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.

£2,500 and an ISA. My parents said now I was an adult it was time for me to start saving for my own future. I also got given £200 to go out for night with friends.

My brother and sister both got cars for their 18th birthdays.

Got DD an engraved silver pendant with her late Nan's handwriting on it (my Mum had passed away just before my DD turned 18), a family meal and a keepsake newspaper in a box from the day she was born which she absolutely loved ! I had a surprise party that I hated every minute of 😂(ungrateful cow)

Forever violin and bow. DH and I received the same for our 18th too.

AirPods max and cash

Usual birthday type presents, 21 is the big one in our family, oldest DD got a camcorder, a party, and a trip away

Personalised number plate - something they can literally keep for the rest of their life (appreciate only useful if into driving!)

The spelling error on that birthday board is really bothering me 🤣

I got €500 for my 18th. All of my friends at the time were getting cash for theirs and that's all I asked for.

My DS was 18 last week. We paid for him and his girlfriend to go on holiday abroad as a surprise and got him a personalised number plate for the car we got him when he was 17. We thought the number plate is something he can keep as he's not really bothered about jewellery or watches. He got quite a lot of cash from family members so we wanted to get him an experience present.

For my 18th I got a second hand copy of a toddler's book and a gingerbread man, but my parents hated me so it was more than I was used to. My brother got a car and my sister was given a holiday for her and two friends to Ibiza

Ours got cars and first years insurance.

Both DDs had jewellery from us.

DH (then fiance) bought me a gold heart shaped locket.

I received a beautiful watch for my 18th from my DM.
I have 2 DD's and I think an item of jewellery is quite a simple, classic gift as well as a small keepsake. (I still have my watch and I'm 36)

Money.
Meaningful earrings, anklet, ring.
Cocktail making set.
A handmade book of my family recipes for her to take to uni..
Tickets to a gig she had been wanting to go to.
A weekend away.

I got tickets to see something at the theatre with a friend & some money to pick myself new clothes. My parents went all out when I was 21 and paid for me to go backpacking round Australia for 8 weeks in the mid year uni break (during my year abroad in Germany). Also had a necklace made for me out of my grandmothers engagement ring, which I had inherited. Several friends got a first car or posh watches/jewellery. I always think the best gifts are experiences rather than things but it really depends what the person you are buying for will be excited about receiving.

This is probably the one she would most like, however I'm not made of money :(

She would love a car and as for the Rolex? I think she might even speak to me! 😂
I have no heirlooms to pass on.

What I have found are two hotel experiences on groupon in London however her birthday isn't for 6 weeks and validity isn't long for them plus they don't have any dates after her birthday posted yet (weekend dates)

One includes either a 3 or 4* hotel for one night with tickets to Pretty Woman (incl. in price).
Hotel with Pretty woman This one is peculiar in that you don't know the hotel or what dates are available until you purchase it.

The other is a yacht which is moored on the Thames including dinner, again, for one night only. I would pay for some sort of trip in London then to fill it out.

One night on yacht

She adores the theatre and has delusions of grandeur lol (not sure where she gets that from) so I think that either would be a hit. The yacht would be cheaper but she would DIE to go to see Pretty Woman. Yacht seems to expire soon so I'm not sure whether it will be available again.

It has actually been really lovely reading all of your posts.

Me - 2 weeks in Magaluf
DD - trip to Rome and personalised plate
DS - Bose headphones, chain and personalised plate

With either of the London trips, I would pay for two tickets for her and a friend to go.

I got DS a Cartier ring. He loves it but I do worry as he takes it off to go to the gym etc and I often find it on the side. Just hope he doesn't misplace it

You've been really helpful in guiding me. I know what she enjoys and being with her friends is one of them, so anything I do buy experience-wise would be for her and a friend.
The alternative is booking a makeup masterclass or getting her makeup and mani/pedi with a friend and then money for a night out.

She spends enough time with us and I need to recognise that she's a big girl now and wants to spread her wings. I'm not allowed to fly with her 😂

Hugs to you. I was treated the same. I got £5 (adjusted for inflation that’s £7.58 in todays money lol). My brothers got cars, my sisters got holidays.

My son doesn’t turn 18 for another 10 years but I damn well know he’s going to get something nice to mark the occasion and a gift that will leave positive memories.

Unfortunately she doesn't have a driving licence yet.

That is cruel. I'm so sorry.

Dd had a car (grandparents contributed)
Ds had a stage piano.

Michael kors watch and jewellery with her birthstone in, pandora charm, fancy mug. Loved all of it, she was 18 in December