How much to spend on 18th birthday present

[PJ67]

My ds is 18 next month. He doesn't want a party and there isn't anything he particularly wants so we will probably just give him money. I know it will vary a lot but do people give a lot more than other birthdays?

We did.
Well, it depends what they need / want.
ds is a Summer birthday, and his laptop had died, and he was heading off to University in the September, so (he wouldn't have a party or anything either), we got him a new laptop.
dd, OTOH, couldn't think of anything she really wanted, except she did want a party, so that is what we gave to her.
Normally we don't spend that much on gifts, but 18ths seemed to be the occasion to spend a bit more.
Alternatively, if he can't think of anything right now, what about a "voucher" or promisary note saying you will get him {insert something like some driving lessons, or money towards first car or to go travelling or whatever he might want to do} when he wants it from you ?

ds knows he will just spend any money he has, so has asked us not to give him a small inheritance he has had, as he wants to buy something 'from' that relative when he is older, and not spend it all a tenner here and a tenner there.

Dd is 18 in a couple of months. I've asked her if there is something she wants, offered driving lessons, jewellery,a new watch but she has said no to all my suggestions. I asked my friend and she gave her son £500 which is more than we can afford. I think most people give a bit more money on an 18th. I'm now thinking about a weekend somewhere as she doesn't want a party either.

Ds1 needed a laptop for uni so that what we got him. He, dh & ds2 had all paid a share in an expensive gaming pc, ds2 bought ds1s share off him and he put that towards the laptop too as he wanted a high spec one.

Yes we did significantly more for 18th. It was a one off and won't be repeated for 21st.

My dd turns 18 next month, we are letting her have a party for her friends at home the day before her birthday so they are here at midnight when she turns 18, then the following day we are having friends and family over.

We also don't know what to get her, we are now thinking money, the amount will depend on how much we are able to put aside over the next month, but will hopefully be more than we would normally give. She seems to have lots of plans for the next year, gigs, weekend trips away with friends, etc. so money seems the obvious choice.

I put my sister a package together consisting of 18 little presents. The 2 'main presents' of the package was a pair of trainers and some nice perfume. The rest was little bits such as chocolate, alcohol, socks, cereal and other girly bits. I got the idea from a friend and it went down a treat with my sister!

I got my DDs and SDD luggage. Really useful at that age. The soft cases on wheels are great and can squish under beds in Uni digs. Good ones cost about £120.

I think you should give something sentimental that will last a long time. I got given diamond studs (wear them everyday). For a boy, a lovely pair of cufflinks? Money is practical but I think something to remember their birthday by is much more special. He will look back and think my parents brought me these on my 18th :)

I gave my DD an antique diamond ring that I inherited from my mother, I was touched by how well it was recieved and I know she will treasure it. I also gave her the less flashy saphire ring that I was given by my parents for my 18th so she has a ring for special occasions and one for every day. I wasnt sure that she would understand the signifcance of the rings so it was lovely that she did..

We also gave her some cash £150 a dress to wear out clubbing, she didnt want a party.

DS wanted to train in a particular career that has no funding options and no student loan options so we paid the £15000 training fees for him. It was difficult but since it was his 18th birthday and it was an investment in his future, I'm glad we did it.

Have already told him his 21st birthday will be a card and a box of chocolates though