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?

You gave your dd your engagement ring? Why? Didn't you want to keep it?

My exh bought her a cheap car. I gave her £1k and at that time it paid for her insurance. She included my name as a named driver.

Jewellery - but not until her 21st, as she didn't know what she wanted until then, and didn't want us to spend money unnecessarily. We also bought her a journalling Bible to take away to university with her, as that was a keepsake that was totally appropriate for her.

Gold bars

Following for ideas, my dd turns 18 in a few weeks.

I'm thinking an expensive necklace and a trip to Paris later in the year but could do with some ideas for smaller gifts to open.

Not 18th but 21st gift for my daughter which may work for you…..
I made 21 vouchers on vista print for 21 tickets for 21 concerts, show, gigs.
Each time she’s chosen one she sends me the voucher and I pay for it.
You could do the same for your 18th DD?
An unexpected bonus from this has been that we have seen 4 shows together which has been lovely!

My daughter turned 18 just under 2 years ago. We got her an Apple CarPlay system for her car (more for safety than anything). She knew about this as we needed her car to get it fitted.
We also bought her a small Valentino handbag and matching purse. She loved them as they were a total surprise!

My parents got me a personalied car number plate if your daughter drives?

Mine got a drum kit. Does your DD have any hobbies/passions that require expensive equipment she couldn't otherwise afford?

Trip to New York

Similar here: the plan was to give her a "My first 18 years" Photoalbum.
Even with strict editing I didn't manage to fit it into one album, so it turned into 5 albums.
Also gave her about £500.
Can't remember what she spent the money on, but she still loves the albums

Crikey, looks like I need to start saving. Is this level of generosity the norm for 18?

DD is very sentimental so she got a piece of jewellery that had been given to me when she was born. She also got a significant sum of money.

My mum got me a ticket to reading festival!
Best gift I could have got, if she's particularly into any festivals or a band/artist, or event then perhaps a ticket to that and a wonderful memory?

I've got 4 sisters. My parents offered us either a cheap car or a big party. All my sisters chose the car but I chose the big party. We're all old now but when we look back they all say I chose the best gift. They all remember my party but barely recall their first cars. Memories are priceless and last a lifetime.

Haha - it won't be in our house! Not unless we want to go without food for a month ;)

@SleepPrettyDarling @Mushroomwithaview We have noticed 18 seems bigger than 21 now. No one has to wait 21 to do anything do they? The other issue is that many 21 year olds are at university and sort out their own celebration at uni. What is spent clearly depends on family income but rural schools frequently have 6th form car parking info! Often cars are provided by grandparents.

A weekend in London with lots of shopping and a trip to the theatre to see a show of her choice!

A family heirloom watch, it’s very precious to me, and I’m still rather thrilled every time I put it on. Also part-paid for my ski trip that year, meant I had more to spend on après-ski 🥂

An experience.

I think it very much depends on the person. My Daughter had a car for 18th and I did for my 18th. My Son was not interested in driving at all and he had gaming PC/Laptop and associated stuff to go with it

we are pretty much doing the same - money and dinner out - she does not want jewellery - I have nothing memorable from my 18th and husband has a watch from his but its hideous and he wouldnt wear it now - just sits in drawer gathering dust

Our dd was 18 last year & she got a Tiffany white gold necklace with a pearl & diamond. And a Maje coat. And we took her & her best friend on week European holiday visiting 3 cities. She's incredibly lucky!

She didn't want a party

A posh 'classy' jewellery box with her name engraved on it, hoping it will be something that lasts a lifetime even as jewellery fashions change over the years.