tcu2003
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 31, 2010 15:24:01 GMT -5
Posts: 4,942
|
Post by tcu2003 on Feb 19, 2015 23:04:22 GMT -5
I need gift ideas for DH's niece's upcoming 18th birthday. Anyone have any suggestions (besides cash)? She's graduating in May and **maybe** going to a CC - she keeps changing her mind, or so I'm told. I know her favorite college and NFL teams, so as a last resort, I could get her a new t-shirt or something. We got her clothes, scarves and fashion jewelry for Christmas, though, so I'm not sure if I want to do clothes again. Shopping for teenagers is hard.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 2, 2024 18:28:33 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 6:47:32 GMT -5
I'm sure she will thank you for whatever you give, but money is the preferred gift. There is very little that you can come up with that she will appreciate as much. |
|
Shooby
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2013 0:32:36 GMT -5
Posts: 14,782 
Mini-Profile Name Color: 1cf04f
|
Post by Shooby on Feb 20, 2015 6:56:49 GMT -5
Depends on what you want to spend. You could take her to one of her favorite college or NFL team games. Of course that's over now and that would have to wait. Sounds like she likes sports, does she like Hockey? My son's GF is taking my son and her to a Penguins game as a gift. But, at 18, of course, cash is King!
|
|
tcu2003
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 31, 2010 15:24:01 GMT -5
Posts: 4,942
|
Post by tcu2003 on Feb 20, 2015 8:29:23 GMT -5
Not a hockey fan and we live in a city without an NHL team anyway. Maybe I'll see if I can get college basketball tickets.
|
|
busymom
Distinguished Associate
Why is the rum always gone? Oh...that's why.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 21:09:36 GMT -5
Posts: 28,387
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"https://cdn.nickpic.host/images/IPauJ5.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0D317F
Mini-Profile Text Color: 0D317F
|
Post by busymom on Feb 20, 2015 8:34:09 GMT -5
When DD was that age, either cash or gift cards were her favorite gifts.  |
|
giramomma
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 11:25:27 GMT -5
Posts: 21,334
|
Post by giramomma on Feb 20, 2015 9:05:57 GMT -5
Is there something that she can do at 18 that she couldn't do before? I played bingo at 18 to help celebrate.
Is she moving out soon?
Cash is nice and no doubt more appreciated in the very short term.
If she's moving out soon, she won't know that she'll appreciate good/matching cookware/kitchen gear (as opposed to thrift store, dollar store, parent cast-offs etc cookware) until she's a little older.
After almost 20 years, I still adore my first three "adult" pots. They are stainless steel. I bought them on sale, when I was broke college kid. We still use them daily today, and they are in great shape.
Some cooking classes might be useful/fun too. Our rec department and technical college offer one night classes in all sorts of stuff: indian, thai, etc cooking, baking, etc..
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 2, 2024 18:28:33 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 10:30:13 GMT -5
Real jewellery, small gold hoop earrings come to mind. At that age they are old enough to start having some of the basics. |
|
irishpad
Well-Known Member
Joined: Aug 14, 2012 20:42:01 GMT -5
Posts: 1,175 
|
Post by irishpad on Feb 20, 2015 10:42:51 GMT -5
Does she have a spring break at her HS? If so, maybe something connected with what she plans / hopes to do during the break.
A spa day?
Gift certificate for a salon which she can use for her prom day? Or mall certificate to help buy a prom dress?
18, she can now go to a casino! Girls night with aunts/cousins at the casino. |
|
siralynn
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 8, 2013 10:33:16 GMT -5
Posts: 528
|
Post by siralynn on Feb 20, 2015 10:44:11 GMT -5
My aunt and uncle did "here's things you need for adulthood" type gifts for both my high school and college graduations. I think high school was a tool bag full of the basics (screwdrivers, hammer, ratchet set, etc.). College was a decent luggage set.
|
|
tcu2003
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 31, 2010 15:24:01 GMT -5
Posts: 4,942
|
Post by tcu2003 on Feb 20, 2015 11:00:24 GMT -5
Budget is $50-75ish, but would go higher if I found something I loved.
She has an iPhone and a laptop, so tech is more or less covered.
We bought small diamond earrings for her 16th birthday, but I might look for white gold hoops.
I like the pots/pans/household stuff idea, but will probably use that for graduation once we hopefully know what she's doing next.
|
|
Bob Ross
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 14:48:03 GMT -5
Posts: 5,882
|
Post by Bob Ross on Feb 20, 2015 11:04:33 GMT -5
A gross of condoms.
|
|
tcu2003
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 31, 2010 15:24:01 GMT -5
Posts: 4,942
|
Post by tcu2003 on Feb 20, 2015 11:05:52 GMT -5
I like the spa/beauty salon idea for prom. She has a boyfriend and I'm pretty sure will attend prom.
