Gift ideas for 18 year old DS

[Monr0e]

DS is very unmaterialistic (if that's a word!) and has so far asked for a 4 pack of his favourite beer and a game for his x box. I am really struggling for ideas for anything else and don't want to spend money and buy things just for the sake of bulking out his gift pile.

He has just started at uni which isn't leaving much time for hobbies at the minute. He's in five days a week, sometimes till 6pm, but he used to enjoy the gym. And he is a bit if a foodie and loves his music if that helps!

Thank you

A mini fridge? (I know they're not typically allowed if he's in halls, but a lot of students manage to hide them if a room inspection is due!) You can get ones that fit a few cans and can sit on a desk.
A record player also seems to be popular at the moment, and if family members are then looking for gift ideas they could get a record of a favourite artist

Tickets to see a band he loves? If he's not materialistic perhaps experiences might be better.
Also, maybe stuff to make his room in halls (if that's where he is) more homely - my 18yo ds has never been remotely interested in making his room look nice at home but has asked for a rug.

Sorry, should have said, he has remained at home, no halls.

He does have the converted garage as a games room, den, so a mini fridge would actually be a good idea, thank you.

His music tastes are wide ranging! I haven't heard of the majority of bands he listens to but would certainly get him tickets if he were to mention any upcoming gigs.

Band tshirts are popular with my teen

Guitar?

Depending on budget as its expensive, and type of course he is on an iPad Pro and pencil (or alternative tablet) if he doesn't have one already.

ds is 3rd year uni and loves the one he got in 1st year, all his notes etc are done on the iPad and online, no folders/paper notepads to carry about or keep organised, its all on the iPad/in the cloud and accessible from iPad or Laptop.

No real help.They are so different and all bloody tricky.

Mine likes army surplus stuff from Europe. Big army coats, scarfs, merino wool socks.
He also likes Le Creuset.

Like you the music is random although retro 90's music is good apparently.

I have had some success with vintage bus blinds. I might get him one for Christmas or graduation. They cost a fortune to frame but if he likes a particular team or place is important

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186735334352?_skw=vintage+bus+blind&itmmeta=01JANYFFQ3ZNWACHG2XQGNCSVK&hash=item2b7a4b13d0:g:EuUAAOSwv9FnA~Bq&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmiArn%2FHQCZRdMKITfJtDxRl%2BNREbtHs0AH8AICW8qguAJQIkJTYj78ANViZwqpRtKSFFsWNjaaraaPMq0FtmxKLErBYBYQYuubUfUunaE%2BgtmlF0QVDYOdAt3ZnReshp8jthQxK1qBZPxqNsw19clfUcnG8FYJvS9ywD3ag%2FdM%2FMpvEThy0EHU550Q7jHVXc37vIjYuxgl1BcDt265y8%2Bpx2VXWs%2BCNUnLCqjsH67DgbvlvCn8jn3ko%2Bt%2BeDpQs2w%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9T7vb7VZA

Can you expand on 'he's a bit of a foodie'? Might be some ideas there with a better understanding of what you mean

How about a cookery lesson?

His music tastes are wide ranging! I haven't heard of the majority of bands he listens to but would certainly get him tickets if he were to mention any upcoming gigs.

The app Songkick will let you know when his favourite bands are playing near by. Headfirst does similar for smaller bands.

What about lights for the games room, you can get all sorts, strings of lights, lights that flash with the music, the garage could become his own night club.

Does he have friends round? Something he could cook on / in in the garage, a raclette or air fryer.

If by 'foodie' you mean cooking then a really good knife. If you mean eating then a hamper, there are lots of choices form just chocolate to cheese.

Tickets to the good food show? https://www.goodfoodshow.com/winter/ticket-show-info/ the link is tot he one in November but they do a Summer show too.

Depending on budget and where you live you could add in a hotel stay. You can also add in a tasting experience or a workshop.

I've been a few times and there is a lot to do.

How about...
beer52 subscription?
Gaming headphones?
Grüum shaving set?
Favourite aftershave?
Backpack filled with useful lad bits and bobs such as torch, phone dock, antibacterial hand gel, tissues, pen knife, bottle opener, pen, notepad, gloves, etc

Some good ideas, thank you

By foodie, I mean he enjoys pretty much anything but is also starting to cook more. He loves Asian food and anything spicy.

I'll look at the good food show tickets and I like the idea of the rucksack full of bits. We do something similar, him and his sister get each other treat bags full of snacks and treats, but we could upgrade it to an actual bag with useful stuff in it!

Thanks again everyone.

If he’s in to cooking and foodie gifts have a look at www.souschef.co.uk they do a great range of gifts and you can get hampers based around cuisines with a cookbook and key ingredients

I had a similar thought to @UsernameTaken76 ie a recipe book and flick through it to see which spices/sauces etc are most commonly used and buy a selection on those.

I like the Wagamama Feed your Soul book which might be good for him.

He's been asking recently that we get a wok. I think I'm going to get a wok, a good Asian cookbook and lots of ingredients and put together a bit of a cooking hamper, thank you

I've got one of those too. Just started uni and its his birthday next week - asked for a panini machine!

Mine is into music - I usually ask him if there are any gigs he wants to go to and get 4 tickets for him and his mates. Also any merch related to that band.

If you're going to get a wok do get a proper one – not one of those little non-stick toy ones that are barely big enough to fry an egg.

Has anyone else got an advert for a love honey advent calendar? Can you imagine anything more inappropriate to get a teenage son?

@Monr0e If you get a traditional wok the bottom is round so you will need to get a wok ring. You can get them with a flat bottom.

If you can get one that is pre seasoned. And personally I would get a lid (you don't need to buy them together) a rice paddle and some cooking chopsticks.

Maybe some funny themed notebook as an addition