The title sums it up. S’s birthday is less than a month away and I really want to get something nice and memorable and have absolutely no ideas. For a D I imagine jewelry would be a great idea, but other than a watch there is nothing he wears. I gave him a watch for his 18th so I really don’t want to repeat that if possible.
Looking forward to hearing what others have come up with for their sons. Thanks.
Budget? What are his interests, hobbies?
We took my son and his girlfriend out to a very nice dinner and replaced the tv that had been stolen from his apartment a few months back (something like a 40" tv for $250 so nothing extravagant). He will graduate next year from college with zero debt. And because he has worked along the way and we still pay for everything, he will graduate with a nice sized savings account. In the fall, we also gave him the car he was driving in high school ('13 base model Civic) which he can drive into the ground or trade in on something else if he wants. Happy birthday. I am not big into celebrating any birthdays so probably the wrong person to ask.
How about 21 smaller presents…all wrapped up. Things like a $5 gift card to Dunkin Donuts, some favorite candy bars, small gift cards to places he frequents like the grocery store, socks, new wallet. It’s sort of fun to open a lot of gifts!
Would he wear cufflinks? Or what about a briefcase/leather folio?
OP, you have to give more info on what you want to spend and who your son is! What are his interests, activities, situation in life?
That will help us know if he is a cufflink guy or a guy who would like a weekend adventure (or both!) Is he still in school?
I also have to say, I often think it is parents/adults who are more into the “something memorable” being something tangible. An “experience” creates LOTS of memories and you can’t lose it or it doesn’t have to sit in a drawer or shelf!!
^^^ Agree 100% How about tickets to something you can see/do/enjoy together?
Mine have cars and college educations paid for, so they don’t get a lot. One got a new car bc other was in serious accident, so that was his 21st and grad present, a little early.
Other got 500 bucks, if I recall correctly.
We get them a fair amount all the time, so some of the “big milestone events” don’t get huge presents.
Depends how much you want to spend… a friend gave her son a trip to NY for him & a friend… airline tickets and a hostel stay. Flight was a red-eye and it was off season, so it ended up not being THAT pricey (though I know “pricey” is relative.) Anyway, he says it was one of the best presents he’s ever gotten…
My S’s GF says millennial want experiences, not things. Is 21 still in the millennial demographic or is that Gen Z? What does he like to do?
I think that puts him on the cusp.
If (Slacker) then
millennial
Else
GenZ
@momma2018 and anyone else that wants to chime in, what do professional commuting men carry these days? That’s actually something I was thinking about because he has a GS internship in NYC this summer and I was wondering if it was time for something more sophisticated than a Nike backpack? And yes, he would wear cuff links which isn’t something I would have come up with.
@thumper1 I like your idea, but coming up with 21 ideas would be stressful. Definitely will keep it in mind. LOL maybe even for my S that is turning 18 the following week and I also have no ideas!
Yes, he is still in college–a Jr., currently living in a dorm and will next year as well, with no current need for a car. I don’t want to go with cash. He likes “nice” things, clothing, etc., and loves to travel, but time is scarce for him right now and basically his weeks are tightly scheduled into the next school year.
One time…we did a “birthday in a box”. I mailed party hats, and plates, and napkins, and brownies that I baked. Included was a gift certificate for pizza…so the kid could have a pizza party with friends.
Oh…and I included the birthday candles.
That was fun!
I’m not sure what “GS” stands for…my 25 year old son still prefers a backpack - a nice one, but he is a teacher. I work on a medical campus and backpacks are still what the majority of med students, even medical staff use.
I always tend to say, unless you REALLY are certain of what clothing item specifically, type of bag, piece of jewelry, etc. they want - it’s a shame to buy something you think is special - but may not be to them, or what they truly want in that item.
You still haven’t mentioned a budget. This is CC. Your budget could be $100, $1000 or “sky is the limit”! Plenty of us do NOT have “sky is the limit” budgets so it’s ok to just give a ball park what you are thinking.
He sounds like he’s working hard - still in school, still in a dorm, doesn’t have a car, gearing up for an internship - something that would be a splurge for him might be nice. A long weekend expenses paid with a friend. Southwest gift cards for when he can work in a trip. A substantial gift card to REI or something if he is outdoorsy to buy new/good equipment for a sport he likes.
My 28 y.o. son is a software developer and uses a backpack. Timbuk2 makes nice ones.
My younger son got a new laptop.
Our son turned 21 a few weeks ago. When he comes home for spring break next week, we plan to buy him a beer.
Both my Ss are commuting professionals in NYC and they use leather messenger bags with straps long enough to be worn cross-body style.
My kids both use backpacks. Having said that…it’s not something I would ever buy them. They are pretty particular about what they use.
Our son is definitely more into experiences. For his 21st, we paid for a short 3 day cruise for him and his gf. They had a blast and now at 25, says he felt we thought of him as an adult and it was one of his favorite gifts.