What did you get your daughter for her 18th birthday present?

[Mushroomwithaview]

Or, what would you get if you had a daughter turning 18?

Or, what sort of thing did you get, if it's too outing to say exactly?

I am thinking probably jewelry, or maybe a timeless bag? She likes bags but I'm not very confident I know her style. I sometimes get it wrong.

She's not really got her finger on the pulse - tends to like what she likes regardless of fashion.

I'm trying to remember what my parents gave me for my 18th. A necklace, I think?

Another one whose DD didn’t want jewellery etc and we took her on a European city break, it was amazing.

My DS got his trust fund money. DsD will get the same

A Macbook and diamond earrings

At 18 I was definitely not responsible enough for diamonds/expensive jewellery/designer bags! I would have lost or damaged them. Plus was not in my parents budget. So I didn't get anything significant but think I did go away for the weekend which was a fun trip, being 18 and all.

A new laptop, as she was about to go to university. She is practical and although I liked the idea of something to 'keep', I was aware her tastes in jewellery may change as I no longer wear the jewellery an aunt bought for my 18th (far less use the expensive fountain pen another family member bought me for my 21st) so was happy to buy something more immediately useful.

Gave her £500 for driving lessons. This was on top of the £500 we gave her for driving lessons on her 17th, which was during lockdown so was spent online on clothes. The second £500 went the same way. She’s turning 20 now and still never had a driving lesson. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I was given a copy of grand theft auto 4 for my PS3 and the newest album from a band I liked.

I got an Astley Clarke locket. They can put a photo inside properly. I put a photo of her and her sister in. She never takes it off.

I think I just got money for my 18th. 21 is the big birthday in my family and I got a bracelet that I still wear today nearly 20 years later.

Its my dds 18th later this year. So far I've got her 2 pairs of bear pjs which I'll know she'll love. Will probably get her a special necklace too, don't know what else though

My DD got 2 nights at Alton Towers with a friend, a new laptop and a shopping trip for some clothes.

Dd got a car.

I didn’t get a “thing” for my 18th but it was money towards my gap year. I think even if I hadn’t been doing that I would have placed more store on an experience than an object but that’s a personal preference. I’m not very sentimental, and my family know that about me.

How do you know she is future DIL at 18???? That’s a VERY expensive gift for someone who isn’t actually related to you - but wow, you’d make a great MIL so 👏🏻👏🏻

I have made a 0-18 photobook and she's getting theatre tickets, a meal out with family and a night out with friends. She doesn't wear jewellery apart from beads bought on holiday type things, wouldn't use a nice bag (she uses rucksacks from Sports Direct), and isn't interested in learning to drive. We had similar problems with DS. Maybe I'll think of a suitable keepsake for their 21sts. I can't remember what I was given for my 18th TBH.

A trip to NYC. Fortunately she'd mentioned wanting to go well in advance so I had a couple of years to save

Loads of great ideas here.

Can't afford a car, unfortunately.

A trip is a good idea, but we've planned a little family trip around birthday time, and I am saving a trip for something very particular we want to do for her 21st.

She does love jewelry and is very careful about looking after things. I'll know the right thing when I find it. Budget is probably about £100. I'm looking a bracelets with her favourite stone. I think she's be thrilled with something old or antique.

Another idea I had is a nice bound set of Emily Bronte or Jane Austen. I think she'd be thrilled with those.

We will also do a fancy lunch party at home and invite all the family and friends.

An iPhone plus a simple gold necklace. Plus some other small bits.

We looked at getting her a necklace with her birthstone but as the birthstone was pink and she hates pink we didn't get that but the gold one instead. Look at the birthstone necklaces or bracelets. They're usually really lovely.

Another idea I had is a nice bound set of Emily Bronte or Jane Austen. I think she'd be thrilled with those

Try The Folio Society for these, they usually have ilustrated & lovely bound editions.

Or go for 2nd hand ebay or abeBooks again search criteria Folio Society.... although abeBooks will have some vintage/ antique sets as well from the 1920's & 30's. You need to check for titles, as often the popular ones will be missing!

Just in case you don't know your paper, avoid cheap 1940's - 1970's editions... they are often of very poor quality.

I think a special bit of jewellery is a lovely idea. I got a Tiffany necklace for my 18th from my mum, i’m 27 now and still wearing it.

I went to NYC as a 21st present so I could have a few cocktails!

Dd got a designer bag and purse that she had her eye on.

i got a holiday to Disney in Florida for my 18th many moons ago.

child 1 a nice watch, child 2 didn't want a nice watch so got private number plates.

Mine had a Pandora bracelet and then family members bought her a charm of their choice, grandparents got her a matching ring.
I also took her to Paris for a long weekend.

I don't remember getting anything significant for mine and got the eldest some jewellery, I think, (not particularly expensive though as just assumed she'd lose it) and some money. The youngest asked for us to pay for a short trip abroad with her friends.