18th birthday present for son who doesn’t want anything

[Gudspede]

Not into sport
Doesn’t want driving lessons
Doesn’t want gadgets (iwatch/buds etc)
Already had a new laptop
Not really into clothes but concedes that a few new jeans / sweatshirts would be good
Not into jewellery or skincare (ie face masks and serums - he does wash, before anyone says euww)
Doesn’t use Amazon- I buy his vouchers off him whenever he is given them by relatives.

He will be cross if I spend money on him for the sake of it, but, and I know it’s his choice, he won’t have anything to unwrap on his birthday unless you lovely lot can think of anything creative.

Help, please, Mumsnet.

Why not open a savings account for him op?

Has he got a passport?

Bake him a cake?

Invite his friends around for pizza and beer?

How does he spend his time? Something related to his hobbies or interests?

Your son is my son! We ended up getting him a new laptop the next year, when his fizzled. On the day, he just had a couple of video games but genuinely didn’t mind

if he’s goi g to uni soon , he might be gld of stuff then

A day out?

Trip to London, or to your local go-cart track, or to a local attraction?

Take lots of photos of the day and frame them?

Mine asked for some of the big Lego sets.

would he like an experience gift with you? Like a day together at the theatre, or out for a meal, or the golf driving range, or to a museum, a weekend in London, just something special you and him?

What are his interests? If he has a favourite band or football club can you get tickets to a gig or match?

Is he going to uni? Or planning to travel this summer? Could you buy him a new backpack, rucksack or suitcase? Or other things for uni?

If he truly wants nothing right now, buy some nice clothes, make his favourite food and cake, and open him an ISA with whatever you would have spent.

Cash

An experience day and premium bonds?

Money for a bank account or premium bonds - and/or money to go shopping for the clothes he wants.

Plus some chocolate/sweet treats if he enjoys them and his choice of dinner e.g. take away or go out for tea.

Monogrammed wallet?
Monogrammed hip flask?

Cash/ investments/holiday, I would probably go for a good amount of cash considering it’s his 18th birthday

Same problem here. I saw a photo album on tiktok with vouchers for different things in so I'm making him one. It will have restaurant vouchers, uber eats and probably jd sports and h&m but I can't think of anything else. Maybe an experience voucher as mentioned above too. I also got lots of photos printed of him growing up to put in it. He works part time and is a Referee so has money and buys anything else he wants!

Hardly a 'problem' really is it? A young man who has everything he needs and is looking for nothing more, sounds more like an ideal scenario. We have lost our collective minds that we problematise things that aren't problems instead of being grateful to be so privileged.

Thanks for your suggestions.

He already has an ISA so I’ll put some money into that. DH is taking him clothes shopping and will get him a backpack. He is off to uni this Autumn so yes, he will need a lot of stuff then.

He is having a party at home with a few friends in his birthday (Easter hols). We are also going to London to get him a new passport (dual citizenship) so we’ll meet his older sister and go to one of the Mr Foggs bars for a cocktail.

Has anyone used any of the personalisation sites? The hip flask suggestion has given me an idea for a personalised bottle of wine or something.

Notinthehighstreet has lots of good things that can be personalised.

A case of fine wine or port in bond for him to drink in 10 or 20 years time.

Or possibly a case of 2007 Port - which will still drink well over the next 15 years.

We had this with our nephew recently - Adamant he didn't want 'money or stuff' as he has been for years, but it was a big birthday this time so we weren't conceding with the usual Nike t-shirt and socks 😅

Ended up getting him some gold. Cool to have, will likely maintain or go up in value and he can sell it easily if he needs cash for a holiday/car or something in the coming years.

in my family the men all got full kilt outfits for their 18th. Might be an idea if your Scottish, or a smart suit for fancy occasions?

I do think a nice luggage set is a good 18th. Maybe a cabin case and matching larger one. Or hold-all and matching cabin bag.

My son is not materialistic, doesnt care about brands etc, no sports or hobbies except reading and quizzes.
for his 18th he got a pen knife with his name engraved on it.

What about a decent meal out, that costs a lot of money these days. I think it's good not to buy stuff just for the sake of buying stuff.