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AIBU?

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Original poster

What did your DC get for their 18th from you and the wider family? And did you think it was appropriate?

71 replies

WillHe · 04/04/2023 21:05

We've the oldest grand child on both sides about to turn 18. She's getting a laptop from us, her parents. Useful but not an heirloom.
What do Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents give these days?
Back in the 90s I got a Roberts Radio and an empty but pretty perfume bottle from Selfridges!
My work colleague gifted her kids £42,000 each. It felt a lot for an 18year old to handle, it was literally a cheque.
What's normal in your world?

OP posts:
aibutohavethisusername · 04/04/2023 21:09

A charm for her bracelet from me.
jewellery from my parents.

Mincedpies · 04/04/2023 21:09

I received a gold locket from one set of grandparents, a camera from the other, and a cheque for £300 from my parents.

I was 18 in the 80’s and was hugely appreciative of all my lovely presents!

I don’t have children and none of my friends children are 18 yet so I only have my own experiences but I would say jewellery, the latest tech and cold hard cash would definitely be appreciated 😄

AFloridian · 04/04/2023 21:10

Cash.

Its what the teens seem to want in our family. It doesn’t run to thousands though!

ScoopT · 04/04/2023 21:11

A car from my mum and dad (nothing fancy £500 banger)

WeAllHaveWings · 04/04/2023 21:13

Ds(19)'s JISA switched over to his name when he turned 18 but that wasn't his 18th gift, it is the savings for his future. He has it reinvested and plans to use as house deposit after uni.

He got mostly cash from other family, including us, as a keepsake we got him an engraved pewter hip flask.

23Elfie · 04/04/2023 21:14

My parents paid for an 18th birthday party, I got a digital camera from my brother and sister. Think my one remaining grandparent gave me £50.
For context I was 18 in 2005 - my daughter is 8 and I'll probably see if she wants a party or if not spend the equivalent on something else x

Comefromaway · 04/04/2023 21:17

We all put together for a car for Dd.

Ds had a piano.

Royalbloo · 04/04/2023 21:18

I got a beautiful silver key ring from my sister which was a solid silver key. And a flute.

I love them both.

Smartiepants79 · 04/04/2023 21:20

I was given Jewellry.
A smallish gold pendant with tiny diamond from my parents. Beautiful and very me but not hugely valuable money wise.
Gold watch from my grandparents- again I loved it and it was very me but not huge amounts of money.
My gifts were sentimental and precious to me but won’t have cost vast amounts of money.
This is what I would choose for my daughters also.

ItsThePlayBusDingDing · 04/04/2023 21:20

Both my sons got 18 little gifts, just small sentimental bits, and a day sitting for a tattoo.

There's only me and them so nothing from wider family.

Nevermind31 · 04/04/2023 21:20

I got a (used) car from my parents. Grandparents paid for drivers license

Changingplace · 04/04/2023 21:20

My parents paid for a party, I think I got a charm for a bracelet from one set of grandparents.

It was 1996, I don’t remember anyone getting anything particularly extravagant.

£42k to an eighteen year old is insane.

Ponoka7 · 04/04/2023 21:21

Cash, it's usually put towards driving lessons or a first adult holiday. The 21st is still a big birthday were I am.

Densol57 · 04/04/2023 21:22

18 - car
21- a trip to Vegas ( from the Uk )
25 - house

alloalloallo · 04/04/2023 21:23

My older daughter got a Tiffany heart necklace as a keepsake-type present and a Reading Festival ticket.

PCPurpleHelmet · 04/04/2023 21:24

Driving lessons and a piece of jewellery for DD (a piece of jewellery which I was given for my 18th). Driving lessons and a tiny extra (chocolate, I think it was) for the boys. Everything had been spent on school fees so presents have never been very extravagant (though I would argue that driving lessons are extravagant, as they're so expensive). They all got £50 from my parents, too.

EllaPaella · 04/04/2023 21:26

I turned 18 in 1997 and got a hifi system 😁
No party. Don't remember getting anything particularly special from relatives.
I got my eldest son some Raybans and a nice watch for his 18th and we paid for him to go to Lanzarote with his friends (which sadly was postponed for two years as he turned 18 during lockdown).

Ginger1982 · 04/04/2023 21:26

I think girls are easier to buy milestone gifts for than boys. I got jewellery for my big birthdays. I have no idea what I will eventually buy DS.

ASixPackAndTheRadio · 04/04/2023 21:27

No heirlooms/keepsakes. We bought our son a car, gave him £1k cash and bought him some bits like clothes and aftershave. Family gave cash and tickets for a concert and a comedian he likes.

Some of my friends daughters had jewellery. Some had a big party.

Rubygrapefruitwithchilli · 04/04/2023 21:29

Driving lessons and a Vivienne Westwood choker

CoffeeBeansGalore · 04/04/2023 21:29

My dds are now in their 20s. For their 18th birthdays from us they got £100 cash and a piece of jewellery. My mum sent them £20. Nothing from any other extended family, not even cards.

19lottie82 · 04/04/2023 21:57

I can’t even remember, I imagine it would have been cash.

grayhairdontcare · 04/04/2023 22:00

Dd1 wanted and Got a designer hand bag of us
Dd2 got a car

Thatiswild · 04/04/2023 22:04

I got a hot air balloon ride from my mum, which was fab and a ride on a Harley Davison from my aunt, money from grandparents I think, silver perfume atomiser from one brother, silver mirror from the other, I still have them actually sold here!

Thatiswild · 04/04/2023 22:04

Somewhere, not sold here! I’m 45

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