Is 16 a special birthday?

[nopaddle]

My first post here so bear with me. My DD will be 16 soon and I am wondering whether I am oldfashioned in thinking that 18 is special but 16 isn't really, at least no more than 13?

Anyway, if you think it should be special, what would you get for a present? Budget prefer 50 quid but might stretch to more ....

Thanks

i think that mtv program "My sweet 16th" has made young people expect it to be a bigger deal than it is.
None of my two who have passed this milestone did any more to celebrate than they did on their 15th.
I however did think my ds would want a party for his 16th a few months ago, but when I suggested it I was told unless there was drink there no one would go. I felt I couldn't in all conscience serve drink to people that young , so we didn't have a party, and he wasn't bothered either way.
For a girl though she might like a nice piece of jewelery because it is an age where they become more grown up and may be outgrowing more childish stuff.

I think it's quite a special birthday. One worth celebrating but it isn't as special as 18.

No 16 isn't realy a special birthday. well it isn't in our house.

I guess to the child in question every birthday is special, so maybe we should set a level of expectation that we can maintain year on year, rather than going mad one year and really low-key the next.

Of course 16 is v special- sex is now legal!

Also... you can get married with parental consent... and get piercings without parental consent.

dd 15 keeps telling me 16 is a special birthday. i told her she could have an 18th or a 21st celebration NOT a 16th!