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Original poster

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

154 replies

Dalint · 08/08/2022 18:12

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dalint · 08/08/2022 22:11

Boo1321 · 08/08/2022 22:05

It’s really not your fault OP, and I wasn’t blaming it on you… it should be common courtesy to not brag you’re dropping thousands on your kids for them “to invest”, when £5k for another family would massively help bring them out of poverty. We’re living in such hard times and yet people still don’t get it.

I know. It's hard to see how the other half live at times and the step-up they get in life. That's life though and life is rarely fair.

OP posts:
Leah2005 · 08/08/2022 22:11

I bought a sovereign minted in his 18th birthday year as easily portable cash should he ever need it and dad gave him a watch from the year of his birth.
I wear a silver bangle my nan bought for my dm's birthday - very precious as they didn't have much. Not worth a lot but I feel their strength when I wear it.

WisteriaHysteria22 · 08/08/2022 22:15

I’m 40 now and I got a small Gucci bag which I used to death, the style came back in fashion last year and I had it reconditioned and have been using it loads since!

blameitonthecaffeine · 08/08/2022 22:17

DD1 - theatre vouchers and a stupidly expensive pair of tap shoes
DD2 - a bike and a particular pair of trainers she wanted
DD3 - a stage piano

ivfbabymomma1 · 08/08/2022 22:19

I got a Rolex for my 18th, I'm 34 now and I don't think I've ever taken it off. And it's still as beautiful as it was back then. Appreciate they are expensive but I don't see myself taking it off until I die

blameitonthecaffeine · 08/08/2022 22:19

Sorry, missed the other questions - yes, all well received but then it's what they asked for, they weren't surprises.

whumpthereitis · 08/08/2022 22:20

Boo1321 · 08/08/2022 22:05

It’s really not your fault OP, and I wasn’t blaming it on you… it should be common courtesy to not brag you’re dropping thousands on your kids for them “to invest”, when £5k for another family would massively help bring them out of poverty. We’re living in such hard times and yet people still don’t get it.

Is it bragging though, or just answering the question? OP didn’t specify a budget. There’s users on this forum from all across the economic spectrum, and answers will reflect that.

lot123 · 08/08/2022 22:21

it should be common courtesy to not brag you’re dropping thousands on your kids for them “to invest”, when £5k for another family would massively help bring them out of poverty. We’re living in such hard times and yet people still don’t get it.

In fairness, the OP specifically asked for everyone's budget so it was in answer to that question. I didn't say how much we'd spent but I don't think people were bragging, simply answering the question honestly.

It's sometimes very difficult to gauge people's circumstances on MN. We're fortunate to be well off but my brother isn't so I don't talk about anything money related with him if I can help it. But it's a bit different if that's the question asked on an anonymous forum.

nokidshere · 08/08/2022 22:23

My two got £100 for their 18th and again for their 21st. Neither had any inkling of what they wanted except cash. We also went out for a family meal. Neither wanted (or have had since they were about 12) parties or cake.

familyissues12345 · 08/08/2022 22:23

A pair of Jordan hi tops that he really wanted - a rare pair apparently.

Not particularly fancy or anything, but he had just passed his driving test and we'd given him my car (and paid insurance) so felt he'd had plenty!

He was thrilled with all presents

LeFeu · 08/08/2022 22:25

I have to say my uncle got me 12 bottles of (nice) champagne for my 18th and it was probably the favourite gift on the day!

Houseofbloodymen · 08/08/2022 22:26

I took my son to Bicester Village and gave him £200.

I think I got £30.

All my friends got cars, their childhood savings gifted to go towards a mortgage etc if they weren't going to uni...

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 08/08/2022 22:26

DC 1 had a hand held tablet thing - he was really pleased with it but of course like all tech stuff it went out of date fairly quickly.

DC2, DC3 and DC4 all had paintings we had commissioned for them.

DC5 had jewellery and craft stuff plus an expensive trip away.

I had an expensive watch which I loved - although it never worked well!

Augend23 · 08/08/2022 22:28

The deal in my family was that you got driving lessons when you were 17 but they were your 18th birthday present. I had 10 lessons at £45 each so £450.

Supersimkin2 · 08/08/2022 22:29

18th: Earrings, £42.

21: Big party, £800. Watch that broke cos I can’t wear them but DF wanted to give me something I could hand on.

Maggiethecat · 08/08/2022 22:31

Dd got a leather bag which I think will age well and a vintage pen and a book of family recipes (hardcopy and e version).

Hopefully one or all of these will be special to her!

What did you give your dc for their 18th birthday?
bloodyplanes · 08/08/2022 22:45

A piece of jewellery to keep and money to have fun.

Pinkspottedbanana · 08/08/2022 22:51

I got my two boys a saint christopher necklace knowing they were off to uni and it was to give the message to “ keep them safe” and that we were always there for them.( not religious at all, bit of a family tradition)

They are now 34 and 26 and both never take them off..

Our daughter we got an opal ring ( her birthstone) not sure if she still has it!

My parents got them all a really nice watch each, the boys use theirs, daughter lost it after a month!

They are all lovely, but clearly the boys are a bit more careful or attached to their gifts.

usernamealreadytaken · 08/08/2022 22:53

For 18th DS1 had a budget and chose a new mobile phone - he put extra money and I found a discounted deal so he actually got the slightly better model than he'd anticipated. For his 21st we bought him a cherished number plate - not ridiculously expensive but really personal X21XXX.
For DS2's 18th we bought him a 125cc moped, as we had bought a 50cc one for DS1 for his 17th which would have been passed on but DS2 couldn't do his CBT due to lockdown.

maddy68 · 08/08/2022 22:54

Gitbmy daughter a watch. Son I bought him a lads holiday

nokidshere · 08/08/2022 22:55

@Maggiethecat I would be very very happy with a bag like that

OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 08/08/2022 23:05

My eldest turns 18 in a few weeks. So far I am putting £100 towards a tattoo
And have bought a fancy whisky (his request) plus fancy tumblers and whisky stones and cards against humanity. Desperately need more ideas though!

hockeygrass · 08/08/2022 23:05

OP, I saw Pretty Woman last week using a voucher I had been given. I had to pay a supplement too so the total of the supplement and the voucher was £100 but when the email came with the 2 x seat numbers I looked them up and they were worth £35 each if I had bought them. What I'm saying is Pretty Woman isn't sold out at all and the tickets in the grand circle that relate to some vouchers are worth £35 each. The show was good but the star (Danny Mac) also wasn't performing that night and 2 drinks as the bar (G&T) cost £20!

RaspberryParfait · 08/08/2022 23:06

DD had afternoon tea at the Ritz with just me (didn’t want her younger brothers there to embarrass her with their eating!) with a mango birthday cake they provided that was absolutely gorgeous. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. She really enjoyed the experience. It was near Christmas as well so all the decs were up. I hoped it signified the start of an adult life enjoying the finer things!

She had some gold jewellery as well (she’d only gad silver before) and a night out with her mates.

DTSs had nice watches and McDonalds takeaway as they what they wanted! Had a night out with mates as well.

EddieHowesBlackandWhiteArmy · 08/08/2022 23:07

A private registration plate. She’s feckless so would lose anything else although she still has the Tiffany necklace my sister got her which has had a good innings so far!