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Original poster

Is a Vivienne Westwood watch a nice 18th present?

47 replies

User99887766 · 27/12/2019 09:55

I have zero style or idea about brands so bear with me please

Goddaughter will be 18 soon. I have a budget of £150 and want to get something that's a bit classy. Obviously the sales are on at the moment which brings some things into my budget but am trying to avoid the crap!

If my watch idea is way off then I'd be truly grateful of any suggestions.

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 27/12/2019 09:58

Unless the recipient is a Westwood fan, probably not.

Do you know what sort of things she generally likes?

Maybe a Longchamp bag or some really nice make-up brushes?

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 27/12/2019 09:59

Yes that sounds lovely also the Michael kors rose gold watches used to be "the in thing" 3 years ago

Ginfordinner · 27/12/2019 10:03

I think you need to be very sure that it will be appreciated. Most young people don't seem to wear watches these days.

milienhaus · 27/12/2019 10:06

I agree lots of people don’t wear watches any more. Perhaps a lovely necklace?

georgiams · 27/12/2019 10:06

My 2 couisons 17 and 18 had Vivienne Westwood watches for Xmas and loved them. They wouldn't have appreciated anything longchamp but second the makeup brushes and Michael Korrs! Xx

sunshinesupermum · 27/12/2019 10:07

Something from Pandora might be better.

Apolloanddaphne · 27/12/2019 10:08

My DD would have hated that at age 18 (and still would at age 22) and would have hated a Michael Kors watch too. She also dislikes things like Pandora. She doesn't like bling at all and only wears silver jewellery. What she liked best was vouchers so she could buy what she wanted.

Unless you know your GD's taste or can find out what she would like then I would avoid jewellery all together and give her money or vouchers.

jinglebellz · 27/12/2019 10:09

I got one for my 21st and loved it!

JoyceJames · 27/12/2019 10:09

Actually I think watches are quite 'in'. My late teen/young adults like them.

TheMostWonderfulTimeForABeer · 27/12/2019 10:12

I agree that a lot of younger people don’t seem to wear watches nowadays. I just googled VW watches though and they’re lovely. I want one now! Sorry not much help 😀

My dd was recently 18. I know everyone is very disapproving on MN, but she and many of her friends do like Pandora. I got her the reflexions bracelet for Christmas and she loves it.

For her birthday she had a gold chain and letter initial (not Pandora) and never takes it off.

Original poster
User99887766 · 27/12/2019 10:13

Gosh it hadn't even occurred to me that people don't wear watches 😂

I'm trying to avoid anything too fashionable, aiming more for something classic-but-slightly-quirky (she's a quirky dresser) which she can hopefully still wear in 40 years time

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 27/12/2019 10:16

Thinking about this more, I reckon a watch or jewellery is far too easy to get very wrong, and it's too much money to spend on something she might not appreciate.

You could get a really lovely leather makeup case, some brushes and maybe something like an Urban Decay palette?

Shortandsweet20 · 27/12/2019 10:20

Completely depends on the person in question. Those watches aren't personally my style I prefer Olivia burton/Daniel wellington watches.

If they are into make up you can't go wrong with a nice set of make up brushes. A nice leather purse or a bag?

TheMostWonderfulTimeForABeer · 27/12/2019 10:21

Lily and Roo have nice things. A plain bangle perhaps?

Ginfordinner · 27/12/2019 10:25

Unless you know your GD's taste or can find out what she would like then I would avoid jewellery all together and give her money or vouchers.

Thinking about this more, I reckon a watch or jewellery is far too easy to get very wrong, and it's too much money to spend on something she might not appreciate.

I agree with these two points. DD hates Pandora, but likes delicate silver necklaces and earrings. I wouldn't even buy make up or anything that can be so subjective unless I was really sure that the recipient would like it. As for a leather make up bag you would need to make sure that your GD wasn't vegetarian.

Whatever you do buy, please put a gift receipt in with it so it can be changed if it doesn't suit.

susso · 27/12/2019 10:39

OP I think a Vivienne Westwood watch would be lovely, you say she is a quirky dresser, I was too from the age of 18 and I adored Vivienne Westwood items!

Just another idea, for my 18th my mum bought me a Tiffany necklace with my initials engraved on the back (Tiffany do this for free I think) and it's still one of my favourite pieces of jewellery today. Really classy and versatile, hard to dislike!

Also, just me but I love a watch- I got given a Thomas Sabo (gorgeous stuff, a bit more unique and classy that pandora) one for my 21st and honestly I was over the moon with it, a nice watch is a staple for a good jewellery box imo 😁 I will keep this watch for years to come.

Another brand of quirky/pretty watches are Olivia burton watches, I just bought my niece one for Christmas, i paid about 120 for hers,The majority Will be under your budget and they have a sale on at the min. Really nice watched, niece absolutely loved hers.

Good luck- hope you find the perfect gift.

Elieza · 27/12/2019 10:49

Tough one OP.

Many of the brands others are mentioning I haven’t even heard of! Everyone has heard of Vivienne Westwood. She has stood the test of time. But if you do buy something and give her the gift receipt how would she exchange it? Is there a branch of VW or a shop that stocks it near her? Online is fine but if you haven’t seen something in the flesh it’s harder to choose! And she’ll want to get it right as it’s a forever gift. Hence I feel makeup or something not long lasting isn’t suitable for an 18 or 21st birthday. Jewellery or money is good.

Pandora is everywhere and has delicate bracelets and the likes as well as chunky stuff. Look online and see.

Thomas Sabo is lovely too. Same as Pandora. I think there are many branches?

Just pick somewhere that’s local to her so she can go in and browse if what you get her isn’t her taste and she wants to exchange with the gift receipt.

If she has a Fitbit she may not want a watch? Hence the use of the gift receipt.

sashh · 27/12/2019 11:01

I would take her with me to get a watch, if she wears one (and lots of teenager can't tell the time on an analogue watch) as they are very personal.

I have been known to ask random teenagers out shopping to help me pick something for my nieces.

JoyceJames · 27/12/2019 11:43

I think a makeup case is an awful18th gift.

Original poster
User99887766 · 27/12/2019 13:54

One thing that's obvious from reading the replies is how personal this stuff is!

I think I might go for something a bit safer. A bangle is a good suggestion.

OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 27/12/2019 14:06

A bangle is a good suggestion.

Hmm. I'm not sure that this is a safe option either.
Does she wear bangles?
I hate them, they get in the way and annoy me. DD never wears them either. I have such skinny wrists that bangles never fit me. I lost the last one I wore because it slipped off without me noticing.

GoBackToPartyCity · 27/12/2019 14:10

Does it need to be a surprise? Jewellery is such a personal thing and so easy to get wrong. Could you go and have a nice day out and let her pick something?

RaininSummer · 27/12/2019 14:28

Second that . Take her for lunch, tell her the budget and that you would like to buy a keeper such as jewellery and let her choose.

Egghead68 · 27/12/2019 14:35

Ask her what she wants or give her the cash. It’s a lot of money to spend on something she might not want.

Saffzy · 27/12/2019 14:39

I would say take her out and get her to pick something herself. A watch is a lovely idea though.