My husband and I got our son a Sonos speaker. My husband loves the one he got for our sunroom and thought he’d like it.
Not the mom of a son but my daughter had on her list a bluetooth rechargeable stylus, an portable phone charger, a currency converter for travel, and new wireless headphones. Thinking those things are fairly gender unspecific 
My kids are easy…
One needs a new professional outfit or three so she is getting money for that.
The other likes to rent Airbnb for getaways every so often so he is getting money for that.
Now…my husband? He is getting coal in his stocking because he hasn’t asked for anything.
And if anyone has a direct line to Santa…I asked (in writing to DH and my kids who can forward to Santa) for a trip to Hawaii, and Michelle Obama’s book. I’ll be buying a few other things for myself and wrapping them up as well because I seem to not get gifts! And I am not on the naughty list!
A boatload of accessories for Dungeons and Dragons, for which I am madly trawling the internet. Also, nice jeans and fitted dress shirts. Fashion I can handle, D&D, not so much!
I asked my 25 yr old if he wanted me to renew his AAA membership again and he said yes. I also deposited a nice amount of $$ in his checking account. Works for him and us.
I have lots of sons…shirts, pants, shorts, jackets, bedding, household items, winter sports gear and one wanted a watch. All things they don’t want to spend their own money on. And of course, underwear!
My oldest son has no problem in coming up with stuff, thankfully. It’s my youngest, like I said. I do like the idea of a portable phone charger. And he likes to read now and looks to me for recommendations. Some other great ideas I’ll reread and consider. Plus nag him for awhile longer.
Not quite a young adult yet but close - my S turns 18 in early January. But like most of the sons mentioned here, he has given me very few ideas. He had 3 - an Under Armour duffle bag, a l/s shirt for his favorite NFL team and one video game. A day or two after he told me his ideas, he got the same exact duffle bag at his h.s. sports banquet as a senior gift. So down to two ideas. Plus I have to buy for his birthday (and both grandmas keep hounding me for ideas).
He doesn’t know where he’s going to college yet - either in a frigid location with lots of snow, or a more mild winter. If only I knew I could get him some winter boots, and a warmer coat but he won’t need them if he stays more local.
He does need some clothes. He wears a uniform to school, and the rest of the time wears t-shirts and sweats.
He already has a portable charger and last summer bought himself Beats earbuds so doesn’t want/need AirPods.
I will be following this thread!
My nearly 31 year old minimalist son can barely bring himself to spend money on what he wants and can definitely afford. For Chanukah, he got souvenirs from my cruise and a Target gift card (bought on the discount day). For his birthday at the end of the month, he’s getting a membership to MoPop, the Seattle museum that’s walking distance from his apartment. He’s getting that because when we visited on my birthday, he spent 15 minutes at the ticket desk trying to decide whether or not to apply the day’s tickets to a membership. He couldn’t figure out if he would go enough to make it worthwhile so decided against it in the end. But he sorta kinda maybe really wanted it. 8-|
For Chanukah last year, I got him everything I could think of for his apartment. For his birthday last year, I got a Nordstrom’s gift card and nagged him into going for a free consultation. Only took him 5 months to get there. He found the appointment to be informative but doubts he wants to buy $150 shirts and pants. But it gave him ideas of what to buy at Nordstrom Rack.
From 23-year-old (no joking):
“P Is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever”
Air Hogs - Supernova Gravity Defying Hand-Controlled Flying Orb for Ages 8 and Up
“My First Fire” kit - explore the wonders of firelighting - ha, just checked that one and it’s a “prank box” to pack a gift in. My kid, sigh.
Lululemon ABC pants. Every young man I know who tries them, loves them.
^^I’ll have to look those up. The prices on the men’s Lulu pants though!
My S will also get some gift cards - and will LOVE them and be so thankful. Everything from Chick Fil A to Dunkin to local restaurants so he and his wife can have some “on us” nights out. They just bought a new house this summer so have been watching their $$ as they get used to the new payment and stuff they purchased.
My daughter bought her BF a rolling tool case with a padded top to use when working on his cars. Past gifts have included an emergency car battery charger, a punch to make guitar picks, multi-tool, flashlight, quality kitchen knife
I’m at money, and a few cute useful things in their stockings. Maybe a book each. No one wants stuff. I’m okay with that.
I’ve gotten some good ideas from this thread! Basically in the same boat as most of you!
@Massmomm I have a D&D player too. Redbubble.com has cute tshirts, mugs, etc. We are lucky to have a gaming store close by to go and browse. Two years ago my DD “got” my son a D&D den in our home, in what was previously a basement storage room, she decked it out with swords, candles, bookshelves, etc…it was the best gift ever (his group plays at our home).
I thought it was only mine. I can see the appeal in old people (like me!) writing checks to their kids
Allbird Sneakers; Nike dry fit gears and watch.
@Dustyfeathers Etsy is my favorite rabbit hole, I found lovely gargoyles there.
My real gargoyle score is a pair of reading gargoyles that we’ll use as bookends. I found those at the lamp repair shop. The owner sells miscellany as a sideline and tried to talk me into a three-foot high plastic statue of St. Joseph. When I said no thanks, what I was really in the market for was gargoyles, he went squee and rushed to his back room, came out brandishing these guys. Sold.
Asked my 23 yo. what he wanted. He said, “nothing.” I told him that wasn’t helpful. Then he said he needed underwear. He just got socks for his birthday. (I also got him a haircut gift card.) Got 30yo and his wife DNA kits. 25 yo is also getting a haircut card. Looking for a sweater for soon-to-be son-in-law.
My S asked for Tide Pods. Easy!
I’m also springing for some clothes.