21 year old son doesn’t want anything !!!

[GoodnightGrandma]

He’s always hated doing me a list.
He’s away at Uni, and I’m sure he’d just appreciate the money but I want to get him a surprise he wouldn’t expect from his old mother, and some other things to open.
So, doesn’t need a phone, won’t have a new laptop, no alcohol, no dairy, no mini fridge/waffle maker/coffee machine.
For basics I’m thinking of a brand new out aftershave, and some clothes, but what ?

Treat them to a meal out!

Just make it all returnable and Ideally from one or two shops so he actually will

Phone battery pack
New coat
Pack pack
Gym gear / walking gear / whatever he likes
Coffee card
Reusable coffee cup
Nice water bottle
Duvet set
Watch
Socks
Boxers
Good wool jumper
T-shirts
Beanie
Coffee press
(Buy sustainable small stuff though - metal water bottles/sustainable clothes like company clothing - simpler stuff is hard to get wrong too)

OR smaller stuff above combined with:

Experience like theatre/festival/dinner tickets vouchers

OR

Cheese / wine / book sub pending what he’s into

I wouldn’t buy him the coat

Instead I’d buy him ££150 voucher for John Lewis or Selfridges . Every brand on there,

If he cooks, would he appreciate a slow cooker? My parents go me one in my first year at uni and my friends and I found it super useful over the winter months especially.

Other than that, a couple of smaller bits and some money sounds like a lovely idea!

No idea what to buy my DD's, dp is at a loss for his too. We are leaning towards a big weekend in London, fancy meal, show, drinks at the shard...

@Honeymint

If he cooks, would he appreciate a slow cooker? My parents go me one in my first year at uni and my friends and I found it super useful over the winter months especially.

Other than that, a couple of smaller bits and some money sounds like a lovely idea!

He has one and uses it lots, but thanks. I’m going to go with a few bits to open that I know he will use, coffee/backpack/hoodie/socks/boxers/herbs and spices, and money.

@gogohm

No idea what to buy my DD's, dp is at a loss for his too. We are leaning towards a big weekend in London, fancy meal, show, drinks at the shard...

An Oodie if she’s not got one, my DD loves hers.

My son is similar and is 22. In the past I've got my son a weekend trip somewhere. We've gone to Amsterdam and Poland so far. (It's his birthday in January so it's a double present). I'm lucky that he loves travelling and he's ok going with his mum. He loves going to museums and galleries, so we have a nice time!

I'm going to book Tallinn or Ljubliana this year I think! (Very cheap flights).

Voucher for favourite coffee haunt?

Mine (also 21) is having money plus some bits and bobs (favourite chicks eg ) plus a new duvet. Sounds sad but he has an old polyester one so I’m getting him a feather & down one as he has asked to take the good one on the spare bed in the past. He’ll think it’s the nice one I keep for the spare bed but I’m wrapping up the bag that it will come in and he can take it back with him.

DP is one of those people.

The best thing he gets is absolutely nothing. He hates people ignoring his wishes and giving him anything at all - once he went to university, he started making excuses so he didn't have to go home at Christmas just to avoid the unwanted gifts.

My DS is the same (lives at home though) his 21st and Christmas are only a couple of weeks apart .
Last year he got an electric guitar +amp ( he wanted this ) I took him to the shop , told him his budget and let him look ,

Usually though , money . I have put £10 notes in a book ( cute one Barry Saves Christmas type) in each page

Easier though to give him a card that says "Check your bank account" he's 100% in favour with this , no fuss or tat as he calls it .

My parents have given up what to buy for DCs - they send a cheque they can afford - DCs like this. Not quite as glamorous as a big present - but well received by older DCs I think.

I really wouldn't buy a 21 year old student clothing that he hasn't specified . Popular brands can be quite tribal and considering he has said he doesn't want anything please don't waste your money and resources on something he may not wear .

If his AirPods aren't Bluetooth/ wireless then that would be a useful upgrade .

I can't imagine a young person not appreciating money .

Why not just respect him and not buy him presents , I know it's hard but equally hard to receive when you just don't want it , yes the recipient smacks on a thank you face out of politeness but it's really stressful to be given presents you don't want
Sorry if this isn't the answer you wanted but it's the truth for some people

We as parents went out children to open presents and see their delight

But at 21, if you do that, it will be about you rather than him

I would give him a decent amount of money, a box of his favourite dairy free chocolates and a premium brand rucksack for the gym.

That will be a good Christmas for him

Buying clothes, thinking of little things to puff out his present pile won’t be truly appreciated.

thenightsky that's honestly a great idea, we set up a pension plan for our DS when he was born, some people think we are bonkers as he can't access the find until he is 55 but it's been a great investment and really helped 'set him up in life' (he's an only DC so obviously a bit easier than if we'd had a large family ).

@Ragwort

thenightsky that's honestly a great idea, we set up a pension plan for our DS when he was born, some people think we are bonkers as he can't access the find until he is 55 but it's been a great investment and really helped 'set him up in life' (he's an only DC so obviously a bit easier than if we'd had a large family ).

Thanks for the positive comment. DH thinks I'm nuts.

In a similar vein My grandfather used to buy premium bonds for DS . I know they aren't the best investment ever - but accessible if needed.

Hobby related stuff or a gift card to a store where he could buy items related
Steam gift card if he likes video games
Software subscription (like a professional slideshow maker or a video editor or an image eiting software)
Coffee vouchers
Seasonal passes to sporting events or theater if he's interested?
Multiple vouchers suggestion also sounds quite reasonable

Does he like cooking? These curry kits make a lovely stocking filler:-

www.spicepots.com/collections/curry-kits