What to Get an 18 Year Old Girl for Christmas......NOT GIFT CARDS!

Concert tickets to see a band she likes? Or to an event she'd like to go to?

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Well, if she's one of your favorite people in the whole world, then only YOU really know what to get her. Based on her hobbies and likes. I know when I was 18 a really nice purse would have blown me away. But that is just me. It really depends on who your cousin is. 18 and in college--concert tickets, a purse, a nice pair of cute shoes that are comfy to walk around her college campus in, a warm coat/gloves/scarf for walking around college. First year of college survival kit--coffee, coffee mug, Visine, energy bars, blush, reading lamp, snuggie...?? Good luck! Whatever you give her will be special since it is coming from YOU!

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Maybe a nice bag to carry college books and stuff in? And then in the bag, put some perfume, nice winter set of gloves/scarf, some pretty pens etc!

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I am trying to remember what is was like to be in college and strapped for funds. What were the things that I just couldn't afford to treat myself to?

Shoes! Cute black shoes or boots were simply a luxury then (and somethimes still are now).

Cute purse...In some unlikely color. I could only afford 1 bag/purse and so it had to be something boring, practical, black or brown.

Perfume. I love getting this as a gift even today because it forces me to try out a new scent that I might not have chosen.

Food. I loved heading back to college with a supply of homemade cookies.

Jacket. I am in MN too. In college, my limited funds had to be dedicated to deep winter gear. But I could never justify buying that sassy rain coat or that cute fall coat.

UPDATE
Forgot to add....Hurray for no gift cards!!

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I asked this question yesterday! Here are some of the things that my girl has flipped over in the past.
I have bought her several "knock off" purses. Jimmy Choo, Prada, Versace, and Coach. I usually spend 25-50 for a purse that would normally be 400-500. She knows it's a knock off, but couldn't care less. She loves them. The wallets usually run $15. I don't know where to tell you in your area top buy them. But check around. It's a lot of bang for the buck.
I go to Ulta and buy her expensive makeup by Too Faced, Stila, and other trendy lines. Kits are usually around 40 - 50 and come with a bag or something. She likes that alot and gets much use of it.
I always get her some special perfume - right now girls her age are going for Juicy Couture or Viva La Juicy - gift sets are out now.
A CHI straightener for her hair. If she straightens her hair this is the ultimate name to have. They're around 100, gift sets with a blow dryer for $200
My baby also loves the "Pink" line form Victoria Secret. Sweats, tshirts, shorts. All are way overpriced, but they come in that beautiful pink bag and the girls love it. I think it plays into that half woman/half child thing. It shows them you are starting to see them as young women and not children, but the clothes are totally modest and young.

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maybe some one on one time with her and a friend at the spa, or a night out on the town??

if she likes to dress up, a formal outing to a nice dinner and a ball or formal dance of some kind to introduce her "entering into adult hood"/bringing out the woman in her and doing away with the "girl" so to speak

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How about an overnight trip together. Talk to her and suggest going away for a night rather than exchanging gifts. You two could stay local and just go out for dinner, dancing and then sleepover at a "girly" hotel... or do a day trip to a spa.

Think "outside the gift box" and see what you can come up with! We no longer exchange with our siblings and now find a night and have a "no-kids" night out... get a sitter, dress up and go out to eat without worrying about the price on the menu. Way way better than another sweater or photo frame!

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The Pandora charm bracelets are very popular. There is a whole catalog of charms to choose from. There are several actual bracelets to choose from, starting at under $50 all the way up in the multiple hundreds... You could get a nice bracelet with a special charm or two for around $100 I think.

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A necklace or piece of jewelry is what comes to mind first. Since you do like spending time with her what about the two of you going to the spa together, get her a basket full of lotions, sprays, bath goodies, with a note that you want to go to the spa with her or something like that.

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ok 18 yr old college student maybe she would like a camera , ipod, or a ipad if she don't already have one. If you guys really enjoy each other company maybe you could get a babysitter and you and her and enjoy a day at the spa or you could send her by herself. if she's into fashion you can't go wrong with clothes, or shoes.

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Love the idea for a Pandora bracelet--plus it allows more gifts down the road as you can add the charms. Or TrollBeadz (I think that's what the latest Pandora knock-off is)
Does she have an ipod?
Does she have a small video recorder? Like this one offered by Avon:
http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?code=&level1_i...

