Arty 26 year old DS lives in very small apartment in Brooklyn. Says he has all clothes/kitchen items/ household items/art supplies he needs/wants…not much of a consumer at all. Does have a car. Works as a set designer/bar tender, so little free time for experience-type presents like event tickets. Any gift ideas -besides cold hard cash (which we give him anyway in funky packages under the tree) for such an ascetic?
Does he read books? Any technology needs? Something for the walls (well, he may make his own). I have acquired a similarly ascetic lifestyle after selling my house, and am having trouble thinking of anything I might want. For me, books are a great gift, though at this point I use the library a lot 
Grubhub gift card?
My 25 yr old S lives in Brooklyn. He’s still in school, and we have his MTA card connected to our bank account. That would be a nice gift.
Membership to a museum or film society? (Being able to wander in and out of a museum near work is really nice!) ? Cooking classes? Blue Apron subscription? Plane tix to somewhere he wants to go? Harrys shave subcription?
These are all ones I have done in past for folks who don’t want stuff.
So far for my son in a small apartment I am getting him a subscription to butcher box, which is an organic meat delivery service and I had his artist friend paint a water color of his dog that’s being framed. Would he want blue apron, grocery delivery, a dog walker, a cleaning service? What could make his day to day easier and a little nicer?
Since he has a car, how about putting his car on your EZ-pass or setting one up for him if you don’t have an account of your own? I adapted that idea from the person who suggested adding his Metrocard to your account…
How about a donation to his retirement account?.
My godson is like that. He does cook and I bought him a thermopen for his birthday. He is frugal and would never buy that for himself but admitted that it was a huge help in the kitchen but takes up very little room.
He still has to eat - how about gift cards to local restaurants (including ones that do take out)
A new pillow?
My kids fit the same mold. It does make it challenging but on the other hand I admire their anti-consumer tendencies.
In addition to funding Roth IRAs, we gift vacation travel/$ and gift cards to hot new restaurants.
Food or wine. Bake his favorite cookies, buy him nice bottle. Expensive tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
DNA test, if that’s something he’d be into.
A charity donation to his favorite charity.
A small tool kit for his car if he doesn’t already have one.
A car detailing.
Books or ebooks. If he likes physical books he can pass them on when he’s through with them.
High end toiletries, such as really nice soap or shaving balm.
An experience. Concert tickets to his favorite band or something he can schedule like sky diving. I know you said he doesn’t have a lot of time but he should be able to get one day or night off, right?
Copies of family photos from before the digital age.
I have one of those kids too. I have upgraded her bedding to nicer stuff than she can afford. Anything that comes in the mail and is consumed- coffee club, shave club, etc. A new doormat. This year I asked what she would really like, regardless of cost. She named a product that she thought was likely over my budget and it will be under the tree. These types of kids are so low maintenance that I don’t mind splurging when there is actually something they want.
The only idea I can add to all of the above excellent ones is that some household things wear out - specifically cloth items like bath towels, sheets, underwear and socks. If you visit, see if you notice any items in his apt that could use replacing. It’s nice to get new bath towels and the old ones are much appreciated by local animal shelters. Also, almost everyone lives by their cell phone these days - if he’s using an older one, the gift of an IOU upgrade would keep him from having to spend $ on buying a new one in the future.
As his birthday gift I pay for a cleaning woman to go to my son’s apartment once a month.
Monthly metrocard, free rides on Uber, Seamless gift cards for food delivery. FreshDirect might have gcs as well.
wireless earpods? an all-in-one iphone, earpod & apple watch charging station?
@CaMom13, thanks for the towel idea. My DS is one of those kids, his towels are probably old and threadbare. I’ll suggest he donate them, and give him new ones. DD is easy to buy for, she always has a list of shockingly expensive wants. Both get money, but it’s hard to have an Arc’teryx jacket under the tree for her and nothing for him.
They had towels for $4.99 at Costco—very thick and heavy. Regular price there is only $7.99.
H prefers thinner towels that dry quickly and thoroughly.
I hadn’t bought new towels in years and had no idea they actually make quick dry towels. I bought some of these this fall and we are really happy with them.
https://mobile.kohls.com/product/prd-1613100/sonoma-life-style-quick-dry-textured-bath-towel.jsp
Lots of good ideas here. And you know how your son is as to how he will receive any of them.
That said, to me getting towels as generally an only gift is as sad as getting underwear! Do you think he would appreciate the towels - or do YOU just think he should have them??