help, please; 21st birthday gift - DFW style

northern_star

My daughter has been dating a lovely young man for a few months now and it's his 21st birthday in September. I'd like to give him something to mark the occasion but not only are we strapped for cash but I had decided to radically downsize birthday (and Christmas) gifts with family/friends this year and I don't feel it appropriate to start by makining exceptions.
As a bit of background, this lovely young man has had a rotten couple of years including the premature death of his father 3 months ago. The rest of his family are 'pulling out the stops' to give him a wonderful birthday including expensive gifts and a huge party (he doesn't know about this yet) and I don't want to appear mean or unfeeling by giving what may appear a 'meagre' gift.
I'm prepared to put lots of time and effort into a suitable gift and I have a budget of £20. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Thanks,
NS

bobbadog

People always end up with Newspapers from the day they were born, but how about maybe a magazine from his birthdate? If he's really into something - I don't know, like music or cars, you could get hold of his birthdate issue of Kerrang! or Max Power or something. I did that with Kerrang! for my boyfriend a couple of years back, we've nearly got his birthday issue from every year of his life geeky. Have framed the earliest one, but it's quite a rare mag (with big permed hair on the front cover)

loopyloulou_3

i brought my sister a terramundi for her 21st 4 years ago - you can get them personalised from their site!
reasonably priced, MSE friendly, pressie with a personal touch. My sis still has hers and loved it!

http://www.terramundi.co.uk/

kittykat100

A bottle of Champange always goes down well! You could get it nicely wrapped up and boxed. All for under £20.

Kittyx

linniestorm

Is he environmental? Or a rock fan? Because you can buy trees planted in celebrity forests these days for around £20 and some even have 'Tree Tubes' which is quite good for a lasting momento. They come with maps and info and certificates and the like. Something a bit different that should hopefully last forever!

There's a coldplay one here:
http://www.carbonneutral.com/coldplay/

And all the other celebrity forests on offer here:
http://www.carbonneutral.com/shop/results.asp?cat1=Celebrity%20Promotions

Tondella

Nice photo frame with a favourite picture of your daughter and him in it? Not particularly MSE but habitat, paperchase and heals both have quite good discounts on these items now that the sales are coming to an end

bobbadog

Tondella wrote:

Nice photo frame with a favourite picture of your daughter and him in it? Not particularly MSE but habitat, paperchase and heals both have quite good discounts on these items now that the sales are coming to an end

That's a grand one - and don't most camera shops get snaps done on Canvas? Sure that couldn't cost more than £20 and will last forever (again, not very MSE but special)

Wonder_Girl

Can you get your hands on piccys of his dad and family etc that you could get copied?

I ask because my friends mom passed away and for her birthday we made her a collage of pictures of her mom and family and friends. She loved it, and it still takes pride of place on her wall all these years later.