18th Birthday

I used to give my oldest grandson £40 a month as his mum was on a low paid job and a single parent. I did support him quite a bit until he started Uni and got himself a job. Stopped his allowance but bought him a mac book for his 18th which he needed for his course. He was so happy it wasn't the latest or best model but does the job. I don't treat all my grandchildren the same as he needed more as he had far less than the other 2. I give them all £50 for normal birthdays and Christmas.

I’d say it depends how much you usually give, and I’d just give a wee bit more, maybe in a good leather wallet.

We gave our grandson £100 which I think is generous enough. Granddaughter 18 in December so will do the same for her. Have to do hers by bank transfer as lived abroad and we don’t feel like flying yet.

I think one of the problems is that nowadays there are two coming of age parties, 18th and 21st, both celebrated by large parties and equally large gifts. I think it is impossible to state how much you should give on each occasion other than what you can afford.

I have increased the amount I give my three on their birthdays as they have got older. For the two big occasions I gave them quite a lot more because I know that they will inherit what little I have got left and I would rather see them enjoying some of it while I am alive.

Should have added that I only have one GC. There won’t be more. His mummy’s sister DD2, puts £2 a week into a piggy bank, then takes it to Bank every birthday - even that means he’ll get nearly £2,000 from her when he’s 18, although goodness only knows what it might buy by then? X

Obviously, it’s what’s affordable. My DGS isn’t 3 yet, but I opened an account at H/fax for him when he was born and put money in every month. By the time he’s 18, I’ll be asking him for a loan!! X

£75 seems reasonable to me but it depends on how many grandkids you have as you must treat them all the same. What about buying premium bonds as if you give cash you don’t normally know what it’s been spent on

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I would think anything from £50 upwards depending on your financial circumstances and if you treat his 18th as being significant then his 21st becomes a regular birthday.

You have to stop giving money at some time. As my son pointed out he was earning a substantial sum every year and there was no need for monetary presents any more. If he is still in education then I expect you will want to continue but once working it is time to send cards and do a quick WhatsApp video call.

Difficult when GS is abroad.
When my son was 18 he was given several lottery scratch cards by one of his great aunts - and even won £25!
Basically, give what you can afford - £50 - £100 seems ok to me as you have to take into account the exchange rate then why not set up bank accounts containing the same amount for the other 3 so that you will have no worries about not being able to afford the same should your circumstances change?
Commemorative gifts such as tankards and tie pins etc are not that popular these days - usually because they just sit in a cupboard gathering dust !

I’d say somewhere between £100/£150. It depends what you can afford as you will have to do the same for the others.
My friend gave hers £1000 so it does depend on each individual and what we see fit.

We give our graandsons, just coming up ti 12 & 13, money and xbox or amazon vouchers for there birthdays but I think for their 18th I would like to give them something to keep such as an engraved tankard or ID disc and then maybe a small amount of money.

When our children were growing up they usually got about £50 each for a birthday, or the equivalent spent on a gift. For their 18th and 21st they got £100.
Don’t feel that pressure to give more, though, if budget is tight. Give what you are comfortable with.

I agree with lindyloo , it depends on what he’s likely to be spending the money on . I wouldn’t be happy if I gave £75 only to hear it was spent on a boozy night out with the lads , but, would be happy if it were for something useful like a nice set of headphones for example .

Whatever you can afford and feel happy with. If you think he’s going to spend it on booze etc. maybe less but if he’s level headed and maybe wants a car one day, give him what you can afford and what you’d be prepared to give the others.

My next door neighbour, who is always complaining how hard up she is, gave each of her two granddaughters a brand new car for their 18th. I wish I was that hard up!!

I had not thought about this. We give them each £25.00 for normal birthdays and I think £50.00 for 18th would better fit out budget. Bearing in mind their parents always give them lovely and expensive presents, we are not in a position to compete.

£75 sounds good to me.
It`s a nice tidy sum.

I gave my lot £100 on their 18th only 3 more to go lol but now Grt Grands are growing up.

I think whatever you can afford is suitable.

silverlining48

Whatever you decide to do for one you have to do the same for the others. I dont know, but £100 seems generous, £50 maybe not quite enough, somewhere in beyween maybe? Depends on your circumstances really.

You echo my own thoughts silverlining

Whatever you decide to do for one you have to do the same for the others. I dont know, but £100 seems generous, £50 maybe not quite enough, somewhere in beyween maybe? Depends on your circumstances really.