To ask what you got your child for their 18th birthday?

[shuz1980]

Step daughter has asked for a mac book pro for her 18th (around £1200) i understand its a special birthday but it just so much for a single present. Just interested to see what others have bought for their children's 18th birthday? Did you go ott? Was there one main present?

We got our son a decent but second hand racing bike as he likes to cycle everywhere around 600 it was a fair amount to us but to others it might not be, gave him some cash to spend in pub too.

it depends on your budget, of course.

i don't have children but my parents gave me £500, which at the time (i'm early 30s now) was enough to get a low-end laptop (which is exactly what i did).

If you can't afford £1200 then don't give her £1200! Surely she has some savings she could use to add to ywhatever you can afford to give her or this will teach her to start saving! If she's going to uni next year I believe apple offer a very generous student discount i think 15%?

I got some jewellery and a meal with my family. If I'd have asked for anything that expensive my parents would have laughed at me.

A car

I got a diving watch that I had hankered after for a long time.

If you can afford the £1200 then fine if not then no, give her some cash and she can save up for it.

I got a car but a cheap one so more like £700 than £1200.

I got an expensive watch for mine, I’ll probably do the same for my children when they are 18 (if we still wear watches ).
I think that’s a lot of money for a special present that won’t last - 20 years on I still wear my watch.

Like a PP, DC1 got a road bike. Definitely a one off present! No idea what to get for the next one though.

I got a food processor - actually no I didn't that was for my 21st. No idea what I got for my 18th but money was tight. At 19 they did help me get a second hand computer to take to Uni, it was a 486 with no windows and ran Word Perfect as the word processor.

A leather jacket. I expect it to last longer than a laptop.

She loves it

I got both of mine a dress watch. They don’t wear a watch on a day to day basis but will wear a watch if going to things like a wedding, interview or a dressy type event.
Not mega expensive watches. Think around the £250 price bracket rather than £1000. And when I am long gone they will still have that watch.

I think I got a necklace (Swarovski so not hugely expensive a few hundred) which I’ve worn once or twice but it’s very sentimental now, and an iPod touch which surprisingly is still bloody going.
My parents were quite skint so couldn’t have afforded thousands. I do like the idea of giving them something to keep but this could be something cheap. Can you afford the Mac? Do they need a Mac for any reason? If you can afford and it’ll be well used I think it’s ok, if it will be a huge struggle for you money wise then explain that and get a compromise gift (a cheaper computer or 2nd hand etc).

For my 18th many many moons ago I got a ring. It was £18 from Argos and I still wear it everyday nearly 40 years later.

I honestly think items as expensive as that are things you buy when you earning the money for them yourself.

but it just so much for a single present

how long is a piece of string? It depends on your budget!

A laptop as a birthday present is not outrageous.

We got one dd a MacBook Pro for her 18th.

But it obviously depends on your budget - if it’s a lot of money for you, could you give her half/three-quarters and she fund the rest with savings?

Realise this is a bit niche but I got a sewing machine - loved it and still do 11 years later :)

Was going to give DD19 £500 towards summer travel which oblvisly hasn't happened yet, poor kid. A laptop won't last, but travel memories will.
I wanted to buy her a modest piece of jewellery too (£100?) bit she couldn't find anything she liked.

I'm not much help as I have boys and the family tradition is that they get fitted for a family kilt and all the accoutrements (jacket/shoes/tie etc) and family members get them the accesories- sporran, kilt pin/ sgian dubh with clan crest. It's a lovely tradition as the men in our family will wear it to every wedding/ fancy ball/ rugby match in their lives. It can be pricey, but more like £600.

My niece, like PP, got a bike for hers last summer. My other niece got driving lessons. The other a watch.

Like PP have said give her cash and I'm thinking others will too in the family so she could save for the computer.

A car it was six months old so quite a nice one.
I was given a jade necklace for mine, DH apparently went on a day trip to France.

Gold. (Chain not ingots)
In case they ever need quick cash.

We bought a desktop Mac for DD’s 16th. Chose a Mac over MacBook as we felt there was less chance of it getting lost! For her 18th we will probably buy her a car. She is getting lessons for her 17th. We only have one child and are lucky to have a generous budget when it comes to presents.

Jewellery, restaurant dinner, lots of fuss.

Has she got a JOB??

Oh and DS 18 next summer and plans a month long trip to India with his brother and dad. Ex DH travelled there when younger and always been desperate to take them. I agree the memories will last longer than a computer.

I'd give her something that lasts (like some family jewellery, not everything expensive has to be bought) and a present she wants.

As everybody has a different budget, you really cannot compare with others.

But in my family the really big birthday present is for your 20th. The 18th present is still special.