Why is it birthdays always seem to sneak up on me?
Miss 17 will celebrate her long-awaited, much anticipated, 18th birthday next month. We’ve been updated on the countdown nearly every week for months – I believe it’s now only 29 days to go!
We’ve arranged a family dinner at Miss 17’s favourite restaurant on the actual night, and I believe her friends are spoiling her with a weekend in a posh city hotel.
Which brings me to my current dilemma: what do you get a girl for her 18th birthday?
Now she’s working and has her own income, Miss 17 doesn’t really lack for anything she wants or needs (except maybe a car, and I’m afraid that just ain’t gonna happen).
Plus, it needs to be something a bit special, that (hopefully) she will remember always.
Pressure, much?!
I’m leaning towards continuing a bit of a family tradition. You see, when I turned 18, my Mum gave me a lovely garnet ring
I’m pretty sure Mum did the same for my two sisters (though my memory’s not so great, I will have to confirm that).
What I do know, is that my sister in turn gave a ring to her daughter for her 18th earlier this year … the first in the new generation for this family tradition.
Miss 17 likes the idea and has specified something dainty with a red stone. This was her favourite when we went shopping on the weekend:
*Big sigh of relief* from me … until the relatives began asking me what she would like.
The short answer is: I don’t know!
(The long answer is: Are you for real?! It took me months to figure out what WE would get her, how on earth can I give YOU any inspiration?!)
I’ve started making a bit of a list of possible ideas:
- a bottle of Chanel No 5 perfume
– because every woman should own it at least once in her lifetime (though I’m 47 and still waiting … ).
- “18” jewellery – eg pandora charm
- An “18” wine glass, photo frame, or similar.
- A special handbag or wallet.
- Good quality skincare for young skin.
- Technology – camera
- A sewing machine if she is that way inclined.
- A new bed – perhaps a double or queen size – and/or new grown up bedding – quilt cover set etc.
- A leather jacket is always stylish.
- A freestanding mirror/jewellery cabinet.
After that, my brain is all dried up.
Can you help me with any ideas of what to get a girl for her 18th birthday?!
The ring idea is perfect, Janet. My parents gave me an amethyst ring for my 18th birthday. Other than that maybe you could tell others to give her gift cards from her favourite stores? I seem to remember getting gift vouchers from Bra’s N’ Things when I was young and I bought pretty lingerie. The kind of stuff I couldn’t wear now. Sigh.
Amethysts are beautiful!
Her own apartment. LOL.
I wish – you should see how messy she is! 😉
A voucher for a manicure? A photobook? A skydive? A case of wine, just kidding. Umm, I say a nice piece of jewellery is lovely, or a lovely trinket box or frame engraved? Em – also visiting as part of #teamIBOT
We threw a party for Brittant at the Fremantle prison and bought her the phone she wanted, which she promptly lost at a night club later that night ????
We got her a phone for her last birthday – which she drops on a regular basis and has had to get the screen replaced!
My daughter asked for cash. Cold hard cash. I would have loved to buy her a ring but she refuses to wear any jewelry at all. She doesn’t even have her ears pierced. Something that lasts is the best present I think.
I love your idea of a ring … we have always given our girls a special jewellery item for those milestone birthdays like 16, 18 and 21. Perfume is always lovely for a girl, a voucher to her favourite dress store would probably go down a treat or maybe a voucher for a spa treatment!
I agree a piece of jewellery is a perfect gift. My daughter is not into jewellery at all so she is very difficult to buy a gift for. She was actually in the UK on a Gap Year when she turned 18 so we went over to visit her and took her to Paris for 3 days then on her actual birthday took her to a show in London and shouted her luxury accommodation. I also made her a DVD of her life to date which she loved. I think nice perfume, a leather wallet, perfumed candles, photo frames, iPad covers, etc are all good gift ideas.
Whew, I’m glad Miss 17 loves jewellery then!
I love the idea of a ring. I think my dad got me one too when I was 18. And I got a bracelet for my 21st birthday 🙂
We gave Miss 17 a pandora bracelet for her graduation last year. So I guess a necklace and or earrings for her 21st would be in order! 😉
The ring is a beautiful idea and something she can treasure forever. As for what everyone else can get her, maybe some earrings or necklace to match the ring??