Daughter's 18th Birthday Present & Cake

Anne_Marie_2

Little Sprog's 18th next month, and in a quandary. Have organised weekend away, and will be donating cash for her to spend then, ordered ballons (via link on this site), bought her special birthday outfit, got the champers. She only knows about the weekend away. She is going out with friends on her actual birthday, some coming round for few drinks first, so thought ordering pizza/other take-away as a treat, champers and birthday cake.
Am looking for ideas on what to buy her, something that she can keep. I am thinking of a piece of jewellery, possibly necklace or ring with her birthstone. She doesn't want a camera, already has an okay one, she does want an Ipod, but I want to buy something that she will always have.
Also want help with birthday cake. Anyone know how to do those photo things on cake? I have great ideas there, but no knowledge of how to go about it! Only thing I can think of is using rice paper, but the ink is something else! Is it possible to do this on a home printer? Would I just be cheaper going to a specialist?
Looking forward to any inspirational thoughts.

Edinburghlass_2

Asda will do the photo on a cake thing for you, think its £10 for quite a large cake. My boss just did this for his twin daughter's 30th birthday. He found an old slide of a photograph of them as babies, projected it onto a white wall then used his digital camera to photograph the slide on the wall.

Then took the camera into Asda and they sorted the photo with the bakery department and I think it was ready in an hour!! Think you probably need quite a large Asda with bakery and photographic department.

Is the actual birthday before or after the w/end away because if its after I could sort it for you at my local Asda if that would help?

And I would definately go with jewellery!

KK

I've seen this advertised in the window of my local cake shop but don't know how they do it, so you could try a baker's. How about a nice piece from Tiffany - might be a bit expensive but would be classic and a real treat. Does she like silver or gold? A plainish ring or bangle would be lovely, or a birthstone is a great idea. Or how about a lovely watch?

Anne_Marie_2

Thanks Edinburghlass & KK. We have quite a large Asda in Dundee, will give that a try, had never thought of there. Thanks for offering assistance, so nice of you. Her birthday is on Friday just before we go away, so will need it for then. She doesn't like yellow gold, and wears silver, but thought of going for white gold. Not sure about Tiffany's though, might just be a bit beyond my reach at the moment! Will have a good rake about, just not seen anything that hits me in the eyes yet - hopefully something will very soon!

Edinburghlass_2

If you do decide on jewellery why don't you think about checking out Antique Fairs or shops. I could certainly point you in the direction of some good antique jewellers in Edinburgh!

Scotfairs, tele no 01764654555 organise them round Scotland, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Ayr to name some and the guy that organises them sells jewellery and usually has some lovely pieces. Also the big two day fair at Ingliston is on 12th and 13th February where you would have a big choice of stands.

You get a lot more for your money buying this way and I'm sure would find something to last forever. Although being 18, your daughter might want something that is fashionable now.

Anne_Marie_2

What a good idea, will give that some thought. She loves jewellery, and has quite varied tastes ranging from downright cheap and tacky to simple, but expensive, likes Gothic, Celtic, Rennie MackIntosh, so that might be the way to go. Unfortunately wouldn't be able to manage fair at Ingliston, but there are some antique shops up our neck of the woods, also will have a look at local paper tomorrow to see what's doing in the way of fairs.
Still have to get the cake organised, haven't had time yet, but will give Asda a call later today to see if the one in our area does the photo thing.
Thanks very much for your ideas, greatly appreciated.