The best 21st birthday ideas should have something for celebrants and guests who drink and don’t drink alcohol. An inclusive party where everyone can have fun and be themselves is the best kind of party.

For everyone, turning 21 is a big deal. It’s like a right of passage into the adult world. One of the biggest reasons is that it’s the legal age of drinking in the US!

Special moments like this also deserve the best celebrations. It can be in the form of a video greeting card, and a video invitation card—an upgraded version of your usual card.

It’s a truly Gen Z way to celebrate, as you add an intimate digital dimension to their otherwise traditional “Finally Legal” 21st birthday parties.

Why your 21st birthday celebration needs a video invitation and video greeting card 

A flexible and full-featured video greeting card generator is what you need to add videos to your greeting or invitation cards. Adding videos can elevate your otherwise traditional greeting and invitation card. Here’s why:

• You can personalize your cards. Customized cards are more special and memorable than commercial greeting cards sold in department stores. They are more sentimental and memorable so recipients often see them as keepsakes.

• Your cards are versatile. Whether you create digital e-cards or printable video greeting and invitation cards, it’s no biggie. With a QR code, you can print your greeting card with the video attachment.

• You have creative freedom. Aside from video greetings, there are other videos that you can embed on your greeting cards. You can play around with different video concepts and how to elicit reactions from your recipient.

• You enjoy convenience. Running out of time? Last-minute idea? You can make a video greeting or invitation card in less than 10 minutes. So you’re just in time to send your cards through the mail or online.

What is GiftLips?

GiftLips is a video greeting and invitation card generator that helps you add multiple videos to your cards through a QR code. When scanned, the QR code will reveal a feed of multiple short-form videos. 

Fun Fact: GiftLips is the first and only greeting card generator that allows your recipients to “like” and leave a comment on the video clips. 

With over 100 templates to choose from, you can create different greeting and invitation cards for all occasions, celebrations, and holidays. After creating your greeting card, you can download it as a printable or digital copy.

Say goodbye to plain and mainstream greeting and invitation cards. Make any celebration more exciting when you incorporate videos into your invitations and greetings. 

How to use a video greeting card maker to create invitation and greeting cards for 21st birthday

GiftLips greeting card generator is an easy-to-use and multi-purpose tool that helps you create any printable or digital card with videos using your phone.

Follow the step-by-step instructions below. 

1. Go to your phone browser, open GiftLips, then choose a 21st birthday template for your video invitation or greeting card 
2. Type a short customized message on your card and tap Next Step
3. Tap Record Video to start recording videos directly using GiftLips and Select Front Camera or Select Back Camera
4. If you’re camera shy, tap Record Audio to add a 1-minute audio clip
5. But if you have pre-recorded videos, tap Add videos to upload 
6. Then, tap Done Uploading to preview your invitation or greeting card

Optional: Tap Invite Friends, copy the join link, and email it to friends you’d like to work with.

7. Finally, tap Download Card to download your card on your device.

21st birthday ideas 

1. Plan a trip

Celebrating a 21st birthday is one of the perfect times to go on a trip. Whether alone or in a group, overseas or domestic, on a road trip, a weekend getaway, or a destination vacation, going on a trip is a healing activity that enriches the soul.

2. Dinner party

Did you know that if someone’s 21st birthday is also on the 21st day of the month, it’s their Golden Birthday Party?

It's rare and makes a this birthday even more special! Golden or not, invite or treat your guests to a home-cooked dinner or to your favorite restaurant. You can bake a 21st birthday cake for the celebrant as a gift.

3. Surprise birthday party

Anyone would want to receive a surprise birthday party because, aside from saving them time and trouble in planning a party, it’s also a thoughtful gesture. Plan a party for someone turning 21 and send a video invitation card with detailed instructions to guests so they can pull off your surprise party.

4. Karaoke night

Karaoke night is a fun way to celebrate someone’s 21st birthday. You can rent a karaoke room or a karaoke machine, or download a karaoke app. Invite your friends and sing your favorite songs at the top of your lungs. Make it one of the best 21st birthday party ideas by creating karaoke games, and awards, and don’t forget the snacks and drinks. 

