What to buy for 17yo boy who thinks he wants nothing!

[tpa]

17yo, nearly 18yo
No idea what to get him
He has no idea either.

What are you getting yours?

What's he into?
Gaming, sports, gym, cinema?? Is he likely to be going to uni next year or starting an apprenticeship that you could buy stuff for?

Yes, wants to go to uni. I was thinking of getting some stuff for that, although not sure what/how much will be needed if in halls.

Into gaming

Magic: The Gathering stuff

Exactly the same problem here! So far I have bought:
A book on the subject he wants to study at uni
Some dumbbell weights currently on sale in Argos

Some stationary (he asked for this)
A little vacuum cleaner for his car ...and his room in uni halls!
That's it apart from usual stocking fillers so will hand over a cheque to I guess
Meanwhile his 15year old sister has a list a mile long!

hmm, i'm not really into gaming stuff, all mine I buy for are sporty!
thermal travel mug
water bottle
desk lamp
hand luggage sized case if he might come home at weekends
toiletries
wash bag
he'll inevitably need his own bath towels at uni so nice / distinct ones and maybe a big dressing for going to/from the bathroom if he doesn't have an ensuite room in halls.
a 16-24 railcard
cinema vouchers
starbucks / costa / nandos / pizza express type vouchers

So hard at this age. I have one that is interested in NOTHING.

Mine wants a couple of good kitchen knives!

Greggs voucher (that's all we have locally) but going to ask if our local cafe does them too.

Power bank that sits at the bottom plugged into your phone and not dangling beside it

Cushioned Adidas/Nike socks.

Wallet with some cash and scratch cards in.

Does he need a new headset/gaming chair/LEDs... Controller?

Waffle maker (he loves making sweet things) and a few packets of batter to make life easy.

Speaker? For his phone or ear buds to listen to podcasts etc.

Slippers/Oodie/pjs etc

Lego Technic as my son loves cars.

Fancy toiletries and aftershave.

Mine too! Probably the person who most enjoys cooking in the household.

Theragun
TV for his bedroom
Xbox
Crimpit
Fiddle toy things
Various Nike / Supreme / Ralph Lauren clothing items
Food hamper that I put together myself
Light up football
Gant pants and Boss socks (I buy nicer sets for Christmas)
Vintage game boy
Various Pokémon games
Jelly belly machine + jelly beans
Weights and a weights bench
Stocking filler bits like tweezers, sunglasses, mini baileys bottles, Lindt balls, scratch cards

He has a birthday in December too so the above is for both that and Christmas

Driving lessons

How about an upgraded key board and moss mat and speakers if he’s into gaming ?

really nice slippers for lounging in Halls next year?

Good quality carry on bag
coffee maker to take to uni

"...who thinks he wants nothing" ‐is there a chance that he really does want nothing, and is opting out of the gratuitous consumption of the Christmas season?
Would it be awful to give him ...nothing, as requested?
Alternatively, just cash for a future occasion when a genuine want or need does eventually arise?

Don't get him things for halls specifically, you could get some bits for his bedroom/desk that he can use at home- good keyboard, lamp, dust buster type hoover, stationery, rug etc. Neon lights go down well with that age.

Gadgets like a projector and screen for his bedroom, or a scent diffuser (oliver bonas have a good one IIRC).

What does he like? If he's a gamer then money/card for games, or headphone hanger, or comfy gaming chair.

If he'd outdoorsy then a good coat, binoculars, books on activities he likes (bushcraft, survival skills, wildlife spotting)

If he's into sports then team merch, sports equipment, tickets to events.

If he's musical- decent headphones, vinyl, tickets to gigs.

I’m getting my 17 year old sweets, saltrock clothes, Bamboo leisure wear, Harry’s shaving kit, pyjamas, Ecco flex, toiletries bottle of shower gel and a digital clock. He’s having a gap year next year so is learning to drive. I may get him some extra lessons.

In addition to things already listed, posters for his room based around favourite TV shows - Stranger things, Breaking bad etc. Including a fairly expensive metal version from Displate. For future travels - worldwide plug adaptor and waterproof phone bags