We all know the famous ditty: ‘I’ve got the key of the door, never been 21 before!’ But what exactly does it mean?
The 21st birthday signified the start of an adult life and the independence it brings with it. Traditionally when a person became 21 he or she would leave the parental home for pastures new. Now, young adults are likely still living with parents but 21 remains a landmark birthday, calling for Celebration with a capital ‘C’.
Making the most of a 21st Birthday
Marking the occasion with special 21st Birthday Gifts is a tradition which will last forever. And why not? Reaching 21 used to be a really big deal before we had the medical advances we have today and sadly, many people died young. Yet this birthday has kept its importance intact and friends and family naturally want to bestow the new 21 year-old with 21st Birthday Gifts galore!
Great Gifts for people turning 21!
If you are looking to buy a memorable birthday gift for someone you know who will soon be celebrating their 21st rest assured there are plenty of 21st Birthday Gift Ideas to get those little grey cells inspired.
From contemporary paperweights to authentic appearances on the cover of their fave magazine, memorable experience days to Personalised 21st Birthday Gifts, there is a real treasure trove of options just waiting to be discovered online.
How do you make their 21st Birthday Gift Memorable?Lets be honest, someone turning 21 is likely to receive a boat-load of wonderful gifts and even the most conscientious person might forget who gave them which gift in ten years time.
By personalising your chosen gift you will be imparting it with instant sentimental value that they are certain to be able to recall out of their 21st sea. Also, having your gift personalised with a message of your choice shows you have made a special effort to elevate your 21st birthday offering way beyond the ordinary.
Birthday messages can be added to practically any item you care to conjure up. Photo frames, T-shirts, mugs, bottles of champagne – a must for any 21st birthday celebration worth its salt – you name it; all can get the VIP personalisation treatment.
What’s more, once you have arranged to have your gift personalised, you have boosted it with sentimental status. And trust us, anything personalised will gain extra value in your recipient’s heart. Unique 21st birthday gifts like these will be treasured for generations.
That said, unusual 21st birthday gifts don’t stop there. Anything with the 21st stamp of approval will go down a treat, but when you see exactly what’s out there for the taking, you will wish you to were 21 again.
Browse our selection of 21st Birthday Gifts from The Gift Experience.
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FAQs
We all know the famous ditty: 'I've got the key of the door, never been 21 before! ' But what exactly does it mean? The 21st birthday signified the start of an adult life and the independence it brings with it. Traditionally when a person became 21 he or she would leave the parental home for pastures new.
What does key represent for 21st birthday? ›
Key pendants are customarily given as a present on the 21st birthday. This tradition dates from the times when at twenty-one, you were considered old enough to be a key-holder to your family's home, and thus hold a symbolical 'senior' position in the family.
Why is 21 a milestone birthday? ›
The 21st birthday is a remarkable milestone that signifies the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This pivotal occasion is marked by legal rights and newfound responsibilities, as young individuals step into a new chapter of life.
What does it mean to give a key as a gift? ›
Keys symbolise freedom, they open things up and lock precious things away. They reveal secrets. Superstitions and symbolism around keys abound. Jewish midwives used to give a key to a woman in labour to encourage safe delivery of the baby.
What does turning 21 mean? ›
Legal Milestones and Coming of Age: In many countries, turning 21 marks a significant legal milestone. It symbolizes the age at which individuals are granted certain rights and responsibilities, such as the ability to vote, purchase alcohol, and enter into contracts independently.
What do you say in a 21st birthday speech? ›
Cheers to 21 Years: Speech Writing Tips for the Perfect 21st Birthday Toast
- Start with a Warm Greeting: Setting the Tone. ...
- Reflect on Milestones: Celebrating Achievements. ...
- Share Anecdotes and Memories: Adding Personal Touches. ...
- Express Gratitude: Acknowledging Friends and Family. ...
- Look to the Future: Embracing the Next Chapter.
Throughout history, the giving the key is a symbol of the limitless doors they can open in their life. Given on 21st birthdays and believed to represent freedom and a bright future ahead, It's also the age where you were considered mature enough to be a key holder to your family's home.
What is the traditional 21st key? ›
21 is the age that a person in New Zealand is classed as an adult, and the giving of the 21st key is a strong New Zealand tradition to symbolize opening the door of maturity and becoming an adult. Alternatively, the giving of a key is a symbol of the limitless doors they can open in their life.
What is the reason for a 21 key? ›
According to some sources, this gifting of wooden 21st Keys was practiced as a tradition in ancient times as a symbol of adulthood. This also meant that now the individual is open to new opportunities and responsibilities.
Why is 21 a special number? ›
21 is the first member of the second cluster of consecutive discrete semiprimes (21, 22), where the next such cluster is (33, 34, 35). 21 is the first Blum integer, since it is a semiprime with both its prime factors being Gaussian primes. 21 is also the first non-trivial octagonal number.
Often people born under Number 21 are guided by the instinctual impulses, in the same time they believe in predestination. In other words, they are doing what they believe is right, but in the same time they take life as it is. They are very sociable, easy to get along with people.
Is 18 or 21 a bigger birthday? ›
21st. Sure turning 18 is part of adulthood, but you're still a teen, regardless. Now 21 is when you start facing adult life a little bit more.
Why is 21 the key to the door? ›
It was only in 1970 that 21 stopped being the age of majority. And it used to be the age when you were considered adult enough to let yourself into the family home, hence the 'key of the door' term.
What does a 21st key symbolize? ›
Celebrating a 21st birthday with the traditional key honors the birthday person's arrival at adulthood and independence. Reaching twenty one is an occasion to be celebrated. And the key symbolizes their maturity and the joy of arriving at the next stage of life.
Who did God give a key to? ›
The keys of the kingdom were promised to Peter, and he exercised that authority as he associated with the other members of the Twelve and presided over them.
What is the key that unlocks every door? ›
Master keys operate all locks in a set. An example of who would benefit most from this would be an office manager or maintenance worker who needs access to each individual office or common space in a building.
What number is key to the door? ›
In case anyone doesn't know, Key of the Door is a bingo term for 21, which in Britain used to be the age of consent before it was lowered to 18. A "key" is a group of cards of the same suit totalling 21 and headed by a face card (Jack, Queen, King, or Joker).
What is the door key? ›
countable noun. A key is a specially shaped piece of metal that you place in a lock and turn in order to open or lock a door, or to start or stop the engine of a vehicle.
What key is at the door in? ›
At The Door is a moody song by The Strokes with a tempo of 117 BPM. It can also be used half-time at 59 BPM or double-time at 234 BPM. The track runs 5 minutes and 10 seconds long with a A♯/B♭ key and a major mode.
