Any Ideas for 18th /Christmas together!

sashanut

hi all

I know I am leaving it a bit late (!) :eek: but our DD is 18 this year - 2 days after Christmas & as there is only 5 weeks to go; I am panicking a bit. Trouble is that she has been brought up in the years when we hugely overspent - that's why we are in this situation now - & consequently expects a big lot of presents. TBH we always felt a bit sorry for her as she gets all her presents over the space of 2 days, so have tended to go a bit overboard to compensate. She has made a list, which is not as bad as I thought it would be (at one point she was talking of a car :eek: - not just any car, but a brand-new pink mini!), driving lessons & etc. She's toned it down to a Wii & other things & also she is now not having a party, but her & some friends are off after Christmas for 4-day holiday which we have paid for already, insteas od a birthday bash.

Does anyone have any ideas of budget-friendly gifts/suprises for an 18 yo please I can post the list if it would help, but I would really like to get her some things to make it a bit special, but not break the bank. TIA if you can help:D

nanokitten

why not decorate the house extra special on here birthday morning, a cheap and cheerful way is to go super overboard with balloons - cover the whole ceiling and walls with them if you can (get big packs in wilkinsons etc dirt cheap and by a balloon pump). you could make a sort of birthday grotto.

Why not go for some sentimental things like all filming a birthday message and posting them on youtube, you could get all her freinds and family members who live far away (like when the actors cant collect their oscar). Most people have a movie camera on their phone nowardays to you wont even need a camcorder)
you could also make an album of photos from the year dot to now.

I think as a big pressie the wii sounds like a brilliant idea and will probaly be a big hit on the day, maybe you could drop hints to other family about some extra games that everyone can join in.

also: I think it is a good idea to have pre warned her that things are tight this year so she is not got her hopes up too much.