How much would you spend on your childs 18th birthday ?

specsappeal

Hi all,
well my oldest (DD) will be 18 in may. I am going to take her to london for the weekend (she chose to do this rather than go out with her friends). we are going to see a show and do the whole sightseeing thing. she also wants to take me to a bar so she can buy her first drink although i have warned her to take her driving licence as she only looks about 15! I have been saving up since last year and have a budget of £500 so I'm hoping to spoil her.

avstar

Thanks for all the wonderful replies - we've had a chat about what she wants and she likes the idea of having her mates round for the weekend - Friday night to have nibbles and cocktails and watch some films - so OK with all that cos I can use the supermarket vouchers!

Saturday they are going to go shopping with her birthday money (I know other relatives are giving money so thats sorted) and then they are going out dancing/boozing on Saturday night.....:eek:

Presents- wise. I love the idea of a treasure hunt so going to do that with little bits and bobs - she loves hair & make-up products so I can use the Boots points for those, (also some framed photos of her when little and the 'numbers 1's CD) with her big pressie at the end (£150 towards a week away with her friends this summer and some silver jewellry). Reckon I'll have to shell out about £200 in cold hard cash but I think I can manage if I'm frugal McDougal over the next few weeks.

Thanks the Lord I've only got 1....don't know how people manage with more than one to worry about/buy for !

And thanks for all the comments that I've done well and she's a credit to me...yes she is lovely, she's my best friend and I love her to bits !:D

dotchas

Before you use your Boots points remember to pop into the Boots thread on the Grabbit board as you will get tips on how to get more for your points!

Good luck

avstar

Thanks Dotchas will do:D

frugallass

avstar wrote: »

And thanks for all the comments that I've done well and she's a credit to me...yes she is lovely, she's my best friend and I love her to bits !:D

sweet - that brought a tear to my eye !

LilMissEmmylou

aww i think what u have got her is loads! For my 18th i got a tiffany necklace and others clubbed together to get me the matching bracelet (actually ended up with 2 as my mum doesnt talk to my OH and he had got me one too lol). Then a little money to go out with some friends. You seem to have a right collection of things going on for her, so i wouldnt have worried at all you have much more than you thought by the looks of it. I hope she has a fantastic day x

pandora205

What great ideas.
Something I didn't do but wished I had was to put an announcement and photo in the local paper. This would have been a freebie too - I did think about it at the time but felt my daughter was too streetwise and would think it was naff.... but with hindsight I don't think she would have done. We did put balloons outside the house though, had a cake and tea party for the family. She celebrated with her friends - I gave a couple of bottles of bucks fizz to start them off. I gave my daughter a gold mother and daughter bracelet from Argos, which was around £45 I think. For my main present I took my daughter for a spa break which cost me £120 (one nights dbb for two), which was a lovely mum and daughter thing to do. (We went to Whittlebury Hall, which is quite plush).
Something else I didn't do but would be easy is to have a calendar made (I know it's late but never mind I'm sure you could get one done). You could choose favourite family pics, school prom, etc. That's bound to be a favourite. Or maybe even make a family video/DVD, with everyone giving memories about your daughter and hopes for the future... if someone has a camcorder that wouldn't cost much and it would be nice to keep.