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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:
Madeupwithit · 03/01/2021 08:10

I'm paying for a holiday to Spain that I'm hoping will happen in July.

Knucklehead101 · 03/01/2021 08:13

My daughter has just turned 18. I got her a voucher for a tattoo, a silver necklace that she can keep for when shes older, and a new hairdryer cos shes always stealing mine. Hope your daughter enjoys her birthday as much as she can x

keiratwiceknightly · 03/01/2021 08:13

Our dd turned 18 in October. We decided that when restrictions lift we will take her to Birmingham's jewellery quarter where she can choose a ring as her main present - hasn't happened yet but it will! She also had some clothes, a photo book of her life, perfume, a hamper full of sweets and chocolate etc.

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bendmeoverbackwards · 03/01/2021 08:23

Watching with interest, my dd turns 18 at the wnd of January.

MrsMiaWallis · 03/01/2021 08:25

An iphone and a necklace.

FippertyGibbett · 03/01/2021 08:28

A Tiffany necklace, and I’m surprised at how much she wears it.

Paleodiet · 03/01/2021 08:31

A Mulberry bag. She really wanted it and used a lot at first. She still has it, five years later but it never sees the light of day.

MrsMiaWallis · 03/01/2021 08:31

I posted on here years ago about getting dd a Tiffany necklce for her 18th and all posters pooh poohed Tiffany and posted various other neckace brands (none nice tbh). I ignored them and bought her the elsa peretti heart and she loves it and wears it all the time.

fromthesamecloth · 03/01/2021 08:35

Is she into music? We got DD a record player and spent ages finding her favourite albums on vinyl. She still uses her record player everyday and has it in her uni room Smile

MrsDThomas · 03/01/2021 08:42

My DD was 18 on the weekend of the lockdown in March so we had to cancel the restaurant and had a takeaway.

Gave her cash and a welsh Clogau bracelet and necklace to keep.

JhsLs · 03/01/2021 08:45

My parents bought me a second hand car

MargosKaftan · 03/01/2021 08:47

OK my dcs are still primary aged, but was discussing big birthday gifts as a few friends are turning 40, and one mentioned she still used the purse her aunt got her for her 21st. Was chanel, so classic. While handbags might change, a jewellery fashions and styles change, a purse might be a long term gift.

Dowser · 03/01/2021 08:55

A car

ErrolTheDragon · 03/01/2021 08:56

a purse might be a long term gift.

Or a museum piece ...cash may become pretty much obsolete.
The one thing I have from that age which I still use (though not a present, something I bought myself) is a key ring. I suppose keys may well become obsolete too.

Meandyouandyouandme · 03/01/2021 08:58

My DD had an watch for her 18th, and I got a sewing machine for mine, which is coming up to 32 years old! Shock

StopSquirtingBleachOnCaneToads · 03/01/2021 09:00

I know this isn't what you asked, but if you asked her what she wanted and she said cash, then I would probably just give her cash. You could always get her a few other small bits so she has stuff to open.

August20 · 03/01/2021 09:02

Way back when I got a watch and money for my gap year. The cash was very useful tbh.

RoseDog · 03/01/2021 09:04

My dd is 18 in a few weeks and wants cash so I will give her cash and a token keepsake gift and alcohol of some sort obviously 🙄.

She has been planning a party in head for years and now that won't happen, even a meal out is looking unlikely this year!

FecktheBoss · 03/01/2021 09:05

A car, she was struggling to pass her test without extra practice on the road and she needed her licence as it's a condition for her uni course.

chocolatespiders · 03/01/2021 09:06

A mac book- 5 years later she still uses it everyday.
DD 17 is 18 this year and I am struggling for ideas.

SomethingRandomAgain · 03/01/2021 09:10

My 20 year old it was just a small amount of jewellery but as a family we also went on a comedy cruise for a long weekend because she didn’t want a party, plus she was already travelling overseas a few months later so some nice luggage too. Mine already had bought herself a decent iPhone but that ,I gut have been a possibility if she doesn’t have a good phone, maybe ask her what she wants?

So perhaps later after covid an experience? Skydiving, hot air ballooning, these are things where I live in Australia that are popular. Most kids here also can drive by themselves when they’re 18 (L plates at 16, can drive alone by 17/18) so a contribution to a second hand car would also be something kids would appreciate.

MargeryMcLatchie · 03/01/2021 09:20

I spent two whole days finding and sorting out photos from her first 18 years and putting them into a printed photo book. It cost around £50 to get printed but I've been very lazy with photos since she was small and it's a lovely record to have them all in one place and in approximate chronological order.
We also promised her an inter-rail ticket / money for a holiday or festival tickets (I had in my head around £500) Obviously the post A-level summer 2020 didn't happen as planned but the IOU is still there for when it can.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/01/2021 09:23

DH put together a photo collection, iirc he put it onto a dvd and a memory stick.

Haggertyjane · 03/01/2021 09:59

A car

Facade1983 · 03/01/2021 10:22

Premium bonds - it's fun winning little prizes every now and then (and she might win £1000000 and keep you in luxury in your old age....)

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