i’m matt james

professional event producer

  • 27 years event-planning experience
  • Winner of 30 industry awards
  • Clients include:
  • Elton John,
  • Stella McCartney,
  • Sarah Jessica Parker,
  • Kevin Spacey……and more

welcome

Matt James professional event planner
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CONTENTS

ON THIS PAGE

01 MAKE IT SPECIAL

Thoughtful ideas that celebrate the person, not their age, focus on the feel-good, and make a 21st birthday special

'21 Memories for 21 Years' Share a Memory postcards for a 21st birthday
21 years of memories personalized photo book for a 21st birthday
21 Reasons We Love You photo poster for a 21st birthday
Custom '21 Reasons We Love You' 21st birthday photo book with friends and family holding signs
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02 MAKE IT personal

How to add creative twists and personal touches to create talking points and memorable moments

'celebrating 21 years' 21st birthday party dessert table tapestry backdrop with photos showing the guest of honor 'through the years'
custom face photo 21st birthday garland banner showing a man 'through the years'
young Asian man standing next to a custom pinata of himself
custom photo personalized Happy Birthday m&m's for a 21st birthday party
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03 21st birthday party decorations

How to maximize your budget by concentrating your 21st birthday party decorations in a few key areas

21st birthday photo collage in the shape of the numbers 21 on a party dessert table
'cheers to 21 years' 21st birthday custom photo banner showing photos of the guest of honor 'then and now'
number 21 balloon mosaic 21st birthday party decorations
happy 21st birthday Melissa spelled out in a yard card in front of house
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04 21st birthday party activities

How to break the ice, provide conversation-starters, encourage mingling, and create atmosphere

21st birthday guestbook alternative signing poster with photos of the guest of honor 'then and now'
Interactive DIY vodka bar with mixers and fruit set up at an event as an activity for guests
blue retro telephone audio guest book set up next to an instructions sign inviting party guests to record a message
How well do you know the birthday girl printable party game
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05 21st birthday party food

Why food stations geared towards small bites, tasting plates, and DIY options are better than buffets

Hors d'oeuvres and appetizers arranged in rows on a modern 21st birthday party buffet table / food station
21st birthday party food presentation ideas: fish salad served in margarita glasses with forks
21st birthday party hors d'oeuvres: cheese bites served on forks standing vertically
21st birthday party food ideas: individual portion charcuterie cups
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06 dessert tables

How a dessert table can lend visual spectacle, save time, and maximize budget for a 21st birthday party

pink sequin shimmer party backdrop behind a dessert table
young man next to a personalized custom caricature cookie of himself for his 21st birthday party
individual layered party desserts served in disposable shooter glasses
boxwood hedge party backdrop behind a dessert table for a kid's birthday party
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07 21st birthday party drinks

Get that professionally-catered look and give traditional drinks a creative twist

custom photo personalized beer bottle labels for 21st birthday party drinks
21st birthday party drinks ideas: boxwood hedge party drinks bar wall with shelves of self-service drinks for guests to help themselves to
custom photo edible wafer party drinks topper with a photo of the birthday girl floating on a cocktail
custom photo 'Fun Facts about the Birthday boy' 21st birthday party napkins
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08 21st birthday party invitations

Why invitations needs to excite, inspire, and give guests something to look forward to

21st birthday party photo collage invitation showing the birthday boy 'through the years'
animated digital video 21st birthday party invitations displayed on mobile phone screen
balloon custom printed with 21st birthday party invitation details
custom vinyl record party invitation for a 21st birthday party
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09 21st birthday gifts

Avoid uninspiring and clichéd gifts in favor of something that’s unique, meaningful, or a treat

woman standing next to a custom muppet-style puppet of herself
custom personalized comic book for a 21st birthday gift
custom bobblehead of a young woman alongside her photo for a 21st birthday gift
personalized viewmaster reel viewer for a 21st birthday gift
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10 21st birthday party ideas for men

21st birthday party themes, decorations, and ideas aimed at men

'the man, the myth, the legend' custom name 21st birthday party backdrop decorations behind a dessert table
21st birthday party beer tasting party supplies with bottles of beer in ice buckets
Accelerated Free Fall Sky Diving
21st birthday party beer tasting party supplies with a cheese board
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ADVICE FROM A PRO

21st BIRTHDAY party tips

  • 21st birthdays are significant, so you need to make an effort!
  • Avoid the obvious: generic store-bought decorations emblazoned with 21
  • Instead, make everything as personal as possible
  • Celebrate the person, not their age
  • Avoid lame jokes and clichés about ‘RIP Fake ID’ or ‘finally legal’.
  • Concentrate on making them feel loved and appreciated as they turn 21
  • Celebrate their life; their background, accomplishments, and all the things that have made them who they are today
  • Celebrate who they are; admirable qualities, characteristics everyone loves, and even their weird habits and obsessions that drive people crazy!
  • Celebrate your relationship with them; take a walk down memory lane, share memories, funny stories, embarrassing photos, amusing anecdotes, fun facts guests may not know, and indulge in a little sentimentality
  • Focus on things that are meaningful, because that’s what they’ll remember
  • If you’re planning your own 21st birthday bash, you should still take the same approach. Make everything as personal as possible so that it’s a reflection of you; your tastes, your interests, and your sense of humor—with plenty of embarrassing old photos and fun facts
  • I’ll teach you how to design your 21st birthday party like a pro; creating ‘beats’ or ‘moments’ that run throughout the event so guests continue to discover new things as the party unfolds
  • Think of the guest’s journey in terms of different touch points; arrivals, bar, room décor, food, entertainment etc.
  • Then, add a creative twist, person touch, or talking point to each
  • Don’t forget to include activities; things for guests to do that will break the ice, encourage mingling, provide conversation-starters, and create a fun atmosphere that includes everyone.
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MATT’S TIP

Matt James professional event planner
in this section

01 Make it special

celebrate the person, not their age

  • Limit the gag gifts and decorations and focus on thoughtful, feel-good ideas.
  • Make them feel loved, appreciated, and good about themselves.

AVOID CLICHÉS

  • Don’t make the common mistake of theming everything around turning 21.
  • Clichéd themes like ‘finally legal’ or ‘RIP Fake ID’ are tired and lazy.
  • They make for an impersonal and unoriginal 21st birthday celebration.
  • Read my full post with ideas for how to make a 21st birthday special or preview some below
open full post
OR PREVIEW BELOW
ideas in this section

21 memories for 21 years

21 reasons we love you

photo slideshow

a gift every hour

21 years of memories letters

‘open when’ letters

21 years of memories photo book

photo collage memory box

reasons we love you photo book

AND MORE
preview

ideas to make it special

Check out this preview of some 21st birthday party ideas to make it special, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

21 memories for 21 years

Invite friends and family to mail a postcard sharing a favorite memory of the birthday boy / girl in the days leading up to their 21st birthday

read more
21st birthday memory postcards