Turning eighteen is such a milestone in anyone's life. When you're young you just want to get older faster, and when you're older, you wish you could just go back and learn to enjoy being young. Hindsight can be a wonderful thing. But turning 18 is a milestone in anyone's life; it brings with it a whole new set of responsibilities and what better way for parents to warn their children about them, than with some special 18th birthday gifts?

The World of Alcohol
Possibly the most exciting prospects of turning eighteen is the concept of being able to buy alcohol and as much as parents might like to warn their children about the perils of hangovers, it's inevitable that they will need to discover this for themselves. By indulging them with special alcoholic 18th birthday gifts, you can at least hope that they may learn to respect a fine bottle of champagne or wine; and what better way to do it than with personalised 18th birthday gifts? With their personalised labels, these gifts will either kick start the celebrations, or make a special keepsake from a very special day.

Driving Safely
Learning how to drive is not only a huge accomplishment, but it can also give us a great sense of independence. Whilst mums and dads might enjoy the relief at not having to be a taxi service anymore, it's understandable that you might not want your enthusiastic 18 year old driving the family saloon. Why not test them first with 18th birthday gifts that will really enhance their skills such as an experience day of Rally driving or a 'Lamborghini Thrill Experience Day'? These 18th birthday gifts are sure to have them saving for a car of their own.

Work Hard
We all like to think that we've instilled good working values in our children, and whilst we may be counting the days until our own retirement, it's important not to let that lack of enthusiasm get passed on! There are a number of gifts that can help to inspire a life of hard work such as 'The Boy's Book How to be best at everything', or perhaps for someone looking for a more direct approach in their 18th birthday gifts, then the 'Become a Chav' Gift Pack might just give them a hint. These 18th birthday gifts are great fun and very unique, whether you give them with a hint of irony is completely up to you.

Save Hard
When you ask most 18 year olds what they want for their birthday, you're more than likely to get 'money' as a reply no doubt they'll already have planned what to spend their money on long before their gifts actually arrive. However, if they're ever going to reach true independence then of course they must learn to save money too; so why give them a helping hand with some special 18th Birthday Gifts? The 'Handbag Fund Money Box' is a great way to encourage them to put a little money aside every month or how about investing in some property? For the most unusual of 18th birthday gifts, you could buy that special someone an Acre of Venus or Mars; these 18th birthday gifts are literally out of this world?

Good Health
They say that youth is wasted on the young, and how many of us can truly say that they listened to their parents when they told us to eat well and look after ourselves when we were young? For 18th Birthday Gifts that will really make a difference, why not surprise someone with a luxury day of pampering or a 'Hair and Beauty Makeover with Photoshoot For Two'? Keep them on their toes with the ultimate fitness tests there are a number of adventure days and extreme sports to choose from including a bungee jump, climbing and paintballing. These 18th birthday gifts are a great way to make you popular and keep them out of the pub at the same time.

Staying in Touch
If they've just hit 18, it probably won't be long before they're flying the nest and disappearing into the wider world for an adventure they can call their own. Whether they're going off to college or just fancy travelling further than the end of the street, give them some 18th birthday gifts that will remind them to call home once in a while. You could choose from a selection of 18th birthday photo albums or picture pocket gifts; or for something a little bit different, then why not incorporate their favourite pictures onto objects they can use everyday? From cushions and bags to aprons and mugs, these 18th birthday gifts are treasures to keep forever.