Buying birthday presents was so much easier when they were little!

Now that my girls are adults, I have realised I really struggle when it comes to buying their birthday gifts. When they were little it was easy. They'd circle half the Argos catalogue, write a birthday list that was about three miles long and there would always be something they desperately wanted. Dolls, games, craft kits, DVDs, clothes, Lego and the latest craze that everyone was talking about at school. Now they're adults, everything has changed.

Every year, a few weeks before their birthdays, I ask the same question: what they want for their birthday, hoping that this time they'll come up with loads of ideas but the answer is usually the same, that they don't really need anything! That is not helpful at all. Now if they want something, they usually just buy it. They don't have to wait for birthdays any more because they're earning their own money but the downside for me is that it completely ruins my gift ideas.

The older the girls have got, the more practical they've become and so have I. Years ago I'd never have dreamed of buying socks as a birthday present because I would have thought it was far too boring. Now, they're one of the first things I think about because everybody needs socks. The same goes for toiletries. I can remember being younger and wondering why adults bought people shower gel and body lotion as presents because it seemed such a strange thing to give someone. Now I completely understand it and my girls do too. They love a shower gel set.

I could just give them money. I know they'd appreciate it. Who doesn't love a bit of extra money? but I've never really like giving money on its own because it feels like something is missing. Birthdays are supposed to involve wrapping paper and opening presents and wondering what's inside. Gift cards are a little better because at least they show you've thought about where they like shopping but even then, it still feels a bit boring.

Lately, I've started thinking that experience gifts are the answer. Instead of buying more things that might end up sitting on a shelf or being forgotten about, making memories sounds way better. Concert tickets, theatre tickets, an afternoon tea, a spa day or even a night away all sound like presents that will be remembered long after their birthday. I know the experience itself is a gift, but I still want them to have something to open on the day and I am thinking if I bought tickets for something, I could also wrap something silly that goes with the day, some sweets for the journey or maybe even a little travel bag with everything they'd need for the day. That way they'd still have something to open but the main gift would be the day out itself.

This is just another one of those little reminders that my girls really have grown up. I am starting to think it might get easier once they leave home because at least I could buy them something practical that they need, like a new hoover or a set of pans. lol Now I just need someone to tell me what everyone else buys their grown-up children because I can't be the only parent who gets completely stuck every single birthday!

What do you buy your adult children for their birthdays?