Gift ideas for an 18 year old boy

[maryandtrees]

What would you suggest?

I don’t want to go down the route of a wallet with cash. I think he uses his phone to pay for stuff anyway.

I would rather not do cash or a voucher but I will rather than getting him something for the sake of it.

Any suggestions? He is quite sporty but doesn’t do a specific sport. Likes gaming.

Budget up to £150. It’s my nephew.

I was going to say cash in a wallet so he could buy himself something he wants/needs..... That's what I do with teenage nieces and nephews.

Or ask him if there is something gaming-wise he would like that you could buy for him.

If he doesn't yet drive but plans to learn, how about some driving lessons as a gift?

Hip flask? Tankard? Watch? Messenger bag? Shoes/trainers? Driving lessons? Hold-all? Designer piece of clothing?

Teens of 18 would usually just prefer the cash so they can choose what they really want and when they want it too. I told my niece/nephew a budget and said send me links to anything you want if not I will deposit cash into your bank account. They were both very happy with this.

DS was 18 last week and TBH it's all about the cash. Now more than ever it's incredibly hard to choose what t-shirt / shoes / jacket is the right one, and we've a long line of purchases that were gratefully received and then never used (and were his parents!)

We bought a couple of well made, last forever items for uni in September, and also a new stereo for his car. We also funded the party which was not a cheap venture. Everyone else opted for cash which was very gratefully received.

I would ask him if there's anything specific he wants, and if not settle for cash. Three £50 notes would have a novelty value as they're so rarely seen. You could also buy one of those puzzles he has to solve in order to release the money if you wanted to draw it out a little longer.

Concert tickets to something he would like to see? Money put towards a holiday?

Honestly if you ask I'm almost certain any teenager will say there's nothing specific they want because they'd hope to just have the cash instead. I always find it a bit depressing but it is what it is and I'm sure I was the same as a teen.

I'd definitely not do £50 notes as they can be a faff to spend, won't always be accepted at the best of times and are being removed from circulation Sep 2022 anyway (along with the current £20 notes so I'd avoid those as well).

As you say, most teenagers we know use digital funds so i'd either transfer the money on the day or do a voucher if I was confident they would use whatever it was.

I recently sent a nephew £100 by BACS on the day and sent a giant Millie's cookie as a small treat on the day (knowing he likes them). Not masses of fun to shop for but ultimately a gift is for the recipient not the giver so I've just accepted that and always transfer money instead via BACS or Applepay etc. I generally assume actual cash or a cheque is considered inconvenient.

Thank you. I think I'll just do cash or a bank transfer.

Engraved silver cuff links

Being an 18 year old can be expensive, the right trainers, the right t shirt, concert tickets, driving lessons etc , I think you are right to opt for cash. I would hate for someone to open up a really expensive gift and be a bit sad because the cash would have bought something they really wanted.