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Original poster

I have absolutely no clue what to get my daughter for her 21st!

42 replies

SummerCanDoOne · 30/06/2025 12:24

What did you get your kids?

I'm at the point where I'm suggesting a token gift and then a bigger present when she graduates next year.

She had jewellery for her 18th - so don't really want to do that again.

She'd like a keepsake but doesn't know what.

I'm usually ridiculously good with presents as we're really close but I'm completely stuck.

OP posts:
Cappuccino5 · 30/06/2025 12:41

I went down the unconventional route and bought DD her flights to Australia for her 21st 🤣

Highlighta · 30/06/2025 12:49

We did a fairly biggish 18th as it was just after lockdown.

She wasn't at home for her 21st so I got 20 little presents which all had some meaning, like her fave brand of chocolate, silly socks that were apt for her and that sort of thing. Her 21st to open was her bigger present which was a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses.

On each little present I numbered them and wrote a saying on each. Some were related to the gift and some were nice life quotes. She has kept all the notes as I saw them in her drawer a few weeks back.

SupposesRoses · 30/06/2025 13:12

A small piece of gold or a gold bullion coin. It will appreciate in value and she can resell it when she needs it.

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Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 30/06/2025 13:34

We bought our elder son a comprehensive set of le Creuset pans for his 21st and our younger son a lovely guitar. They both still have and use their gifts 14 and 10 years later respectively.

Bbq1 · 30/06/2025 13:52

Highlighta · 30/06/2025 12:49

We did a fairly biggish 18th as it was just after lockdown.

She wasn't at home for her 21st so I got 20 little presents which all had some meaning, like her fave brand of chocolate, silly socks that were apt for her and that sort of thing. Her 21st to open was her bigger present which was a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses.

On each little present I numbered them and wrote a saying on each. Some were related to the gift and some were nice life quotes. She has kept all the notes as I saw them in her drawer a few weeks back.

Love this idea. Ds is 21 next year so I might do this. Thanks for the idea!

TheGrimSmile · 30/06/2025 13:56

Does she like art? An original painting or piece of art work that she could keep forever?

Bridport · 30/06/2025 14:28

My parents gave me a hand made and personalised silver bangle for my 21st.

I absolutely treasure it and even now they're long gone and I'm 60 I feel they're with me every day as I wear it.

okydokethen · 30/06/2025 14:52

annual Membership to something
voucher for favourite restaurant
Le cruset set sounds amazing
nice beadspread or rug or decorative item for her room
framed art or print

DelphiniumBlue · 30/06/2025 15:00

A trip somewhere? My mum took me to Paris for my 21st, we had a fab time!

averylongtimeago · 30/06/2025 15:05

If you have done jewelry, a piece of art- but make sure it’s something she likes, rather than picking something you like iyswim.

TheStroppyFeminist · 30/06/2025 15:22

DH transferred loads of old photos onto a website and we gave dd that, including loads of baby photos.

For both kids we made online recipe books with about 30 favourite family recipes with photos of the recipes from family meals and my wording explaining how to make each one. We did this for 2 of our kids with different recipes though as they like different things.

Other birthday presents included a Vivienne Westwood necklace, a limited edition Chanel compact mirror (you can only get them on ebay now, sadly) a Vogue subscription, a beauty advent calendar as her birthday is in December, Calvin Klein pyjama bottoms.

For ds's 18th we paid for him to go to Venice with his girlfriend for 2 nights.

YellowTulips · 30/06/2025 15:34

Budget would help @SummerCanDoOne

Original poster
SummerCanDoOne · 30/06/2025 16:53

YellowTulips · 30/06/2025 15:34

Budget would help @SummerCanDoOne

Budget...I guess around the £200-250 mark but if there was something more expensive that was absolutely perfect I'd find a way to make it happen.

@Highlighta i was very much thinking of something along these lines.

We did a long weekend in London for her 18th rather than a party and her dad and I bought her a ring.

She is passionate about live music so I'm keeping an eye out for gigs that she might enjoy. She already has 4 guitars! She has mentioned a speaker but it's not a keepsake type gift is it?

A piece of artwork is a nice idea although I don't think she's sure what she likes so I wouldn't want to second guess. She is into photography though so I may be able to do something with that...a fancy photo book of her recent trips.

OP posts:
RepoTheGeriatricOpera · 30/06/2025 16:56

My ds just turned 21, I got him Metallica tickets.

Dd is 18 next year and shes going to London (we live in scotland) to see her favourite musical.

My answer is always tickets to something 🤣

RepoTheGeriatricOpera · 30/06/2025 16:58

Oh and for a keepsake type gift I make my dc a little album when they hit 18.

I include a photo of that year, and a memory, write some of my favourite things about them, what songs remind me of them, cute things they have said etc.

Boxfreshrussell · 30/06/2025 17:01

Furniture? My DC chose a dressing table and stool.

Original poster
SummerCanDoOne · 30/06/2025 17:03

Boxfreshrussell · 30/06/2025 17:01

Furniture? My DC chose a dressing table and stool.

I did wonder about this. Looked at several units for her record player and vinyl collection but everyone I've subtly suggested to her she hasn't liked 🤦🏼‍♀️

Also have no idea wher she'll end up after uni - most likely in a house share as wants to move to London to work or student accom if she does a masters so anything bigger is a no go for the time being.

OP posts:
Boxfreshrussell · 30/06/2025 17:19

It’s tricky. I would maybe ask her if she wants to wait until she wants or needs something. You don’t want to buy something for the sake of it. X

cadburygorilla · 30/06/2025 17:22

Personalised numberplates for her car

Original poster
SummerCanDoOne · 30/06/2025 18:19

Boxfreshrussell · 30/06/2025 17:19

It’s tricky. I would maybe ask her if she wants to wait until she wants or needs something. You don’t want to buy something for the sake of it. X

Yes I have suggested that too

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerCanDoOne · 30/06/2025 18:21

cadburygorilla · 30/06/2025 17:22

Personalised numberplates for her car

I did debate getting her a really good car stereo but when I suggested that she said that if she moves to London next year as she hopes to, she'll probably sell her car.

OP posts:
Steelworks · 30/06/2025 18:27

TheGrimSmile · 30/06/2025 13:56

Does she like art? An original painting or piece of art work that she could keep forever?

I was going to say something similar.

A painting if where she was born? Favourite holiday destination? Pet portrait? Etc

Steelworks · 30/06/2025 18:28

Glastonbury tickets fur 2027 (or a gift voucher for these).

Mindymomo · 30/06/2025 18:33

My In laws got me an animal crystal figurine, at first I thought it odd, but it’s something I’ve really treasured and kept all these years.

Jobwelldone · 30/06/2025 18:36

A parachute jump!
Flights to Spain for another dc.
Boys are hard to buy for I find. When my niece turned 21 I spent a lovely few hours
choosing a piece of jewellery for her.