Need ideas for my son's twenty-first

[Rosalie]

My son is turning twenty one in July and I'd better get a hurry on. It will be too big to have at home so I am off today to check out a local pub. A freind suggested a local bowls club as an alternative so made appointments at a couple of those as well. The pub will cater everything except the cake and desserts and I would have to do everything at the clubs.
I can't afford a huge affair but would like to make it special by doing something different. I need help with ideas...lots of ideas..for decorating finger food, party favours etc.

[creatingkarma]

Uh, beer, beer, & more beer?

I'm anxious to see what the cake looks like! What are you planning on making?

[ICNDonna]

Since this is the big "21" and you will probably be serving alcoholic beverages, you might give some thought to making it an "overnight" thing with sleeping bags, etc. --- that way nobody would be driving home if they are even slightly "impaired."

Donna

[Rosalie]

Oh yes indeed there will be beer! But hopefully there will be some responsible drinking. These days they pre-organize a 'designated driver' within the group. Either that or they may share a taxi.
Whichever they do, David and I will be keeping an eye on their state when leaving. As the legal drinking age here is 18, it will not be a novelty.
Campbell and I checked out the Union Hotel, a local pub and it seems perfect. A bar, dancefloor, and a room 'quiet' to the side for the oldies who don't like the loud music. They will cater finger food very reasonably and I can make the desserts and the cake which they will also serve.
CJ hasn't said what he wants in the way of a cake as yet but he will choose something different no doubt.
I was thinking of instead of a key for everyone to sign, a scrapbook with lots of photos and spaces on each page for the guests to write their messages. Do you think that would work?
My daughter is studying photography so she will go round to everyone on the night and video their birthday messages.. I have always threatened Campbell that I would cover the walls with blown up photos of him but I like the idea. Is that a bit over the top?

[MarthaB]

:) I love the idea of the photo's blown up, nothing too emberrasing of course, but some cute photo's I don't see nothing wrong with that!
I think the scrap book album is good too, just make sure you use a acid free pen for people to write with, maybe you could specify the area you would like them to write, so you have the space to add some photo's later, it's easier to get people to write the message on the night otherwise it will probleby never happen.
Judging by the other cakes you have made, I'm sure you'll do an excellent job for Campbells cake, don't forget to show us a pic, and have a glass of something for me if you're still there by midnight, because then it's my birthday haha
Martha :)

[Rosalie]

We get the function room until 1.00am so perhaps we will raise a glass to you too...I know I will!
Where do you get the acid free pens? Are they expensive? What would happen if we used ordinary pens?
I have some lovely photos of Campbell with my mum and dad. They have both gone to god now so having lifesized posters would be like having them there.

Campbell has said for months and months now that he wants to have a "No Pants" party. Underwear is Compulsory however! He wants to wear the full scottish kilt! It is causing a bit of a stir among the rellies. but hey!
One of his crazy mates asked if he could come as a carrot..."as long as its not wearing pants!" It would be pretty neat seeing all my brothers and nephews in McKenzie tartan!

[Morgana]

Granted it was for his 30th, but we got photos of my brother when he was little... we got color photocopies and hid them all around the hall, and made a huge collage of the originals, put them in a clip frame and stuck them on the buffet table behind the cake!!!

It went down well, and his work mates took the photocopies to put up in his office at work!!! (he is a boss at the gas board, in charge of the gangs that repair the gas leaks)

[MarthaB]

:) Rosalie, you can get acid free pens just about every where, and they are not dear, try Big W, and K-mart, they are sure to have some, the reason for the acid free is that the writing in the album should last much longer, in the earlier days where we used to just put photo's in and that was it, the albums and photo's would go really yellow because of the acid, the album itself is acid free too that is if you get a proper scrap book album, they are not expensive, and it's a matter of looking around for the best deal, I would also try Big W or K-mart or even target for the album, stay clear from crafts shops, and spotlight as well, they can be expensive.
Martha :)

[Rosalie]

Thanks for the information Martha, I wouldn't even have thought of getting acid free materials for the album.
Now, do you have any other crafty ideas to make the event special?

I've pretty much decided to go with the pub venue as it is fairly cheap. $100.00 pays for the three adjoining areas, the bar and kitchen staff and the cleaning. They make their profit on the bar tab. We will put a certain amount on the bar for beer wine and soft drinks and the guests will pay for any spirits or mixer drinks. That is accepted practice so no one will mind.

[Rosalie]

Remember when the kids were little and we would hand out lolly bags as their friends went home? I thought it might be fun to have adult lolly bags. And put more grownup sweets in them ...like those chocolates that are filled with grog. What do you think? And any ideas on what else to put in them?

[MarthaB]

:) yep, I remember those, I'm thinking really hard, maybe gourmet Jelly beans??
I love those, and they have lots of varieties, if I can think of anything else I will get back to you asap.
Martha :)

[Rosalie]

I like that idea Martha. What about some sort of a small memento?.....not that I can think of anything relevant... I am trying to remember what else we put into the bags?