done, and bond some more over mani-pedis.
You may want to book or make reservations at the spa establishment for the birthday girl and her friends. Some spas actually have packages for this kind of party and even offer champagne. This way, the place would be exclusive to the girls and they can all get accommodated at the same time. That would also mean no waiting time for the girls because there won’t be any clients before them. They also won’t feel rushed. Besides, you can expect the place to get noisy with all the girl talk that’s going to happen.
If you want to go all-out, you can get the girls matching robes and slippers.
Pole Dance Party
Gone are the days when pole dance is performed only in gentlemen’s clubs and strip clubs, or as an erotic dance. Pole dance, which is a combination of dance and acrobatics that is centered on a standing pole, is now considered a mainstream fitness workout that promotes muscle coordination and endurance, flexibility, core strength, as well as sensuality.
Book a pole dance studio and an instructor for an afternoon of exclusive lessons. The birthday girl and her girlfriends will surely have a fun and memorable time learning basic spins, climbs, and inversions. They can also learn some striptease routines while they’re at it.
And because it’s a workout, dinner at the birthday girl’s restaurant of choice should be in order.
Aerial Yoga Party
Another unique idea would be an aerial yoga party. Aerial yoga is a type of yoga that combines traditional yoga poses and dance using a silk hammock suspended from the ceiling. It exercises the joints and muscles, as well as decompresses the spine as the body hangs.
Surely, this activity would be something entirely new to the birthday girl and her girlfriends. In fact, some of them may not even know this form of fitness exists. And because it’s something they haven’t tried before, it would surely be fun, exciting, memorable, and full of laughter.
Make sure to book the aerial yoga studio for a few hours so the girls can enjoy their time dancing and doing stretches while they’re hanging freely on the hammock. You can also show the girls an aerial yoga video in case they don’t know what it is, and so that they would have an idea of what to expect.
Pottery Class Party
If the birthday girl and her pals are not really into physical exercises but are more into arts and crafts, then take them to a pottery studio and let them get their hands dirty. Sign them up for an exclusive pottery class, where they will learn how to work the potter’s wheel and create their own ceramic masterpiece. They will also get to paint their ceramic product.
It would be neat if you got the girls matching aprons. Oh, if boyfriends would want to join the party, I’m pretty sure they’d enjoy it, too.
Glamping
Take the girls camping but without them having to rough it out. You can look for “glamorous camping” sites where your birthday girl and her gal pals can camp but still enjoy modern-day conveniences, like neat toilets, hot tubs, comfortable beds, and air-conditioned or heated tents. There’ll be none of that build-your-own-tent and watch-out-for-bears kind of thing. They can share secrets by the fire, roast marshmallows, and talk about boys to their heart’s content.
For the Gents
Here are some 18th birthday party ideas for the birthday boy and his gang.
Wall Climbing
Give the birthday boy and his buddies an outlet for all that energy. Take them wall climbing to your nearest climbing gym and let them cheer each other on as they take turns reaching the top. Of course, since we’re talking about teenage boys and tired muscles, they’d sure be famished afterward. So take them to their favorite restaurant for a huge meal.
Yacht and Fishing Party
Now that they’re grownups, it’s time to teach the birthday boy and his friends how to fish for their own food so that they never go hungry ever. If there’s a lake or a fishing ground in your area or even a few hours away, take the young men for a drive, rent a boat or yacht, and get them to work. Everyone can go for a dip afterward. And if there’s plenty of time left, you can head to shore, start a fire, and have them cook their catch.
Bonfire, Camping, and Fireworks
Rent an RV, take the boys out camping, and let them rough it out. They will have to do a bit of trekking, put up their own tents, build a campfire, maybe catch and cook their own food, and sleep in sleeping bags. It will be a day and night of male bonding, where they can share horror stories, play the guitar and sing, stargaze, and talk about sports, college, and, of course, girls. You can also ask if the campsite allows fireworks, and if it is, you can light some and enjoy a bit of fireworks display. Talk about celebrating with a bang! Because, after all, you can only buy fireworks when you’re 18 years old and above.
Ball Game
If the birthday coincides with a major ballgame in your city or state, be it basketball, football, or any game, buy tickets ahead of time for the birthday boy and his friends. You might also consider showing a birthday greeting on the jumbotron screen!
Guys and Gals
I have also listed down 18th birthday party ideas for a small and intimate group made up of both boys and girls.
Karaoke/KTV Party
Treat the birthday celebrant and their friends to a night of singing and dancing! So if you have a KTV bar in town, book the biggest room and let the kids sing their hearts out. Oh, don’t forget to keep the food and non-alcoholic drinks flowing.
You can also take the karaoke session at home. Get your karaoke machine, microphone, and speakers ready. Put up some disco lights by the pool area, garage, or living room. If you can rent a smoke or bubble machine, go ahead. Pull out all the stops!
Escape Room
Time for the birthday celebrant and their pals to put their thinking caps on and try to escape a locked room by solving clues and puzzles, and perhaps put their friendship to the test in the process. Different escape rooms have different themes, like a zombie-infested room, a haunted house, a crime scene, or an Egyptian excavation site. So pick one that would appeal to the group. Or, if they’re up to it, try all the rooms available.
