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Original poster

How much to give child's 18th

65 replies

workiskillingme · 06/11/2022 21:56

Birthday ? I know it's all relative but if i could have some ideas please as to what people have given and think is a normal amount
Thanks

OP posts:
OldWivesTale · 06/11/2022 23:47

We bought ours a cheapish car - about £1500. But this was a one off because he was 18 and had just passed his test and needed a car. I appreciate most people can't afford to do this.

grannyjacob · 07/11/2022 00:00

G’son’s 18th - He didn’t have a car of his own at the time, but I gave him the cash to buy the private number plate he wanted, plus the cash to register it. Was a few hundred £. He’d just passed his test and I jokingly mentioned number plates and he jumped at the idea, immediately started looking.

Smallfry79 · 07/11/2022 00:00

I know there is no right answer to this question but Im also interested in the replies.
My oldest will be 18 next month. We did a weekend break as a family a few weeks ago which I had said was partly for his birthday. He wants a laptop, specifically a macbook which I feel is a bit much about €1,100 I think
Now Im thinking I might get it for him. He will hopefully be going to university next year and need a laptop then anyway so why not make it his birthday present.

His Christmas present will be light this year then though! Ive always strived to treat them very separately even though just a few days apart.

So yeah while I had initially thought to buy something around €3/400 I will probably exceed that now but it is for something he will need soon anyway just a better model. (Yes I know I am trying hard to justify that kind of money to myself :-) )

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Events & celebrations
BrokenWing · 07/11/2022 00:00

As others say it is all relative to what you can afford or any savings over the years. Ds got an old Fiesta 1L and the first years insurance as a combined Xmas and 18th birthday that year.

He also got the savings account we started when he was born which he is feeding into a LISA for a future house deposit.

PegasusReturns · 07/11/2022 00:07

Depends on what you can afford I assume.

DD picked a piece of jewellery from my collection, plus I got her bits and pieces (handbag, perfume etc)

She had cash from my grand parents (now deceased) that came available to her at 18 and her godmother had a very generous savings plan that matured. Both of which I’m encouraging her to continue to save.

Thursa · 07/11/2022 02:28

We gave ours $1000 at 18.

AfterSchoolWorry · 07/11/2022 08:07

Probably €500

TeenDivided · 07/11/2022 08:10

If you can afford it, then maybe double the normal budget + a keepsafe?
Some of the sums mentioned here are a lot and as we have no idea whether your usual budget is £20 or £200 it is difficult to say.

mileaminute · 07/11/2022 08:14

A couple of years ago, we were in a much better financial position than we are now. Bought him a ring that was around 1600 and gave him 500 cash. There is no way we could afford that now.

LetYouGo · 07/11/2022 08:15

We gave our son £1k and a few gifts like aftershave, trainers, T-shirt’s.

Ourlittleharmonica · 07/11/2022 08:18

A second hand car worth around £600. Didn't want a party so also gave £150 for food and drink with a few of their friends.

RoseBucket · 07/11/2022 08:20

My daughter received the Gov child trust fund when she turned 18 I’d added bits over the years, biggest regret was not adding more but I kept forgetting about it, anyway that has given her enough to not have to work during first year of Uni, she has to juggle Uni and placements. Although she hasn’t touched it yet.

Presents, a few nice pieces of jewellery. Most of her friends received cars!

She will have to wait until she has passed her test for that. If I can afford it.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 07/11/2022 08:22

We spend a bit more than normal. So it’ll add up to £150. (I know this is less than some spend normally but it’s more than we can afford to)
And we buy a special cake rather than the big standard made by me/supermarket special
We’ve asked if they want us to
do anything else (second child about to turn 18) and they’ve both said they’re content with what we’re doing .

majellalos · 07/11/2022 08:24

We spent about £150 and a small garden party as all we could afford
Ds was grateful though

why wouldn't he be-sounds plenty? The way you say 'though' makes it sound like you bought him a pint.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 07/11/2022 08:26

I’m not that poster but we’re at similar levels of spending and it can feel like we’re really not generous when you look at the amounts other spend.
Interestingly though, we’re pretty much the only posters who mentioned how our offspring felt about it.

huuskymam · 07/11/2022 08:26

We don't give money to our kids but nieces and nephews would get €100 on big birthdays. My son got a gaming computer (about 1200) and my daughter got the latest iPhone (abou 1000). They would also get smaller presents like clothes, perfume sets.

majellalos · 07/11/2022 08:27

A couple of years ago, we were in a much better financial position than we are now. Bought him a ring that was around 1600 and gave him 500 cash. There is no way we could afford that now

that sounds mad really- 2100 for an 18 yo and a ring at 1600?

It's no wonder you are in a less financial position spending that amount on a birthday.

LadyDanburysHat · 07/11/2022 08:29

DS1 turned 18 last year. He got a private plate for his car, and a couple of small gifts totalling around £300.

We weren't well off but my Dad gave me £250 for driving lessons for my 18th back in the 90s.

NoDairyNoProblem · 07/11/2022 08:30

Like others say, it’s all relevant.

Usual birthday budget is around £200 for DC’s plus a family meal.

We have 2 DC already 18 and both got latest iPhone, outfit and perfume/aftershave so around £1000.
Each had a party at home for friends and family then a meal for nuclear family.

We will do something similar for 21st birthdays too.

Appleblum · 07/11/2022 08:30

Instead of money I'd buy a nice piece of jewellery, a watch, or an experience (i.e a grand holiday).

My mom got me a diamond necklace and it'll be with me forever.

kitcat15 · 07/11/2022 08:31

Mine are now 31 28 and 24....the oldest 2 got 200£ ....youngest got a bit more but we had finished our mortgage then so a lot better off

Babyiwantabump · 07/11/2022 08:32

I gave £180 . And from now on this will go up by £10 every year . It’s just what my parents did for me so I will do the same

GrandOleOpryNights · 07/11/2022 08:32

We gave our son £1000, a few gifts and a party at our house. We also went for a meal as a family to his favourite restaurant.

LadyWithLapdog · 07/11/2022 08:33

Driving lessons which DS wanted but then didn’t actually organise so in the end…nothing. His choice. He did have some bits and bobs.

badassbaby · 07/11/2022 08:36

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 07/11/2022 08:26

I’m not that poster but we’re at similar levels of spending and it can feel like we’re really not generous when you look at the amounts other spend.
Interestingly though, we’re pretty much the only posters who mentioned how our offspring felt about it.

Really?
Ok I'm giving my dd £1000.
She's incredibly grateful as she's putting it towards her gap year travelling.
She's had a very tough few years with her mental health and is only just coming through it.
We all love our children, regardless as to what we give them as presents.

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