<p>My daughter had an older model, which just broke. We got it for her 2 years ago, and I do not remember the model. It was a life saver for her freshman year. Even though she had a single, her next door neighbor would have guests over until very late in the night. D1 is a light sleeper. If you get one, let me know which one and if you like it. We may need to get another one for D1 when she comes back from abroad.</p>
<p>Another one of my favorite gadget is Apple’s AirPort. D1 uses it to make her room wireless, so she could use laptop sitting in her bed. We also bring it with us when we travel to make our hotel room wireless, and everyone could use it for their iPhones and laptops.</p>
<p>Tickets to a concert or sporting event are always a hit in our house.</p>
<p>We have done magazine subscriptions and the kids seem to enjoy them. Particularly our D. If someone is going to college you can always change the address in the fall. That way they are guaranteed some mail without you having to remember!</p>
<p>Great to read these. I have not one idea to get my 17 yr old son - he wants and needs are always very simple and so far this year, he and I are clueless!</p>
<p>abasket
aside from the “gift thing,” isn’t that wonderful?</p>
<p>Yes, you’re right it is. He’s always been that way. Quality vs. Quantity!</p>
<p>GC’s to “Lids” (hat place), Apple Itunes, Legos (give them something to play with), clothing stores, and gaming stores. Sweatshirts/jackets with their favorite sports teams logos. Sports or concert tickets. $$$$. ITouch. Other electronics. Build your own rocket kit (my son loves these). Movie passes.</p>
<p>emgamac this is a priceless idea as my boys are huge Amazing Race fans. Thanks so much for posting more details!</p>
<p>mamom, Thanks for the “Lids” suggestion; it is perfect for a family of three boys I need to shop for. In addition to being at nearly ever mall (under a few different names), they are also online.</p>
<p>Here is a magazine that my nerdy, hard-to-buy-for son enjoys–
[Improbable</a> Research](<a href=“http://improbable.com/]Improbable”>http://improbable.com/)</p>
<p>My younger son really likes [History</a> of Flight, Aviation, Space Exploration - AirSpaceMag.com](<a href=“http://www.airspacemag.com/]History”>http://www.airspacemag.com/)</p>
<p>Any more ideas? Some great websites have been posted.</p>
<p>REI gift cards. Every gadget or necessity for just about any outdoor activity. DS (and DH) loooooves it.</p>
<p>My geek son reads Maximum PC from cover to cover every month.</p>
<p>[Technology</a> News, Computer and Notebook Reviews, Computer News, Computer Mods, PC News | Maximum PC](<a href=“Tom's Hardware: For The Hardcore PC Enthusiast”>http://www.maximumpc.com/)</p>
<p>I want the BuckyBalls from ThinkGeek, too! I watched the video on the website in fascination. They will definitely be in S1’s stocking, and maybe S2’s, as well. S2 is only 11, and they are supposed to be for 12 and up - I wonder why?</p>
<p>One idea I got from a CC gift thread is engraved compasses and compass keychains:</p>
<p>[Grants</a> of Dalvey engravable keychains from the Dalvey Depot.The Dalvey Depot offers the Grants of Dalvey high quality products: Dalvey compass keyring, Dalvey flashlight/torch keychain, and Dalvey personal travel alarm keychain.](<a href=“http://www.dalveydepot.com/dalveykeychains.htm]Grants”>Grants of Dalvey engravable keychains from the Dalvey Depot. Dalvey compass keyring can be Custom Engraved.)</p>
<p>I gave S1 the compass keychain with his initials engraved a few years ago, and I’ve given the larger compasses for graduation and retirement gifts. They are always a big hit.</p>
<p>Books, books, lots of books. Special DVD sets - Planet Earth, Leonard Bernstein’s music programs from the 50s and 60s. Movies - Akeelah and the Bee, 12 Angry Men. DVD courses from The Teaching Company (excellent; I’ve bought courses on Ancient Greece, Calculus, Number Theory; get on their email list, things are always selling for a fraction of the list price).</p>
<p>One of the best gifts I ever thought of, for a close relative who was born in 1971: Towle sterling Christmas ornaments from a series that started that year (12 days of Christmas). I buy one or two from Ebay each year. When I have bought them all, I will have someone make a velvet case for them.</p>
<p>Swiss Army knife; cute flashdrives; duffle bag luggage from Eddie Bauer. Baoding balls.</p>
<p>Speaking of colelctables, we buy my S Britains WWII metal solders every year. We get him 3-4 sets to add to his collection which is starting to grow fairly large. I love the fact that he gets something that he hopefully will keep forever and we can keep adding to it for him every year.</p>
<p>Magazines he likes and has subscriptions to are: Sports Illustrated, Wired, and Make [makezine.com:</a> MAKE: technology on your time](<a href=“http://makezine.com/]makezine.com:”>http://makezine.com/)</p>
<p>This is a great thread! My two teenage sons enjoy ESPN magazine and recently were given the game “Pentago” which they love. I’m thinking this year of giving my Sr a flash-memory camcorder (I’ve seen a few recently for under $100). Also gift certif for favorite teenage hang-outs like Five-Guys & movies. For relatives I often suggest I-Tunes gift cards. Also if they have a favorite TV show (i.e. The Office) think about boxed season set.</p>
<p>Are kids using long-boards on college campuses these days?</p>
<p>I’ve seen some mention of noise-canceling headphones.</p>
<p>I like the ones from Sennheiser - much lighter than the Bose ones. </p>
<p>My S likes Military History magazine.</p>
<p>I have no idea what long-boards are.</p>