I think I need some ideas from my American friends.

Well, to finish this story...... one never knows with 16 year olds.

My DGD wanted a Penny skateboard!!!! That's taken care of so I've bought her a Penny cap to match the colour of the board. It will soon be on its way to America. They only ship in Australia so that will be special.
She also asked for a Starbucks card and as she mostly drinks cold green tea at 99c plus tax it should last her long enough to feel grown up when doing the 'coffee thing' with her friends.
We've also sent a Gift Card for Urban Outfitters where she loves the cream lace dresses. I think we've hit the spot!!!!!
Nothing precious, no treasures, but she's going to be the happiest Sweet 16 who ever celebrated that special day with grand memories that will last. Nana and Papa have at last realised she is 'growing up'!!
AlmaG.

Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me in my decision-making.
It seems that jewellery with special meaning would be the way to go.
I had been thinking along the same lines but values change with each generation. However, it does seem that some kind of sentimental jewellery is precious and universal and doesn't lose its value over time.
AlmaG.

When I was sixteen, we picked our sterling silver flatware patterns....then every occasion they added a piece. The set was finished off at the wedding. Now days people don't care as much about setting the table and entertaining....but I love going to my daughters house and seeing them set a beautiful table. Their children are thrilled and always show us the table and point out our place cards. I like that they value the time and effort.... Of course it easy to do when you have lovely kitchen ware. Just a thought.

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by almag 11 Sep 2013

Thank you. This is a lovely idea and the resulting sets would be very precious and bring back wonderful memories each time it was used.

My grandmother did not do anything special for my 16th but she gave me a ring on my 18th that had been given to her on her 18th birthday (in 1919). I cherish it to this very day (and 18 was a long time ago). I am sure anything you give to her will be cherished.

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by almag 11 Sep 2013

Thankyou. Your ring would be very precious to you and that's a good 18th birthday present when you would have been that much more responsible and accepting of its value.

My grandmother gave me a ring and when I lost it, I was devastated. Anything you give her, maybe a locket with your picture in it, would be wonderful.
Meri

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by almag 11 Sep 2013

Thank you. I have been thinking about a locket for a long time. They always seem to carry such sentimental thoughts.

I gave my niece a heart necklace with 16 little diamonds in it...
I gave my daughter a hope chest filled with things for her future,(she got mad at me and thought I was telling her to get out now) that was what they did in the past for daughters..hope chests to fill....Most people want something from their grandma that is /was theirs so that they can remember them from...I had my grammie two doors down so her teaching me to crochet and make divinity was very special..still cannot make that right but I got to work with her,,,something like a photo album of you as a baby and more pictures of you now would be nice...especially if you have any with her and you in it...like others a piece of jewelry would probably be nice or a gift certificate to a jewelry store where she could pick it oujt herself...that's my opinion... deanna

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by almag 11 Sep 2013

Thank you. A gift certificate is another good idea and the cost of postage from half a world away could be better used to maybe buy better jewellery.

My grandma gave me a gold ring with my birthstone in it. I wore it almost constantly for over 20 years until the prongs became loose & a diamond fell out. A lot of my friends received a day with their grandma...lunch and shopping to pick out a new sweater or shoes, a trip to the movie theatre something like that. Of course many give money so the child can choose something of her own taste or save it for schooling. As I had my first birthday after losing my grandma I thought how I wished for just a phone call from her. I would have loved a video of my grandma telling a bit of family history or memories of her childhood. She had Alz. disease for many years and didn't remember those things.

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by almag 11 Sep 2013

Oh! I like the idea of the birthstone ring. Thank you.

My grandmother gave me a piece of her jewelry, albeit, not one of her most expensive pieces, but none the less, very special...

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by almag 11 Sep 2013

That's a good idea .... to pass on something precious to become an heirloom eventually.

Good question. My grandparents didn't give me anything special and my parents didn't give my daughters anything special. My parents usually give my kids money for all their birthdays and although they could spend it, it always went in their savings accounts.

I know a few kids whose parents gave them cars, not us though.

I would think if they are going to give something special then jewelry might be nice. Maybe small diamond earrings or something classic that they could use forever.

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by sewmom edited 11 Sep 2013

16 is the age you can get your driver's license which is why cars are popular but that is usually from parents, not grandparents. (Wealthy parents, obviously.)

by almag 11 Sep 2013

Thank you. Money and gift cards do seem to be the accepted thing these days. I like the jewellery idea.