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Original poster

What did you get your dd for her 18th birthday?

67 replies

Lilliput · 02/01/2021 19:19

Dd is 18 in a couple of weeks and we are struggling with what to get her. She doesn't need tech, she doesn't do nice jewellery, she buys second hand clothes and has a pretty individual style.
She wants cash but I would rather get her a present.
Any ideas?

OP posts:
ChristmasUserName2020 · 02/01/2021 22:22

£2400 from child trust fund. £300 cash. Yankee candle, mini fridge, white chocolate Lindor chocolate and some cider.

slug · 02/01/2021 22:24

A leather biker jacket.

Lasvegas · 02/01/2021 22:30

A limo to and from restaurant for her and friends who went to a restaurant about 1.5 hours drive from home.

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happybabyunit · 02/01/2021 22:39

I know this isn't what you asked but I'd give her the cash she wants and maybe something small like a book to unwrap.

Sadik · 02/01/2021 22:44

With spectacularly bad timing (her 18th was 4 days into the first lockdown - I'd bought her present some time earlier!) I got her a leather backpack ready for when she left college & wanted a nice bag for all the things she was planning to do.

Diverseduvet · 02/01/2021 22:45

A beautiful gold watch (second hand)

FoodieToo · 02/01/2021 22:48

Our daughter will be 18 on Thursday. One of the gifts we got her was a photo book of her with lots of pics from baby to now ! Showing all her hobbies etc . She won’t love it now but it’s a nice keepsake .

choirmumoftwo · 02/01/2021 23:15

DD got a new iPhone, tickets/hotel for a Taylor Swift concert and euros for her first girls' holiday. Phone has been extremely well used but concert and holiday both cancelled 😢. The money is still available to her though when the world returns to some normality.

jewelsx · 02/01/2021 23:24

Some money would be a good idea - can buy what she wants and needs
Miss Dior rose n roses is a nice perfume if she likes to wear any! Can't go wrong! (Imo)
Some flowers?
Voucher for clothes - can never have to many clothes at 18
Some trainers? Or shoes?

Money is the best bet I think on this occasion maybe?

jewelsx · 02/01/2021 23:28

This is a good try for anyone in general too!

What did you get your dd for her 18th birthday?
Redbirds · 02/01/2021 23:30

Driving lessons

happybabyunit · 02/01/2021 23:33

@jewelsx

Some money would be a good idea - can buy what she wants and needs Miss Dior rose n roses is a nice perfume if she likes to wear any! Can't go wrong! (Imo) Some flowers? Voucher for clothes - can never have to many clothes at 18 Some trainers? Or shoes?

Money is the best bet I think on this occasion maybe?

Vouchers for clothes wouldn't be very useful for someone who mainly wears second hand clothes
GreenPlum · 02/01/2021 23:42

Watch

flipperdoda · 02/01/2021 23:46

I had a watch from my parents - it was very well worn for a few years (I then got a Garmin, but the watch is still worn for special occasions!) and hugely appreciated. However, I asked for it and chose it. I think my parents explained they would like to get me something I could keep, but it was my choice.

If you'd like to get something that will last the test of time I'd explain that to her, and if she still would prefer cash frankly I'd give her that. I suspect you're wanting it to be special, but if you'd go with her wishes on other birthdays I suspect going against them on her 18th wouldn't be remembered as special in the way you might mean it Smile

jewelsx · 02/01/2021 23:57

@happybabyunit for some reason I didn't even notice that part , no harm in a voucher surely? (Unless she is specifically against it )

ErrolTheDragon · 03/01/2021 00:05

Two orchids with pots suit her room - per her own suggestion. Like yours she doesn't do jewellery, not particularly interested in clothes, doesn't do makeup or perfume, and had all the tech stuff she needed. I'm sure I got her some other stuff that I thought she'd like but nothing memorable it seems...

The flowers lasted well over 6 months and they've reflowered a few times since then.

choirmumoftwo · 03/01/2021 00:10

I'd be cautious about vouchers for anything just now. Many businesses are going under and the voucher may be worthless before she gets a chance to use it. Cash would be safer.

BackforGood · 03/01/2021 00:13

(No help to you in the current circumstances)

A party

BaublesToIt · 03/01/2021 00:23

We got DD her first designer handbag and afternoon tea at the Ritz.

user1471453601 · 03/01/2021 00:31

The only thing my DD wanted for her eighteenth (32 years ago) was her very own copy of Carole Kings Tapestry. Result! I got mine back from her that she'd pinched when she went to university. Mind you, my original was scratched to buggery

Newschapter · 03/01/2021 00:32

A Rose gold Mac book and a Ted Baker bracelet.

8obbingabout · 03/01/2021 01:02

oooooooooo a lovely nice watch or pen that she can keep and use forever. The top it up with some money she can choose to spend/save whatever she likes.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 03/01/2021 07:55

Money. I wanted to give her a special piece of jewellery but she said she’d only lose it or break it (almost certainly true). She said she wanted ‘experiences’ that cash could buy.
To be fair I knew she wouldn’t go splurging it on clothes or make up since she wasn’t really into those.

Mydogisagentleman · 03/01/2021 07:57

Intensive driving lesson course.
Unfortunately she failed.

Camomila · 03/01/2021 08:03

My parents got me a nice (and expensive) silver charm bracelet...it broke the week after and my mum still refuses to buy anything from that shop 15 years later.

Does she play an instrument? I got a new flute for my 21st and loved it.