To ask if 16th's are still a thing anymore?

[WillYouPutYourCoatOn]

Just that really. DS will be 16 this summer? Is this a big deal anymore? I know some Americans go daft for it on TV, but here, 18 (and 21?) is more of the "big" one right?

All DH and I have as reference is us and our mates turning 16, 20yrs ago, and it wasn't really a thing then. So I'd like to know what people's experience of this in the last three years is please?

So, AIBU to ask if your DC/their friends turned 16 in the last three years, what presents did they get and what party/activity happened, if anything?

Thank you.

Yes. That's exactly what we're celebrating. We're having a banner made too.

What. A. Weirdo.

Yes. That's exactly what we're celebrating. We're having a banner made too.

What. A. Weirdo.

Well what's special about 16 then? Why is it any more special than 15 or 17? I'm in my early 50s and 16th wasn't a big thing when I was that age either.

The rising of the school leaving age wasn't across the entire UK and even in England, kids can leave school for an apprenticeship at 16. One of mine did so last year.

Where I am there are also youth groups that are 16+ and we had a few jokes about how they're now an adult for the bus, the train, our local leisure centre and other places; and in my home, they have additional freedoms at 16.

And really, in the GCSE year, it's nice to have a bit of extra fun.

How rich are you!!!!!

Seriously! I was thinking hmm maybe £100 if you've managed to save all year

They can also get a Cash ISA so maybe a banner for that?

Nothing special. Comfortable. Not on a million a year or anything.

Car will be well under £5k. Might sound a lot but simply because things are absurdly expensive now. My first car was a Rover Metro for £800!

We just wanted to do something or gift something that would make the date a little memorable. Think it would be quite nice to look back at, say 30 and think "ah, that's the necklace/watch/pen/whatever I got for my 16th". Or to go out for a nice meal somewhere special, so the memory may be intangible but just as prominent.

I can't recall my 16th but remember my 18th as 50 members of close and extended family in the forest having a picnic and playing rounders. I'm not looking to waste money unnecessarily, just kind of wanted reassurance that the (imho) ridiculous 16th parties and gifts you see from the US haven't filtered over here... yet. If it's pretty commonplace to buy a larger gift, I'd rather do that, so he feels the same as his peers.

He has two very close friends, neither 16 yet, so I can't compare to them, and the other mates he's less close to, I wouldn't have a clue what they did, or if they'd even turned 16 yet either.

Well, nothing really, similar to 21, but that's also a notable age where celebrations tend to be larger.

I always thought 16th birthdays were a big deal in America because it’s a long time until their 21st. Where here in the UK 18th’s seem to be the big one.

I'd get some nice jewellery or a handbag

Oh wait it's DS. Um jewellery or a wallet?

I had no idea anybody in the UK celebrated sixteenth birthdays in any way different to other birthdays either. It didn't happen when I was sixteen and eighteen was the one everybody was excited about because you could drink (twenty one was something I remember my parents and grandparents mentioning, but I never understood that and still don't?)

Is the American 'milestone' sixteen because that's when they can drive, or something?

It depends what you can afford. Our eldest at 16 had a scooter/moped to be able to get himself to college. The others didn’t need/want the same so had cash. At 17 they had driving lessons and insurance for their own cars, that they’d been saving for all their little lives.

Get and do what you’re comfortable with. The most important thing to do is remember their birthday, whether it’s a special number or not.

DS had his 16th the same week he finished his GCSEs so I let him have a party. Not everyone did though. He didn’t get to go to prom so he wanted a bit of an end of school knees up. If his birthday had been in November it would have been more low key.

I had no idea anybody in the UK celebrated sixteenth birthdays in any way different to other birthdays” - they don’t! (said in my experience as parent of a 16yo in a school year group of 300 others, friend of parents of slightly older ones, and aunt of several kids in different areas of the country who have turned 16 in recent years).

In the UK, I don't think 16ths have ever been a 'big' or 'notable' birthday, so not sure what you mean by if they are "still a thing anymore".

Can't say if £500 is reasonable or not in your world, as I've never spent £500 on a birthday present in my life. Not for anyone, at any age. Nor did we buy our dc cars.

What I can say is that a 16th is no different from a 15th, so do whatever you felt was appropriate for that.
Oh and @downbutnotouttake969 is right.

That's a fantastic idea. He's just lost his old wallet which was looking dog-eared anyway.

I think we're doing escape room with his gf, meal at Michelin star place nearby for handful of closest family (he's a real foodie and never been to this one) and a nice wallet. Could even stick a little bit of cash in as well from his grandparents as their present. He'll definitely remember one of those things in years to come. Absolutely didn't want to do one of those tacky sweet 16 type parties so very happy that no one else here does either.

Thank you so much everyone.

My nieces & their circle of friends haven't treated 16th birthdays as special at all. Its 18 & 21 that have had the big celebrations