My other thought was helping her get her driver's license. DH's brother and her mom split when she was one, she currently only sees her dad at family functions (but my MIL/niece's grandma or DH's other bro/SIL pick her up, never her dad), and he has but won't give her the certified birth certificate. Now that she's 18 (in a few days), she can request her birth certificate herself and then get her SS card and go get a DL. For over a year, she's been saying she's waiting on her mom to order her birth certificate and it still hasn't happened.
|
|
myrrh
Established Member
Joined: Apr 12, 2011 22:55:14 GMT -5
Posts: 478
|
Post by myrrh on Feb 20, 2015 12:02:05 GMT -5
The Boglehead's Guide to Investing. Hey, this is YM.  One of the most practical gifts I got for college was a plastic bucket and various cleaning supplies (sponges, paper towels, dish soap, windex, etc.). |
|
giramomma
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 11:25:27 GMT -5
Posts: 21,334
|
Post by giramomma on Feb 20, 2015 12:43:08 GMT -5
My other thought was helping her get her driver's license. DH's brother and her mom split when she was one, she currently only sees her dad at family functions (but my MIL/niece's grandma or DH's other bro/SIL pick her up, never her dad), and he has but won't give her the certified birth certificate. Now that she's 18 (in a few days), she can request her birth certificate herself and then get her SS card and go get a DL. For over a year, she's been saying she's waiting on her mom to order her birth certificate and it still hasn't happened. I really like this idea. I might even offer to pay learner permit fees (if needed) and go driving with her if you live close enough. Do you think she'll need an eye exam? |
|
kittensaver
Junior Associate
We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love. - Mother Teresa
Joined: Nov 22, 2011 16:16:36 GMT -5
Posts: 7,983
|
Post by kittensaver on Feb 20, 2015 14:01:31 GMT -5
I also like the idea of a gift that is a little more of a "permanent" memento - but of course within your budget. Real gold earrings? Maybe small diamond studs? Real pearls (earrings or necklace)? A birthstone ring (not a cheap knockoff)? Some other piece of jewelry she's always wanted?
I realize this is only my family, but: when we were growing up, each year for our birthday we got one dollar for every year old we were. The 'rents took the time to go get crisp, unused dollar bills to put in a card. On our 21st birthday, not only did we get 21 new bills, we also got a bottle of champagne.  |
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,866
|
Post by zibazinski on Feb 20, 2015 14:04:34 GMT -5
iTunes gift card.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 2, 2024 18:28:33 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 14:09:06 GMT -5
I don't wear jewelry. You know your niece there...
I like prom day, or birth certificate/driving stuff. Does she need drivers Ed then? Our IU gives a few hour course for 200$ some dollars. At 18 will she still need to log hours? If so you could do that for her...
|
|
cktc
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 19, 2013 22:15:31 GMT -5
Posts: 3,202
|
Post by cktc on Feb 20, 2015 14:45:02 GMT -5
Concert tickets, Target/Amazon gift card. If you know her style, maybe a designer wristlet full of a mix of movie theater, fast food, and coffee shop gift cards.
|
|
cronewitch
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:44:20 GMT -5
Posts: 5,974
|
Post by cronewitch on Feb 20, 2015 15:06:19 GMT -5
A tattoo, zipline, skydiving are things my 18 year old great nephew got this year. For his birthday his grandmother made him a quilt from all the jerseys he wore playing sports as a child, his mom paid for a tattoo for him and his cousin to match her late grandfather's WWII tattoo. I gave my niece my great aunt's silver for her 18th birthday.
|
|
tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,831
|
Post by tskeeter on Feb 20, 2015 19:22:15 GMT -5
I need gift ideas for DH's niece's upcoming 18th birthday. Anyone have any suggestions (besides cash)? She's graduating in May and **maybe** going to a CC - she keeps changing her mind, or so I'm told. I know her favorite college and NFL teams, so as a last resort, I could get her a new t-shirt or something. We got her clothes, scarves and fashion jewelry for Christmas, though, so I'm not sure if I want to do clothes again. Shopping for teenagers is hard. A good looking 20 year old boy? |
|
Peace77
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 1:42:40 GMT -5
Posts: 3,929
|
Post by Peace77 on Feb 21, 2015 19:34:07 GMT -5
A watch
A mag lite flashlight
a first aid kit
Supplies for a car along with a note that she will get help getting her birth certificate and Driver's license
|
|
Happy prose
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 12:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 3,228
|
Post by Happy prose on Feb 21, 2015 20:50:28 GMT -5
How about taking her for lunch, then a mani/pedi?
|
|
Spellbound454
Senior Member
"In the end, we remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends"
Joined: Sept 9, 2011 17:28:42 GMT -5
Posts: 3,987
|
Post by Spellbound454 on Feb 22, 2015 7:27:01 GMT -5
Selfie stick...(If she hasn't already got one) and or camera.
Most 18 year olds I know like to take pictures of themselves for facebook. |
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,118
|
Post by alabamagal on Feb 22, 2015 20:36:44 GMT -5
My other thought was helping her get her driver's license. DH's brother and her mom split when she was one, she currently only sees her dad at family functions (but my MIL/niece's grandma or DH's other bro/SIL pick her up, never her dad), and he has but won't give her the certified birth certificate. Now that she's 18 (in a few days), she can request her birth certificate herself and then get her SS card and go get a DL. For over a year, she's been saying she's waiting on her mom to order her birth certificate and it still hasn't happened. I really like this idea. I might even offer to pay learner permit fees (if needed) and go driving with her if you live close enough. Do you think she'll need an eye exam? Don't do this UNLESS someone is prepared to pay for car insurance. If you have someone living in your house you have to add them to car insurance and that could be up to $100 a month. I did not let me middle child get his license until he was 17 because there was no need for him to drive. He did not get his license until his sister went away to college. I would have been very UPSET with anyone who did this even if he was 18. |
|
