Below we’ve collated a helpful list of gifts perfect for a minor about to become an adult, so whether it’s your son or daughter, your neighbor or a friend celebrating their special birthday you can give a gift suitable for the occasion. From educational books about things they should know before they grow old to personalized jewelry, we’ve covered all gift options!
18th Birthday Gift Ideas on the Way to College
College Dorm Fridge
For most teenagers, turning 18 means the impending ritual of being kicked out and moving to college. This Kinverch mini fridge and electric cooler make that transition a heck of a lot easier. Let your friend move into 18 and out to college in real style. The refrigerator comes in black and blue and has the facilities to chill, cool and heat thanks to the switch settings. It’s also super quiet so they won’t keep their college roommates up late.
$70
Little Black Classics Box Set
Turning 18 is a coming of age story that brings with it the responsibility of adulthood. One big responsibility of being an adult is to have read all the great literature in the world which is a hard task, but this Little Black Classics penguin box set will give your newly turned 18-year-old child a helping hand. The box contains 80 small paperback books including poetry, essays, and fiction from the likes of Dante Alighieri, Jane Austen, and Anton Chekhov.
$73
The Hobbit Box Set
Any 18-year-old boy will have a favorite blockbuster movie trilogy and, more than likely, it’ll be The Lord of the Rings. If this isn’t their favorite movie, then that’s all the more reason to buy this extended edition box set. The box features blue ray DVDs of The Fellowship of the Ring, the Two Towers and The Return of the King, three epic movies about life’s journey. Though turning 18 isn’t quite the same quest, it’s pretty close.
$12
Handmade Personalized Ring
This stunning handmade ring can be personalized to feature the birthstone of the birthday girl. The braided sterling silver ring is a beautiful gift to present to your sister, daughter, granddaughter on her special day. The ring arrives in a small gift box with a gift bag which makes the wrapping process twice as easy! It would also be a beautiful gift for Valentine’s.
$70
Quality Speaker
Now that they’ve turned 18 they’re really going to want to drown you out if they’re still living at home and nothing drowns out background noise better than the newest Bose Mini SoundDock. This portable Bluetooth speaker is an impressive gift all year round, but it’s particularly special to celebrate a big birthday. It’s also perfect if your 18-year-old is moving out soon, heading to college or finding their own place as it’s a necessary accessory to any flat, house or dorm party.
$145
Headphones
If the thought of your 18-year-old blasting his or her favorite music from a Bluetooth speaker sends shivers down your spine (entirely understandable if they live with you) then these headphones will be the answer to all your prayers. Better yet, the Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones are the most popular headphones on the block, and you’ll throw your 18 years old straight into the realms of “coolest kid around.”
$165
Turntable
This unique Crosley record player is the perfect gift for any music lover and has the unique factor of being old-school quirky. The turntable is available in turquoise, red, pink, orange, green and a handful of other colors and features Bluetooth which enables you to stream your music wirelessly to speakers. The turntable also has RCA and headphone jack outputs. It’s a no-fail gift for the young adults geeks.
$66
Mini Instant Camera
A compact camera is a great gift for your 18-year-old to document their future travels around the globe. Even if they only make it to the nearby park, this camera is a cool and fun accessory to have on them. The instant camera comes in five different colors including blue, pink, ice blue, green and stone grey and features a macro lens and strap. The camera comes with the first ten reals of film, after that they’ll need to purchase more (which would be a great little gift from you in future years!)
$57
Personalized School Years Frame
This personalized school years frame is an ideal gift to give to friends. The frame can be filled with pictures from day dot right up to twelfth grade and is a great way to analyze your friend’s fashion and hair choice evolve over the years. Your friend’s name can be engraved on the bottom too to add a personal touch to the gift, and there is the choice of honey, black and whitewashed frames.
$64
Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle ensures that your newly tuned 18-year-old is well read before they embark on life as an adult. The Kindle is an excellent way for them to read multiple books at once and is particularly perfect when traveling as you don’t have to carry three books with you. This practical gift is available in black or white and has Bluetooth features that enable audio diction when you tire of reading.
$80
Game Console
If your son or daughter is an avid gamer, then this is the ultimate gift to be crowned parents of the decade. The PlayStation 4 outputs gameplay to your 4K TV and features HDR Technology and HD Power, which sounds like technical jargon, but in short, it’s epic. What is more, you can spend the next handful of birthday’s and Christmas’ buying the PS4 Games to go with it!
$400
Waterproof Speaker
We’ve already listed a speaker as a gift idea but this Ultimate Ears Blast Portable speaker, unlike the Bose, is waterproof. The speaker feature has both WiFi and Bluetooth and is a great party piece and ideal travel accessory. If your 18-year-old enjoys good pool party or you live near the beach, then this speaker makes for the perfect gift.
$148
Nespresso Machine
This classic Nespresso Machine is a great gift for your teenager to take off to college with them or to their new home (remember, when they’re 18 you can kick them out). The Nespresso Machine is to be used with Nespresso capsules to great a delicious home-brewed coffee. Now they’re an adult; they’re going to need a regular caffeine fix to survive the daily grind.
$148
Portable Sewing Machine
Sticking with the theme of kicking your children out and forcing them to go to college or buy their own house, this Singer Sewing Machine will help them maintain their responsible adult status. It’s the perfect gift for any craft types and will come in handy when they need to stitch an outfit back together!
$90
Luggage Bag
This Samsonite Winfield luggage case is a practical gift to give as its super handy when it comes to moving out to college. The luggage case is cabin sized and comes in six different colors, features a handful of inside pockets and dividers and bosts side-mounted locks to prevent theft. It also expands by 1.5” which is pretty handy when they’re packing the whole house.
