Your own 18th birthday present

I was on a week's holiday in Bournemouth with my parents and younger brother when I had my 18th birthday. I was given a silver charm bracelet with two or three charms on and got more charms later. They were very popular at the time but mine has languished in a drawer for many years now, waiting for a resurgence in popularity! I also had my hair done at "Mr Teasy-Weasy's" in Bournemouth and felt like the bees knees!

The only present I remember from my 18th came from my boyfriend (husband of 49 years). It was a leather writing case so I could write to him while I was away at uni. Reader, I married him and didn't go to uni for another 12 years.

My mother gave me six cups and saucers for my bottom drawer when I was 18 and nothing for my 21st as I was grown up and married then so you didn't get presents anymore!!!!

Can't remember getting anything special at all. I do remember getting a toastie maker for my 21st though. Not exactly a keep sake but it was quite handy.

A copy of the Shorter Oxford English dictionary (mother was an English teacher and I was/am obsessed with words) plus a Michaela Frey bangle. I still have them both forty years later. It's fascinating looking at the dictionary as it's almost an historical document these days!

I chose a matching duvet set and curtains for my tiny box room bedroom. Most expensive gift I'd ever had. Loved it

Don't remember my 18th, my parents weren't big on gifts so probably didn't receive anything. For my 21st they gave me a gold Claddagh ring and a copy of Letters to his Daughter by Kenneth Allsop, both of which I still have.

For my 21st my parents gave me a gold 5 bar gate bracelet.
I also got a English springer puppy, who was with me for the next 15 years.

For my 21st parents gave me a lovely turquoise ring, which being the careless c.. I was in those days, I promptly lost ..... and a set of Antler suitcases. Were they trying to tell me something?? They were cream leather and included a 'vanity'case which made me feel 'tres' posh! I had the cases for years, but sadly with the advance of air travel they were too heavy and cumbersome.

Auntieflo

That should read for my 21st !! As lots of others 18th birthdays were not celebrated as special, back in the days.

I had our son ? , but he was a bit late, being born in October. My birthday was May. POGS my parents also gave me a sewing machine.

Mind you, I also wanted a gold cigarette lighter ( didn't smoke) and a gold powder compact ( never wore powder) I think these things were just nice objects!

I used to really want a pretty dressing table set when aged around 18, I don't know why, as I didnt have a dressing table.

Nothing for 18th as it wasn't celebrated as a Big Birthday when I were a lass.

21st. Wrist watch , crucifix, and a silk red rose which I still keep by my bed ,a letter expressing their love and a party.

Nothing at all for my 18th Birthday in 1973 !!

Mum and dad bought me a Singer sewing machine for my 21st

I still use it to date but it summed up my dads attitude to money, it was hard worked for and not to be squandered. He did lighten up when life got better for them but they never bought me jewellery or nice things always practice gifts.

Plenty of love and a happy upbringing but I guess now they are gone a gold bangle would mean more a sewing machine.

That would be gold.

Ps. I also got a good signet ring from my parents. It's too small for me now, and I passed it on to my daughter. ?

I was 21 in 1972. For my birthday I asked for and received my first record player. Until then I recorded Top of the Pops on my Dad's reel to reel tape recorder. My next door neighbour, a lovely lady called Tina, gave me a beautiful green leather covered jewellery box which I still have. The record player is long gone. I didn't want a party, so my Mam made a special family dinner. It was a lovely day, except that I had to go to work!

The 18th birthday was not celebrated in 1962 but for my 21st in 1965 my parents bought me a gold watch which I have still got. I cant wear it because the dial is so small I cannot read it even with specs. I was married and my MIL bought me a crystal glass bowl which didnt appeal at all at that age.

parents booked a table for 10 friends and me (and them) at the new Italian in town,and they bought me a set of Antler luggage ,in RED ,I had it for years and my grandaughter still plays with the vanity case now .I got the luggage a few weeks early as I was going to Majorca with a friend ,first time on a plane .

I'm way too old for an 18th to be a thing and to be honest I can't remember what my parents gave me think it might have been a sewing machine. My friend and I had a joint party in a room in the pub. Lots of sausages on sticks and cheese and pineapple! I wore a calico Mary Quant dress and was kissed my the college lecturer I had been lusting over for months {Won't go into any more detail about that one!}

For my 21st I think I was given a jewelry box about 10" x 6" x 3" deep with a padded top and tray with different sized divisions for earings, etc (I say I think, I still have it but maybe it wasn't a 21st present.
My in laws gave me a gilded brush, comb, mirror set and husband bought me a sewing machine. I no longer have the last two.