I also like the idea for Uggs.

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A nice charm bracelet, and let each kid pick out a charm that they like for it.

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A pair of Uggs would be great... my 19 yr old neice has them in 5 colors, and says she can't wait to get another pair... and it is something she might want but doesn't have the extra money to splurge on.

The Classic Boot is the most popular, and then the cardigan boot... either one in black, chesnut, or sand would surely keep her feet warm up their in Minnesota. You can get some great deals for UGGS on Ebay, new in box Uggs for under $100.00

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What about a nice piece of jewelry? A birthstone ring or locket? Maybe something you could engrave?

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How about a nice bag from either Coach or Longchamps? An engraved jewelry box? Heart necklace or charm from Tiffany? Just thinking about things my own daughter would like...:)

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Is she into Jewelry? I think a Gorgeous bracelet would be great - something a college kid couldnt/wouldnt spend $$ on herself getting :-)

OR what about going to get Tattoos together?? you both win! lol just a thought....

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It's really hard to say without knowing what she likes or is into, or what she already has, but here are some things I'd be considering, given the criteria you provided:
~A Vera Bradley backpack or tote bag for school
~UGG boots
~Mani Pedis for the both of you to do together (I'm sure with 3 little ones, you could use the pampering time too!)
~A personalized, hand-stamped silver necklace with a special message just from you
~An ipod
~I also like the idea of getting her a charm bracelet, or a Pandora bracelet, and let each of your kids choose a charm for her! How sweet!

Tracy K had some good ideas too... and it sounds like she has experience in this area!

Just some ideas...

Let us know what you decide on!

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I LOVE the idea of a birthstone ring with an engraving...

How about a locket with your kids pictures in it on a nice necklace?

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Do you have any photos of her and your children? You don't say how old they are, but how about a photo album or scrap book showing all of the fun you have had with her with the decorations done by you and your children...

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I love to give my nieces/nephews these adventure duffles (large) for HS graduation. They are practical and durable. I get them monogrammed also. Initials for the boys and first name for the girls (in case their initials change with marrage down the road). Here is the link.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63913?from=SR&feat=sr

Other ideas I like are perfume, shoes, handbags. Can't go wrong with any of these.

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I have been thinking about your question all day. The reason is that our daughter is now 20 and she and her friends talk about the gifts they want for events and holidays..

To be totally honest.. they want cash. There it is.. They always have something THEY really want. They say it is always a bit of a let down when they get "things"..

They have an event they want to attend.. a particular piece of technical equipment or are saving for that special something,,

Consider giving her a $25. "gift", but make her day and give her $75. cash to do what she wants with.. She will be thrilled..

I just had to send this. I hear this all of the time from the girls.. They are not being stingy or selfish, they are being like the rest of us always dreaming of what we want.. ..

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Give her a gift certificate for :

1) Classes- jewelry making, cooking- there are fun classes out there for everything!

2)Depending on where you live, a museum membership can be fun, even for a 20 something

3)A spa day! Who doesn't like a mani/pedi or a massage? or a health club membership. If she likes to swim, a pool membership if her college doesn't have one.

4)Books. Something fun she can relax with. Ask at the bookstore for recommendations.

5)Scarves, hats, a fancy pair of gloves. Winter lasts a long time and its fun to accessorize your boring old coat with a pretty new scarf.

6) A really nice purse - a lot of young women have plenty of inexpensive bags, but one really good-quality classic purse can be used her whole life.
Good luck!

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find a gag gift. that age is horrible to buy for I am having the same delima with my 21 yr old. I got my 21 yr old niece a obama punching bag for christmas 2 yrs ago cause she hated obama. all of the kids from 15-21 wanted it. :) it was meant to be a funny gift but all of the kids wanted it which confused me bad. I told her every time she got mad at obama she could punch his lights out. :) my 21 and 20 yr old want books. depending on the kid which ones. all the kids from 16-21 fought over lava lamps storms in a bottle and neon clocks that hung on the wall. also black lights and stop lights. a few ideas I will be checking your responses for ideas on my 21 yr old.

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what does she like to do?

A cute necklace or earrings, perfume, some cute accessories? Ask her.