Does anyone have any ideas for a gift for DS's 21st?

[whiteroseredrose]

DH and I are really struggling for ideas for DS's 21st present.

His DGPs have bought him a watch for his 21st and bought him a good pen for his 18th.

He already has a good camera that he won when he was at school. His laptop for Uni was his 18th present and is still fine. His phone is a few years old but also fine.

We want to get something that will last but are stumped. When it is DD's turn we could get jewellery but it really isn't his thing.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received!

How about a decent pair of cufflinks? I know men don't seem to wear them that often these days but am sure they'll come in handy when attending weddings etc in future.

My brother was given a very nice leather weekend bag which is still going strong years later. Maybe a matching leather wallet for something that can be used every day?

Rather than a physical present, could you do something really special as a family?
Is there anywhere he has always wanted to go or see or do? An experience day perhaps?
I know he is obviously older than your DS, but for my husbands big birthday I took him to a famous 3 star Michelin restaurant that he had always talked about. We took a photo of us in the restaurant and got it framed too. It was amazing and although it was not a physical present as such, we will always have the amazing memory of a great day

Parachute jump?
2 tickets to anywhere in Europe (for once things ease?)
Does he have a partner? A night at a cool hotel in the UK?
Dinner and hotel in Edinburgh?

• a night here if he like animals? There’s a room you can see lions from your bathtub.

www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/

Not sure where you are so realise if it’s not UK these won’t appeal.

What is the budget?
A car? A port to lay down?
Luggage and passport holder
A MacBook
Flying lessons

It would also depend on his interests and ambitions, surely?

Cufflinks,
It was a 'thing' a few years ago for Scottish men to get a kilt and the outfit that goes with it for 21st. Which was great in theory until they gained weight

I'd want to get him something he can keep rather than tech that will become dated / break.

God he’s 21 not 40
Cuff links wtf

Think of what he’s interested in
What he likes, into ?
Just because it’s old and fine doesn’t mean it’s want he wants !

My bf got a really expensive leather jacket for his 21st. That's served him well.

Engraved cufflings..i bought platinum about 300. Worn a good few times in 15 yrs
Delighted to have them for his wedding day

I would get an experience rather than something traditional that may well sit in a box gathering dust. What's your budget ?

An overnight stay at a luxury hotel, meal out?
A weekend stay somewhere a bit different " Treehouse B&B".
Or an IOU for a long weekend abroad

Thank you so much for the replies.

I'd not thought of cufflinks. He goes to black tie stuff at Uni so would actually use them.

Money for a holiday next summer would probably go down well too. A good antidote to lockdown if it ever ends.

Sadly not got the funds for a car for me let alone him!

We bought a personalised number plate for my stepson.

An alessi or georg Jensen bottle opener / corkscrew

Budget upto about £500.

I was looking at an iPad but he's just bought a refurbished one.

I'll talk to DH but cufflinks on the day and an iou for a flight next summer might be the way to go.

He won't want cufflinks! They'll clutter a drawer for years until eventually they'll be Kondoed by a future wife or girlfriend. Much better a holiday or a really fancy dinner.
Or a case of wine in storage until he gets a place of his own?

Very much depends on the cufflinks. DH has really nice ones that get pulled out for occasionals and some daft ones that he wore to work, precovid.

How about money in a brokerage account so he can start investing (and saving for the future).

Ha ha. DS is a bit different.

No point in buying wine or alcohol related stuff as he doesn't really drink.

I think the flight next year will be the main gift as he was supposed to go to Africa this summer but obviously it didn't happen.

I'll ask about cufflinks before I buy but he does actually use them. He has the little silk knot ones. Decent silver ones would be something to use at the formal stuff at Uni and then as a keepsake afterwards.

Paul Smith does some good cuff links. Or for more traditional/classic ones, look in the second hand/antique section of an independent jeweller.

We really struggled for ides for our DS 21st birthday present.
It didn't help that DS couldn't offer any suggestions.
In the end we got him tickets to see his favourite football team play in the Champions league.We live in Scotland so DH and DS had a lovely mini break in London staying in a nice hotel for a couple of nights.Their team won and DS was delighted with the experience.

@granadagirl what's your suggestion then?

my DP got a leatherman multi tool for his 21st from his parents and it is his most beloved and well used possession! Its engraved as well.

Our 25 year old has about twenty pairs of cufflinks. Some good ones, some club ones.
He wears them regularly with his mess dress and much prefers a double cuffed shirt when in a lounge suit.

Plenty of young men like cufflinks so I wouldn’t dismiss them.

Thanks Honeywort I'll start at my local jewellery shop as they have new and vintage stuff.