Ds(17 almost 18)

[nachthexe]

Finished school this year and working (lifeguard/ swim instructor) to travel to Japan in the new year (mostly cultural but also Hiroshima etc) Anime fan. Basketball. My Little Pony. (Don’t ask.) Going to uni next September. History, Drama BEd.
I’m a bit stumped. He has a big duffel bag (leaving school present) so can’t do that. Got a couple of travel books but obv these days everything online. Don’t want to spend a fortune on clothes as he is bound to buy loads on travels...
Can get new phone free on his contract so can’t do that.
Any brilliant ideas? He just shrugs when I ask him

Rail pass for Japan if his flights are booked. Donation towards travel fund.

He’s already got the rail pass in hand I think - money seems such a cop out (particularly as he’s been saving for this for ages and has a good amount stashed) but is definitely my option if everything else fails!

Travel wallet
Wash bag with mini toothpaste, shower gel etc
Poster for uni room
New bedding for uni room

None of those are exciting though!

Mine is nearly 20 and he always asks for money !

He doesn't want "things" for the sake of buying things (though I do buy him socks/underwear /PJs/toiletries)

He saves so at least the money is appreciated and squirreled away .

Give your DS a cushion of money to treat himself on his trip - it is brilliant that he is saving money himself but they always say on a trip "Take half the clothes and twice the money"

He'll use his phone for photos so won't need a camera.
Charging cables (or one of those portable chargers - though he'll most likely have one )

I don’t think many 17/18 year olds really want ‘exciting’ presents do they? My DS, now 18, has had cash for the last few years. I used to do a ‘stocking’ as well full of things I thought he would like, practical and fun bits ... until last year I found at least half of them unused in his bedroom so I made it clear that was the last stocking .

What about a small trip away with you/ Family before he goes away. Making memories is the best present in our house x

Mine is off traveling in a couple of weeks. Early Xmas present was his rucksack, will buy him an experience (scuba diving or something) when he wants it. God, I'm going to miss my big baby 😭

Book him a ticket for the Studio Ghibli your. He'll love it.

There is an amazing sound and light art experience in Tokyo too. - think it's called Team Lab.

I would say Universal Studios ticket but I have a feeling you can't book that from the UK.

There is also Disney Tokyo.

Oh and Rosetta Stone Japanese lessons. They have able amazing app.

I went to Japan a few years ago with my partner, he is also in to anime and other Japanese things. I have got him a Tokyo Treat box, which is full of Japanese snacks and sweets and a bottle of Coke that is a flavour you can only get in Japan. I got it from Groupon for around £13 I think but not sure if the deal is still going. But it'd be very different and might get him more excited for his trip!
Also, if he doesn't already have one, then definitely get him a good portable phone charger as another poster suggested. We found ours invaluable when we went. We travel quite often and it was definitely the best thing we ever brought with regards to travelling (ours can charge 2 phones at once, and can do probably at least 3 or 4 full charges).
The Studio Ghibli museum is also great as someone else suggested. Would he use a travel journal to record memories of his trip? We made notes on our phones whilst there to eventually turn in to a travel journal with our photos. It's such a different culture over there that even the little things are interesting to make note of and remember years later

Yes to charger
Maybe a couple of pairs of cheapish earphones too, so he's got spares
And has he got decent shoes/boots?

Breville sandwich toaster for uni

I travelled a lot at his age. Cash was always welcome😊

If he is staying in hostels etc an upgrade for a night or two to a good hotel somewhere would be lovely.

Oo thank you everyone! I’ll check out some of these options - how on earth do you get studio ghibli your tickets? Is there a website you have used yourselves? (I never would have figured that out)

Remus I’ve been trying to buy him boots for a year. Time for another go...