Amusement Park
Instead of saying hello to adulthood, you can celebrate your 18th birthday by saying goodbye to childhood. And there’s no better way to do this than by taking the birthday celebrant and their friends to an amusement park. But don’t get me wrong; theme parks and amusement parks are for kids of all ages. Get them passes to the roller coaster and all the other exciting rides they’re brave enough to try.
Concert Treat
If the birthday celebrant happens to be a huge fan of a music artist and that artist happens to have a concert days before, after, or on the birthday itself, then concert tickets for the celebrant and some selected friends would be the ultimate gift. There’s nothing quite like being able to experience the hype and energy of a live performance and singing and dancing to the music along with everybody in the arena or concert venue.
Yacht Party + Private Chef
Rent a yacht and go cruising. The birthday celebrant can invite their closest friends to spend a day out at sea with them. They can bring their swimsuits and go for a dip, sip mocktails, enjoy some music, or just savor the view in silence. You can also hire a private chef to prepare the food for everyone.
Big 18th Birthday Celebrations
In some cultures, 18th birthdays signify one’s entry into society. Especially for girls. It’s sort of like the Latinos’ quinceañera and the debutante ball or coming-out party of nobles and royals in the old days and of high-society families across the world. So if you want to throw a huge party for your daughter and invite all your family and friends, and as long as that’s what she’d like, then go ahead and throw one for the books.
You can also throw a big party for your son. However, this rarely happens. Boys this age would rather spend their birthdays another way.
Well, here are a few themes or party ideas you can consider when planning a much bigger celebration:
Costume Party
We know that teenagers love Halloween because they can come as any character they want. They get excited about dressing up and showcasing their creativity and their humor. And we know how teens always strive to impress and to make their costumes a conversation piece. So why wait for Halloween when you can throw a costume party now? You can even give out awards for the most creative, most unique, and most daring costumes, among others.
Great Gatsby
Relive the splendor and opulence of the Rolling 20s and the Jazz Age by throwing a Great Gatsby-themed 18th birthday party. The girls would love to dress up in short, loose-fitting dresses, wear headdresses with beads and feathers, and sport Art Deco-inspired jewelry. The boys will also look very dapper in pinstripe suits, bow ties, oxford shoes, silk shirts, and fedora hats.
And when you go for a Great Gatsby party, you will need to decorate the venue Art Deco-style, not scrimping on the golds, silvers, and all things sparkly.
A Hawaiian Luau by the Pool
Put your backyard and poolside to good use by throwing your newly minted 18-year-old a Hawaiian luau. Tell your guests to come in their best floral print shirts and dresses, their leis, and their beach sandals. Decorate your place with lots of pineapples and coconuts, tropical flowers, torches, and bright-colored garlands and balloons. To complete the ambiance, you can hire fire and hula dancers, and ukelele and guitar players for the music. You can also invite guests to take a dip in the pool if you happen to have one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: It is customary that when you invite friends or guests to a party you are hosting, you pick up the tab. However, there really is no hard-set rule against asking your friends to contribute to or split the bill when you go out to celebrate your 18th birthday. Just make sure to inform them ahead of time that you still can’t afford to pay for all of them.
Moreover, you also need to make sure your friends can afford whatever it is you are planning because they might also be in the same financial boat as you. For example, you cannot ask your friends to pay for their own meal at a super high-end restaurant when the cost of one meal alone can already pay for the entire group at a much cheaper place.
In situations when you can’t afford to shoulder all the expenses, say for a meal at a restaurant, friends are usually sympathetic and understanding. Besides, we are talking about your closest friends, and these are people who wouldn’t mind spending a little as long as they could celebrate your birthday with you and see you happy.
Answer: Since they are already 18, they should already start being financially independent. That includes not asking you to pay for a party. You are under no obligation to throw them one.
However, if you really want to give them a treat or a gift, or to host some sort of celebration for them, give them options or alternatives that you can afford. For example, if they want to go on a cruise with friends aboard a yacht, propose a pool party instead. You can also just gift them with cash, depending on how much your finances allow, and tell them to just spend it however they want. Doing this will teach them how to budget, how to value every single cent, and how to be flexible when it comes to their own plans.
Answer: It depends. If throwing surprise parties for family members is something that’s customary in your family, then a surprise 18th birthday party may be something they’d already expect, or at least something they could see coming. However, if it isn’t some sort of family tradition, then you may want to consider your kid’s personality first. There are teenagers who are shy and introverted, anxious around people, or very private. These people would rather not be the center of attention, and surprising them with a party might make them uncomfortable.
On the other hand, there are those who bask in the attention of others and those who love being around people. So, as long as you know their schedule and their whereabouts, and as long as you know they’d enjoy a surprise, you can start planning one.
Conclusion
Turning 18 is huge, so make sure to do something special for the birthday celebrant. You can celebrate with a small party of friends, and with a specific activity in mind, or you can go big and invite both family and friends. Whatever you decide, make sure you always have the celebrant in mind throughout the planning process. Better yet, ask the celebrant what he loves to do for his birthday so you don’t have to second-guess yourself.
Recommended Reads:
