What to buy for a young man who wants nothing?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

23
Has already got a phone, headphones and an iPad so doesn't need or want any tech. Doesn't want or need clothes.
Am getting some 'posh' fragrance
Have bought a new duvet cover
Absolutely no ideas for anything else, and doesn't want money either!

Drink, chocolate and a goat.

Well, nothing then. Get him something when he wants something.

(I've no idea what to get for my 21yo DD either, other than pyjamas, she has the 'stuff' she needs and doesn't use 'smellies' or cosmetics. )

Cash!

Doesn't want cash. And nothing isn't an option.

Chocolate a good call - will get a box full!

Last years birthday when DD was at uni, DH assembled a shoebox full of chocolate.

Apparently that was Too Much Chocolate. I'd no idea that was a thing.
So I'd advise padding with jelly beans.

I think this one might be of the persuasion that there can never be Too Much Chocolate. Like the idea of the shoe box - going to steal that.

DS (21) has said he doesn't want anything for Christmas. I've got him some Arran Aromatics toiletries which he'll love, a nice Joules jumper, some expensive local chocolate, a voucher for his local patisserie (winner of Bake Off The Professionals) and I'm going to get him a restaurant voucher.

DH is a little older but equally awkward to buy for. Found the website 'learn with the experts' today and have bought him a river cottage cooking course.

Thanks everyone else for your suggestions, will be pinching a few!

My parents bought me Too Much Chocolate for Christmas when I was 20. They bought me a filling for my 21st and still feel guilty about it 15 years later 😂 I got a bottle of posh whisky the next year.

Ds22 is getting a vacuum cleaner....

Ah...Maybe if he doesn't already have one, an electric toothbrush along with Too Much Chocolate?

Bit difficult if we don't know what he is into!!
Cocktail making kit.
Scottish single malt whisky.
Oxfam goat.
Seeds to grow.
Subscription to a magazine.
Hiking boots.
Trainers.
Noise cancelling headphones.
Nandos/Pret/Costa voucher.
Gym stuff.
Cashmere scarf/gloves.
Voucher for posh barbers.

My DS is the same age and having the same problem. I managed to get the title of a Switch game that he was planning to get, so have snuck that in. I'll probably get him a bottle of something and a big box of Turkish delight (definitely not my child 🤢) He's going to end up with money towards his next bass because I can't think of anything else he might want. He'll get pj's because he needs those.

Suitcase and set of sauce pans and then he can find all the things he really needs when he moves out ? (My parents did that for my 18th...)

Gift card? I have a couple of family members that are difficult to buy for, either because they don’t want anything or don’t need anything. But I know they are coffee drinkers, eaters, gamers and clothes shoppers.

As a result I’ve previously purchased gift cards from Starbucks, Nando’s, local boutique and PlayStation online.

I’ll be doing similar this year.

Personal trainer voucher to go with chocs?

Why is nothing not an option if that's what he wants?

Nothing isn't an option because his sister will be getting presents and because he loves Christmas and will be giving presents to us.

Don't want to give vouchers, as they probably wouldn't be used.

Trainers might be an option. PJs too. Wouldn't want or appreciate anything luxurious like whiskey or cashmere. So difficult to buy for!

Main hobbies are painting and playing the guitar.

Have a look at his paint supplies and buy more of the colours he uses the most or which are running low
Sheet music if this is still a thing
AirPods
Power bank
Good quality gloves or hat or socks

Food or drink items other than chocolate or alcohol eg hot chocolate, good coffee

playing the guitar

I have a 20yo (21 very soon) DS who is in the "Wants Nothing" camp.
I buy him things he will need for his Dec 1st Box ( so underwear -nice ones from TKMaxx- PJs-Primark-, shower gels ) and a big bar of Cadburys (he doesn't appreciate high end chocolate though)
But he would bite my hand off for cash and has always been a saver .

This year - Fender Stratocaster, amp, case,pedal, cables .

He needs a guitar strap and a capo so that's two presents
And a Guitar Heroes book

Other useful things - charger cables for his phone

Nothing isn't an option because his sister will be getting presents and because he loves Christmas and will be giving presents to us.
Obviously I don't know your DS, but all of the above is true for me too, but I ask for nothing and that's what I want. I just feel anxious and depressed taking home things that will mostly end up at the charity shop within the year. The best present I've received was a Christmas cake. Some people do mean nothing when they say nothing.

Can I just say, please don't spend just for the sake of spending.
My mum is obsessed with my brother and I having a certain amount for Christmas and birthdays, and then she has to make it even between the two of us.
There's very rarely anything I 'want' for Christmas, but I usually let her know of a couple of books I'd like, and she gets me smellies and chocolates.
But then, she will buy lots of other things to make up the value, but they're often things that I just don't need and won't use.
Christmas as an adult (which is what your son is now) is about presence more than presents, as spending time with your family is more of a novelty than when you lived there.
If he doesn't want anything, don't just get him things for the sake of it.
If you must buy things (I understand not wanting to give him literally nothing), get him edibles and then perhaps gift vouchers for places he eats or places he shops, but ones that you KNOW will get used. Amazon vouchers are great for this.
But don't fall into the trap of spending for the sake of spending. The fact that you've had to come on here and ask complete strangers - who obviously don't know your son - what to get for him is scraping the barrel and just shows that whatever they suggest, he certainly doesn't need!