Make it quality time. Organize some spa time with a sibling or parent, or spend time working on cars with your dad. Do something you’d normally do, but take the time to really appreciate it. Most people assume that turning 18 means that these moments will start to dissipate, but that isn’t entirely true. You can make them last, even if you start taking on new responsibilities. Make a list of the childhood things you’d like to do, and use your 18th as an opportunity to do all of the things you’ve always loved doing. Hang out with your brother and watch samurai movies late, or go to your favorite ice cream spot with the family. Remember, turning 18 has more responsibilities, but you don’t have to stop being a kid. Try a less common party activity, like camping. You can do this at a park with camping spots, or even in your own backyard. Grab a tent, some snacks, some video games, and a few good friends! It’s like an all night hangout but without your parent’s over your shoulder. If you want to camp in a park, tent spots are usually about $15 a night, give or take. This can be a great way to bond with your friends while also tasting freedom away from your parents.
If you talk about your party on Facebook or other social networking, keep it to private messages. Don’t post about your party publicly, or you may have unwanted guests and attention. Consider celebrating multiple 18ths at the same time. If a couple friends are all turning 18, mash up all your parties together to get one big throw-down, rather than a few smaller parties. Think epic.
Quick tip: change your light bulbs from the standard white to red or yellow and set the tone to the house party quickly, cleanly, and cheaply. Prepare your house properly by tucking away all your valuables and things that may get knocked over. Place them in a lockable room, or move things into the garage or a shed. Think about clean-up. If you’ve got to start scrubbing goo off the floor after the jello-wrestling tank overflowed, you might have a bad start to your 18th year. try to keep it manageable.
Choose something that you and your friends will enjoy doing. If you’re a gamer, set up a video game gauntlet and move from room to room in an epic circuit. Super Nintendo in the Attic and Xbox One in the living room. Game your way from floor to floor. If you want to hire a DJ, remember to give them a list of songs to play that you like and your guests will appreciate. As your guests arrive you can always have them write down two or three of their favorite dancing songs and this will ensure they get up and get the party started. If you go with a live band, it’s essential that you make sure they’ll have enough room, electrical hook-ups, and other materials necessary to play, especially if you’re going to pay for it. Make sure they’re there early to set up.
Pro tip: Don’t treat it so much like a warning and treat it more like an invitation. Tell the neighbors you’re going to have a party for your 18th and that you wanted to let them know they should stop by. Slide a little caveat in there: “Not expecting too many people, but there’ll probably be some music. We’ll try to have it over with at a reasonable hour. Hope to see you there!”
Make reservations if you’ve got a big party to make sure you’ll get into the restaurant, club, or other venue you want to get into. If it requires tickets, buy tickets ahead of time. If it requires a cover charge, make sure everyone’s got cash. Depending on when you turn 18, this might be one of the last chances you have to catch up with your close friends before college, or before jobs start. It might be fun to head to a loud dance club, but it might also be fun to just hang out quietly and talk. Do what feels natural.
While it might be fun for you, also try to plan on underage members of your group. Don’t make plans to go anywhere that everyone can’t go, or just invite people who are over-18. Do a little planning to make sure nobody will be left out.
Taking a cab is a safe bet, or arranging rides with family members or other close friends, but if you want to make your 18th epic, there’s always the possibility of a limo. If your town has access, using Lyft or Uber is a great way of getting from place to place. You can arrange to have a car meet you somewhere at a specific time.
In some countries, 18 is the legal drinking age. If you’re going to have a few drinks to celebrate, make sure you drink safely and don’t test your limits. You’ve got a whole lifetime of legal drinking ahead of you. No need to cram it in all at once. Lottery tickets, tattoos, tobacco products, marriage licenses, military enlistment, and voter registration are all things that 18-year-olds suddenly have at their disposal in most areas. Learn what’s available in yours and plan to celebrate like an adult. In many areas, turning 18 means you have to get a new driver’s license or ID card. In some states and provinces, it’s a different color, with different designations. While it might not be a fun way to celebrate, it’s a good idea to get your new ID as soon as possible.
