Birthday present

October 6, 2007 7:09 PM

What do you put in a survival kit present for an 18th birthday?

My sister is turning 18 this year and instead of getting her one present, I am planning on getting her a plethora of things. She is a Senior in highschool and also just got a new car, so I was thinking of getting typical car survival things, such as burned cds, jumper cables, flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, etc. Also, I was thinking of filling it with some of her favorite candy, but I would like some more ideas.

Here is some info on my sister, she is in both track and swim, works full time, and is planning on going to college after graduation. She loves music, any genre, and fashion and is very social. I know these are typical things, but she is not very picky and is a very easy going girl, definitely a one of the guys type.

posted by dnthomps to human relations (24 comments total)

It should be required by law that all 18 year olds should get a filing folder, or even a cabinet. No one warns you how much paperwork you will have in life, just going about your daily business. So, a nice accordion file, a BIG one that will last a few years, or a small filing cabinet. Bonus points if you include a book about organizing paperwork. (Maybe Getting Things Done, but it might be too business-focused.)
posted by The Deej at 7:12 PM on October 6, 2007

a good map of her town
posted by Salvatorparadise at 7:18 PM on October 6, 2007

A self defense key chain.
posted by pluckysparrow at 7:22 PM on October 6, 2007 [2 favorites has favorites]

- leatherman or swiss army knife
- USB thumb drive
- get-out-of-jail-free-card from you (you'll help get her out of a sticky situation one day)
- Madlibs!
posted by barnone at 7:24 PM on October 6, 2007

ultimate emergency kit
spy kit
car kit
car care basics

gift for 18-year-old sister
college freshman care package
good gift for college freshman
gift for 18 year old girl
posted by LobsterMitten at 7:29 PM on October 6, 2007

condoms
painkillers
phone card
oh and a "get out of jail free" card with your phone number on it and a promise not to tell your parents what ever mess she's in.
posted by b33j at 7:33 PM on October 6, 2007

damn, sorry barnone, I thought I thought that. I must have read your comment.
posted by b33j at 7:34 PM on October 6, 2007

multivitamins
posted by parmanparman at 7:40 PM on October 6, 2007

I just sent my daughter (18):

hairbands (because she always loses them)
Madlibs (yay! barnone-- I got that one right)
candy bars
her favorite body spray
a joke present from a resale shop
mall coupons for essentials (books, underwear, coffee shop)
One-box World-Market type dinners that can be fixed on a hot plate
professional equipment that she won't spend her money on (she's a figure skater) but that she needs

I am not happy to know that y'all are sending 18 yr olds condoms. Nope. Didn't need that information. Ears covered, LOUDLY SINGING LA LA LA LA....
posted by nax at 7:45 PM on October 6, 2007

A voter registration card? The first time you get to vote in a national election is an exciting part of being 18.
posted by B-squared at 7:49 PM on October 6, 2007

An AAA membership. They'll come unlock her car, change her flat, give her battery a jump, and if all else fails, tow her to a garage. And give her lots of maps.
posted by jamaro at 7:49 PM on October 6, 2007 [2 favorites has favorites]

In addition to the car things you mention, give her a tire gauge. Keeping your tires well inflated has a significant effect on your mileage (not to mention potentially safety) and is a good habit to get into while one is young.
posted by ssg at 8:05 PM on October 6, 2007

Seconding the AAA membership--mine has come in mighty handy a number of times. You might want to check if this is still true, but when I had it, I could call the number for assistance no matter who's car I was in. Which is nice.
posted by stray at 8:10 PM on October 6, 2007

cigarettes, whisky, and rubbers.
posted by Kwantsar at 8:13 PM on October 6, 2007

(Nax, hands over the ears will lead to you being a grandparent before you're ready for it.)

I'd suggest a short and fun guide to personal finance, too. It's real easy to get into debt quickly with new-found credit opportunities and some basic info could head off a lot of future heartache.

Do I have a recommendation for such a guide? No.
posted by maxwelton at 8:28 PM on October 6, 2007

I'm turning 18 next week, so I feel somewhat qualified to answer this question (we'll see).

The most valuable thing by far my older brother has given me is his advice, mostly about school and college applications and just things in general. The best gift you can give her is your attention when she's freaking out about writing application essays or whatever. Plus, you get to feel all wise and stuff :).

That said, you want material things:
-condoms might be weird coming from you but uh, they could be useful I guess?
-AAA membership is good, but teaching her how to check her oil, tire pressure and diagnose simple car problems would be better (assuming she doesn't already know- I don't). I worry all the time about accidentally screwing up my car out of ignorance.
-I like the filing cabinet idea a lot as well.
-American Express gift cards are really nice because they're basically gift cards that work anywhere. Nice if she doesn't have some kind of bank card/credit card that's tied to your parent's account. It's a pain asking my mom for money for lunch or doing stuff with friends every week.
-A nice college themed basket with a shower caddy, mattress pad, etc. could be nice as well.
posted by MadamM at 8:50 PM on October 6, 2007

Enough Swiss army knives for her to scatter between her car, keychain, backpack, room. I have this amount. I can't imagine life without.
posted by Xere at 9:17 PM on October 6, 2007

Another car-related thing: blind spot mirror (I have one like this but there might be better ones out there). Very handy.
posted by naoko at 10:26 PM on October 6, 2007

Fix-a-flat!
posted by smeater44 at 10:50 PM on October 6, 2007

keychain flashlight. These are surprisingly useful.

Window shade that fits her car.
posted by amtho at 3:33 AM on October 7, 2007

A cast iron frying pan.
posted by goo at 5:28 AM on October 7, 2007

maxwelton: I didn't say don't do it. I said don't tell me about it.
posted by nax at 8:44 AM on October 7, 2007

When my girls went off to college I gave them each a small toolbox with the essential tools; such as small hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, tape measure, various fasteners; crescent wrench, WD40, cable ties, etc, and instructions not to loan them out because they won't return.
posted by partner at 10:54 AM on October 7, 2007

The best pieces of advice I got when I turned 18 were the following:

1.) dont sleep with anyone you wouldnt take to breakfast.
2.) while drinking, alternate a glass of water between each alcoholic drink (saved my bacon SO many times)

personally, I like partner's idea of a small essential toolbox (could also be kept in the car): Leatherman, a good quality Maglite flashlight, a good length of rope, ice scraper, a good quality pair of work gloves, disposable lighters or other fire starting stuff.

I wouldnt vote againest condoms. In this day and age, its required.
posted by jmnugent at 1:45 AM on October 8, 2007