Grandson 18th

I think a special memory is worth more than an article. So whether he has always wanted to go to Crete, or be at the finals of the snooker at the Crucible , or watching wimbledon or whatever, if those tickets are way out of his normal price range, he would be both surprised and pleased at the opportunity to do that special thing. Then that becomes one of the special memories of your lifetime and the feeling you had in that moment is never forgotten.

Men still wear watches there are some amazing watches out there my sons and GS collects them. Fossil is a good make and trendy.
As for the whisky lots of the small distillerys will lay a few bottles of single malt down for you for about 15 years or more by then he will old enough to enjoy it responsible.

I gave mine a Track Day Event where he can drive supercars such as a Ferrari (under supervision of course).

What a wonderful idea,!

The key ring sounds good. A smart cool design And the number plate. Both long lasting.

Don't forget there will be a 21st coming in a flash. Forget tankards and hip flasks etc. For an 18 year old!!

Ask his parents....or ask him.

Why don't you ask him? Or ask his parents? I don't have a clue what other people's GC are into but I hope when my GS is 18 I will know him well enough to know what he likes.

NemosMum

Sorry, but whilst your grandson may be very polite and touched by your generosity, I think all those 'heirloom' type gifts may just be forgotten at the bottom of a chest of drawers - probably in his parents' house. Be realistic - ask him what he'd like. He will remember you with love regardless of whether you buy gold coins, watches, engraved tankards, rings etc. Perhaps he would like a contribution towards a holiday after his exams.

Sadly, I think this is true.

Tankards, hip flasks etc.

Just don’t think many 18 year olds interested in stuff ‘to keep’.

How many christening gifts are still looked and treasured?

Boys more so than girls probably, but don’t think our ideas of jewellery etc would be welcomed by many GD’s either.

Fast forward 50 years, how many of us are on the declutterring site, saying how we are trying to ditch ‘stuff’, some of which our own kids have left us with, 18th birthday gifts amongst them?

If he has not passed his driving test, lessons might be a good present. There are also courses and tests to improve driving skills for existing drivers, some can lead to reduced insurance premiums.

Definitely avoid anything alcohol related but a leather travel bag a brilliant idea

Euro rail travel card so he can travel anywhere in Europe maybe?

Boys don't keep sentimental things at all. The only thing my son kept was a leather Mulberry key ring which he has for his car and house keys, still going strong he is nearly 28 now.

Gold sovereign or other gold coin. Gold neck chain

Sorry, but whilst your grandson may be very polite and touched by your generosity, I think all those 'heirloom' type gifts may just be forgotten at the bottom of a chest of drawers - probably in his parents' house. Be realistic - ask him what he'd like. He will remember you with love regardless of whether you buy gold coins, watches, engraved tankards, rings etc. Perhaps he would like a contribution towards a holiday after his exams.

Libra10 I've just had a browse and signed up. Excellent idea.

Every day is a school day here 😊

surfingsal what an inspired idea. Fabulous

How about an engraved tankard

I disagree about not wearing watches, they are very popular with some men. Though they are more like fashion accessories.

We bought our granddaughter a watch for her 18th. She always wears a watch.

For something special, I would take a look at what the Royal Mint are selling.

www.royalmint.com/

Some keepsake commorative coins, and other items.

A beautiful chair by a famous designer e.g. Hans Wegner's wishbone chair or copy thereof. He can have it in his room at home until he has his own place. It will be good for all his life.

An engraved silver hip flask?

When my eldest grandson was 18 we had decided to give him some cash but I also wanted him to have something to keep, to cut a very long story short I found a car number plate with his initials and the year he was born, it was a bit more than we had planned to spend but he is now 45 and has had it on every car he has owned .

Bought my grandson a very small gold coin.
He's doing economics and it was to teach him about gold reserves.
Was about £100 and it was very small! But he liked it!

BridgetPark

A vintage bottle of whisky. He can save it for when he retires!!!
I think it would be a very unusual 18 boy who would not be tempted to drink it though!

When I had this with neices and nephews I decided that something memorable was better/easier than something that was a keepsake as it was so hard to find anything. So something they will never forget they got for an 18th birthday - even if it's not something they keep forever. Just something they really want now that is special. A musical instrument maybe? If he's a musical type? A high quality record player (if he's into vinyl records).