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Original poster

Urgent help needed: Birthday present for 20 year old boy

47 replies

googleismyfriend · 02/01/2019 10:23

I've already got my brother an experience present (something to do with his love of cats) but I thought it would be nice for him to have a physical present too. Only problem is, his birthday is tomorrow (so any presents would have to be available Amazon prime) and he's a difficult person to buy for. He is into science, cats (doesn't have any of his own though), making things like model aeroplanes, science and earth documentaries and games. He loves fluffy things and he would like a rug but I haven't seen any reasonable priced, decent sized rugs that are a shade of brown. For Christmas I bought him monopoly and a card game and he loved them.
The issue is that he is such a busy person due to his degree (oxbridge) and has told us he will have no time after the Christmas period to play games, make things etc. He says he can get books from his library so books are out too.

Please help!

OP posts:
Original poster
googleismyfriend · 02/01/2019 10:26

He also doesn't listen to music...

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FamilyOfAliens · 02/01/2019 10:28

Does he need another present? I’m assuming it’s his 20th, not his 21st.

And btw the students in our house are also revising for their exams next week. Being busy with uni work is not unique to Oxford or Cambridge.

ThanksItHasPockets · 02/01/2019 10:29

Budget?

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Christmas Events & celebrations General shopping
Timeandtune · 02/01/2019 10:29

My 19 YO DS is very hard to buy for. What I do now is give him an iou for whatever amount I can afford and tell him to let me know over the year if he sees anything he would like to buy. It is usually something computer related.

Grace212 · 02/01/2019 10:30

is it just me who winced at "boy"?

sorry OP. sure whatever you get will be fab.

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/01/2019 10:33

Something consumable. Beer/cider/coffee/sweets/crisps etc.

Frangipane · 02/01/2019 10:34

The only things I can buy my boys who are a similar age, but older, are: a bottle of something (to drink in celebration after the exams?) food, or clothing.

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/01/2019 10:36

You found do a study kit. Coffee and sweets and a couple of pens/pencils/highlighters and a bottle of beer as a reward.

I got my DS one of those notebooks that you can upload your notes to your PC straight from it and then you microwave it to clear the pages. It was about £25. He's not used it as he's still on holiday from university and doesn't have any exams this year so not studying.

DustyMaiden · 02/01/2019 10:38

A fluffy dressing gown.

Your DB sounds exactly like my DS. He had Aspergers.

Original poster
googleismyfriend · 02/01/2019 10:41

He is turning 20 yes. Haha "boy" because he is a very very young 20 year old, he still has some cuddly toys.

Budget is around £30.

To the previous poster, yes I know all students are busy and Oxbridge was to illustrate the amount of work as it is universally known that all courses there are very intense.

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Original poster
googleismyfriend · 02/01/2019 10:42

Timeandtune that's an excellent idea, will bear that in mind for next year.

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IJustWantToWearDungarees · 02/01/2019 10:42

A rokr model kit like this - they're a great combination of science and building and puzzles. My DH loves them:

ROKR Perpetual Calendar -3D Wooden Puzzles/Mechanical Models/Propelled Model Mechanical Model Construction Kits For Teens and Adults https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FZZMSFD/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_EvjlCbRA866NV

Available on Amazon Prime, too.

Original poster
googleismyfriend · 02/01/2019 10:43

I forgot to mention he doesn't drink alcohol, but I agree that consumables are always good. I just wanted to get him something a bit more substantial to open on his birthday.

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IJustWantToWearDungarees · 02/01/2019 10:44

Meant to say they are also quite quick to build so will fit in with down-time from studying.

Leatherandsilk · 02/01/2019 10:45

Sorry to detail but Waxon what is this microwaveable wizardry of which you speak??

Original poster
googleismyfriend · 02/01/2019 10:46

*A fluffy dressing gown.

Your DB sounds exactly like my DS. He had Aspergers.*

This is very interesting. What signs of Aspergers did your DS have?

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Original poster
googleismyfriend · 02/01/2019 10:48

IJustWantToWearDungarees Thank you so much for the brilliant idea!

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Original poster
googleismyfriend · 02/01/2019 10:49

I got my DS one of those notebooks that you can upload your notes to your PC straight from it and then you microwave it to clear the pages. It was about £25. He's not used it as he's still on holiday from university and doesn't have any exams this year so not studying

Would love to hear more about this please...

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desperatelyseekingcaffeine · 02/01/2019 10:52

The notebook is a rocket book. I bought my husband the everlasting which doesn't need to be microwaved but wipes clean. It comes with a black pen, I bought a set of coloured pens to go with it for £10 and the book was about £35. You write in it like a normal notebook, but the text and images can be scanned by the book and sent to a computer/tablet etc.

JurassicGirl · 02/01/2019 10:53

Pyjamas
Dressing gown
Blanket
Poster/wall art for uni bedroom
Magazine subscription
Dvd
Cinema pass
Hat/gloves
Hamper of goodies to keep in his uni room - biscuits, pringles, variety pack cereal, popcorn, sweets etc

ScottyDog7 · 02/01/2019 10:57

I'm a uni student with a everlast notebook and I LOVE it.
Easier than the microwave one, as it wipes clean. My uni even sell the pens that are recommended for it in the student shop. You can get highlighters, felt tips etc. Really recommend it.

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/01/2019 11:08

It's a rocket book wave ds has. Sorry on my way out door so no time for linky :)

DustyMaiden · 02/01/2019 11:14

He was treated for anxiety but diagnosed with Aspergers. He is very academic, obsessed with cats, he looks at pictures on the internet. Likes furry things. His obsession is computers. He is very young for his age, very cuddly.

FamilyOfAliens · 02/01/2019 11:22

To the previous poster, yes I know all students are busy and Oxbridge was to illustrate the amount of work as it is universally known that all courses there are very intense.

Universally known?

Original poster
googleismyfriend · 02/01/2019 11:45

He was treated for anxiety but diagnosed with Aspergers. He is very academic, obsessed with cats, he looks at pictures on the internet. Likes furry things. His obsession is computers. He is very young for his age, very cuddly.

This is exactly my DB! (Apart from the computers) From what I've read on aspergers though, my DB doesn't have any of the signs. It is literally just what you've detailed above that makes him a bit different to others.

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