Is a 16th birthday extra special and if so…

[Toosoonforahotcrossbun]

What on earth are you buying your teen girls?

DD is 16 next month and hasn’t asked for anything.

She is a girly girl. Likes make up (though doesn’t wear lots), doing her hair nice. Likes nice clothes.

Im stuck and any help would be very much appreciated!!

No in England, your 16th is much the same as your 15th or 17th.
Except you can't start driving.

It is 18th that tends to be 'celebrated' in a bigger way.
I am all for making every birthday a bit special but it sounds like you already throw money at every birthday anyway.

In terms of what to buy, by that age, I would expect them to be telling you what they want / would like.

I always thought of 16 as a big birthday. My parents got me a nice bracelet for my 16th.

I’ve always known 16th to be a special birthday. Even my mother 50 years ago coming from a very poor family received a dainty gold sapphire ring for her 16th which was really pushing the boat out.
I received an engraved gold bracelet for mine which I still have 30 odd years later.

How about a jewellery making workshop? Something you could do together and also something to keep with sentimental value.

No more special than 15 or 17. 18 is the first milestone really.

You book a limo every year?

Haha no sorry!! We have a family get together every year!! The limo is definitely a special booking!!

Every year since my kids were born we have had a family get together as it’s a way to bring the adults together.

I agree that a 16th is special. I got my middle DD tickets for her first proper concert at the Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam. My youngest picked to see Wicked, which had just started in London and I spent more on accommodation than I usually would.

Jewellery is good and a multi hair styler, if she hasn't got one and likes to blow dry her hair, makes life easier.

Yes it is. A nice piece of jewellery, something abit special and grown up.

It is in my house!

We considered the shark. DH doesn’t feel it’s very “16th birthday” but it’s very expensive!

That sounds fab. What about a concert, night away in a hotel, shopping trip.

1, 10, 13, 16, 18, 20, 30, 80, 90, 100. I have no evidence to support my data so don't @ me.

16 felt like an important milestone - and also a chance to make dd feel special and celebrated in the grind of Year 11. We gave her concert tickets to see her favourite artist. Had a party for her pals at home, and a family do at a venue. It was lovely.

Mine was.

It was my daughters 16th last year and we did get her a Swakovski necklage as a keep sake special gift (was nowere near as expensive as i thought it would be, some great deals if you manage to go when there is a sale on) she has never taken it off and even chose to wear it for her prom instead of a more eloborate costume jewellery one.

Mine got a Pandora charm and an overnight stay so she could visit the Harry Potter tour.

This is a soppy story and no help to the OP, but my Dad worked away from home/the UK from me being aged two and never got home for my birthday because it's the week before Christmas and he would come home as close to Christmas as possible to spend time with us.
I was working in a shop the day before my 16th birthday and the bell went (a proper old fashioned ding bell when the door opened) and I was called out from sorting the petty cash to my Dad with a bunch of pink roses.
It is one of my best birthday memories despite many other things being shot to hell with the relationship with my Dad.
16 used to be a more important birthday than it is nowadays because you could leave school, buy fags, drink beer in a pub with an adult and a meal (I think that still applies)... oh and have sex legally and/or join the army (which still apply I think)

In the UK no, in North America yea (the whole getting a license thing is massive when you have to drive everywhere) .

I agree with the necklace. Maybe your daughter’s initial?

I got my DNiece a Monica Viander gold bangle for her 16th. I thought it was very classic and wouldn't date, but still felt "young" enough for her to wear now. It seemed to go down well!

My parents took my best school friends and I to a posh-ish restaurant in our town for my 16th. They got a cake from a bakery and we all had a glass of wine. It felt so grown up! It's one of my favourite birthday memories. I bet your DD will feel the same about her limo trip.

We bought our daughter some jewellery so that she had something to keep as well as some other bits. Did same for 18th and 21st.

A big pack of condoms? She's not your little girl anymore.

A reconditioned Phone was the main gift but she absolutely loved a good quality beaker style glass that said "My Sweet Sixteen Era" bought on a seller site. Also a Sweet Sixteen transfer that we put in a kilner jar and filled with candy from her little sister who really enjoyed picking out the sweets. Felt like a big day to us.

Aren’t you delightful

Unlike most posters, every birthday is special in my book but 16 is extra special.

If she doesn't want any specific present, I would book a weekend away (or a week, but that's becoming expensive!) and would give her an item of jewellery as a keepsake.