<p>S1 will turn 20 this week and I haven’t gotten anything yet! I need a great idea for some little things that will make the day special (can you get a cake delivered?). Thanks!</p>
<p>Target gift card - don’t ask me why, but it always works.</p>
<p>Yes, if you call a local bakery, they will usually deliver a cake. I tried that last yr for S2’s 19th, first bday away from home. Tried a long distance surprise party with cake. It was a near disaster because the bakery delivered the cake to an address a block down the street. Two different establishments whose names both began with the same letter. I promised him I would never try such a thing again! </p>
<p>This year, I sent him a plant because he’s into flowering plants. </p>
<p>One gift that got the most reaction was a priority mail boxes with his favorite treats that he might not think to buy–oreos, peanut butter, his favorite granola bars, tea, a bag of marshmallows. I think with college boys, it really is the thought that counts.</p>
<p>This thread is really timely. S2 will be spending his 20th birthday away from home this summer (he’s staying at school & doing an internship). It’ll be the first time he’s not home for his birthday too. I’m already starting to think about what to do for him, so these ideas are a great start. Both my kids have liked getting Amazon gift cards, but I’d like to try to get a birthday cake to him, if possible (& hope it gets delivered to the right place)</p>
<p>FYI for all of us parents of 2012’s—yes they turn 20…and yes their driver’s licenses expire! My D got a renewal in the mail—but her roommate had gotten a ticket so his just expired gently…until a cop confiscated it at a party! He got to spend 3 hours in line at the DMV over spring break! Another life lesson!</p>
<p>3bysmom: Depending upon where your DS is, it might be nice to send a pre-paid brunch/dinner cruise ticket or a ticket to theater/concert for two.</p>
<p>I ended up sending him a “cookie bouquet” from one of those companies - they will hand deliver along with balloons on the actual day</p>
<p>My first inclination is to respond: get him a date! But not sure he’d appreciate your choice . . . .</p>
<p>If it wasn’t this week, I’d say wait until the next gen Iphones came in and get him that – or you could offer an upgrade when they do come out.</p>
<p>Cheap but welcome gifts are Itunes, since they can be used not only to download tunes to an Ipod, but if your son is a gamer, it’s also used towards the monthly on-line WOW subscription to name one of a few games.</p>
<p>I’ve added $$ to my son’s debit card, or bought him season college football or basketball tickets, which don’t cost a lot, and gets added to their college ID card – that is, if your son goes to a college that has sports and he enjoys going to games.</p>
<p>If he’s at all into Japanese culture (anime, etc) 20 is their coming of age birthday. You could get him a yukata on EBay ?</p>
<p>Another good and healthy gift is a tray of dried fruit. I found one that had apples, pears, peaches, kiwis, prunes, pineapple… It lasted quite a while, and I felt better about sending that than cookies.</p>
<p>I don’t have an S, but last year, when I had an Edible Arrangements fruit arrangement delivered to where my D was working (they even have numbers carved out of pineapple that you can add), it was her GUY friends that ate three-quarters of the thing! They are already asking if I am going to send one this year…</p>
<p>My girls always appreciate a gift card to the local mall (one of those VISA or MC ones) so they can have a shopping day and spend it in any store that they like. They also appreciate a gift certificate for a facial (since skin issues still persist).</p>