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18th Birthday gift?

19 replies

flagpie · 14/06/2023 11:13

Just looking for ideas for my friends daughter, I usually give her money but I'm looking for something different but not the typical necklace or Pandora charm (her family have all that) - budget up to £50 but if lower end I will give the cash to make it up.

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Ginola2345 · 14/06/2023 11:18

They are so hard to buy for as most only really want phones and fashion things and what one 18 year old would like another would absolutely hate with a passion.

A friend once suggested something to me for my daughter one Christmas as her slightly older daughter and her friends all had them and loved them (it was a bracelet). My daughter wore hers on Christmas day and it has never seen the light of day since. They also don’t really like keepsakes which we had.

How about maybe a bottle of champagne?

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Bluevelvetsofa · 14/06/2023 11:21

I bought my granddaughter a bracelet that she asked for. I’ve never seen her wear it. I bought my son is signet ring. He wore that.

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mindutopia · 14/06/2023 11:58

Honestly, I would ask your friend. A gift card to a favourite shop for clothes or to buy something for a hobby/sport she's into. But really, cash is probably best. I could not even tell you what if anything anyone bought me for my 18th, but money would have been appreciated.

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Lampzade · 14/06/2023 11:59

Give her the money

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flagpie · 14/06/2023 12:03

Thanks but I'm not looking to give just money, I would like something that notes the birthday as a special one. Her family are very much into that. I won't ask, her mum isn't a fan of people asking what to get, I never did it when they were little and we switched to cash when they turned 13.

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caringcarer · 14/06/2023 12:43

I bet the child would prefer cash as that way they can get something they really want. Rather than getting some keepsake that never comes out it's box. My DC all have about 8 Christening gifts but also had some money I to their bank accounts. When my youngest son moved out I asked what about all these Christening keepsakes as Nd he said 'oh give them to a charity shop'. I said aren't you even going to look at them? He said 'no'. My DD didn't want hers either and she was given a beautiful gold locket. Again off to charity shop.

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flagpie · 14/06/2023 12:49

caringcarer · 14/06/2023 12:43

I bet the child would prefer cash as that way they can get something they really want. Rather than getting some keepsake that never comes out it's box. My DC all have about 8 Christening gifts but also had some money I to their bank accounts. When my youngest son moved out I asked what about all these Christening keepsakes as Nd he said 'oh give them to a charity shop'. I said aren't you even going to look at them? He said 'no'. My DD didn't want hers either and she was given a beautiful gold locket. Again off to charity shop.

Sorry I don't want to be rude but I am specifically asking about gifts not cash. It doesn't matter if it's never used the family love stuff like that to denote special birthdays.

She has been working full time for 2 years so a small amount of cash is neither here nor there.

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Blanketpolicy · 14/06/2023 12:53

I like keepsakes for 18th, 21st birthdays but as her mums friend it is really not your place to buy a "keepsake", but I understand you wanting to buy a nice/memorable gift.

The last 18th I bought for I bought a cocktail shaker, engraved with a funny personal message (cheap off of etsy), cocktail glass, and enclosed a recipe for a Woo Woo and the ingredients (bottle of peach snapps, 1/2 bottle vodka, cranberry juice carton, a couple of limes) and wrapped nicely.

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ilovemydogmore · 14/06/2023 12:56

I got so much rubbish from mum's friend on my milestone birthdays of lovely things that cost a lot of money (but that I really didn't want) and it was really upsetting because I was absolutely desperate for cash to enjoy my summer!

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PegasusReturns · 14/06/2023 12:59

My daughter got some lovely keepsakes for her 18th and the ones she really treasures are:

A leather tassel key ring (think it was Anna hindmarch or similar)

a silver thimble (she’s a very creative sewer)

a wooden keepsake box

a painting that the giver had painted

a small embroidery of something significant to her.

an antique silver locket

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flagpie · 14/06/2023 13:00

I like keepsakes for 18th, 21st birthdays but as her mums friend it is really not your place to buy a "keepsake", but I understand you wanting to buy a nice/memorable gift.

We have actually don't this for years.

13th 16th for hers and all of my kids up until 21st.

It's not your place to decide whether it's appropriate or not. I was just asking for ideas

This thread has gone so wrong.

I'm sorry for coming across rude here but I am so frustrated now.

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MrsSamR · 14/06/2023 13:01

I think a bottle of champagne is a good idea and maybe a nice crystal flute with her birth date engraved on it so she has a keepsake too

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flagpie · 14/06/2023 13:01

PegasusReturns · 14/06/2023 12:59

My daughter got some lovely keepsakes for her 18th and the ones she really treasures are:

A leather tassel key ring (think it was Anna hindmarch or similar)

a silver thimble (she’s a very creative sewer)

a wooden keepsake box

a painting that the giver had painted

a small embroidery of something significant to her.

an antique silver locket

Thank you!

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MrsSamR · 14/06/2023 13:01

Or a hip flask with her initials and birth date engraved on it?

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flagpie · 14/06/2023 13:02

ilovemydogmore · 14/06/2023 12:56

I got so much rubbish from mum's friend on my milestone birthdays of lovely things that cost a lot of money (but that I really didn't want) and it was really upsetting because I was absolutely desperate for cash to enjoy my summer!

She has been working full time for 2 years and saving shit loads as she still lives at home. She can enjoy summer without a small cash gift from me.

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flagpie · 14/06/2023 13:02

MrsSamR · 14/06/2023 13:01

Or a hip flask with her initials and birth date engraved on it?

That's actually a really cool idea and would suit her down to the ground!!

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PressPauseontheMenopause · 14/06/2023 13:03

How about a ticket to a concert? I went to Harry Styles last night and honestly it was joyous to see the happiness in young people. You could see what's coming up and check with your friend who she is into. Or a musical - same joy!! Wicked, Mamma Mia etc. x

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MrsSamR · 14/06/2023 13:06

flagpie · 14/06/2023 13:02

That's actually a really cool idea and would suit her down to the ground!!

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Aspinal do nice ones and they'll engrave them for you. I got one for my friend for her birthday. They have a sale on too!

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NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 14/06/2023 13:18

My girls (just a bit older) love Astrid and Miyu jewellery which isn't too crazy expensive.

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