<p>So, my son turns 21 in a few weeks. He is an amazing kid and I’m sooo proud of him. I want to give him something truly awesome, but I’m at a loss. I can’t afford a car or anything really expensive like that. Does anyone have any suggestions? What have you guys given your kids? Thanks</p>
<p>iPad :-)…?</p>
<p>Pocket watch, gold chain, religious symbol (perhaps necklace or other religious object), a poem or letter telling him how proud you are, pinky ring, cuff links (I know they are old fashioned to some, but he’ll appreciate them decades from now because you gave them to him).</p>
<p>Not as sentimental: computer (desk top or laptop), netbook, I-phone</p>
<p>a keg? hahah…I’m really just kidding</p>
<p>My grandparents will be giving me a nice pearl necklace for my 21st birthday, and for my cousin (male), they are buying him a very nice suit(like going to a tailor, getting it custom made)</p>
<p>I think both gifts are useful and generous-but not extravagent</p>
<p>ipod touch, wii fit plus, kindle, iphone. All presents I have gotten my sons in the last year or two.</p>
<p>Well, this is more symbolic than anything, but D2 will be 21 in a couple of weeks. I found a winery website that allowed me to personalize a wine label to be attached to a bottle of wine of my choosing. They have all kinds of designs to pick from, and you decide what you want written on it. It won’t be the only thing she gets, but when I sent one to D1 for her 21st, it was seen as very unique and personal. Kind of a novelty item that honors their becoming of age. They probably have non-alcoholic wines/champagnes, too, if your kid doesn’t enjoy alcohol.</p>
<p>A suit is a nice idea too. Also, luggage if he needs it.</p>
<p>not to sound offensive, but I would be seriously bummed if I got a bible for my 21st birthday…it’s a big day and deserves at least a little celebrating</p>
<p>David Yurman makes gorgeous jewelry for young men (and women). Here is the link for a cross or Star of David necklace.</p>
<p>[David</a> Yurman | Men | Men’s Necklaces and Chains](<a href=“http://www.davidyurman.com/shoponline/subcategory.aspx?folderId=/men/necklaceschains&page=2]David”>http://www.davidyurman.com/shoponline/subcategory.aspx?folderId=/men/necklaceschains&page=2)</p>
<p>A bottle of wine/port etc. from the year they were born…</p>
<p>A vacation. A hand written voucher (max dollar amount stated) to be used during the next year for vacation purposes only. My niece got one from her parents as a college grad gift. She says it was as much fun planning the vacation (as she was not paying for it) as it was actually going. The gift had a limit of $1200.</p>
<p>He would probably like the keg the best! lol But maybe it would be more fitting for him to walk in and buy it himself. I like the idea of a nice tailored suit. It’s something that he’ll definitely need in the next year. The Ipad would be awesome. I wonder what it costs…Keep the ideas coming, you’ve had some really good ones!</p>
<p>This isn’t a present but we took our oldest D and three friends to Las Vegas. We reserved a VIP table in Bellagio’s club of the moment (a few years ago) and paid for the bottle service (one bottle only). They had the night of their lives and we knew no one would be drinking and driving. They had to come into our room when they returned so we could make sure all was well. This was what she wanted instead of a gift. We live on the West Coast so we were able to pile them in the mini van and drive. Was a great weekend and not too expensive.</p>
<p>My son was one of the youngest in his group of friends to finally turn 21. He often bemoaned that fact. </p>
<p>We got him 2 gifts–one more practical and one more sentimental. The practical one was a new phone which he desperately needed.</p>
<p>The sentimental one was a really cool rather expensive corkscrew ($90?) with this gorgeous wood handle. On the metal part of it we had it engraved: “At last” with the date he turned 21.
He isn’t a huge wine drinker but had worked as a waiter for awhile in college and has some appreciation. Anyway, it’s small, personal, and memorable. I really wanted to give him something keepsake-like and jewelry wouldn’t have worked for him. He already had a really nice compass he got at h.s. graduation.
The website:
<a href=“http://www.laguiole-knife-corkscrew.com/chateau-laguiole.html[/url]”>http://www.laguiole-knife-corkscrew.com/chateau-laguiole.html</a></p>
<p>A college education? If you’re already giving him that, just remind him what a great gift that is and that’s why you can’t afford the birthday present. . .AND, btw, how come he hasn’t sent you a thank you note for that COLLEGE EDUCATION yet?!</p>
<p>(I gave S the college education–and 2 posters from an art museum. I didn’t want to encourage anything alcohol-related. I’m sure he had drinks with his friends.)</p>
<p>I think a suit is a good idea, too.</p>
<p>D needed and got a new laptop.</p>
<p>S got poker chips. yes, really.</p>
<p>The Sunday Wall Street Journal or New York Times…(we can’t afford the seven day a week paper…but my son is reading his cover to cover Sunday mornings including the Jobs and Business sections…and help wanted ads!</p>
<p>My son wants a craps table for his 26th birthday! For fun I looked to see what one would run; for several thousand dollars, he is not getting one!</p>
<p>How about a nice dress watch? Even if he has a everyday watch, a nice metal bracelet watch would last him.</p>
<p>Now you got me thinking… my son (#2) will turn 21 in early March (gasp!) I haven’t really thought about it. We might go visit him since he is doing an internship so no spring break this year. New laptop? Maybe an electric keyboard. A personal breathalyzer, maybe one of my old cameras (1 digital, 1 35mm film slr), a book? (other than the bible, he might like a book on investing) I am really torn between not wanting to spend any money and wanting to get him something nice on an important bday.</p>
<p>D has already booked a weekend in Atlantic City to celebrate her 21st! I’m thinking of seeing if I can get a gift certificate for casino “cash” for her!</p>