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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

18th Birthday present ideas

27 replies

SillySeal · 30/06/2026 16:23

Usually I am pretty good at buying DC presents but my eldest is about to turn 18 and I am clueless on what to buy her or how to celebrate. Can any wise people give me any ideas?

She doesn't really have any hobbies apart from the theatre so we've already got tickets booked as one of her presents. She is a girly girl but has enough of the perfume/ make up etc.

What do people buy their 18 year olds these days? Non of her friends have done much or been bought anything I can take ideas from. She doesn't want a party at all.

I might get her a nice jewellery set but apart from that I am stuck and DH is no help.

OP posts:
Bubblehubbles · 30/06/2026 16:24

I got mine a nice Tiffany necklace

Mancity08 · 30/06/2026 16:28

Was going to say Tiffany
if she’s a pj girl & underwear - Boux Avenue
designer handbag
watch
birthstone ring or necklace or earrings
driving lessons

Needmorelego · 30/06/2026 16:30

Does she enjoy reading?
How about a copy of a popular book from the year she was born.

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 30/06/2026 16:35

My parents gave me a wide, antique silver bracelet. I’m 56 and still wear it.

Original poster
SillySeal · 30/06/2026 16:36

Funnily enough, I have been looking at Tiffany. We offered to buy her one for her 16th but she said no. Maybe if I just get one she will like it.

OP posts:
rainbowsparkle28 · 30/06/2026 16:37

I always think jewellery is nice for this kind of event if you are in a position to. I got a Sapphire ring for my 18th and still wear it constantly (literally take it off if have to for MRI or something that’s it).

Original poster
SillySeal · 30/06/2026 16:37

Mancity08 · 30/06/2026 16:28

Was going to say Tiffany
if she’s a pj girl & underwear - Boux Avenue
designer handbag
watch
birthstone ring or necklace or earrings
driving lessons

Handbag might be a good shout. She likes her bags.

Already has birthstone jewellery and is about to have her driving test next month. Already has a car sorted.

OP posts:
Original poster
SillySeal · 30/06/2026 16:38

Needmorelego · 30/06/2026 16:30

Does she enjoy reading?
How about a copy of a popular book from the year she was born.

Unfortunately not.

OP posts:
rightoguvnor · 30/06/2026 16:42

I got one of mine monogrammed luggage and vanity.
Not because I wanted her to sod off and leave home, but because I wanted her to feel - how to put it - ‘launched’ or as if the world was her oyster.

Tonissister · 30/06/2026 16:42

We gave DC money for specific things: driving lessons for one, an upgrade on a musical instrument for the other. Then a bottle of expensive scent and dinner out at a better restaurantthan usual.

We also had books printed with photos from the day they were born right up to just before their 18th birthdays. Added some photos from key events in their lives - favourite holidays, extracurricular activities, some of them at parties with close school friends etc. I still look at those books. And gave copies to grandparents too.

rightoguvnor · 30/06/2026 16:43

Or maybe I did want her to sod off and leave home as I also paid for driving lessons and a trip to the Greek isles.
However, she remains here, some years on….

Twoshoesnewshoes · 30/06/2026 16:45

My DD had an Olivia Somebody watch
DS had a work bench
DS had a silver cuff bangle

Needmorelego · 30/06/2026 16:54

SillySeal · 30/06/2026 16:38

Unfortunately not.

Show quote history

Oh well 🙁
They're all different with what they like.
(my girl just turned 18 and wanted Pokémon cards)

omgitchiness · 30/06/2026 16:56

A private number plate?

Biggles27 · 30/06/2026 19:11

We got dd a very nice jewellery set (necklace & earrings). She’s now 24 and has recently starting wearing it to events. She’s wasn’t especially taken with it at 18 but adores it at 24

niece got a crystal necklace for her 18th (Swarovski) and does wear that

nephew got a decent watch which he does wear

few nieces & nephews got money and I have no idea what it was spent on! Not sure it’s on my radar to know however so it might be just that 🤣

Reallyneedsaholiday · 01/07/2026 01:20

What about a charm bracelet? That she/ you can add to.

Original poster
SillySeal · 01/07/2026 11:46

Tonissister · 30/06/2026 16:42

We gave DC money for specific things: driving lessons for one, an upgrade on a musical instrument for the other. Then a bottle of expensive scent and dinner out at a better restaurantthan usual.

We also had books printed with photos from the day they were born right up to just before their 18th birthdays. Added some photos from key events in their lives - favourite holidays, extracurricular activities, some of them at parties with close school friends etc. I still look at those books. And gave copies to grandparents too.

I love the photo book idea!

OP posts:
Original poster
SillySeal · 01/07/2026 11:48

Biggles27 · 30/06/2026 19:11

We got dd a very nice jewellery set (necklace & earrings). She’s now 24 and has recently starting wearing it to events. She’s wasn’t especially taken with it at 18 but adores it at 24

niece got a crystal necklace for her 18th (Swarovski) and does wear that

nephew got a decent watch which he does wear

few nieces & nephews got money and I have no idea what it was spent on! Not sure it’s on my radar to know however so it might be just that 🤣

I think a nice piece of jewellery will definitely be one of them.

Ive no idea what my nephews got either for theirs.

OP posts:
Original poster
SillySeal · 01/07/2026 11:48

Reallyneedsaholiday · 01/07/2026 01:20

What about a charm bracelet? That she/ you can add to.

She already has 2 but I will get her a charm for one.

OP posts:
Original poster
SillySeal · 01/07/2026 11:49

Thanks everyone. Ive got some good ideas I am going to go and have a look at.

OP posts:
SnowfallSnowball · 01/07/2026 19:57

I took my DD to Paris for the weekend for her 18th birthday, had a lovely time! 😊

Purpl · 07/07/2026 18:52

Tiffany necklace & bracelet though its been repaired twice poor quality . driving lessons private number plate. Paid for holiday to magaluff. This was bought for both dc across 18th & 21st

Fiddy1964 · 08/07/2026 20:05

My eldest son got a paid holiday with his friends, spending money and a block booking of driving lessons. Middle son got a new computer & TV. Then a big age gap with youngest son. He got a paid trip to Japan and spending money for the trip.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 08/07/2026 20:10

For my DDs 18th I had a necklace made using gold from my grandmothers wedding ring, it’s beautiful and dd loved it. I also paid for a weekend city break to Paris which was a fab trip.

yousillygoose · 08/07/2026 20:47

I bought my daughter a piece of jewellery and took her to Paris for her 18th. I also booked a few things to do whilst there. It was a really memorable trip, and it was lovely to spend some time just her and me.

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