$130
Vintage Guitar
Music lovers will delight at this vintage acoustic Sunburst guitar. Built with rosewood and featuring a 14-degree headstock, ivory finishes, and a deep mahogany body this is the perfect gift for a wonderful milestone. Alternatively, if they’re not a guitar player, it’s a great gift to get them into a new hobby!
$129
Retro Aviator Sunglasses
Every cool kid needs an equally cool pair of these fashionable Ray-Ban sunglasses. Since their about to graduate high school, and disappear off traveling the world before they start college they’re going to need a good pair of sunglasses as a staple accessory. Even if they’re staying home, you can’t gift better than Raybans.
$168
Grow The F*ck Up Book
This comedic book by John Kyle finds a melodramatic outlook on life that’s rather hilarious. Grow the F*ck Up is a great joke gift and provides a neat guide on how to be an adult by sharing everything “your parents should have taught you and school never did…”. There are some handy tips on how to be an adult too including money management and how to write a good cover letter.
$27
18 T-shirt
If you’re looking for a comedic gift, that borders on the line of ‘cheesy’ then this “Now That I’m 18 I Officially Know Everything T-Shirt” is a suitable gift for you. The shirt comes in seven colors, ranges in size from small to XXXXL and is made from 100% cotton. If you want to put a cocky know-it-all teenager in his place, then this is somewhat ideal.
$21
Personalized Memory Book
This personalized memory book allows you to write and gather memories from the whole family, stick them into the book and present them to the birthday boy or girl. It’s a great way to get everyone involved in a gift, and it adds a personal touch on the day. The scrapbook is softback, matte covered and features 13 framed pages with four lines at the bottom of each for your note or memory.
$8
18th Year Adult Mug
This “Oh Crap! I’m an Adult Now” is a great way to confirm any 18th birthday. It’s a lovely little joke mug that makes a nice little present, and we’re pretty sure it’s going to be the only mug the receiver drinks out of for the next few years. Also, it’s handy since they’re moving to college and are without glasses!
$18
The Freshman Survival Guide
If your child has chosen to go to college, then this Freshman’s Survival Guide provides just the right amount of soulful advice on studying, socializing and everything else in-between. It’s light-hearted, witty and most of all informative. If there’s anything that’s going to help guide them through the transition from high school to college, then it’s this book.
$11
The Subtle Art Book
Mark Manson’s Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is the perfect introduction to adult life for any teenager. In the book, Manson provides generation-beginning self-help guides that encourage you not to give a f*ck. It’s a refreshing take on life that’s brutally honest and without sugar coating. It’s exactly what any freshly turned adult needs to read.
$15
To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is a right of passage in the literary world and is a must-read for everyone. Gifting this book is a great way to encourage your friend or family member to take time out to read, in a time where TV and internet dominate, books provide a refreshing break. It’s also a necessary gift because there’s an unwritten rule that says you can’t be an adult until you’ve read Harper Lee’s To Kill, a Mockingbird, so, they kind of need it.
$9
18th Birthday Wish Jar
This birthday wish jar is a great party gift to get your loved one thinking about the future, setting goals and striving for the moon. The quaint jar is boxed in cardboard packaging and features a metal lid. There are 100 ‘wish’ tickets on the reel, and it comes with a pen to jot down all your thoughts and wishes.
$25
Birthday Glass
This multi-color confetti glass is an excellent gift for when the champagne is popping at any party. This stemless glass is ideal for anyone in your life who loves a little sparkle and the birthday message adds a neat little touch. It’s also a little bit classier than the generic ’18th’ mug or cup, which is always a good thing!
$12
Key Pendant Gift
For a personal gift to your loved one on their 18th birthday check out this sterling silver pendant. The charm can be personalized with a letter of your choice and features a beautiful freshwater pearl. The necklace arrives hand-packed in a small gift box wrapped in ribbon, ideal for gift giving.
$34
Milestone Birthday Frame
If you’ve been invited to the 18th birthday, or know someone who’s throwing one, then this 18th birthday milestone frame makes for a great party accessory. The frame is used to take staged photos or selfies of the birthday girl or guy and comes with witty panels with slogans like ‘#Adult’ and ‘Cake Time.’ They work great in a photobooth too!
$30
Decay Palette
You can’t go wrong with the gift of makeup, especially not with this Urban Decay Smoky Eyeshadow Palette. This brand is one of the most popular on the market, and any girl into makeup will delight when opening this gift. The palette contains 12 different shades of eyeshadow, all suitable for creating the perfect smoky eye, along with a double-ended smudger and tapered brush.
$34
Scratch Map
18 is a ripe old age to reflect on your life so far and consider your future. That’s why a scratch map is a great way to document your loved ones travels, past and future, and keep track of everywhere they’ve been since turning 18. Just scratch the map with a coin, and it reveals a beautiful watercolored country. It comes in a gift box ready to be handed over to the birthday boy or girl straight away.
$25
Personalized Candle
This 2″ width x 1″ height scented candle with adorable original graphics on the lid are made from 100% palm wax is a truly unique way to show appreciation. It arrives inside the organza bag and surely attracts an 18 year old girl.
$25
Personalized Leather Organizer
Looking for a gift for a college boy or girl? Look no further. This genuine leather customizable organizer will help them be organized at the college and classes. The elegant cover is perfect for all professional needs. You can choose to print your name on the surface.
$95
Shawl
For cold weather, this elegant woolen shawl would be a perfect gift for 18-year-old girls. Shawls are pieces of clothing much larger than the scarves and can be wrapped around the body; neck region or around the waist. As a gift, shawls can be made with unique designs in the form of markings or pictures.
$30
