21st birthday gift guide

With my 21st birthday right around the corner, I definitely have celebration on my mind. Turning 21 is a special time, and it calls for equally special gifts. This got me thinking of cute DIY gifts for someone turning 21 or anyone who just likes to have a good time.

I am a huge fan of homemade gift baskets for any occasion. I think it shows a lot of thought and effort, and you can make it as personal as you want. These gift ideas can be pricey because they involve alcohol, but you can eliminate the alcohol from most of these or split the gifts with a friend or two if you’re on a tight budget! Note: if you are under 21 and are putting together a gift for someone turning 21, be sure to obey the law and not try to purchase it yourself.

21st Sample Basket

This one is my personal favorite! My friend and I made this for a friend’s 21st, and it was a huge hit. With all of the sample bottles, the cost can add up, so this is a great gift to split with a friend.

What you need:

Basket (we used a plastic bucket from the dollar store)

Wooden rods

Pipe cleaners

Hot glue gun or super glue

Styrofoam discs or cubes (to fit in the basket)

Decorative Easter basket grass

21 sample liquor bottles ($1-$2 each from liquor store)

Stickers and embellishments (for decorating the basket)

Steps:

1. Cut the Styrofoam to fit in the basket or bucket and place inside. Make sure it is thick enough to almost hit the top of the bucket.

2. Attach the back of a sample bottle with glue to the top of a rod.

3. Wrap two to three pipe cleaners around the neck of the bottle and twist them all the way down the rod to support the bottle and cover the wood. Apply more glue to attach the pipe cleaners, bottle and top of the rod together as needed. Allow time for glue to dry. Note: some bottles we bought were heavier than others and took several glue applications.

4. Once the bottle is dry and secure, stick a wooden rod into the Styrofoam make sure you put it deep enough so that the rod does not tip over.

5. Repeat steps two through four with all sample bottles.

6. Cover the top of the Styrofoam by filling the rest of the basket with decorative grass.

7. Decorate the basket with stickers and embellishments.

I love the way our basket turned out! Plus, having 21 different sample bottles is a nice way to introduce someone to different types of liquor without spending money on a whole bottle.

Other personalized gift baskets

The beer chugger:

1. “Fantastic Drinking Games” $10.17

Educate your friends on the real rules of Kings. Find it here

2. Waterproof playing cards: $5.99

Find them here

3. Ping-pong balls: $1 to $2 from dollar/drug store

4. Dice: $1 to $2 from dollar/drug store

5. Add a 6-pack of beer, and this will be a huge party hit!

Tasting kits

Wine tasting kit: $9.99 Urban Outfitters

I saw this at Urban Outfitters and definitely want to give it as a gift it to someone! This is a really cute and unique idea to introduce someone to wine. Pair it with an inexpensive bottle or your own hand-painted wine glass! All you’ll need is a dollar store glass and craft paint to add a personal touch.

Find it here

Beer tasting kit: $24.95 from Urban Outfitters

This is the same idea, but for a new beer drinker! Make a personalized hand-painted pint glass to pair with it!

Find it here

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