Help really need some help with ideas for non expensive18th birthday presents for boys and a couple of ideas. Due to being in the midst of a shitstorm I have a week!

[Vanskapl1g]

My daughter is poorly and we are struggling to keep head above water with stress at the moment. Haven’t had the head space to sort any presents or little things to make day special. She was ill last year too and we were in hospital so they didn’t even have a cake. Going out for lunch but I have bought and done nothing else. Help! Any ideas? Gifts, what else can I do? Can’t spend a fortune and they don’t want anything so putting money I would have spent on a small main gift to one side for when they do. How can I make the day a bit special? Any little present ideas?

Is this your son who’s turning 18? Or your poorly daughter? Your op isn’t clear.

Twin boys turning 18

Could you do a hamper of favourite food, maybe with a cook book and some accessories- e.g. skillet, book, steak seasoning, sauces. Or a sandwich maker, recipe book and some nice condiments. The food you probably would have bought in anyway but putting it together makes it seem more substantial and if you are spending time away it helps him to cater for himself.

Buy a cake maybe.

Does he have any hobbies? Is he planning to go to uni?

If you are in hospital a lot would you have time to compile some photos of their first 18yrs and do each of them a little album. Can anyone else help out - family friends, their friends?

Tickets to a festival or show
Money for a holiday
Have they had driving lessons?
Little gifts - I got mine a st Christopher - the patron saint of travel - for his journey into adulthood.
Decorate the house with banners and balloons, get a lovely cake, have your lunch out and get the baby photos out to reminisce!!

Only got a week.Not in hospital at the moment but on horizon. If admitted on their birthday we’d spend it with them this time.

Little present for £10 from Amazon is a tub of jelly beans. I buy these for teens if I don't know what they're into and they've always been well received.

So am I right in thinking you have a daughter who is unwell, and twin boys who aren't. The twin boys missed their birthday last year due to illness of your daughter, and you've not had time to sort things this year?

So you're looking for "bits" because you don't want to give a main present as they don't currently want it?

What sort of budget are you thinking? Do they have any hobbies?

I'd have loved baking things as "smaller" stuff for my 18th but those costs canv still add up.

I think my brother would have liked things for his bike, or stuff like a new game or controller. But it will depend so much on what the boys are like.

Above ideas of a photo book are great! I have always meant to do this for significant birthdays, but never had the opportunity.

100 beers scratch off poster
This is the best pen they’ll ever use and it’ll last ages

Yes Gladioli23 that’s it in a nutshell. Some great ideas. Won’t have time for photo book.Bday 25th. I’m running round in circles like a headless chicken feeling like the worlds worst mother.

I think you must buy a cake. It’s symbolic, that despite all the madness and their sisters’ illness you haven’t forgotten them and are doing something specifically for them.

I’m sorry you’re having a rough time. How about paying for pizza and beer for them and a few friends? Then even if you’re with your daughter they’re still celebrating. If you want a keepsake then I think the pen mentioned above is a nice idea. Hope you and your daughter are ok

I'm sorry to hear you ate having such a tricky time op
How about them having a few friends round, firepit, dominoes or similar?
That's what my ds did for his 18th earlier this year. He really enjoyed it.
Cake can be shop bought but you'll need candles. Do you have banners etc? They can be bought really cheaply from places like the card factory
Big 18 helium balloons?
You probably do have time to do a photobook if you pay extra for expedited delivery (£10?) But I appreciate you may not have a headspace atm
You don't give a budget so it's tricky
Favourite foods hamper? My ds1s would contain tomato ketchup, Popcorn, pretzels...:)

2 Colin the caterpillar cakes from M&S, 18 candles and 2 of those frothing sparkly ones

Tiger do these blow up shiny balloons in letters and numbers £1 each & also do these blow up balloon Happy Birthday banners in blue (or pink) for a few £ - DH did one for my birthday and it looked really great

I think the St Christopher is a lovely idea - would be lots of places online that could deliver in time i f no shops nearby to buy from

Pizza & beer evening

Book local fave pub for lunchtime first legal drink

Meant to add I'm sure if you asked a couple of good friends to pick certain things up for you eg balloons etc they would be more than happy to especially in the circumstances – delegation is your friend

Takeaway pizza from one of those fancy artisan places, ask them whats best
Money in an envelope always goes down well here
Any news games for their consoles they want?
Sorry you are under stress

What kind of illness is your daughter experiencing? Depending on if it’s something massive and debilitating, would they mind “moving” their birthday to when she’s out of hospital (as in, celebration etc)?

For gifts, money is always well received by teens. Trainers too, hoodies also seem really popular. Are they into gaming? Gift vouchers for games are another idea. Headphones etc too.

Headphones is definitely a good idea. You can get wireless ones that are pretty decent reasonably inexpensively now.

My brother would also definitely still have liked things like a yard of Jaffa cakes or whatever at 18. I would have enjoyed nice editions of a book I liked. Things to take to uni might also work? Or if they have particular hobbies then things for that? Stuff for the car - phone holder?/charging port and wire to go into the cigarette lighter if that's the age of car they have - if they drive.

www.hotukdeals.com/deals/adidas-ps35-gift-card-and-ps15-promotional-gift-card-ps50-total-for-ps35-at-groupon-3794843

I ordered a mug with ‘oh carp I’m an adult*
Type thing
Order a cake or even cupcakes - less of a waiting list
Like the idea of a photo album - print at books or local photo shop - most have app

Order their favorite snacks and beers etc -

If it’s still nice out - why not arrange a garden pre party if they want to go out after with friends

Pick up a few banners for photos.

My twins love Colin the caterpillar. For their 18th we bought two, cut the end off one and the head off the other and did a cut and shut Colin so he was twice as long