18th Birthday Gift Ideas
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18th birthday gift ideas for some parents might just include a new pair of walking shoes for their now adult child. "Here, this is a pair of brand new walking shoes; now gather your stuff up and hit the bricks. You are now on your own." The eighteen year old is old enough to be drafted into the military, get married without consent and purchase alcohol in Hong Cong, Mexico, Russia and forty three other countries around the world. An eighteen year old can buy a car, a house, be assigned jury duty, vote and must pay their taxes on time. It's the time when the rubber meets the road for the grownup teen, and so when that birthday rolls around, there are lots of new realities that hit home. Choosing from many 18th birthday gift ideas may take a little thinking and some outside the box paradigms, but it can be done.
For the parent who really is ready to have the child get out on his or her own, perhaps some truly life application 18th birthday gift ideas are in store. For example, the young man has always dreamed of owning a motorcycle. Mom doesn't want him to have one for safety reasons but she knows that it's only a matter of time before he gets one. So how about a really cool leather motorcycle jacket with the words in the card that accompanies it, "Now that you have the jacket, get a job and buy the thing yourself." Perhaps the same thing could be done for the young woman. Buy her a really nice gorgeous single stud earring and encourage her to earn enough money to complete the set. Okay, perhaps this is a little too stark for some parents who are desperately trying to hold on to their child for as long as possible.
Of course at the top of 18th birthday gift ideas list is a car. And for some lucky "teenager to adult" individuals, this is a real possibility. What most people this age do not realize is the cost of keeping a car up and running, especially if the car is what is known as a "Hoopty." It's this writer's humble opinion that every kid's first car ought to be a Hoopty because it teaches him or her to then appreciate their second car. If the car is an outright gift to the suddenly metamorphasized adult, then there is no reason in the world why it shouldn't be what we might fondly refer to an entry level automobile. This entry level auto, which may not be trusted for a 1000 mile road trip can teach frugalness, appreciation for what one has, and the desire to do well in college in order to afford something a little more than entry level. But perhaps a car is not such a good 18th birthday gift ideas option, or perhaps cannot be afforded.
In that case, there are probably some other 18th birthday gift ideas. This is the birthday of independence. So perhaps an all expenses paid trip for your new adult and a friend to somewhere for a few days might be a nice launching pad event. Maybe the trip will just be to a nearby town or city, or a planned road trip where you can check in with the duo each night and at some destination there is a concert or surfing lessons or some other creative activity awaiting them. Enough precautions can be taken with the planning to anticipate most situations, but there comes a time when the little one must fly the nest and even if the flight down is bumpy, a parent's protection can't last forever. And accept the fact right now that they probably won't tell you everything they are doing; that only happens in fairy tales. The Christian parent can face their child's future with confidence knowing that they have taught such principles as: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5, 6)
But if this too much freedom, there are other appropriate 18th birthday gift ideas for this titanic occasion. For the young woman, few gifts are any better received than jewelry and the most touching is something that symbolizes who that person has become or aspires to be. For example, one very interesting necklace was seen on line featuring a water faucet. If the young person has become a self-proclaimed eco-friendly individual, this faucet necklace can display that concern in a proud manner. It is of course from an eco designer in, where else, California and is less than eighty dollars.
One final idea for the young man who must march down to the Selective Service office and sign up. Seen recently on line was a wall clock for his room with an 18 year olds favorite comeback to anything an adult has to say: "Whatever." That probably pretty much sums it all up. And really, what an 18 year old wants to know more than anything is that he or she is really loved. The finest 18th birthday gift ideas choice is the assurance a soon to fly the coop young adult can have knowing that his parents love him or her unconditionally. "Whatever you become in life, we will love you; whatever decisions you make, we may be disappointed at times but we will always treasure you in our hearts." Perhaps there is no money for fancy gifts or any at all, but the parent has the ability to speak the words all kids want to hear.
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