What did you give your dc for their 18th birthday?

[Dalint]

Was it well received?
If it wasn't well received, did they receive anything from someone else which they really valued or appreciated?
Approximate cost?
What did you yourself get if you remember (I don't remember)?
What would you have liked to receive?
Any other input?
Suggestions welcome from those who haven't hit the 18 milestone yet or from anyone really.
Would you suggest longevity (jewellery), or an experience, or some tech?
I'm at a loss but it's for my dd. I deliberately didn't specify the sex in the title as some gifts can cross over and there will be female equivalents.

NT life membership!

I actually can’t remember what my parents gave me, so it can’t have been a huge hit. I do remember getting a bracelet off a relative. Think my brother gave me a dress, which was a hit.
I am thinking about this as one of my dc turns 18 in six months time.

What is NT?

National Trust?

Ah, ok, no National Trust would not be a hit for this particular dd!

I got given a car for my 18th. Not an expensive one but it was gratefully received.

The oldest had an amplifier to go with the electric guitar he got for his 17th. The youngest had a very fancy pen because he loves stationery. The were both very happy.

I got some jewellery - a necklace made by a local jeweller, with a pendant my grandma had left me. It's beautiful and one of my most treasured possessions ten years later! Sentimental, well used and not naff - the holy trinity 😊

DS got his A level results same day and got into uni so it was a double celebration. I think we got all his kit for uni, tickets for bongo's bingo with his mates and ticket for the 100 cricket with his mates. Money, clothes etc the usual. And a party with a tuk tuk ride around our local town for him and his friends.

A city break? My mother paid for a long weekend in Vienna for me and a friend. My father gave me a Rolex. My brother got the same for his 18th. I was thrilled with both.

I probably win the prize for most boring gift, but I'm saving to put £5000 into a stocks and shares ETF for DSS on his 18th birthday.

He almost certainly won't appreciate it on the day, but (if he can leave it alone) he will in the future!

I chose my own bracelet for my 18th, so it wasn't really a surprise but it was the first piece of proper jewellery that I got. I think it was £100. I think for one of my other birthdays I got a Radley watch, which I still wear all the time. I like jewellery/accessories as you can enjoy them forever, unlike clothes which are more prone to wear and tear and being grown out of.

Lots of mediumish items but for me the labour of love was one of those online photo books with photos I curated and designed from birth to almost 18, including friends and family events, and her favourite book character with relevant images alongside her similar images. Ordered two, one for her and one for me. I personally got jewellery, which mum recommended to people, and I never wore so just a waste.

DS1 didn't want anything, so he got a big bar of galaxy chocolate and a £1,800 bank transfer which he then invested.

I can't recall getting anything special.

For my dd 18th she got an iPhone 11, novelty t shirt, mug, Pandora charm and perfume.

For her 19th we got her a car. Using the money we would have spent on university fees because she decided another route for her chosen profession.

I got a lovely solid silver bangle with an engraving of my choice… which I lost about 6 months later on a drunken night out (but am convinced to this day I was spiked as only had a couple of drinks and literally couldn’t stand). So would recommend nothing along those lines 😄 I’m looking for a replacement!

I think tech stuff is not such a good idea as it goes outdated so fast. We spent a lot (that we could just afford) on a watch, but 10 years later it's totally old tech and never worn. Both our boys got English Heritage life membership. One appreciated it and uses it, the other one really can't be arsed.

DS got an iPhone13 Pro Max 🫣

<Hands in MN badge and shuffles off>

ds(18) got a car and first years insurance for Xmas + birthday. It was a 2nd hand 8 year old 1.0L Fiesta but with the shortage of used cars cost way too much! We also got him an engraved hip flask which he used at his school prom as something he will hopefully keep. He is between school and uni now, and works PT so pays running costs/fuel himself. He wasn't interested in watches/jewelry as doesn't wear them yet, maybe he will by his 21st.

I got nothing for my 18th from my parents. Christmas birthday, parents said they would give me cash after Christmas and forgot, was a bit of a pattern for my birthday so I never asked them for it. My gran got me a lovely gold necklace which I still have (I am 53 now).

I got a silver watch which I haven't worn for years. A silver bangle which I wear very rarely. They were my 'main' items.
And loads of stuff... not sure what tbh.

DS1 will be 18 in a few weeks. He wants to build a gaming computer so has asked for money. He doesn't do 'stuff', he just keeps it for a few months and then declutters and gets rid of it.

I've bought tickets to see Hamilton in London as that's what he wanted to do, and have ordered him a 'blue plaque' because I feel like he should have something he can keep.

Other than that he's having 18 cream teas over the course of the summer

Posh watch, if you're looking for something which will be a keepsake.
For my sis graduation I gave her a sparkly Swarovski bracelet which she loved.

A gaming laptop and new gaming chair - he loved it.

I got jewellery, I have no idea where it is now though. I moved a lot over the years.

@MassiveSalad22 have you tried Daniela Draper?

I’m going to do a board like this with

Money for your first tattoo
Money for your first legal drink
Money to go towards your first home ( won’t be thousands but I’m hoping to encourage saving)
A voucher for a day out or shopping
Tickets to a show

A sewing machine for one and a digital SLR camera for the second - both in line with their interests and college courses. I got a ring from my parents for my 18th and they bought each of the grandchildren a ring of their choice for their 18th birthdays too.