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!!

This is such a lovely story! I remember exactly where Garfunkels used to be! x

The concept of "sweet sixteen" comes from the USA where you can get a licence and drive a car at the age of 16. We (I am in Belgium) celebrate each and every birthday of our (grand)children, but 18 and 21 are more special.

Well, I'm 57, so at least 41 years ago.

& as @WearyAuldWumman said, being bought/given a signet ring on your 16th was 'a thing' before that. My mum gave me hers. (Which meant more to me than having a new one)

It used to be - legally allowed to have sex, legally allowed to buy tobacco (back in the day)... garden gateway to legal adulthood almost... can get a 'proper' job (not just paper round) because you get your National Insurance number....

I did a 16 things for 16 for my older 2 - where they got 16 presents which started with the first letter of their name... some were actual nice things, some were funny and random (N got nails, R got Rulers and Radiator keys (useful though!))... They also got a Claddagh ring, which is closer to family tradition...

I personally think it is, it’s a bit of a mini milestone although perhaps less so now 16 year olds can’t do as much as they once could legally (smoking, lottery tickets).

My DS turned 16 at the weekend and I surprised him with a weekend trip to London. We live in the north so he’s only been a couple of times before and it’s quite novel still. We went on the eye, London dungeon, Madame Tussaud’s, Tate modern and British museum. Had a brilliant time.

That was his main gift tbh because I spent about £400 all told which is a lot. Got him about £150 worth of clothes to unwrap before we left too. I always prefer to buy experiences over stuff. He never asks for anything anyway really and has all the technology he needs.

16 is very special in our house/family.

i got my girl a very precious perfume. I was at a workshop in very well
known brand in the south of france and I made a perfume for her with the scents she loves and the things she s told me over the years. Like honey, sea, etc.

i spent 3hrs thinking about her and only her and she was delighted when i gave it to her. We can also re order when it has ran out.

we also gave her vouchers, and other stuffs she would like. My husband gave her earrings. But that was my special present for my first born.

my youngest is 16 is the summer. And I will do the same in a different place.

Cash

@Toosoonforahotcrossbun Depends on your budget but sometimes, teens enjoy an experience more than a gift they can hold. PS It's never too soon for a hot cross bun in our house ;-)

Mine got a dslr camera lens (already has the camera!) as she is off to college in sept to study photography. I like useful presents, but Jewellery or perfume is also a pretty good bet, like a lovely grown up piece they can keep.

I think it’s a significant birthday. I bought my DD a car. We live on an island where it’s okay to learn to drive from 15 ish…

What about a nice Mother & Daughter bracelet or necklace? Pandora or Joma do lovely jewellery that's not too expensive too.

I got my daughter some swaroski earrings. I actually purchased them in the sale a year or so earlier very pretty pink and sparkling she loved them

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I would go with jewellery.

It seems to me every birthday now seems special😳13, 16, 18 and 21!!!

One of the best presents DD got, I think she got it at 15, was a jewelry cabinet which looks like a stand-up mirror. It holds an enormous amount of jewelry and she also put some make up small bits and pieces in there and it definitely decluttered her room.

www.wayfair.co.uk/furniture/pdp/blue-elephant-chrisney-jewellery-armoire-with-mirror-u110650890.html?piid=702962969

Her main present, she didn't want to party, was a private tour of Hever Castle, she is utterly obsessed with Anne Boleyn.

I definitely think 16 is a special birthday (as is 18 and 21). My daughter got tickets to a couple of concerts for bands/artists she really liked. She loved them and still talks about them now, 3 years later.

I can see you’ve already ordered a necklace. If you were still looking, I’d suggest a locket filled with her favourite photos and engraved with her initials. It’s a good keepsake gift. Lily Blanche is a lovely Scottish brand that does free photos with every locket. Their pieces are hallmarked by the Edinburgh Assay Office. My niece loved this for her 16th www.lilyblanche.com/collections/heart-lockets/products/2-photo-diamond-heart-locket-silver

I’m still holding off on the hot cross bun! - haven’t had a Creme egg yet either!!

Thank you everyone. The necklace was £100 so I am still looking for some other ideas. That said the clothes and make up are expensive - not because they are very fancy but because everything seems expensive these days! The make up is Rhode so two small items was £50!!

Daughter turned 16 recently and we bought a matching necklace/earrings/bracelet set. A simple set with a heart and stone, something quite neutral, in the hope it will be something she will keep for a long time and will be able to wear for lots of occasions. We bought it all from abbot Lyon.

We now have the necklace, which will
hopefully arrive soon, a Pandora bracelet and charm, clothes and some nice make up. I have also ordered her favourite perfume too. Didn’t buy this at Xmas as couldn’t get a good deal so think she will be pleased.

I started to look at social media for ideas but in the end I gave up as some of the “hauls” were atrocious - clearly thousands of pounds worth. I can’t compete with this.

And those ending in 5!