To give gin as 18th birthday present

[Nishky]

My child’s friend is 18 soon. This friend drinks gin when they go to parties- those pre- mixed cans.

My child bought them a glass and I suggested some miniature bottles of special gin as well. I bought these, they are in unusual mini bottles and things like blood orange, spiced gin, I intended these to be part of the present from my child to their friend but I was happy to pay for them

I then found out that my child had told them I had bought them a present - I didn’t think anything of it until 4am this morning when insomnia struck

I was intending to buy a present myself, just a token.

So is it wrong for an adult to give an 18 year old alcohol. I don’t know this child’s family, I have never spoken to her parents

Should I suggest my daughter gives her the gin and I buy her something else?

I wouldn’t be impressed with alcohol as a gift from older adults. I’d expect it from her peers. Just because someone turns 18 doesn’t mean the drinking culture of teens isn’t terrible. I wouldn’t want to be encouraging that more than it already is.

@milliefiori minis are to use with mixers, not to sip at. If you're going to give them a miniature gin, give a glass bottle of tonic (or something less grim) too.
If you're giving them a miniature rum, also give a 150 can of coke, etc.

I wouldn’t be impressed with alcohol as a gift from older adults.

That's exactly how I feel too. My dd was 18 recently. She did get some alcohol from her peers but I think coming from older adults, it sends a very different message, particularly if it's spirits. My dd was given a lovely makeup bag from her best friend's parents. I thought that was lovely.

The general consensus on mn seems to be that we should at least support, if not encourage, our children to drink from their early to mid teens on. However, to my mind, that is not a healthy approach.

It’s a great present! She must like gin or your dd wouldn’t of got her a glass.
It is age appropriate, not like you’re buying it for a 15 year old
Pp that mentioned it being “hard liquor”, she’s hardly buying her a huge bottle of jäger! They are mini bottles and will be mixed with lemonade, she will get about 2/3 drinks per bottle, she won’t he necking it straight!

@Bubblesgun to be fair my ‘drinking on the sly’ was a good 15 years ago. Alas I am boring and sensible when it comes to booze now.

coconuttelegraph

Yes, an adult giving alcohol to their daughter who also happens to be an adult...
None of the parents business.

An entirely appropriate 18th birthday present and I’m sure will be greatly received as she already likes Gin.

She is an adult. Not all 18 year olds want to 'neck' alcohol as one poster suggested. I would have hated this as a gift personally

Personalised gin glass with some nice gin miniatures to go with it, honestly don't see how you are encouraging binge drinking with this gift.