DD1 won't have any presents to open

[Motherofamadhouse]

Hi, posting this because I feel a bit guilty really and wanted to see what you all thought.
My DD1 turns 18 next week and won't have any presents to open as she has already been given her present a few weeks ago (new iPhone) and we are all going to the theatre in the evening. Just feel a bit guilty really especially as it's a big one and DD2s birthday was yesterday so she watched her sister open a pile of presents. Don't know wether to get her some things to open as my OH doesn't feel like she needs to have anything to open.

I'd go with the jewellery idea, or some other such keepsake.

I normally think kids are too spoilt now - but even I would present some things to open. However they might be things I would be buying for her anyway. So do buy bubble bath, anything likely to be needed for university or clothing but no to anything expensive that you wouldnt be buying anyway.

Tell OH that you wont have her with you much longer.

Oh wish her luck at college - it was the best thing DD ever did, I hope she has loads of fun

DD's best presents for her 18th were her great grandma's wedding ring to wear & matching earrings, new make-up brushes and a beautiful art deco mirror

You could continue with the iphone theme?

Phone case - I recommend the Incase brand, they really protect the phone and are very inobtrusive
Selfie stick - with instructions not to turn into Kim Kardashian
Nice headphones
Apple icloud storage subscription to back up her photos and videos. Might be handy if she is a performance arts type
iTunes vouchers

My mum gave us and album of photos from baby to present day,selected with memories attached.Something you are more likely to look through than digital copies.

Similar happened with my DD2 so I got her a bottle of champagne (nice bottle so she can keep) and a personalised matching champagne flute from NOTH

She chose, or you allowed her, to have the phone early and that would only be one thing to open but depending on her attitude I'd get 1-3 small, useful, things to open.

Last year DS1 had a lot of money spent on his birthday. It was already a lot more than usual then ended up being doubled. He already knew it was for Christmas as well but come Christmas no way was he having nothing to unwrap and because he expected nothing I did fill his stocking as normal but his wrapped extras were things like pyjamas, pens, things I'd have bought anyway but kept back.

Is your OH not her father? Seems very harsh to say nothing to open.

I must be super hardass, too! I wouldn't rise to more than something modest, and preferably something perishable like a few beers and a funny card, maybe. Though a phone case is very tempting (would probably get it) because they are essential in my view. Waste of money on phone without a case. But would not get a load of stuff, no way.

I don't really like birthdays much less 'landmark' ones though. Whole birthday thing is pretty silly.

a friend did this for another friend's 18th: bought a range of items from Boots and put them in a cardboard box with lots of packaging inside, e.g. Shredded paper, so it was a bit like a lucky dip but with things she would definitely like and use!
I like the idea of a momento of being 18, though, photo frame or necklace.

Yes, I'm only thinking small things if anything as an extra, like the idea of keepsakes most of all so might just get something small personalised as has been suggested. Maybe I'm just being soft as I'm feeling sentimental, can't believe where 18 years have gone!

I wrap everything for ds- big present then nice smellies,Pringles ( his favourite!)new socks,chocolates. We like a nice pile in this house!

As its her 18th I'd probably get her a couple of token gifts, chocolate, bottle of champagne, maybe a small jewellery item as a keepsake like a necklace or ear rings.

I would probably get 18 very small items that she would like or use, bar of chocolate, mini champagne, little bath bomb, nice shampoo, fancy nail files, cool stationary items, little bits of make up-etc etc, wrap them and put them in a lucky dip style box for her to pick them all out. You wouldn't have to spend much but it would make an occasion of it for her?

Every birthday for my two DC, I wrap lots of small presents. I still do this for my 25 yo DD (still at home) and my recently 18yo DS. I have done this since they were young. My DD gets shampoo/shower gel/face wipes/cotton wool (make up) and silly little 'bits' (costs me a fortune!) I bought my 18 yo DS lots of 'stocking filler' type crap gifts and LOADS of LYNX

They both love opening the little pressies, however silly they may be, and my DD now does it for me

I'd say definitely buy something for her to open.