Special gifts for 18 year old girl

[Akiddleydiveytoo]

My DD is turning 18 next month and we would like to mark the occasion with a special gift. Unfortunately, we have no idea what to get her 🙃

We're thinking maybe some jewellery (pandora charm bracelet maybe?) but we're wondering if any of you lovely lot have any ideas to inspire us.

So, what special gift did you get your DC when they turned 18? How did you mark the occasion?

Swanky watch. But DC1 is notoriously hard to buy for.

Do girls like Pandora these days? That seems very 2015 to me. Unless she’s been begging for one, it wouldn’t be my go to, as a bit childish rather than grown up.

I’d get her something a bit more classic and timeless that will be in style whether she is 18 or 40. A nice pair of diamond stud earrings if that’s in your budget. A pearl necklace used to be a big thing in my friend group, but I think that’s maybe a bit outdated now. A nice watch, but I think that’s something she needs to choose herself. I wouldn’t want a watch my parents bought me as probably wouldn’t be my taste. If it’s jewellery, honestly, I’d take her shopping and give her a budget, make a nice day of it.

Otherwise, what about a trip away just the two of you? If she’s moving out soon, it would be a lovely time to spend together. City break somewhere, let her choose within reason and help plan what to do. I’ve taken my dc away on a few 1 to 1 trips and they still talk about them years later because it’s rare to have time together just the two of us.

Depends. Is she a jewellery girl?
Does she care if bracelet is from a fancy jewellers or Claire's Accessories?
This is something I would just ask her if there is anything specific she would really like (tell her the budget).
If she doesn't want much then you can save money for when she might want/need something.
My daughter is 17 and pretty all she ever wants is cloth bound penguin classic books and limited edition Pokémon cards.
I doubt she will have changed much in a years time when she turns 18.

I agree with PPs, if you're unsure yourself of what to get your DD, I would simply ask her what she would like to mark this special occasion.
For instance I know none of my DCs would thank me for gifting them a watch.
They haven't worn them any of them, since they were young kids at school.
My DD would never thank me for diamond studs, she likes to choose her own unique pendants to put on a choker style necklace that she wears every day.

There are some great ideas on here already of how to mark this special day, but really, OP, perhaps in the next month you can go out for lunch with your DD and just ask her if she'd like to choose something or at least to give you an idea of something she would really like?

DD had a city break in Europe.

I agree that jewellery is so personal. However, after browsing in store at Pandora with my 17 year old DD yesterday- I can tell you it was mainly young women in there making purchases

A new macbook engraved with a sweet message xx

Mine turns 18 next week. She's getting a smart watch (her choice) and a fair few other bits and pieces including a special jellycat teddy and a poster and photo book from Snapfish with photos since she was a baby up until now

DD is 18 next year and I have already discussed with her about getting her a Pandora bracelet and a couple of charms.

Pandora is still very popular

An MacBook and a pair of sapphire earrings

DD wanted a professional photo shoot for her 18th birthday, so that was the gift! We found a photographer, booked a studio per their recommendation and hired a make-up artist. We planned the whole thing in advance, she went there a week before her birthday and we asked the photographer to send us some pictures first so that we'd make a happy birthday slideshow with these photos (you can also make one with childhood pictures, here is a guide to do so). She didn't know about the video, so she was really surprised and she got all her pictures on her actual birthday. If your DD likes photography or enjoys being photographed, likes dressing up and stuff, it could be a great idea.

One of the things I gave ds was a concertina file with his important documents in - I've had one since my early 20s. So his passport, national insurance number, bank statements etc. It was a physical handing over of responsibilities (obviously I still help him!)

In my case I also gave him his dad's rings and watch (dh died 4 years before). If you have a piece of family jewellery or something of yours that you don't wear any more it would be a nice time to give it.

You could put the jewellery budget youve thought of into a LISA or an investment account of some kind and show her how that works.

if thats too dull, take her for a day out somewhere like the Birmingham jewellery quarter and see if she would like to choose something, on the understanding that if she'd rather keep the money that's OK!

DD is hard to buy and will be 18 next month. No interest in brands or clothing.

We will be on holiday and agreed that we will buy some jewellery (ring or earrings) while away. She is very particular about her style and I wouldn't dream of buying anything valuable without her input.
She also will get a spa day at the hotel we are staying.

Some bits to unwrap when we are home.

She will most likely get money from her grandparents and a bracelet from my mum.

When my GD became 18, I gave her a valued/valuable silver cuff that used to be my mum's (her great gran), I had it cleaned and tweaked and put in a jeweller's box. I also gave her a cheque. Personally, I would take her to choose a significant piece of jewellery that she'll keep for ever (so praps not Pandora) and enjoy wearing, give her a price limit before you go and make some time beforehand to chat about what she might go for. Would this appeal to her? I wouldn't waste the same amount of money on lots of stuff to open - but that's just my opinion.

We got DD a silver Pandora charm bracelet for her 18th. I think any jewellery is nice as its something they can keep forever.

Honestly, I’d ask her.
I really wanted to buy a special piece of jewellery for dd1, but as she freely admitted, she’d probably only lose or break it. She wanted ‘experiences’, which meant cash for e.g. holidays. So that was what she got. TBH now in her 40s she’s still not into ‘stuff’ and would much rather do and see things.