5. Casino night

You can rent a roulette, poker, or blackjack table for your casino night at home.

But why not visit an actual casino?

Twenty-one is the legal age to enter a Las Vegas casino, so suit up and bring all the luck that you have. Don’t forget to bring your friends along!

6. Pool party

Wear your sunscreen, bring out the refreshments, and get ready to plunge! Send out your pool party invitation to your friends and let them know you’re having the coolest 21st birthday celebration. 

7. Escape room

Want an adrenaline-inducing and brain-racking birthday celebration? Why not test your wits in an escape room experience?

Make the experience more exciting by using GiftLips greeting cards as a video gift card with video clues to your scavenger hunt gift idea.

8. Go camping

Your 21st year is a year for new experiences and adventures.

On your birthday, you can go camping with friends, watch the stars, or gather around the campfire.

It’s an intimate activity where you can disconnect from technology and truly connect with nature. 

9. Food crawl 

This is a birthday idea for all the foodies out there. Have you really checked out and tried all of the delicious food that your area has to offer?

Bring your best buddy and go on an epic food adventure on the quest to find your next favorite food place.

You can also check out cool 21st birthday cake ideas to top off this fun trip.

10. Go to a concert

Whether it’s Beyonce or Kendrick Lamar, a concert is a truly enjoyable experience. It's even more special when you're watching your favorite artist perform with your favorite person or people. Don’t forget to wear your best concert fit!

21st birthday gift ideas

Draw inspiration from these gift ideas if you’re looking for the best 21st birthday gift. Here are the top 10 best gifts for a 21st birthday celebrant:

1. High-quality watch

It’s a tradition to give a watch to someone entering adulthood. Choose only the best quality watch with a classic design that will surpass time and style trends.

2. Formal wear

Another coming-of-age gift is a well-tailored formal outfit, which is usually given by parents. It symbolizes their support for their child's adulthood journey. It’s also a wardrobe essential that’s mostly overlooked until it’s time to wear one.

3. Travel essentials

Travel restrictions have been lifted by most countries, and they are now reopening their doors to travelers. Some travel essentials that you think they might need for their next destination are one of the best 21st birthday gift ideas for your globetrotter friend. 

4. Personalized jewelry

Anything personalized becomes a special and sentimental gift. A piece of jewelry is the perfect upgrade to any look. Choose jewelry that’s based on their style, skin tone, and personality, then send it with a personalized greeting card with videos.

5. Film camera

Since the revival of retro fashion and analog things, a film camera is your best bet for someone interested in photography. Don’t forget to include a film roll, or if you’re feeling extra generous, a camera cleaning kit.

6. Artwork

Someone interested in the arts is turning 21? Why not give them artwork in their favorite medium that will suit their style? Look for something that’s meaningful to them or something that reminds them of you. It’s really not about the price or the artist, but about the quality and meaning behind the art.

7. Sneakers

Sneakerheads will surely love to receive a new pair of kicks for their birthday. A few things to know before buying them new sneakers are their shoe size, style, their brand of choice, and personality.

8. Workout essentials

Whether it’s a tumbler, activewear, protein shake, smartwatch, etc., there’s always something you can give to encourage a gym rat or gym newbie on their fitness journey. 

9. Tech gadgets

Technophiles will appreciate any gift related to technology. From a wireless charging station to a VR set, choose a tech gift idea that they’ll surely love, and make sure they don't have it yet too!

10. Outdoor gears

For those who love camping, fishing, mountain climbing, or just doing outdoor stuff in general, give them something they can use for their favorite outdoor activity. Fuel their love for thrills with an outdoor gift that will come in handy on their adventure.

How important are video greetings and invitation cards for your 21st birthday?

A video greeting card and invitation can help turn your most unique birthday ideas into reality. 

Plus, they are easy to make, so you can do almost anything and play around with different types of videos for different occasions.  Create a greeting and invitation card for your 21st birthday ideas with GiftLips today! Choose from over a hundred designs and generate them for FREE!