Ideas for nephew 18th birthday

[CrumblingApples]

My darling oldest nephew turns 18 at the beginning of December. How did that happen?

What to get him to keep me in pole position for favourite aunt?

Typically I spend £25-50 each on my nieces&nephews for Christmas/birthday (there are 4 bio ones, and 2 step ones I do Christmas but not birthday). I don't have my own kids.

I'd like to spend/give about £100 to recognise it's a big milestone, I can't really afford more knowing I'll follow this up at least 3 more times with the younger ones and am probably lumbering myself with sometime similar for 21st (we celebrate 18 & 21st as big birthdays in my family).

As a kid he was so easy to buy for - stomp rockets, joke books, football kit from his team, go karting experiences. Since being a teenager it's moved to more 'hoodie & a box of celebrations' or a contribution towards the school ski trip. He likes gaming, but is not really into any hobbies I could get something towards.

He's had a part time job since 16 so now comparatively rolling in it with disposable income, it goes on branded trainers and similar nonsense but you know, he's earning it so fair enough! Now he has a bit of money, giving £100 isn't really very much to him any more despite it being quite a lot for me.

In my head I'd like to get something that lasts, but that's probably more for me being sentimental as he's probably not that bothered.

Anyway - all ideas welcome please, roll up roll up!

(ps I am his only aunt, just in case anyone takes that bit seriously x)

Could you treat him to a day out with you? My only niece, I'm her only Auntie (no bio Uncles) is 14 and we go away for the weekend which she knows is Christmas and Birthday present in one. I do buy her something small to open on those days. She's great company and the amount of times she says thank you Auntie and I love you Auntie I must be doing something right 😀.

I know you want something that lasts but memories last too.

@TroysMammy yes that's a great idea! I will have to think what an 18 year old boy (man!!) & me can do together where it's something he genuinely wants to do, that I'm also fine with! (I'm not particularly adventurous hahaha!)

I have taken him out for lots of treats over the years but not so much recently, he's tended to get lumped into the role of 'join us on a family trip to help with the younger ones'. If I can find the right thing to do I think that would be perfect, I hadn't thought of that! :)

Ask him. I gave my nephews/godsons a budget (£100 for the first one, but it went up with inflation for the second one to £150). They were asked to choose something, not clothes, that they might like to keep for at least a few years. Both boys chose a watch.... obviously not a fancy one, but nice enough. And it meant that they got exactly the watch they wanted.

I second @TroysMammy with the day out idea. Anyone can buy them a hoodie. For my nephew's 18th I took him for a forest segway/clay pigeon shooting combo and his 16th an escape room (with DP.) Both with pizza after. Unfortunately for my sister he now wants a segway.

@CrumblingApples it could be something as simple as going to zoo, museum or attraction and lunch and/or dinner or even going to the beach to fly a kite Time spent together will be just, if not more, as valuable as something expensive. Just tell him you propose to take him out for the day as a birthday gift, be a bit vague by saying "we could go to (something like above) and does he have any suggestions?