DS 18th bday

[Weathergames]

I am annoying this is not an AIBU. But not sure where else to post where it might be seen.

His 18th bday this month, he is going to get a PS (4?) and I am giving him some money towards it.

I want to buy him something special too that he will keep. I have no idea what to get him - he's an emo ATM and into stretchers etc so poss not going to be in this phase forever.

Does anyone have suggestions of something more "timeless?".

How about a nice hip flask with an engraving?

Drawing, painting, sculpture, doesn't need to be very expensive, but something he likes and could keep

Forget it, 18 yr olds don't give a shit about 'something special', they think we (parents) are way of the mark with this rubbish.

My lovely DS is now 21 and still doesn't understand why parents do this sentimental rubbish.

OP is for us not them.

Haha!!

I have a box of stuff I have kept for him since before he was born. All the cards I was sent, his hospital tags, his first pair of shoes, first haircut, first shoes, newspaper from the day he was born, number one CD from when he was born, first babygro and hat and painting from pre-school etc etc

Always planned to give him to him when he turned 18, am now worried he's going to say "what's this box of shite?!"

On my 18th my Mum brought down a bottle of home made wine she had made the year I was born. I think I took a sip and spat it into the sink I wish I'd been a bit more appreciative now!

I still have the silver bracelet my parents gave me for my 18th (I am 46) - they made a big deal about 18th presents.

How about a watch, camera or clock? DD (18 this year too) wants a decent camera and my parents have bought her a watch that she chose.

I got a watch on my 18th, I still love it many years later. My sister isn't so much into the sentimental things but I am, we've both been like that since we were kids.

You know your son, if you think your son would appreciate a present that he'll keep then how about a watch? And I really like the idea of the box of stuff you mentioned but maybe after you give it to him take it back for safe keeping until he's older :)

I did an adventure obstacle night race with my son on his 18th birthday. I hope he will remember it for years to come......I certainly will!

how about a nice tattoo?

For my best friends 16th his mum made a book with firsts. So she had hair from his first haircut , his first tooth , a picture of his first day at school etc. ...It was lovely and nobe of us thought it was "lame". Planning on doing the same for my son when he's 16 or 18.

I think he'll buy that for himself - kate kind of not keen on encouraging .

I did wonder about a watch.

OP I have all that first stuff, even the bloody birth button tag, weight card etc. etc.
DS (21) and DD (26 and getting married on Sat) do not care about this shit we have collected. I have first drawings, first pictures, boxes of this stuff. It's for us, not them.

My advice - do not give an 18 yr old a box of our memories.

P.S. We'll keep them and have a nostalgic cry now and again

Weather, give that stuff to him when he gets married or becomes a dad

Definitely a watch, I don't remember what I got for my 18th but I never take off the necklace I got for my 21st. Love your keepsake box idea, he will probably like it now but when you show him it again when he is older and maybe a dad himself, he will appreciate it more.

Camera - Amazon have some great ones. My ear stretcher type son (also ,18) said if you need some site names he could recommend some amazing stretchers :)

wannabestressfree yes please

Have just had to give him a massive lecture about his stretcher to find out what size it is

Blue banana
Arka
UK custom plugs (that's where I buy them for presents)
My sons are big big :/ and he has tattoos...... He is very much the individual :)