Ideas to make DD's 18th birthday special?

[peaceanddove]

DD turns 18 next month (How? How?) and I'm a bit stuck on how to make her birthday feel special when we can't go anywhere, or really do anything

So far, I've arranged to have a full afternoon tea delivered + cake, and I've bought a really pretty vintage china tea set off eBay to serve it all in. I've also ordered a bouquet of helium balloons to be delivered. But, I've now drawn a blank

Any creative ideas are very gratefully received x

I did 18 presents for my daughter. Just little things but each reminding of our years together. A Winnie the Pooh mug, a Sully hot water bottle, a silver bracelet with an inscription (from not on the high street) etc. Got a personalised cake topper and badge. It went down really well. Got her a big pressie too but my partners had got her a car so I didn’t need to go too mad 😂😂

I love the idea of 18 little gifts. We've already bought her two big presents, but still want to get her some bits to open. Good idea x

My ds had his 18th. In lockdown. All his mates turned up on the drive stood 2 m apart made a right load of noise got his attention and sang Happy Birthday to him at top of lungs with musical accompaniments through his bedroom window. He was touched ...I was grateful cos I felt so sorry for him on Lockdown.

Parents not partners!

Buy her some drinks and put the music up and have a dance party!

Get some party games.

Ask family to send video messages for her to watch after tea!

Invite her friends to a zoom call so they can play games or chat

I recently did a balloon arch with 100 balloons in favourite colour, which DD loved, and all colour coordinated presents underneath. Also good to photograph for social media opportunities. Favourite treat breakfast and evening meal.

I’m keeping an eye on this as didn’t 18 later this year, I’m loving everyone’s ideas.

My mum always does the number of gifts of your age especially if it’s a big birthday.

Zoom party with family and friend, a video message from everyone as a keep sake to look back on, a special gift, afternoon tea, balloons and a cake sound perfect!

Hot tub hire?

DS was 18 in the first lockdown. I really didn't want him to feel he'd missed out too much so we did vodkas jelly and a drinking game
Not too much obviously but I wanted him to have a typical teenage birthday. We had a good time

Frame and hang up 18 photos of her.

As someone in their early 20s, I think the average 18 year old would want to spend their birthday with friends. Allow her time out of the day to go out for a walk with a friend/boyfriend or let her spend the evening FaceTiming her friends if she wants to. Don’t place rigid expectations of her having to be with the family all day.

The tea set idea sounds cute. I really like the balloons and 18 gifts idea, that will feel special. This might sound cringeworthy but instagrammable decor will probably be a hit

As she’s legally allowed to drink, maybe you can make some homemade cocktails together? It will be fun. If she’s into going out and getting dressed up, maybe you can all get ready together and take photos etc? So it would feel be similar to if she was seeing her mates.

Definitely get all her favourite food in, whether it’s home cooked or just Nando’s deliveroo.

For my 40th my DH had put up 40 balloons with reasons why him & my DD loved me - it was such a lovely idea - could you do something similar?
With the teens (similar age) for NYE we all got dressed up, had a 4 course meal & did a different game with each course, also did a cocktail making competition with them.

Can you get videos from all her besties wishing her happy birthday? Or organise with one of them a suprise zoom catch up for her - maybe have delivered a mini bottle of fizz each so they can toast her together.

My dd had her 17th in lockdown 1 and has her 18th in April when I'm hoping that something will be open for her. If not I was thinking of delivering some party bags to her friends (they will be 18 already) so they can some cake and have a cocktail while they chat online.

She did an online escape room with her friends and one of them organized a delivery of some cake which was very sweet.

Does she have a favourite TV star or pop star? write to their management and ask for a bday message.That will be one prezzie she wouldnt forget! I have done this twice,One I had to pay for and one the person just did a video message free cos they were kind and lovely.My son has just turned 30 and he has just had a video for his bday and one contributor was his favourite contestant on a reality show.It went down really well.

Home Bargains have balloon arches for £3.49. They will look great on social media

Hire a hot tub for her to lie around in.

Exactly what someone else said - at 18 I would be a) itching to see friends, b) grateful for money in the bank towards a car, education, somewhere to live or a holiday in the future. Don’t be sucked in by all the social media just for a photo expensive nonsense, home made cake, present - and I agree a good cocktail!!

Just out of curiosity how much did the balloons and delivered afternoon tea snd cake cost? May I ask?

I have lots of local businesses offering afternoon tea on Facebook. I'd check there for a recommended local company.

@sherberr I bought confetti balloons from pound shops, 10 for a pound and some complementary colour ones as they were quite translucent when blown up, again a pound per pack. And metal wire and ribbon about £4.

Some fantastic ideas, thank you so much.

@Sherberr

Just out of curiosity how much did the balloons and delivered afternoon tea snd cake cost? May I ask?

All in I think the afternoon tea and cake is about £130ish? The balloon bouquet was about £40 incl delivery.