# Please help me to figure out a couple cool Xmas gifts for my 24-year-old son **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 2, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493 "2017-11-02T14:04:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/1 "2017-11-02T14:04:11Z")
Hi there everybody, My son is my pride and joy, but a little bit of a challenge when gifting. I say this because for a recent occasion, I bought him a quad-wing hoverdrone with a _really good camera_; and as far as I know he didn’t ever fly it. Huh, should’ve realized I was really buying it for myself, heh. He is into street art, but I have already got him a lot of super nice spray paint. (frankly, I think everyone did his last birthday lol) I got him one of those 3D pens (like a mini handheld 3d printer) once, but I don’t think it was really his thing. Mind you, I ask him what he wants on birthdays & Xmas, and try to fulfill any requests; but I like to throw in a couple surprises too. I appreciate whatever you guys can think of, especially people from his demographic/cohort. Thanks! (P.S.: Sorry to be asking this two days after Halloween. It’s a budget thing.) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/2 "2017-11-02T14:49:50Z")
A screen-printing kit and a mess of plain t-shirts? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/3 "2017-11-02T15:07:36Z")
Does he shave? You can get him a fancy shaving kit, or a membership in the Dollar Shave Club. Or any of a number of subscription boxes that cater to a WIDE variety of audiences. [https://boxes.hellosubscription.com/](https://boxes.hellosubscription.com/) ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/4 "2017-11-02T15:22:59Z")
My son is a college sophomore; these days our presents to him are either gift certificates for Ruby’s Diner or Wawa’s (two local eating establishments he loves) or subsidizing airfare to visit his girlfriend in Canada. None of that is “cool,” but it is practical and also flexible, budget-wise: you can spend as much or little as you feel like. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/5 "2017-11-03T01:58:28Z")
Does he like computers and stuff? Given the artistic side, maybe he’d be interested in a good art tablet so he could do his art digitally, too. Though I’d definitely suggest using methods to feel out on that one, due to the cost. It’s just something that popped in my head. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/6 "2017-11-03T02:32:11Z")
Tickets to sports team or concert , or art show. Food cards are good gifts, my kids love them. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/7 "2017-11-03T02:33:56Z")
Beer money Pay a bill for him fancy restaurant gift card Cashmoney! ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/8 "2017-11-03T02:45:09Z")
Mostly we give our (newly) 24 year old cash. Because he buys himself all the cool stuff he wants (trade school graduate, owns his own house((and mortgage)), his own car.) I would need a little bit more info: does he like playing pc games (buy him a subscription, tee-shirts etc based on whatever game he plays). Does he have a favorite food? My boys all love pickles so each one gets a jar of expensive (to us) pickles. Booze. Clothes: while we never found shopping fun as long as their Nana had their sizes (all my boys) they loved getting 1-3 nicer bits of clothes even if most of the time they sat around in sweats or plain jeans. They especially liked going (still do, when they can) with their Nana to pick stuff out, have lunch and hand out a hug 😉 Street Art… maybe take pictures of what he has done and have it made into a framed photo (I am forgetting what the bigger pictures are called). ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/9 "2017-11-03T03:00:58Z")
> **[Spraycopter: the graffiti drone that does street art](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2014/apr/21/drone-does-graffiti-street-art)** > > Launching the world's first spray-paint wielding quadcopter, New York graffiti artist Katsu imagines a future full of remote-controlled robo-art Or, you know, a retainer. The sad reality of our society is that he’ll be needing a lawyer eventually. Seriously though, what about a good easel and a few really large canvases? [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Wood-easel-painting-sketch-easel/32696284675.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.8.SaTq47&ws\_ab\_test=searchweb0\_0,searchweb201602\_5\_10152\_10065\_10151\_10344\_10068\_5620015\_10130\_10345\_10324\_10342\_10547\_10325\_10343\_10546\_10340\_10341\_10548\_10545\_10541\_10084\_10083\_10560\_10307\_10178\_10060\_10155\_10154\_10056\_10055\_10539\_10537\_10312\_10536\_10059\_10313\_10314\_10534\_10533\_100031\_10103\_10073\_10102\_10557\_10558\_10142\_10107-10102,searchweb201603\_24,ppcSwitch\_7&btsid=0fcfe47f-b3c7-4652-bf9b-45a79f8d7297&algo\_expid=bfe98181-df67-446d-b3d7-4f405da53067-1&algo\_pvid=bfe98181-df67-446d-b3d7-4f405da53067](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Wood-easel-painting-sketch-easel/32696284675.