A 21ST birthday used to equate with becoming a full adult: voting rights.
These days, it's still a birthday loaded with symbolic meaning, even though 21-year-olds have been legally drinking and voting for a few years. The best 21st birthday gifts for her can make her feel super special - and we've rounded up some great options.
Jewellery is the obvious starting point: it works wonderfully well for a daughter, granddaughter, niece or goddaughter.
Makeup will also always be a hit: instead of getting her something from a high street brand, try a designer makeup palette she wouldn't likely be able to afford on her own.
Something personalised also works a treat, whether it's a monogrammed champers glass or a luxurious clothing item (silk pyjamas, perhaps?).
21-year-olds live their lives on their phones and social media, so any gift that helps them preserve memories will be a good one (even if they don't realise it yet).
From gadget gifts that turn their millions of phone pictures into tangible items to decorate their rooms with to notebooks to write memories down in, these keepsake gifts will help them treasure moments in time for years to come.
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Best 21st Birthday Keepsake Gifts
Keepsakes are sentimental gifts that the birthday girl will keep forever and will cherish as a great memory from her 21st birthday.
From personalised champagne glasses, books and frames to keychains - there's a perfect keepsake gift for everyone.
If you want to go all out, you could also get a keepsake party favour for all the guests - we love these personalised shot glasses.
Personalised Photo Engraved Glass Block Paperweight, £13.99 from Etsy - buy here
Personalised Premium Crafted Birth Flower Alcohol, £48.95 from Not On The High Street - buy here
Best 21st birthday jewellery gift for her: EFYTAL 21st Birthday Necklace
- EFYTAL 21st Birthday Necklace, £40.76 from Amazon - buy here
If your first thought is to buy a jewellery gift for the 21-year-old young lady in your life, you're already a winner (and so is she).
A special memento - bracelet, necklace, earrings - is one she will treasure for decades to come.
This 21st birthday necklace in sterling silver is a beautiful choice, featuring two circles (each representing a decade) and a sparkling crystal to symbolise 21 years.
It comes beautifully packaged with card, gift box and bag for a stunning treat.
Reviewers like that this gift is 'classy and affordable', with one writing:
'The necklace itself is the perfect length and even more elegant than I expected. It is perfect for the minimalist with just enough "bling" to stand out. It comes with everything needed to gift wrap & placed so neatly together, that it will make having to wrap it effortless for me... which I personally can appreciate'.
Best 21st birthday gadget gift for her: HP Sprocket 200 Printer
- HP Sprocket 200 Printer, £119 from HP - buy here
This fab portable printer from HP can turn any 21-year-old's stockpile of smartphone photos into printouts (2 x 3 inch) and stickers, that can be decorated with fun borders and designs using the accompanying HP Sprocket app.
Multiple smartphones can connect to the printer so friends can print their photos too.
Reviewers say it's super easy to set up and ready to use in minutes.
Just be sure to buy extra photo/sticky paper as they will want to print hundreds of photos right away.
Best 21st birthday beauty gift for her: Huda Beauty The New Nude Eyeshadow Palette
- Huda Beauty eyeshadow palette, £56 from Cult Beauty - buy here
This five-star rated eyeshadow palette from every 21-year-old's favourite beauty brand will be a real hit with the birthday girl.
The palette features 18 stunning shades, with a range of matte-to-glitter textures across a selection of neutral tones, from cream to copper.
It's everything the 21-year-old birthday girl will need for uni days, office, date nights and festival season.
The highly pigmented shades are known to last so it's the perfect long-lasting gift.
Best 21st birthday mindful gift for her: Chronicle Books' One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
- One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book, £10.50 from Amazon - buy here
The 21-year-old in your life may not be particularly reflective - yet - but we think this gorgeous journal can help.
Plus, it will encourage them to spend at least 10 minutes a week off their phone and social media.
This memory book encourages reflection even more than a traditional journal: the recipient can look back at their thoughts on the same day over five years, and think about how they've changed as well as seeing what they accomplished.
'... you only get a couple lines to write in per day so not under so much pressure to think of something 'brilliant & memorable' to write. She loves being able to see last year's comments as each page has one day for the 5 years. Great idea', writes a reviewer.
Best 21st birthday personalised gift for her: Mini Lunn Personalised Silk Satin Pyjamas
- Mini Lunn Personalised Silk Satin Pyjamas, £43 from NOHS - buy here
A 21-year-old woman will never say 'no' to a clothing gift, but the trick for really getting it right is giving them something that feels like they're being spoiled.
Silky satin pyjamas absolutely fit the bill.
Not only can you choose where to personalise them with initials or the recipient's name (on the pocket, opposite the pocket or above the pocket), but you can relax knowing these will arrive beautifully packaged and made, with fab attention to detail like flat-edge grey piping, a drawstring trouser waist and mother-of-pearl buttons.
Best 21st birthday gift for her home: VonShef Boston Cocktail Shaker Kit
Drinking for 21-year-olds these days isn't about guzzling as much as possible, but about the experience (as with everything else they do).
Which is why a gorgeous cocktail shaker set makes a great gift for at-home entertaining (and they can also make mindful, alco-free cocktails if they like).
The stylish set includes a wooden muddler, twisted bar spoon, Hawthorne strainer, pourer and 2-in-1 jigger, as well as a recipe guide for inspiration.
It's got great reviews and even bartenders say they've bought it for home use.
21st Birthday Outfits For Her
The outfit choice is always one of the most important decisions when it comes to birthday parties, so it has to be extra special for the 21st birthday.
We love everything from mini to maxi dresses, suits, co-ord sets and jeans and a nice top.
Asymmetric Tulle Top, £25.99 from Zara - buy here with Full Length Tulle Leggings £19.99 from Zara - buy here
Straight Up High Waisted Straight Leg Jeans in medium blue wash, £45 from OhPolly - buy here
Cream woven hook and eye thick strap corset top, £28 from PrettyLittleThing - buy here
21st Birthday Decorations
For Insta-worthy parties, decorations and props are a must. Going from balloons and birthday banners to sashes and photo booth props, you need them all.
You could pick a colour-scheme for the party (we personally love rose gold) or a theme, the latest trends include 90s inspired party, Cow-girl and Fairy themed parties or the TikTok trends of dressing up "as your favourite meme" or favourite artist.
Wether you want to go all out or have simple and classy decorations, balloons and banners are always a good choice. They are available in a variety of colours, from pink and rose gold to black and silver.
LED lights are always a cute touch to add, especially because the birthday girl will be able to keep it after the party too.
21 Birthday Party Supplies, Sash, Cake Topper, Banner and Balloons Set, £17.99 from Amazon - buy here
21st Birthday Photo Props
If the main goal of the night is snapping the perfect Insta shot or vintage feel pics with a disposable camera, these props will make sure everyone will have the best-pic-ever by the end of the night.
Rose Gold 21 Birthday Photo Booth Kit (32 count), £10.99 from Amazon - buy here
LUOEM Inflatable Selfie Frame Picture, £11.88 from Amazon - buy here
Amosfun 90's Party Photo Booth Props Kit, £9.79 from Amazon - buy here
Rose Gold and Silver 21st Tiara, £4.21 from Etsy - buy here
Custom 21st Birthday Backdrop, from £17.30 from Etsy - buy here
We've designed Sun Selects to help you to find the best products that won't break the bank.
Looking for some more birthday inspiration for a little one? Then you'll love this roundup of 1st birthday gift ideas.
Enjoyed our roundup of 21st birthday gifts for her? Then you may enjoy our Sun Select gifting section.
This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.
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