Gifts Ideas for an 18th Birthday
Turning 18 is one of the incredible milestone birthdays. Get them the perfect gift to celebrate the occasion with our list of 18th birthday gift ideas.
18 is the age that is considered adult in almost every legal sense of the word. An eighteen year old can make life choices without the consent of anyone else. They can get married, make medical decisions – in other words, their lives are their own.
They have graduated or are about to graduate high school. They’re choosing the path they’ll take to begin their life journey. Many have begun to prepare to leave the safety and comfort of their childhood home as they embark on their college experience.
Others have begun a path as apprentices or trainees in a particular career. Whichever path they choose, their 18th birthday brings with it a world of new opportunities (and responsibilities).
The best 18th birthday gift ideas come from knowing the recipient. Knowing what road they’ve decided to begin traveling can help you decide on a gift that’s both thoughtful and useful. Another way to give the perfect gift based on their future path is to choose something completely different than where they’re headed. A last blast before they enter the world of adult responsibilities.
A Unique 18th Birthday Gift Idea
Give them an experience, an event to remember. Event tickets to see their favorite band, performance or sports team gives them a day to remember. Especially while they’re still free from schedules and deadlines.
Another type of experience is a bit more daring, skydiving, swimming with sharks, or learning trapeze skills. All are available as gifts from many adventure/experiences gift providers. Search for Adventures Gifts and you’ll have 18th birthday gift ideas filled with adventure for your recipient.
Give Them Wings
If you’re blessed to have the resources to do so, any 18 year old would love to have a car! For a more reasonable budget, you can get them a plane, train or bus ticket to visit somewhere they’ve dreamed of going.
18th Birthday Gift Ideas for School or Work
Whether heading off to college or starting a new position at work, a laptop is always a useful gift. For school and work, it provides email, word processing abilities, connecting to the internet and the ability to work at home. You can get a great laptop in August (back to school sales) for under $400. Many states are also tax free during that time.
A tablet or smartphone can do many of the same things, and has the benefit of portability. Tablets have come down in price, as have smartphones. Both can help them with work or school and keeping up with the friends they may be leaving behind.
For a work-related 18th birthday gift idea, consider giving them a suit and dress shoes for interviews. Give them a course to help them stand out from the crowd when applying for a job (ex. a graphics course for a computer design job).
Dorm or Apartment Gift Ideas
If their 18 birthday means they’ll be moving, they’re going to need some basics for their new home. Be careful not to overdo it though. Most dorm rooms are small and they’ll change dorms multiple times during their college stay. Most starter apartments are the same way, small and meant to function as a stepping stone.
18th Birthday Gift Ideas That Make Memories
A camera or a camcorder is the perfect way for the young adult to document their new and exciting journey. Many DSLR cameras have wonderful video capabilities, allowing you to give the gift of both pictures and movies. A GoPro is a unique and very portable way to capture their exciting moments as they happen.
Give them a Hobby or Encourage an Existing Hobby
Giving the gift of fun, creative learning is one that can last a lifetime. Consider a cooking class, a class to learn a musical instrument, lessons in painting, photography lessons, and so much more. You can give them a gift certificate to take classes at local music or craft stores or other venues that offer hobby education.
If they already are interested in a hobby, give them ways to do it. If they love baking, consider baking tools or accessories they don’t already have.
Personal 18th Birthday Gift Ideas
Put together a collage of framed family pictures as a reminder that they are never alone and always have family and friends they can count on.
Consider personalized jewelry, either with their name or initials on it or a piece that says something about their personality.
There’s always cash or gift certificates, which some recipients may appreciate more than a purchased gift. Get to know the person you’re buying for, and we’re sure you’ll be able to find the perfect present among our 18th Birthday gift ideas.