If you run out of ideas, get him a gift card somewhere. I'm a 19 year old guy and I love gift cards because I'm pretty much forced to spend the money--at this age, when you get money, people expect you to save it for the future or spend it on gas or something. If you get him a gift card, he pretty much has to spend it at whatever store.

If you don't know him, money/card would be the best thing to do, in my opinion. Believe me, it will be appreciated.

DMan - Thanks for the reminder that cash is always loved I usually send money - but, gosh, for an 18th I'd really like to do something more to go along with. Maybe I-Tunes?

Sigh, it's hard being old and out of touch!

get him a little stash that include : a Playboy, a cigarette, a voter registration card, a selective service registration form, and an "saving retirement for dummies" book. Oh. And if he's still living at home, a book about finding your first apartment, cooking on your own, etc. would be good.

I got my 18 year old nephew an ipod touch for his birthday/graduation present. He has a cell phone under his parents' plan, which is why I went for the touch and not the phone, and he LOVES this. Might be a little more $$$ than you wanted to spend, but just a suggestion.

Gift card for a music shop/iTunes/other music-buying place. What 18 year-old doesn't like music and he'll appreciate you not choosing it for him.

Otherwise, there is a whole range of iPods starting from the shuffle that might fit your budget. Not sure if 18 is as big a deal wherever you are as it is here, though. Don't bother with any mp3 player other than an iPod though - the others just aren't cool.

If he already has an iPod, get him some cool-looking headphones.

Stynxno - Har! His parents are really conservative - I can guarantee my being further blackballed from the family if I give him some of your suggestions - but the books would be good go-alongs.

I have no idea if he has any music player. Since he works part time, I bet he does. Is there a generic music source that works on any player? (yeah, I'm out of touch) - music is always good.

Ask your favourite man what his favourite book was at 18 and give him a copy of that, maybe? Or something else he doesn't have the chance to experience much?

My nephew is only 11 but has a mobile phone, an iPod, most of the available gaming consoles etc etc and I feel guilty now whenever I feel like resorting to an iTunes voucher or another game. Last year I bought him a horseriding excursion through the rainforest and he sent me photos, text messages and emails telling me how much he loved it. I found the company through google. Now I'm starting to ask the men in my life and make a list of the books that were meaningful to them as a teenager so I can expand his book worldview instead of giving him another PSP game. Just a thought, anyway!

Good idea goo -

OK, all the men in my life are here on MetaChat - so give me some ideas guys!

Books I liked at 18: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Fight Club, Siddhartha and Beneath the Wheel by Hesse, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

OH MY GOSH! You mean Art of Motorcycle is still loved??? sweeeet!

If he's got an XBox, you could always get him a Marketplace card (they seem to come in 1600 and 4000 point increments), or one of the various gold cards that they sell (see the 'We Also Recommend' links). Alternately, an EBGames gift card... that way he could buy one of those, or a game, maybe. Note that you can also buy those in the stores as well.

It depends on whether the gift should be appropriate for family or not.

If not, give him a $100 and point him to the nearest juice bar.

For a more appropriate gift, I'd say get him an iPhone or some such electronic bauble. Young men go nuts for that sort of thing.

Thanks all!

DRUMKIT!

You know what'd be worse than a drumkit? Get him a dreadlock starter kit, a gallon of damned patchouli oil, and bongos. At least with a drumkit you can make more than one sound and you can't sit in the park harassing people with the monotonous sound of your freakin' bongos. issues? yeah, some. what?

you can't sit in the park ...with a drumkit like you can with bongos... is what i meant to say.