18th birthday present

[in2dagroove]

Hi all, looking for ideas for 18th birthday present for DS. E.g if I were to get him some clothes what are the big brands that this age group are into? He mostly wears tracksuit bottoms T shirts and hoodies Any other ideas for a budget of around £300 ? What have you bought your DS for this milestone birthday? All responses appreciated

My ds had a new laptop.
He was off to university shortly afterwards and the one he had was on it's last legs.

I wouldn't try and buy my teens / young adults clothes unless they sent me a link to a specific item they wanted.

I wouldn't but mine clothes that that for a big birthday either. I might get him the odd T-shirt or socks and pants but they usually have a very clear idea of what they want to wear by that age.

Has he got a holiday planned with his DFs? Maybe give him some money towards that?

A neighbour gave an engraved umbrella to her son on his 18th, very beautiful and will last longer than clothes!

300 all on driving lessons or towards their first car.

I would definitely give something longer lasting than clothes. An engraved hip flask doesn’t have to be a main present but is a nice keepsake, jewellery if he is into it, I think both my boys had tech (laptop or iPad).

Please don't choose clothes for your 18 year old. Give them the money.

I think my DC would be gutted if I gave them an engraved umbrella for any birthday, let alone their 18th

Same, I’ve lost count of how many umbrellas I’ve broken/lost/forgotten!!

Mine got a laptop. He doesn't have one and is off to uni.

My DH also bought him an engraved tankard.

Then he got the usual birthday crap which ones gets in our house, sweets and food etc.

😂😂 you know your children better than anyone else. This umbrella was well received but I agree I would prefer to give it to someone older that can appreciate it and keep it safe!

Thanks for all your suggestions, really appreciated

I would only buy my DS15 clothes if he sent a link to them - he is quite specific about what he chooses

For an 18th I'd be thinking maybe a St Christopher (if he did jewellery) , bracelet, watch or sone sort of "keepsake" type item and either money towards driving lessons if not already started ot towards travelling

As the keepsake part of his gift ds got an engraved pewter 6oz hip flask with a Scottish thistle emblem on it. His 18th was around his prom date so the engraving wording was about being class of 2022 and also turning 18th. He loved using the hip flask covertly at his prom and giving a drink to his favourite teacher (physics). He will be able to use it in the future when wearing a kilt at weddings etc.

Clothes will be in the bin in no time - so not an 18th present. I would have said a watch, but I know that not all teens would be keen. Laptop or Chromebook for college? Cool luggage (a good brand, that a teen would like)? A necklace, if he wears jewellery? Or money in his account, for travelling, college etc.

Are you serious?

DS is only 14 but when he turns 18 I am probably going to get him a signet ring with our family crest on - we aren’t posh, most families have one.
Bit cheesy but he’s wanted one for years

We gave both ours physical
Photo books of their lives so far from bay at scans to baby pics through toddlerhood and school etc. We themed them - so sections on party going (quite funny going from dressing as Batman to being caught swaying drunkenly with beer in hand); school; holidays and travels etc
It was a lot of fun putting them together and they were appreciated (along with cash!!!)

We really struggled with what to get our twins - they do need tech for university, but it's beyond our budget (thank goodness for the CTF...), and I didn't want to give money. In the end, we booked a lovely airBandB for them and their girlfriends, near the coast. It was a chalet with hot tub on the decking, and we bought day passes to the leisure club/spa - we added a Mindful Chef recipe box for one day, and a JustEat voucher for the second.... and sent them all off for the weekend. It went down very well!

Love that @faffadoodledo

Oh definitely The North Face theyre quite a pricey brand.They do last though.

DD is 19 and I wouldn’t even attempt to pick out her clothes - she’d hate it!! For her 18th I took her away for a city break of her choice, she loved it and we both agreed that it was much better + meant a lot more than just buying random gifts

We have always gone for the "you're about to go to Uni so whatever expensive thing you actually need" on the 18th route and then something more sentimental for the 21st. Just because I think by 21, you understand sentimentality more and are more duly careful. I lost my 18th bracelet before I had even turned 19 and I still haven't told my mum nearly 30 years later!