My son turns 18 soon and I have several gift ideas for him, but I really want to include something that he will use and appreciate for years to come. He’s a great kid. I am very proud of him, and there’s not much that he really needs.

I don’t think he would care for a nice pen, he already has quality knives and an AR. He still lives with me so he doesn’t need any household stuff.

I’ve been looking at quality leather portfolios and overnight sized bags, things that I know he would use for the rest of his life. But I wanted to expand my considerations by asking you guys— What is something that you received when you were a young man that you appreciated and used for years after? My personal list does not go very far when it comes to that stuff. Most of what I have I got on my own.

This will sound corny to many, and probably won't apply to most on here, and of course, I was too young to realize it at the time, but mine is freedom, in April 1975. As to any material gifts I received as a youngster, I can't even remember them, let alone still appreciate.

A watch or wallet

The letter I received from President Ford the summer I graduated from high school that my Dad framed himself and gave to me. He was so proud and I miss him so much.

A shotgun I used when I went hunting with my dad as a kid. Mossberg 12g, older than I am and has been shot a ton. My dad was selling it and my wife bought it for me for Christmas one year. Knowing my dad he gave it to her for next to nothing.

US Silver Dollar 1oz with my birthyear and my graduation from High School year.

I was 34 or 35 at the time (i.e. much older than your son), but that was when Mom gave me my most prized gift I have ever received in my entire life. She had Stage 4 cancer, but invested the time to handwrite a book of family favorite recipes (hers, maternal grandmother's, and paternal grandmother's) and gave it to me as a gift. When Mom was still alive, I used to help Mom in the kitchen when she was hosting a holiday family meal and quite often for run of the mill family meals. Now, I cook from that handwritten cookbook every holiday, and every time Dad comes to visit.

Anything like that between the OP and his son where handwritten would mean something for the rest of his life and every time used it would bring back fond memories?

My parent usually just gave me cash.. But I would say something practical. Like a watch, wallet, leather hygiene bag, pen, high quality tools/ tool kit

When I was 8, my dad gave me my first firearm. It was a S&W Semi-Auto 20 gauge shotgun. I still have it today. He also gave me my first duty weapon at 18, which was a S&W Model 14 6” .38 Special revolver, which I also still have today. I cherish these no matter what, but even more so since he passed.

I was given a St Christopher medallion necklace for my 16th birthday.
26 years later It’s only been off my neck for X Rays, CT scans and MRIs. No plans to ever not wear it.
I added a cross a number of years later.

A good watch or a good pair of speakers. Either should last for decades with a little care. Keep in mind good does not have to include a Rolex or Klipsch Cornwalls. Just something quality that’s not junk if it looses a seal or a capacitor.
A leather bound religious text if that is appropriate, or a quality hard use knife if that would be useful to him. A good Buck 110, 112, or 113 can all be had with brass or nickel bolsters and factory engraving.
I got my oldest son a pair of Klipsch the Fives when he graduated high school. I figured if he ever went off to college they are very transportable. He loves those speakers.

I got a ring from my dad with our family ranch brand on it, I think it was HS graduation.
Wear it almost daily. Comes off for bed & don't usually put it on if I'm just lounging around the house or doing yard work.

At 22, I received a gift from men who were real leaders and chose to challenge, encourage, and mentor me. It's an intang8ble gift but nonetheless a gift I cannot repay, nor can I name prickly hard to eradicate plant in their honor but I think of them and their lessons often and when I can pass on their wisdom, I do with accreditation as to source.

For a useful tangible item, the 1956 Browning Superpossed 12 ga Father gave me on my 18th. It signified that I was now the family's primary hunter.

A not really useful item is my Wakizashi made in 1349. My parents gave me it on my 23 birthday. It's neat but unless I find myself committing seppuku (i.e., fuck that noise) it's a neat relic to honor and protect.

I wonder what your budget is?

Anything from Saddleback Leather will last the rest of his life.

A quality automatic watch will also last the rest of his life. But is he an old school watch wearer or does he wear a tech watch?

The St. Christopher medal or a gold cross and necklace could be appropriate if he is a young man of faith.

If he plays music, a high quality instrument is a great idea.

How about a classic car or motorcycle?

Maybe a Leatherman multi tool or similar.

I bought my nephews a Leatherman around that age.

Myself, I've got the original Leatherman Super tool and while I don't always wear it, it's often near by.

My older brother. Unless it's a family heirloom, spend time with him. Take him places and do things with him he wouldn't
do on his own. Teach him things from your experiences. Buy him a gift, but trust me, those memories are more cherished.
My brother Mark, seven years older than me did more things with me than my father or anyone else. He was recently diagnosed
with dementia. I'm sad.

Dad gave me a good quality leather overnight bag when I graduated college in 1980. I’m still using it whenever I travel.

In college, I received a gift from a roommate of a fly tying vice. I fished a lot at that time, wasn’t into tying flys/jigs then. Needless to say I have used it a lot over the last 40 years.
If he likes fishing, maybe an option.
My parents gave me a REM 1100 shotgun that is cherished as well.

I can't think of anything I have that was given to me as a gift.

I would need to decide if it's to be a keepsake/museum piece to look at or keep on the mantle, etc., or something to use that will last.

Depending on budget, I wouldn't mind a Colt or Springfield 1911, decent but not crazy expensive pocket knife like Case or Spyderco, something you can have engraved or customized.

Something that won't become obsolete.

If mechanically inclined, some quality tools.

Hobby oriented.

When i was about 14 ish, dad and I were far from home fishing, maybe a weekend trip. At a local bait shop I found a filet knife that just felt right and I begged my dad to give me the money to buy it.

I grew up poor, even though I didn’t know that until much later, and my dad said no. Months later, at Christmas one of the gifts under the tree was that knife. My dad either bought it on that trip without me seeing it, or bought it on a later trip.

I treasured that knife and I sliced and diced fish with it for the next 40 years. I still have it and the only reason it is not my go to filet knife now, is that i got my dad’s filet knife after he passed away 15 years ago and he always had better taste in tools then I did.

My point is what are his hobbies and interests?
A random item, no matter the quality, won’t have the personal meaning as something that ties you both together.