Looking for a gift ideas for my son’s upcoming birthday. He is not a gamer, happy with his current phone. We got him TV for a second room last year. We have a budget of $500. Any ideas?
A vitamix blender, if he would use it.
A Dyson vacuum cleaner, cordless or regular.
a museum membership
tickets to a show or festival
a framed print
Rimowa rolling carry-on luggage
winter coat from store like Patagonia
I’ve given this suggestion before…we gave it to DS one year.
We got a new wallet. The we filled it with gift cards. If you have $500, that would give you some good variety to get.
We got DS a combo of things…Amazon, Express, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, Starbucks, Express, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s. Some were $100 and some were $50 or less. It was a huge hit!
Great ideas! Son is a very low maintenance guy. I was thinking about buying him a new watch but he is emotionally attached to his old one he has from the 6th grade.
Gosh, I got my son two paperback books.
A leather jacket! Guys can have more than one watch. A more formal, another casual.
Ask before you spend money on a leather jacket. My son has one…he never wears it.
Watches…personal choice. So many young folks just use their phones.
my 28 year old insists on buying his own clothes.
$$ is always the most appreciated gift !
My sons in their 20’s also would not be interested in a leather jacket. Not their style so good to ask first before spending a lot of money on things that involve personal taste. Ask about or observe what they wear or are interested in. Ask directly. My younger kid has gotten into skiing lately so he likes things related to that, for instance. I’ve also given sports related tickets , event stuff. They have been given watches and still wear them occasionally but I asked first before buying.
I’ve sent my 30 y o son links to,Pendleton blankets and other ides . I threaten him with the hated gift card to Amazon. If he doesn’t respond, he knows I will send $$$ into,his bank account, and bug him for what he used it for.
Is there anything he wouldn’t buy for himself because it seems like too much or indulgent, but something he might really appreciate if it were a gift?
I adore a few nice things, but I’m also frugal. Cashmere (sweaters, scarves). Nice soft leather dress gloves, cashmere lined. I mean, I cannot bring myself to pay retail for those items, for myself, but if given as a gift? I’d feel like the giver really knows me.
@bookworm not wishing to high jack the thread…but why doesn’t your kid like Amazon gift cards? My kids both love to receive them!
Great ideas! Thank you. I would get him a nice jacket but I don’t know what young guys like to wear. He always gives my husband and I really nice presents from spa gift certificates to plane tickets and I feel like I have no imagination at all.
Might sound too practical to some but I request my kids send me a Wish List (including links if applicable). I buy what I like from that. It also helps with giving the grandparents gift ideas as well. May lack the “surprise!” factor but it ensures they get what they want and can use and doesn’t waste money and time getting unwanted items. So, I guess my suggestion is tell your child to give you a list of items. 
If he is giving you spa certificates and plane tickets, it sounds like he has plenty of money to buy what he needs. That is the time to think outside the box and buy something you think he might like but wouldn’t necessarily think to buy for himself. Things that show you have an idea of what he likes or appreciates-cool coffees or teas, good chocolates , beer making kit, favorite sports or theater or music ticket or recreational ticket (national park service pass, etc.) , something for his place. Depends on his interests.
I liked these travel bottles and was planning to buy them for my brother who about the same age.
The keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours.
https://www.hsn.com/products/asobu-central-park-travel-bottle-2-pack/8231109?variant=8231113
Nice sun glasses? And a ticket to get to the beach?
We got ours fancy headphones. And some books he wanted. For years we have given college grads closest to us a gps and that is always well-received. but $500… hm. Could you make a donation of some of it, to a favorite museum or charity interest?
Membership to a fitness center? A years worth of car washes? Me,bership to something…my kid has two places he likes to go to…and he would be happy to have memberships to both.