I have a lovely 18 yr old daughter. She is gorgeous and sweet. I'm so blessed to have her. She is a loving, kind hearted girl that can hold an inteligent conversation about politics and history. She always spends way too much money on me and her little brother and sister. I want to get her something good. In the past I would listen to her all year for ideas, but this year she went to live with her dad. SO, I don't have anything to draw from. I usually get her gift cards to the stores she likes and expensive makeup and perfume that she wouldn't buy for herself. But that's been done. I can't really buy clothes or shoes for her, beacause she is a gorgeous, glamorous girl with exuisite taste and an eye for clearance racks. Somehow she does it on a super tight budget. She dresses from from a classic, taylored, Jackie O look to a glam thing. Way out of my taste range! I just bought jewelry for Graduation. Dad does the $$ tech stuff - cameras, phones, mp3s, etc. SO, I'm kind of at a loss. Jewelry, makeup, clothes, and gadgets are out. She hasn't decided what to do with the rest of her life so nothing related to her field or school. Her only hobbies are looking pretty, tanning, going to Starbucks with her friends, bumping her stereo around town. She does like politics and BBC news but not enough to get a gift of it She's just a Malibu Barbie that already has all the accessories! If I could give her anything it would be a sense of purpose and direction, but she's only 18, she has to figure that out for herself. I'd like to get her started in modeling now that she's 18 and old enough to handle the stuff that comes with it maturely. I'd love to have the $ to send her somewhere great like NY. That's really not in the budget. I'm thinking $200 range. Have I given yall enough to stir some ideas? BTW - please don't say a mean word about my angel. I am just looking for gift ideas, not suggestions on how to fix her or me. No judgements needed, just gift ideas pretty please. :) Happy Christmas
so far I've settled on a $35 moto-biker jacket from Target, and a pair of Uggs. I've been on some Dallas model agencies websites and looked at submmission requirements. Most ask for snapshots or candid photos. SO, I'm going to pick out a few of my faves and send them in for her. I'm not going to tell her, in case they don't call. If I can swing it, I would like to pay for a girls getaway to a nearby city. Hotel, gas, and food on a day when they're having a festival or something. That ones maybe out of the budget, but if not for Christmas than for birthday. Thanks for the great ideas.
Personalized necklace/bracelet, gift certificate to Starbucks, the movies, the spa - ticket for her and a friend to go out of town for a day or two, a theme park, a book on politics
When I turned 18, my parents gave me a beautiful passport holder and an application for the document (including the $$) along with a letter where they wrote out how they felt about me- how proud they were and how they couldn't wait to see where life would take me!
It was one of the more thoughtful and thought-provoking gifts I have ever received! I still have the letter- folded in my drawer and take it out once-in-a-while. You may want to consider something along these lines.
My niece is 16 and loves Jewerly. With that said I bought her a stand alone jewerly box. I bought it from JC Penny's and it was regulary a $350 case but after sales I ended up paying a little less than $200. This was the best gift she has ever gotten. Her words not mine! She loves it and it is Full but organized so she can find everything. Hope this helps!
Great responses and I'm proud that you want to honor who your daughter is and not pressure to change, that is true love. I was going to suggest the local theatre experience, tickets to a musical or stage production, something great at the new oprea house or symphony. A day trip to the Dallas Museum of Art with lunch in the museum's restaurant. There are many wonderful, dignified, classy, cool and bonding experiences you can share with your 18 yr old here in the DFW area. I think you deserve to it, too!
Updated
Great responses and I'm proud that you want to honor who your daughter is and not pressure to change, that is true love. I was going to suggest the local theatre experience, tickets to a musical or stage production, something great at the new oprea house or symphony. A day trip to the Dallas Museum of Art with lunch in the museum's restaurant. There are many wonderful, dignified, classy, cool and bonding experiences you can share with your 18 yr old here in the DFW area. I think you deserve to it, too!
I think it should be from the heart something like a scrapbook and make it cute a girly and then include a portfolio shoot.... BTW You are a really sweet mom you can tell you want this to be a great gift :)
What about setting up a photography shoot so she will have proffesional head shots and a portfolio to show potential employers? It can be pricey, but if you shop around you might be able to find one in that price area...
Since she has most of stuff she needs, I would try to get her something that would be an experience for her --a special concert or the special ICE display at the Gaylord in Grapevine or maybe a class in something that she has shown interest in in the past--maybe a drawing class, or a cooking class at Central Market?? It is nice that you are wanting to find that special gift for your daughter. Maybe you could do one of these things with her or pay for a ticket for a friend? Merry Christmas!
I always liked the personal items best. What about making her a "book" out of old pictures of you and her? There are plenty of online resources where you can take scanned images and create a real, leather bound book. You write on the pages or just put in the photos. It'd be an amazing way to express your love for her, show her how she grew up through YOUR eyes and for you to tell her you are so proud of the beautiful, smart, amazing young woman she's become. Tell her on the last page that the rest of her story is for HER to create.
I'd bet this would cost you less than $100 and be the best present she could ever get from you - her biggest fan.
When I was 18 - 21ish, I always went 'overboard' with gifts to my parents. My mom always told me that they felt bad for not being able to do that for me. I've NEVER been worried about that. I just loved spending the holidays with my family. I didn't think about anything to do with what I'd get. I didn't care. I loved seeing my parents faces when they got something that I knew they really couldn't afford, but wanted or needed. I'm sure she's the same way...
I'd say, a gift certificate for the two of you to have a 'spa day' is a great idea. That gets something to enjoy together... Just the two of you.
Hello T.!
I have two sweet daughters myself. One 20 year old, and one 18 year old. They are like your daughter. Gorgeous and sweet, and spend way too much money on others! These young girls have huge hearts, right?
I am an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics. We have some fabulous gift items and gift sets for the holidays, and year around. I recently surprised a 17 and 18 year old with gift baskets filled with Mary Kay products for young girls! Refillable compacts, eyeshadows, mascara, lip gloss, Starbucks gift card, Thinking of You perfume and body lotion, etc.
They were gifts from their mom's before Homecoming! It was really cool! The girls loved them! You can customize gift baskets with things your daughter would love.
Feel free to visit my website www.marykay.com/jillgordon, or send me an email for more information. I would be happy to help you.
