21st birthday gift suggestions for nephew please

[Rosemary46]

He’s a student, I have no idea what his interests are and his parents (when asked ) responded with the usual polite “ You don’t have to get him anything”.

A quick look at his social media reveals all the usual student activities of partying and partying.

I asked 20yo DD who gave me a long list of what she and her female friends would like - Lush toiletries, pretty stationary, a pandora bracelet.

She also added helpfully “ Not cash, that’s so lazy”.

Now I’m stuck.

How about 21 lottery tickets?

I'm not sure a £50 investement in Premium Bonds would stand much chance of winning that often unless he's likely to add to the investment. My DS has had £100 worth for the last 5 years and hasn't won once. I win most months but with a lot bigger investment.

I gave my nephew a fairly nice cross pen for his 21st. About £30 I think. It went down well

I would just give cash. I’m old enough that when a few relatives each gave me £21 for my 21st I was chuffed. It wouldn’t go far these days!

What about an ASOS voucher?

Trouble with vouchers are that unless you are 109% certain you never know that the young person will really want a voucher for whatever retailer you have chosen. My DS has, very kindly, been given lots of vouchers over the years but he usually struggles to spend them (we live in the middle of nowhere so it is a trip out just to spend the voucher) & often I end up giving him cash for the voucher. He doesn’t like using Amazon either so those vouchers are a waste of money as well.

I honestly think cash is the best gift.

Thanks for the premium bonds suggestion. You can't buy premium bonds on behalf of anyone over 16, just to save anyone else here wasting 15 minutes calling NS&I to find out!

@wilkesma but my post was nearly 5 years ago so the dilemma is now solved 🤣