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Original poster

18th birthday help

60 replies

rainbowstardrops · 07/02/2023 14:25

My DD is turning 18 in the quite near future and I'm stumped as to a special gift/gifts!

She loves animals but is very less than keen on people 😁
She is studying animal management at college and carries out her college work experience at a local petting zoo.

I've already bought her some jewellery (not expensive but relevant to her and her birthday) but I'm going round in circles looking for anything else!

I've been looking at animal experiences, ideally south of the Midlands but nothing seems 'perfect' right now.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I think Whipsnade looks kind of promising. She's shy and like I said, really isn't a people's person.

Or any other ideas for a people hating girl who isn't into fashion/makeup etc???

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 07/02/2023 14:27

Is she driving yet ?

emmathedilemma · 07/02/2023 14:28

Our local zoo does zoo keeper experience days although I'm not sure if they're more aimed at younger kids or would be too close to her college work?
do you have an alpaca trekking place locally?
A weekend in Edinburgh, home to the only Pandas in the UK (at the zoo!) and they're probably going back to China later this year so not long left to see them.

Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 07/02/2023 14:38

@KangarooKenny no she isn't driving yet and hasn't shown any interest in learning so far

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Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 07/02/2023 14:44

@emmathedilemma she has already had a 'child' animal experience at the small zoo nearby a good few years ago and together with her college placement, I was kind of hoping for something a bit 'bigger' if you know what I mean?
Like big cats/giraffes/rhinos etc rather than meerkats and the like.

The 'big' experiences are so expensive, which I'm happy to pay but I'd like to be able to take photos etc too!

I think I'm looking for something that doesn't exist 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 07/02/2023 14:45

Love the idea of the pandas at Glasgow but that probably couldn't be much further away from where we are! I'll look into it though 👍🏻

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emmathedilemma · 07/02/2023 15:59

it's Edinburgh not Glasgow! Do you love her to the tune of £5000? ;) www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/pandas/

Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 07/02/2023 23:13

@emmathedilemma where on earth did I get Glasgow from?!!!! 🙈
£5000 is a little out of my price range lol!

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Ssplicer · 08/02/2023 00:59

What about a day at a bird sanctuary, falcons, owls

Or an aquarium

Trainhel · 08/02/2023 01:14

What about the lodges at West Midland Safari Park that overlook an enclosure, they have a giraffe one. Maybe a bit pricy www.safari-lodges.co.uk/giraffe-lodge/

Itisbetter · 08/02/2023 01:20

A dog? I mean not literally wrapped up with a wagging tail I mean a dog for a pet that she could choose and raise and train herself. It sounds like she is the sort of young woman who might want that sort of lifetime friendship?

007DoubleOSeven · 08/02/2023 01:45

What about Kent big cat sanctuary?

thebigcatsanctuary.org/experiences/

Think they've filmed their gorgeous Panther being hand reared before.

Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 08/02/2023 07:08

I will definitely look into those suggestions - thank you!

@Itisbetter she would definitely like some kind of pet (she's always banging on about pigs/sheep/goats etc but not sure our garden is large enough!
We have a grumpy 10 year old cat who I'm sure wouldn't appreciate a dog. Nor would DH!
My DD would really love another kitty but I don't think our lovely old girl would like a new addition. Who knows?

OP posts:
MikeWozniaksMohawk · 08/02/2023 07:13

I know you said south of midlands but I’m not sure exactly where you are. Cotswold Wildlife Park do full day keeper experiences Link!

Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 08/02/2023 09:06

Oh that looks good @MikeWozniaksMohawk
It would probably involve an overnight stay but that's fine.
I've got lots to look into!

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Alexandernevermind · 08/02/2023 11:35

Not too far out is Crocodiles of the World for experiences, mine have been on them and loved feeding the crocodiles.
The Alpaca farm in Ashby is East Midlands and popular.
You could book her some horse riding lessons if you think she'll like that?

Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 08/02/2023 12:00

Ooh I've not heard of Crocodiles of the World! I'll have a look at that.
She went on an alpaca walk last year for her birthday, so not sure she'd want to do that again just yet.
When she was little, she really wanted to have horse riding lessons but they were sooo expensive and we just didn't have the money.
An old school friend who doesn't have children but has always had horses, put me off saying if she got into it, we'd have to remortgage! 😂
I'll have a think though, thanks.

OP posts:
MegBusset · 08/02/2023 12:05

Banham Zoo in Norfolk has giraffe feeding experience if not too far?

Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 10/02/2023 11:56

Thank you @MegBusset. It's a little far but as with most of the other possibilities, it would involve an overnight stay but that's not too much of a problem.

I'll have a look.

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Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 10/02/2023 12:03

Also, any non animal experience ideas?

She's not into fashion or makeup. Doesn't really like people (apart from her friends obviously) because she's quite shy.

I'm thinking of maybe an engraved crystal glass as she is actually looking forward to being legally allowed to drink 🙈 but I don't want to encourage that too much! 🤣 I had thought about a cocktail making evening but again, I'm not sure about encouraging that.

She likes her hot chocolate but she already has a velvetiser and hot choc bits and pieces.

She's so difficult to buy for!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 10/02/2023 12:25

Alexandernevermind · 08/02/2023 11:35

Not too far out is Crocodiles of the World for experiences, mine have been on them and loved feeding the crocodiles.
The Alpaca farm in Ashby is East Midlands and popular.
You could book her some horse riding lessons if you think she'll like that?

Do you mean Charnwood forest alpaca's. I came on here to digest that. They have a cafe that does afternoon tea etc. or you could wait a bit and do a Cria watch.

ChicoryDip · 10/02/2023 12:36

Yorkshire Wildlife Park also do experiences. And have polar bears if that might be of interest.

It might be an overnight stay but they also have a new hotel there so you can stay in the park looking out over some of the animals.

reluctantbrit · 10/02/2023 12:38

Spa day but it depends if she feels too exposed, you said she is a bit shy.
Shopping and theatre visit with an overnight stay

Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 10/02/2023 12:39

Oh that's interesting @ChicoryDip. It's too far for a day trip but I have a close relative that lives in Yorkshire, so could combine a holiday!!! Will look into that too!

OP posts:
Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 10/02/2023 12:41

@reluctantbrit great idea but we already have a spa day voucher to arrange. It was a gift to both of us pre-Covid and they thankfully re-issued our voucher. I can't particularly see her enjoying it but now she'll be 18, there will be so many more treatments etc available to her and we get to go away together!

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Original poster
rainbowstardrops · 10/02/2023 12:43

Also, she doesn't enjoy shopping as she's not into fashion etc. It's a chore to go into Primark for a pair of jeans! 🤣
I'd like it though ...... I'd like to go and see 2.22 in London. Maybe I'll go by myself!!!

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