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.

Op pretty woman sounds perfect.

I love the idea of life membership somewhere though! The national trust one is brilliant.

We got our DD a new, bigger tablet plus lots of bits. She's not into jewellery at all. After her A Levels I took her to Barcelona for a few days (though this trip was postponed 2 years cos of covid - was meant to have been a 16th birthday gift really). She also went to watch The Killers with a friend (again this should have happened 2 years ago but thanks covid 🙄). She was happy with her gifts (got her an Umbrella Academy themed laptop case from Red Bubble too for Uni which she loved). She doesn't ask for much - she's very easy!

5000 to invest? Cars? Macbooks? Trips to Barcelona?
Sometimes I think I live on another planet. The inequality gap widens by the year.
I got 20 quid and that was far more than most of my friends got (18 years ago).

Dalint if she loves musicals but you aren't sure on dates, you can get theatre vouchers.

The two gifts I remember most were a beautiful gold and tigers eye necklace from my mum and a photo album my dad made me from 0-18.

My mum handmade a cushion for me, including fabrics from /images of things that meant something to me. It was ok at the time, but treasure it more as time goes on. I'm sure I got something else but can't remember what!

For my 21st I got a watch. But lost it after a few months so a bit disappointing!

My sister got a car for her 18th (cheap one!)

I think a keepsake is special. But depends on if they have a real desire for a car, to go to Paris, have a Spa weekend, fly a bird of prey etc etc.

I was given a pearl necklace from my DM & pearl earrings from my DGM. I loved them then & still love them now now because of what they represented (love) & because buying the necklace was a huge sacrifice for my hard up DM.

I did an 18 day countdown for my DD which included things like…
18 reasons you make me proud
17 sweet things (like actual sweets)
16 messages from loved ones, it was less than that and was one of the bloody hardest to sort!
15 things you’ve done
14 things to put on your bucket list
etc etc
not every day was a present as such just notes that I made into origami or wrote on nice paper. I can remember having a day for hair things and cakes and beauty products like face masks etc, then on her actual birthday I did 3 gifts (which included a photobook which I think is the one “present” she loves, with photos from each year, and certainly the one my youngest DD always talks about) then she had 2 somethings the day after and the day after that (2 days after her birthday she had 1 party.

i can’t remember everything I did but it wasn’t massively expensive just had to prep and plan each day. She still has all the written notes.

i was two days late starting 😊

Bottle of very expensive champagne in a fancy chiller case and a diamond bracelet delivered to her whilst she was on holiday with the ex.

Feedback from the ex was 'Why did you insult her by giving her cheap fizzy wine and something from Argos? Oh, you sending it with a card so she knew who it was from was really weird and creepy'.

Interrail ticket and spending money

A MacBook.

For my 18th my mum bought me a sewing machine. It went to uni with me and I swapped it for a larger one later on after I had my first child. We didn’t really do big presents as a family so this present was exciting and very well used.
DD chose some suitcases, but I cannot remember what the two DSs had. They had all had driving lessons once they turned 17 but we couldn’t stretch to cars! They probably got given money.

I know we all have different views and opinions but do people still wear watches these days? I stopped wearing my cheap watch the day I retired and have never worn it since. My boys were given watches when their Nan died but I think they only wear them to an occasional wedding. Most young people seem to rely on their phones.
Reading about what some people have given their dcs makes me glad that mine are now adults. The completion between parents must be horrendous. We have never been that well off but we have managed to fund school trips and activities along the way, and now that we are retired we are able to help them out occasionally. Personally I feel that such generous/expensive presents at 18 sets a precedence, but I suppose if you can afford it….. and it is appreciated.

We didn't have much money, so I got a suitcase. I loved it, and it was very useful and needed.

I gave my son an engraved pocket watch similar to those used by Timelords, and a trip to London. He was very enthusiastic about both.

Christ

Wow!!!!!!!!! Fucking hell. What a twat. I bet she's glad he's an ex and you're thanking your lucky stars.

EXCELLENT IDEA.

@hockeygrass If you were to recommend seats (not the best in the house lol), what would you stretch to? School holidays will be the best time I'm thinking, so midterm break perhaps? The last time I brought her to Wicked, it was a MNer who directed me to a good deal! Sorry to pick your brains, but I never ever go to the theatre so I haven't a clue.

Input from anyone else also gratefully appreciated!

Some of your gifts have been so thoughtful; really beautiful. That goes for everyone from the poorest to those who can spend a lot. The thought counts and they were all given with love.

I can't remember whether I specifically mentioned the lady who got nothing at all as her father had kicked her out, but I really really feel for you. I will try to go back to quote you as your post really touched me. What you gave your own dd was so lovely. I love this quote: Khalil Gibran - "Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." It takes serious strength and courage to turn pain into something good - and you my lady are the type of person that quote refers to. Big hug (very unmumsnetty I know).

Thank you all so much for taking the time to share your experiences and suggestions.

@yougotthelook I was referring to you in my last post. x

I got a radio cassette player (dates me, yes). Even back then it wasn't all that. I think if I could have chosen, it would have been a really good watch - I bought one for myself about 30 years ago and still have it.

I remember getting a walkman as a present and a double tape deck thing (I think it was a hifi or something) as it was back in the day where if you had a friend with money, you'd buy blank tapes and record from your rich friend's tape onto the blank tape! I'm also of the generation where we recorded songs from the radio. Atlantic 252 was my saviour in my teens.

My parents were not terribly poor but they were not generous. They were of a generation where getting an orange (yes, the fruit) on Christmas day was a real treat, so maybe buying actual 'tat' for me felt like generosity to them. I remember dreading the conversations at school after Christmas break where everyone bragged about what they got. I quickly learned to say something vague like 'vouchers, and money', without specifying an amount!

My son's top wants were a big trip to laser tag and Cosmos. He also got a refurbished laptop and some gaming hobby things to go with it.

For my 18th, my now-husband made a cheesecake with cherries in it and his parents bought me a box of Guylian Seahorse Chocolates that at the time I thought was so fancy - they're so pretty looking - and took us all out to eat (they'd bought him a really nice watch and they went on a trip for his 18th the year before).

Sounds like he was either having a laugh or genuinely upstaged

That's awesome! Your boyfriend when you were 18 is now your husband? Or am I reading everything wrong?