What did / would you do?

[~*~Neisha~*~]

I'm likin the idea of a kiddy party...might do that during the day for my 18th...sort of like saying goodbye to my childhood Then at night (I'll officially turn 18 at about 10:34pm i think anyway)I wanna hire out a hall and have as many people there as i can coz i wanna have a massive one with a place for people to dance but also tables for like a nice dinner first...I'm hopin it won't cost too much tho. I wanna go clubbing on the night after too Only bout 10 months to go!

As for my 21st, I think I'll do something a little more low-key, and a little more sophisticated. It'll be like at home or something, prolly inside instead of in the backyard (if i have a big enough living room at the time). There'd be like wine and we'd sit around the TV or a projector if i can find one and we'll watch either a video or a slide presentation of my embarassing moments (either recorded on camera or recalled by other ppl to a camera) and embarassing photo's. Might have some speeches from friends and family too.

Hey why is there a big deal about turning 21 anyway? I understand that 18 is like the signifier of adulthood but wat's the big deal about turning 21?

[Arctic Firefox]

I'm glad you asked that, because I don't understand it either. In America, for example, you are legally allowed to drink at 21 (one of their many odd laws), so that makes it an excuse for a massive binge drink there. From what I've seen in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, it seems to be a 'coming of age' type of birthday - you're out of your teens and into adulthood. But even there it isn't celebrated that much anymore.

[~*~Neisha~*~]

But if it was coz u coming out of ur teens, shudnt it be the 20th that gets celebrated more?? It's so confusin'!

[Dark One]

I've been searching the net for an answer to why the 21st birthday is so special for most of the morning. The only thing i can find is this:

Twenty-first birthdays have a special meaning. It is recognized as a milestone signaling adulthood and a time for celebration as this is the first day when Americans can legally consume alcohol

There is no clear reason as to why people in the UK or Aus celebrate it. All i can think of is that the tradition of celebrating a 21st started in the UK/Aus from US servicemen that were stationed there during the war. In the UK, mothersday was stared by them, so its safe to assume the 21st celebrations were as well

[Kangaruth]

I thought it was to do with land laws - didn't you used to have to be 21 before you could legally own land? And originally only landowners could vote, which is why 21 was originally the age of suffrage.

[Cookie Lover]

I am not liking the sound of that. Age of sufferage? Can I just keep on celebrating my 18th and not actualy get older?

I will celebrate my 18th overseas. And then celebrate it again, a few months later, back here!

[Lucy]

Oo, sounds as though people have had some great parties and others have some fab ideas of what they want to do!
It's my 21st this year, but I don't usually do that much for birthdays. I can never really think of anything, plus when I was at school most of my friends were usually on holiday when I made plans becuase it was in the summer holidays.
THe girls I'm sharing a flat with at the moment all have "holiday" birthdays too, so I think we're going to have a big joint party before we all go back home for the summer. Nothing particularly special, but at least it means I'll be with my friends to celebrate! ;D

[Lauren Hedgehog]

kangaruth said:

I thought it was to do with land laws - didn't you used to have to be 21 before you could legally own land? And originally only landowners could vote

I'm not certain but I think that's right- it makes sense with the 21st song anyway
'twenty-one today
twenty-one today
(something, something) keys to the house
never been twenty-one before'

[Dark One]

I think we need to do more research into this

[Kangaruth]

Well, any search on "suffrage" just turns up a load on women's rights and nothing about voting laws. Searching for "21" gets me nowhere and "coming of age" turns up a load on religious practises, or modern celebrations, but nothing about origins. I could get somewhere if I had time... but I should be working (I'm having a long weekend off and want to get lots done before I leave).

[Dark One]

i tried similar searches. Maybe we need to ask one of the greetings card companies...

[Squirt]

I've been looking and all I have found is this... "21 had been the age of majority in England and Wales before that age was lowered to 18 with the coming into force, on 1 January 1970, of the Family Law Reform Act 1969."

and

"Coming of age in the United Kingdom is celebrated either at 18, which is the legal age of majority, or at 21, the more traditional age. Celebrations typically take the form of a particularly extravagant birthday party; presents given are often of higher than usual value, and Champagne may be served, as at other formal celebrations, but no set ceremony or ritual is observed."

and

"In Australia, New Zealand and numerous other countries, a party known as the Twenty First has long celebrated the coming of age. On their 21st birthdays, young people and their families and friends traditionally gather together for social parties where gifts are presented to the birthday boy or girl. The practice is gradually waning, primarily because the legal age of maturity has been reduced to 18, so by 21 they have already had the privileges of adulthood (the right to drink, smoke and vote) for three years. The most significant coming-of-age event in the lives of many Australians is getting their driver's license. The minimum age varies from state-to-state, but the license is used as identification and proof-of-age that is often necessary to access the privileges of adulthood."

and

"In the United States, when one reaches 21, one gains the right to drink alcohol. It is also the age at which it is legal to gamble and be with a prostitute in Nevada. In most states, a person who is 21 or over may also rent a car. 21 was the age for voting in the majority of states until the introduction of the Twenty-sixth Amendment."

from encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/21st

[Dark One]

Cool! Thanks for posting that Squirt. I'll bookmark that enclyopedia for further research purposes

[DragonMornir]

My 21st was a 2 day event over a long weekend. The first night was dinner with all my family and friends, and mum paid for my firends and i.... it was really nice, good italian food, untill the entire restaraunt decided to join in and sing me happy birthday!!! GOD that was embarrasing!!!! Then the 2nd night was my general friends over for drinks. it was over the 2003 Rugby League Grand Final ( Penrith vs Roosters) and parents were out for a few hours as they went to the game. We started drinking around 3pm, and one of my female friends ended up rather crook after drinking wayyyy too much sambucca..... I had someone climb on our pool table in heels, and i screamed at her to get off, people threw sparklers into trees, a goth friend of mine swam in my pool fully clothed, including her boots, claiming she couldnt swim, and so Mat had to rescue her, and my boyf of the time brought a yard glass of vodka and solo for me to drink lol!!! good deal. We lost the footy game tho... stupid Panthers....

[Cookie Lover]

What is it with people and footy? Yeah, my 21st will be BIG I hope. Everyone coming, and eating and whatever. And someone with a video camera!

[Fuil Dearg]

sambuca is nice. you're supposed to put a small amount in a glass. tilt and turn the glass so the inside of the glass is coated with sambucha. then light it and cover the flame with your hand to put it out. most of the alcohol is burned out of it. when i was in frankfurt on my way to berlin to stay with a friend for a week, i went to an irish pub. cos i got to frankfurt that night and had to wait til the next morning to get a train to berlin. i was trying to get there very cheap, so that was why. when the irish pub closed i went to another pub which was supposed to be a late night pub but they were closing early that night. i was after getting a sambucha but the ppl in the pub didnt know that you're supposed to light it. i asked them if they had a light and they said they didn't. they were telling ppl to finish their drinks cos they had to go. no-one had a light. so, i drank it straight. sambucha is quite strong and i was very drunk afterwards. if u light it, extinguish it and then drink it in one go there's a kick in it and it's nice and warm. sambucha tastes like liquorice.

[Swallow]

I'm 21 in err.... *looks at watch* three days! And what am i doing? Well, on my birthday i'm spending a day at uni followed by a night at guides and having a subway dinner with my mother on the way out to guides Oh, and let's not forget the two essays i have to finish the next day.

But that's the Tuesday, on the weekend i'm lucky enough to be having a lorf meet, along with the family p!ss up not unlike my sisters. Not that i'll be drinking, i'm not allowed to have more than really one glass of wine on the drugs i'm on at the moment. But it's really the LorF meet i'm looking forward to. I can't wait talk in RL about something that has become more than a passion, more of an obsession

I think i would have liked the camping celebration, i love Rigel's 21st and Galli's But i have the 24th to look forward to now, apparently... I'll be in Europe then, so we'll see ;D

But in three days i'm going to be paid like an adult *looks proud* no more "Junior" on my pay slip!

[Wh|te Fyre]

wooooooooooooooooop! Using my magnificient computer, I discovered by 21st will be on a Friday!

Not sure why that's so wooop. because I despise the taste of alchahol and despise public dancing...maybe I should throw a kangaruth!

*plots and schemes*

I'm going to have a classic sweet 16th party, with formalwear and dinner and maybe a little champagne...but first I need to plan my 14th! (In July ^_^) I was thinking a water pistol party, but my birthday's in winter...wait...>_> *runs off to plan water pistol party*

[Kangaruth]

tegan said:

maybe I should throw a kangaruth!

I'm not sure whether to be flattered that you've made up a new phrase from my name, or to be incredibly worried that maybe you haven't and you mean that literally...

Just to be on the safe side, can you let me know the exact date of your 21st celebrations and I'll make sure I'm safely on the other side of the world!

[HeartoftheDarkness]

Well, I had my 17th on the weekend, and all my friends and I went to the city for the day, dressed as pirates
Pretty damn good pirates too

[Wh|te Fyre]

kangaruth said:

tegan said:

maybe I should throw a kangaruth!

I'm not sure whether to be flattered that you've made up a new phrase from my name, or to be incredibly worried that maybe you haven't and you mean that literally...

Just to be on the safe side, can you let me know the exact date of your 21st celebrations and I'll make sure I'm safely on the other side of the world!

On the Friday 19th 2013! I recommend Santorini! It's great in summer!

[DragonMornir]

you planning a long way ahead, tegan.... lmao....


i have so many 21st to go to this year!!! the ones coming up , one has a jumping castle ( yes one esp for us big kids!!! bring it on!!!!)
So far this year ive had these 21sts:
1x brother
1x Adam

to go still i have:
1x GCR
1xEmma
1 xJoleyn
1x Jes
1x Shay
And since August last year i had:
1x Rift
1xLench
1xNick
Kishan

Man im so old compared to my friends lol!!!!