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.8.SaTq47&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_5620015_10130_10345_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_10546_10340_10341_10548_10545_10541_10084_10083_10560_10307_10178_10060_10155_10154_10056_10055_10539_10537_10312_10536_10059_10313_10314_10534_10533_100031_10103_10073_10102_10557_10558_10142_10107-10102,searchweb201603_24,ppcSwitch_7&btsid=0fcfe47f-b3c7-4652-bf9b-45a79f8d7297&algo_expid=bfe98181-df67-446d-b3d7-4f405da53067-1&algo_pvid=bfe98181-df67-446d-b3d7-4f405da53067) Look on aliexpress for all sorts of art supplies, much, much, cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/10 "2017-11-03T04:43:36Z")
Just thought of another recent gift to our son that was a big hit: a New York Times subscription. He’s getting a subscription to Wired for Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/11 "2017-11-03T04:46:35Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Just thought of another recent gift to our son that was a big hit: a New York Times subscription. > > He’s getting a subscription to Wired for Christmas. In this vein, maybe a Pandora subscription or the likes. That’s what my mom has gotten me the last couple yrs. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/12 "2017-11-03T06:06:57Z")
Ask him what he wants. P.S. I’ve got a 73 BMW e10 for sale. Ask him if he wants one of those. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SacFly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@SacFly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SacFly)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/13 "2017-11-03T06:27:05Z")
Just ask him. As in you want an online link to the exact item he wants. He gets what he wants/needs and you get something to wrap. Alternately, ask his best friends what would be a good gift. If anyone would know, they would. ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/14 "2017-11-03T07:08:20Z")
This looks like it will be a blast to play with, especially for an artist: https://store.steampowered.com/widget/327140 Only $20; assuming he already has a VR headset. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/15 "2017-11-03T08:17:24Z")
Would you like an electric train? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/16 "2017-11-03T11:14:49Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Or, you know, a retainer. The sad reality of our society is that he’ll be needing a lawyer eventually. Why is it a “sad reality” that vandals get in trouble for vandalism? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/17 "2017-11-03T12:18:35Z")
I was going to suggest a drone… Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Deser2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@Deser2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deser2)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/18 "2017-11-03T17:03:22Z")
As someone also into street art, head into a Barnes and Noble or the like and go to the art sections. There are some really good graffiti art books and I can guarantee it’s something he’ll love. OR if you live in the NYC area, head down to Canal and West Broadway. There a store just off the corner called “Scrap Yard” (small store but stocked FULL of graffiti related stuff including Montana Paints which is an incredible spray paint). They also sell some well known street artists work on canvas along with some figurines, “blank” subway train models (letting him “paint” the trains) magazines, videos, clothing etc. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/19 "2017-11-03T21:11:09Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I’ve got a 73 BMW e10 for sale. Ask him if he wants one of those. 🙂 > [@Deser2](#): > > “blank” subway train models (letting him “paint” the trains) Who needs a train model when you can get a 73 BMW e10 to “decorate”? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-to-figure-out-a-couple-cool-xmas-gifts-for-my-24-year-old-son/800493/20 "2017-11-03T22:00:29Z")
May I introduce you to [thisiswhyimbroke.com](https://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/). Yes, some things are there just to prove people will pay for anything, but I’ve found awesome, unique gifts for people that I never would have thought of in a million years. Just go to Gifts For Men, set your budget, and have fun!