<p>My son will turn 21 in a week or so and I am hung up on what to send him for his special birthday. I have ordered a couple items which he has asked for, but I want to do something else, but am having trouble coming up with something. He is a Division I runner, loves to play the guitar. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.</p>
<p>I could use ideas too - for a techie kid who reads sci-fi and never wants anything! It’s really tempting to give him 21 “gold” dollar coins! </p>
<p>I’ve always kind of liked the idea of 21 little things. 21 I-tune dowloads, 21 pieces of chocolate, 21 guitar picks? etc.</p>
<p>When my son turned 21, we sent him, among other things, a gift certificate to a local (nicer) chain restaurant. It was enough to cover meals for at least 6 people, giving him the option of inviting friends to join him. Or, if he chose, he could use it for several dinners out with his girlfriend. I let his girlfriend know it was coming so they could plan accordingly.</p>
<p>Liquor seems the obvious choice.</p>
<p>Our son is a Finance major, and we too struggled with what to get him when he turned 21. His friends threw him a party on-campus. We gave him $1000 to invest; this turned out to be a great decision for us - and for him (based on the rise in the investment!).</p>
<p>^^Wow,lucky kid. We sent our S $100 to do whatever he wanted with. He’s not a gadget guy or a fashion guy. He loves books but I can’t pick them out so just sent him money. He seemed fine with that. Birthdays have never been a big hoopla at our house (maybe because I live in a house full of men). His friends at school took him out for a night of partying.</p>
<p>I will not be sending my son liquor, but thanks ithaca! Love the idea of the gift card for a nice restaurant. May go with that! I appreciate the replies. Thank you.</p>
<p>I love the idea of sending 21 of those little airline sized bottles of liquor but couldn’t bring myself to send them to my kid. I ended up sending a “party in a box,” with a cake, candles, streamers etc, and (based on the facebook pix) I suspect one of the guests provided the stuff I didn’t feel comfortable sending.</p>
<p>Oh, and happy birthday to your son!</p>
<p>Well
for my 21st…my parents drove 14 hrs from the NE to the SE and surprised me at school…
We went to dinner, had brunch the next day…and then they drove back…
(I’m the oldest and a daughter)</p>
<p>My inlaws gave my brother in law 21 $100 bills for his 21st…</p>
<p>I don’t think my DHs folks did much for his 21st…</p>
<p>idk…</p>
<p>I have a thread somewhere on CC asking the same question. I ended up doing an “experience” thing. He’s deciding between a Nascar experience, skydiving or a hot air balloon ride. I’m also getting him an Ipad when it comes out. :)</p>
<p>In my family, boys get a tailored suit for their 21st(girls get a set of nice pearls). I always suggest it. Get a gift card to go get a beautiful suit…it’s an investment in his future</p>
<p>booze 10char.</p>
<p>If you don’t feel comfortable sending liquor, consider send a nice cocktail mixing set (martini shaker, strainer, etc). Let’s be honest- the real reason that 21 is such an “important” birthday is because the kid is now “legal!” I hardly think it’s a special occasion because the kid can now rent a car without the underage fee :)</p>
<p>D1 is asking us to pick up the bar tab for her 21st birthday party.</p>
<p>DS got a very expensive custom made instrument case for his 21st birthday. DD got money. Both were happy!!</p>
<p>You guys are aware that there is a college boy tradition of lining up 21 shots of whiskey on a bar and chugging as many as possible until the kid loses consciousness, right? Most make it to the emergency room before they die. A few don’t.</p>
<p>A conversation about this “tradition” is probably the most important gift a parent can give their kid. Sending 21 bottles of whiskey wouldn’t be my idea of a smart present. A 175 pound male chugging 21 shots in four hours would have a BAC over .40% which would certainly be unconscious and is in the pretty iffy territory for dying from alcohol poisoning.</p>
<p>I sent a bottle of champagne.</p>
<p>I think the suit is the best idea here. Certainly better than alcohol.</p>
<p>I am aware of the tradition regarding the 21 shots on your 21st birthday. Certainly my husband and I will be bringing this up in our conversations with him before his birthday arrives. It is a sick stupid thing to do and just thinking about it scares the heck out of me. My son is not a big drinker, that said, we will still be discussing this issue.</p>
<p>Well…for the 22nd birthday, DD is getting money (she appreciates that more than most other things)…and a package with a 13x9x2 pan, a cake mix, a can of frosting, birthday candles, party hats and a happy birthday banner on mylar…birthday party in a box, I guess. </p>
<p>Her BIG gift this year will be her college graduation gift in June…guess I should start another thread (I’ll do it right now).</p>