Gift that will hold is value for son's 21st birthday

DigForVictory

A share in a stallion? Montbeg Dude not yet available, but plenty of eyecatching (& eyewatering) possibilities & a steady income selling the annual nomination if he doesn't want to get into livestock breeding & dealing.

Or you can say you were thinking about this but what would he actually *Like*?

Finst

I would add another vote for a watch, particularly if you let him pick it and you buy it online / send the money.

My parents took me to buy a good watch for my 18th. 12 years later, its still on my wrist every day, and I love it.

Financially, it probably isn't worth anywhere near what they paid, but its worth to me has lasted

VestanPance

A good bottle of whisky. Taking it that he likes whisky and knowing opening it and then drinking will see the value disappear!

Lunar_Eclipse

hskhsk wrote: »

looking for a gift that will hold value for a 21st birthday present for my son.

In which case I think metals (gold/silver), Art and property are the main options. Or a financial investment, a well chosen watch and collectors wine if stored correctly (there are places in London that do this for example.)

The issue with the above is how much they would be appreciated by your son.

My parents bought me an expensive item of jewellery for my 21st, with exactly this intention. I still have the item 25 years on, I no longer wear it (though it's lovely) but will keep it unless needs must.

I would be tempted to buy my children something along the lines of a pair of diamond studs, a weekend away to New York/Barcelona together or a good digital camera for their 21st. Or pay off their student loans? :cool:

pinkteapot

For something that will hold its value without the markup from a jewellery designer, a gold bar, eg:
http://www.thegoldbullion.co.uk/buy-gold-bullion/

Gold coins look nicer and are more 'gifty' but aren't as easy to sell as by law they can't be melted down (so places like cash4gold won't take them).

But I second the good quality tool idea. My hubby got an amazing electric drill with every bit you could possibly want from his parents when he moved out of home, and 15 years later we're still using it. I bought myself a dirt cheap toolset when I moved out and have gradually replaced individual items.

LittleMoog

My husband was given gold cufflinks with his initials engraved for his 21st, he wears them for all special occasions.

System

It's probably not an option but would be paying for an expereince day be any good? I think you can buy such things online. Some examples here: http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/experience-days.list


Personally my family took me to Alton Towers and we stayed in the hotel and that was the best birthday i've had and the memory of that was the best gift

suejb2

For my 18th I was given an engraved,pewter tankard,still got it never used it. For my 30th and 40th had great parties still talk about those parties ahh memories. The tankard is in a drawer at my mam and dads house.
It doesn't have to be a physical thing to hold value

fairy_lights

suejb2 wrote: »

For my 18th I was given an engraved,pewter tankard,still got it never used it. For my 30th and 40th had great parties still talk about those parties ahh memories. The tankard is in a drawer at my mam and dads house.
It doesn't have to be a physical thing to hold value

I've never been able to understand pewter tankards as gifts, does anyone ever actually drink out of them? Not to mention, most 18 year olds would probably prefer a keg of beer over a tankard to drink it out of!

Savvy_Sue

We bought DS3 a hip flask, ordered online and got it engraved too.

I'd second the toolkit idea though, if he's practical and you can get a suitable one. I swear by my IKEA one, if I can't do a job with that then maybe I shouldn't be trying! FIL bought the boys big (but not expensive) toolboxes with lots of things inside which two of them keep with them. The 3rd has left his at home and I sometimes raid it if the IKEA one fails me.