• An 18th birthday is a significant milestone in a person's life. Generally, it is the year of high school graduation, preparing for college, longtime friends going separate ways and legally becoming an adult. Thus, an 18th birthday party should be high-energy and inspire wild enjoyment. This is the opportunity for friends to take pictures, say their goodbyes and, most importantly, celebrate the end of one phase of their lives and the beginning of another.
  
  

Picture Party

• Those turning 18 usually find themselves in the midst of great change. Friends go off in different directions when college begins in the fall---some join the service---or simply lose touch. Provide a meeting room if possible or have the party at home if necessary. Decorate with "Happy Birthday" banners and streamers, and scatter colorful balloons about the floor. The invitation should alert guests that dress clothes are expected and pictures will be taken all evening. Encourage everyone to bring a digital camera or camera phone to take pictures of friends they may lose touch with in a short while. Get a friend to volunteer or hire a videographer to take pictures of individuals, couples and groups during the party. Copy the recording on CDs, and make them available to guests. Have popular music---preferably a live group--- play throughout the event, and provide a dance floor and dim the lighting. Serve Mexican and Asian finger foods, chicken wings and barbecue meatballs, and provide iced tubs of flavored tea, soft drinks and energy drinks.
  
  

Celebrity Costume Party

• Encourage guests on the invitation to come dressed and made up as the celebrity of their choice. "Over the top" is the order of the day, and the most outlandishly costumed "celebrities" will be awarded prizes. Put down a red carpet leading from the sidewalk to the front door, with several volunteers taking pictures of guests as they arrive. Hold the party at home or a meeting room decorated with glittery stars hanging from the ceiling, silver tinsel streamers and posters of rock stars and actors on the walls. Hire a live band, and provide karaoke. Have a "walk of fame" contest where guests guess who the celebrity is supposed to be. Provide plenty of substantial food and nonalcoholic beverages, and provide a swag bag to each guest upon leaving that contains tacky plastic jewelry, miniature candy bars and other discount store trinkets.
  
  

'80s Party

• Send invitations at least three weeks early so everyone has time to put together their costumes and learn some '80s slang. Decorate the party room with neon tablecloths, plates and tableware, and have lots of brightly colored plastic green and yellow flowers scattered about the room. Include on each invitation a listing of what made the '80s special, such as big teased hair, shoulder pads and leg warmers. Include a listing of '80s slang, such as "bodacious," "gnarly," "wicked" and "totally tubular," and the translations. Play '80s music throughout the party and have posters of '80s music celebrities, such as Cyndi Lauper, George Michael and Boy George on the walls. Rent or purchase a karaoke machine to add even more life to the party.