<p>My son is turning 21 this summer, and we’d like to do something special for him. I’m considering some kind of surprise party- he’s the practical type who would discourage us from doing anything requiring a lot of effort on his account if he knew about it, but it seems especially fitting this year because he’s been abroad for six months and will return shortly before his birthday. It would be a great excuse to get all of his friends together as well as celebrate his coming of age. Does anyone here have any ideas that might make the day especially memorable?</p>
<p>cronie – we have a similar situation, except D’s 21st came while she was in China, last month. Couldn’t do much from here, which was frustrating. I did round up cards from family and friends and send them off to China in an International Priority Mail Envelope. (We were told very explicitly by the program coordinators not to send any packages.) Throwing a party when she gets home in May seems a little too “after the fact.”</p>
<p>One fun thing is to ask all the guests to bring 21 of something as gifts. Can be candies or dollar bills… some people are pretty imaginative!!!</p>
<p>D1 turned 21 in Feb. Dad and she will head to Vegas later this month for four days to celebrate. I think it is hilarious since neither gamble. She wants to lay in the sun and see shows at night. I have to stay home with D2…harumph!!! ;)</p>
<p>my son turned 21 while studying abroad, also. seemed rather anti-climatic to do something upon his return. </p>
<p>i think a get together with all of his friends would be kind of a nice welcome home.</p>
<p>When my S1 turned 18, I sent him off with 15 friends to a paintball party – just the 16 of them, no one else allowed. Then they returned here and I made them all dinner. Might be a little unsophisticated for a 21-year-old, and doesn’t involve the family. But my son loved it!</p>
<p>I think there are lots of things to do to make a 21st birthday memorable, but as a parent I don’t want to hear about any of them.</p>
<p>
That’s for sure! LOL!</p>
<p>S turned 21 last month, and since it was during his spring break, I was planning to do something special for him. Instead, he decided to stay at school and catch up on his studies. Apparently, some of his friends also hosted some festivities for him.</p>
<p>I have the feeling that at age 21, many students have moved on to not wanting celebrations hosted/sponsored by their parents any more, but instead, they want to be with their friends and romantic partners.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So very True. My son has felt this way for years! lol. DS is in South Africa, his romantic partner is also in South Africa, and when they return after being there for 6 months, he won’t need his father or me to organize anything to facilitate his getting together with his friends or his girlfriend. For my son’s 20th birthday, a parent of one of my son’s friends hosted a party for him!! We found out after the fact. :o So, yeah, we’re not really necessary.
DS will be home right before his birthday, and if we asked him, he’d say don’t do anything. That’s exactly what we’ve done for the last 10 years! He’s a great kid, though, and we did something for his sister ( who took part and loved it). I’d feel bad ignoring it, or just having a family dinner.</p>
<p>You may be right, though, NSM. Our time is probably over.</p>
<p>Maybe I should post this on the kid’s board. What would they want from their folks on their 21st?</p>