This post is all about 18th birthday gift basket ideas.
An 18th birthday is a BIG DEAL! The person you’re shopping for is likely heading to college soon or starting their adult life, and you want to make sure you find all the best 18th birthday gift basket ideas for them.
Well, you’re in luck because in this post, I’m giving you TONS of 18th birthday gift basket ideas!!
Whether you want something ready-made or want to pick and choose what items you buy to curate a gift basket yourself, you’ll find lots of great ideas in this post for the perfect gift basket.
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How can I make a DIY 18th birthday gift basket on a budget?
Gift baskets are actually a great option if you’re on a budget! Gift baskets are always my go-to when I want to get someone a good, practical gift without spending too much money. Here are my best tips for putting together a DIY 18th birthday gift basket for under $50:
- Get a cheap basket or small hamper from the dollar store
- Choose one more expensive gift ($15-25) such as a book, PJ set, or slippers (plenty more ideas in this post!)
- Use newspaper or tissue paper to elevate the gift and make the basket look more full
- Fill the rest of the empty space with super cheap gifts: candy, hair ties, their fave snacks from the dollar store, lottery tickets, bath bombs, candles!
If you’re looking to put together a cheap DIY gift basket for someone’s 18th birthday, you’ll find tons of cheap gift ideas that they’ll love in this post!
18th BIRTHDAY GIFT BASKET IDEAS:
I had to put a helpful book at the top of this 18th birthday gifts list. A book is such an easy and practical gift to add into a gift basket.
It's affordable and this book will teach them how to get their life on track as they enter adulthood!
Whether it's for jamming out in the shower or taking music to-go, a portable speaker is something every 18 year old should have!
This mini waffle maker is such a cute gift for anyone who has a sweet tooth or loves a good at-home brunch. It's also compact and perfect for taking with them as they move into their first apartment or dorm room!
A to-go mug might not be one of the most sentimental gifts, but it sure is practical. An 18 year old starting their life is probably slowly getting addicted to coffee like the rest of us, they'll really appreciate a helpful gift like this in their gift basket!
Atomic Habits has been a LIFE-CHANGING book for lots of young adults, so if the 18 year old you're shopping for hasn't read it yet, this is one of the best 18th birthday gift basket ideas.
If you know the person you're shopping for wants to get more organized and productive as they enter adulthood, getting them a digital daily planner is a great place to start. This digital planner is the perfect choice if they already have an iPad or tablet that they like to use!
These are such cozy slippers, and they come in several different colors, making them perfect for girls or guys. These are an easy and affordable option to add to an 18th birthday gift basket!
8. Lottery tickets
Woohoooo! Being 18 means getting to cash out on lottery tickets (hopefully). I got lottery tickets as part of my 18th birthday gift basket and I LOVED it! I may not have gotten that lucky haha but it was a super fun way to celebrate.
9. Gift cards
When in doubt, every 18 year old would love a gift card! If you’re not sure what kind of gift card to get, think of something like…
- UberEats or DoorDash
- Starbucks
- Their favorite fast food restaurant
- Amazon, Walmart, or a grocery store
Gift cards can be super helpful for treating yourself and cutting expenses when it comes to starting off your new life as a young adult!
Essential oils are a great gift to contribute to any young adult's well being. This set has such fun and delicious scents, from coffee cake to apple pie!
A throw blanket is a great gift for any 18th birthday girl or guy to make their gift basket more cozy and inviting.
If the person you're shopping for loves tea, they'll LOVE this tea gift set! This will give them a solid stash for the next little while and give them the opportunity to try new teas. This gift set even comes with candles to make it even better.
Every 18 year old girl needs a good makeup bag for all her future travels, sleepovers, and even just organization. A custom makeup bag would be the perfect present as the main part of her gift basket, and then you can add a few smaller items along with it to take it up a level.
A journal is a small gift that goes a long way. Especially when you're first starting your life as an adult, it's really helpful to have a place you can document your thoughts and emotions as you go along your journey.
Body butter is a must-have for guys and girls, and it's a great self-care item to throw into any 18th birthday gift basket.
Handmade bar soap is one of the best 18th birthday gift ideas because it's so unique but still super practical!! It's not like any other beauty products because it's something anyone can use and appreciate.
Bath bombs are a great thing to throw in an 18th birthday gift basket because they're such an easy way to help someone take care of themselves and relax a little more!
If the person you're shopping for isn't really into bath bombs, shower steamers are another great option. They make your shower feel and smell more fresh, like a spa experience.
Here's another great book idea for any 18 year old hoping to start learning about finances!
Can't go wrong with a comfy loungewear set. A loungewear set is easy to add to your gift hamper along with other self-care items or whatever other gifts you choose to buy.
I was gifted this blissy sleeping mask as an 18 year old and I still use it every night!! It's silk, super soft, and gives me the deepest, best sleeps ever. If the 18 year old you're shopping for values their sleep and rest, the blissy sleeping mask is a great option.
Jewelry is always a great option for special occasions, and a birth year necklace is perfectly tailored to celebrating anyone's 18th birthday!!
If you're shopping for a girl who loves her collection of lip glosses and glazes, the rhode peptide lip tints are AMAZING. Rhode has such pretty colors and it hydrates your lips so well.
Sheet masks are another great self care item! A package of sheet masks like this is one of the best 18th birthday gift basket ideas because the person you're shopping for can use them for several "self care nights" in the near future.
If you're looking to fill some empty space in your gift basket, buy some cozy socks! They're affordable, practical, and a must-have for both girls and guys.
Gratitude seriously does make life so much better. This gratitude journal is a super thoughtful gift to help any 18 year old learn to love their life and count their blessings.
Skinny scrunchies are super helpful for any 18 year old girl!
Whenever I'm making a gift basket, I like to fill the empty spaces with claw clips. So, these are a great (and affordable) option to fill your 18th birthday hamper!
Cards Against Humanity is such a fun game that young adults LOVE! I can't even count how many times I played this game with my friends all throughout college.
A beanie is another great idea for an 18th birthday gift basket! This beanie comes in so many different colors, so you can get their favorite color of beanie.
Chances are, the person you're shopping for probably thinks the state they grew up in is an amazing place. Well, buy them a state cap!
Alternatively, if they're moving out of state for college soon, you could buy this state cap with the state they're moving to. Such a cute way to help them celebrate!
This mug is INSANELY cute!! I know sooo many young women who would LOVE getting this in a birthday gift basket.
This trendy jewelry dish is so cute! It comes in 10+ colors so you can get whatever would best match the decor of the person you're shopping for.
If you want to get a guy a personal care item that would actually be useful, get him some flannel PJ pants! These are perfect for wearing around the house.
This PJ set for girls is so cute and has great reviews! You can never have too many PJ sets. Plus, these ones look so cozy and have several great reviews!
If putting together a gift basket sounds like too much work for you, that's fair!! Here's a great ready-make 18th birthday gift basket for girls.
This ready-made gift basket for guys includes all things cozy, which could double as a going away gift if he's heading off to college soon as well!
