Poker Party

• Being able to legally gamble and drink are what make this birthday so special. Hosting a poker party at home is a safe way to enjoy your 21st birthday.
  
  Create invitations from an old deck of cards. Jumbo-size novelty cards are available for a larger and more striking invites. Print your invitations on decorative paper that has the suits on it. Cut them out to the same size as your cards---use one card as a template. Glue each invitation to the back of a card. These cards are the perfect size for mailing, and let everyone know what to expect at your celebration.
  
  Use poker chips for an offbeat invitation. With a permanent marker, put one piece of information about your party per chip. Use as many as you need, making sure you tell your guests your name, the date, location, time and anything else they'll need to know. Place all the chips in a sturdy envelope and check with the post office before mailing.
  
  

Clubbing

• If you plan to hit the clubs for your birthday, choose invitations to reflect this. Make a card that looks like a giant olive. Fold a sheet of green card stock in half. Cut out an oval olive shape, taking care to leave part of the fold intact. Glue a piece of red card stock to the top for the pimento. Write out the invitation on the inside.
  
  Or, you can have your own drink coasters printed or purchase pre-printed ones from a party store. Choose a design for the front and have the party details printed on the back. Or, fill out your information with classy-looking gel pens if using the pre-printed versions.
  
  

Shot Glasses

• Send your guests an invitation that will remind them of the fun they had, long after the party is over. Order shot glasses custom-engraved with your name and birthday. Mail or present the glasses in a small box with a card attached listing the rest of the party details. Or, engrave your own glasses with an engraving kit from a craft store.
  
  If real glasses are out of your budget, purchase strings of beads with plastic shot glasses attached, available at most party stores. Print out your invitation on a strip of paper as tall as the glass. Roll and insert the invitations inside one of the shot glasses on each necklace before giving them to your guests in person. Expect quite a few of these to be worn at your party.