What small gift did you give your son when they turned 18/went to uni?

[HigherNature]

I don't mean a big present like a car/driving lessons, etc, something smaller.

Used to be a fountain pen in our family, but not sure that's good for someone these days!

My DH got a watch when he turned 18.

I give my nephews engraved Leatheman multitool/penknives or ID bracelets when they are 18.

Not sure if you'd call it small or not, but he got a Leatherman.

I got nothing - my parents were supporting me at Uni. As well as me getting a loan. And buying all the items to set up on self catering halls - plates/saucepans/duvet etc

My ds got an iPad between Christmas and when he turned 18 (feb after). He's off to uni this year (starting a bit later at 20) and we're not planning on giving him anything then. He'll be getting a kilt outfit for his 21st next year, which hopefully he'll get years of wear from.

It wouldn't occur to me to get a 'going to uni' gift! As you say they get something significant on their 18th, and presumably quite a few things to get set up in their dorms. No additional gift needed.

My parents gave me a photo album of the first 18 years of my life.

That is so lovely.

Never purchased mine anything like a 'formal' gift, but I did surprise them just on leaving them for the first time in halls with treats (brownies / biscuits etc) to share with their new flat mates plus drinks (so a few small bottles of cider or whatever they liked at the time). I figured it would help them to settle in and make friends !

This was for starting uni - not for their 18th !

Laptops, useful

I met one of my best friends over her mum’s fruitcake!

When he left for university we gave him a small photobook with highlights from his childhood, photos of family members and pets.

Laptop on going to uni, and a watch of his choosing on graduation.

In America, a copy of “Oh how far you will go!” By Dr Seuss is quite a traditional small graduation gift, I don’t know if they mean high school or uni graduation.

A laptop he needed, a crate of lager and condoms.

I have got ds(28) a small engraved hip flask (not expensive) for his school leavers dance. Not planning on anything for starting uni other than kitting him out for it.

18! Not 28!

I just paid for kitchen stuff pots pans etc a food shop and every pharmaceutical product you can buy.

I met one of my best friends over her mum’s fruitcake! Are you sure you weren't at Mallory Towers?

Lol!!! Sadly not. Cardiff Uni about a thousand-ish years ago.

Personalised bottle opener

I got DS a silver compass engraved with the Thoreau quote ‘Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.’

I know that the op has asked for ds uni present ideas but I made my daughter a recipe book with all our family dinners in it. I even did conversion charts and a how to clean section. She was so touched by it and uses it a lot and has added her own recipes to it. I’m not very artistic but I did try and decorate it a bit as well.