AIBU to consider this as 21st bday present?

[21stbirthdayquestion]

My eldest is 21 later this year.

I've been trying to think what to get him for a while. He is adamant he didn't want a big party (didn't have one for his 18th either, nor did he go to his school Prom). He works and has bought (well, PCP'd) his own car already. He has a newish Iphone, and a nice watch that his dad got him a couple of years ago.

So I am struggling to know what to buy him for his 21st or how to celebrate it...

He is mad on football and has supported his team since he was 4. He's done the stadium tour a couple of times, and been to the odd match. I can't get him a season ticket as there is a 10yr waiting list BUT I could get him a hospitality box for a match a couple of weeks before his birthday. For 10 people, including food and drink it would cost £1,750. Now I know that is a LOT of money. But a party could cost nearly as much especially if I was hiring a venue and providing food and drink.

My thought is I can afford it, well it will come out of savings but as would whatever I did for his birthday, plus it is a one off. His younger brother wants to go to Japan for his 21st (3 years time) so I'm sure that will cost at least as much.

Would you do this? Or should I just take him to dinner with me and his brother, and buy him a more 'lasting' present of some kind?

What a great present, it’s one he’ll always remember. Birthdays aren’t the time to be sensible.

Personally I’d rather have the cash. It’s £175 a head so you’re basically spending £175 on your son and £1575 on treating other people. It’s his birthday, he should be getting the money spent on himself.

This is the most miserable approach to life. Most of what will make this a special experience will be sharing it with his friends. Sitting in the box on his own would be okay, I guess, because he'll still get to see the match, but not exactly a day to remember. Not everything is about getting all the money for yourself.