What to buy for 18th birthdays?

I 3rd jewellery.

Cash is king, I’m afraid.

My friend said that her DH, a very talented woodworker, had made their grandson a cuff link box for his 18th. Sounded a bit quaint and rather old fashioned to me, but each to his own

Cannot imagine our GC would welcome something like that, (sadly), but her GC, outwardly at least, seem to appreciate home made items.

Whether they do really, I don’t know.

I have no idea what any of my GC would like, so they always get money. No use getting them stuff they never use.

I wanted to buy dd1 a really nice piece of jewellery for her 18th, but since she was honest enough to admit that she’d probably only lose or break it, I ditched that idea.

She said she wanted ‘experiences’, which meant money to pay for them, so that was what she got.
TBH she was never into ‘stuff’, and still isn’t, many years later.
Dd2 was much the same.

At that age, cash is almost always very welcome! So unless you know there’s something they’d particularly like….

My granddaughter was 18 in February. I bought her a silver necklace not overly expensive as wanted to get her a personal gift and gave her some money plus a few fun bits and pieces I hoped she would like. I had little feedback so my advice is probably they just want money!! Unfortunately I don’t live close by and see her only rarely. Easier if you see them regularly and know what they like.

If they are friends maybe you couldbuy them an experience, like a w/e trip to Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam or anywhere that you know they would happily celebrate in..