my son is soon to have his 18th birthday. He has recently bought a
watch, his mum wont let him have the table soccer he wants, I don't
like the idea of sending him on holiday. So what can I get him that is
seriously special, yet cool??????

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Request for Question Clarification by boquinha-ga on 29 Feb 2004 06:02 PST

Can you tell us a little more about your son . . . hobbies? Is he
going to off to college? personality? interests?

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Clarification of Question by mickey_one-ga on 29 Feb 2004 12:08 PST

he is Danish, at college,into Lord of the Rings type stuff, role
playing fantasy etc.

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Request for Question Clarification by darrel-ga on 29 Feb 2004 12:12 PST

How much do you want to spend? 
What about a mini refrigerator that all college students like in their
rooms? Sometimes you can get these at pretty affordable prices. Or a
set of gift certificates he could use at his favorite restaurant at
school?

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Clarification of Question by mickey_one-ga on 29 Feb 2004 13:21 PST

thanks for the efforts so far. I realise that I have not given enough
info. he lives with his mum so is not away at college. and yes, an
ipod is a superb idea but for the fact that he already has some other
model of jukebox, damn!

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Request for Question Clarification by philip_lynx-ga on 01 Mar 2004 07:58 PST

If he is into fantasy RP as you suggest, then you might want to find
out what gaming system he is using (e.g. TSR D&D, Middleearth, FURP,
Paranoia) whatever) and get him some source material for that system.
Or you might look at some miniature like a dragon (they carry hefty
prices, and are highly desired by some people). If you think source or
miniature material for fantasy RP is the right thing, I can get more
specific.

However, the comment by apteryx appeals to me as well, maybe that
would be a better choice.

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 03 Mar 2004 16:33 PST

Mickey,

So far, although several Researchers have submitted their thoughts, no
one has officially "answered" your question. You've said that you like
the idea of a weekend trip with your son (I think this would be a
truly wonderful birthday gift, and one that will never be forgotten!)

At this point, you may want to consider asking Hummer (the Researcher
who mentioned a weekend trip) to post an answer based upon her
suggestion. In this way, Hummer will be able to claim the fee for this
insightful idea.

~pinkfreud, Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Question by mickey_one-ga on 04 Mar 2004 13:04 PST

hummer, I agree. so call it an answer or something so I can pay you!

thanks everyone else as well!

Hi mickey_one,

I'm happy to hear that you liked my idea of spending the weekend away
together. At first, when I learned that you had asked me to post it as
an answer, I thought I would make you a list of possible things you
could do (such as camping which I already mentioned). However, I soon
thought better of it when I realized what an impossible task it would
be, not knowing either of you at all or even your location.

So, with that said, here is my birthday gift for you both. It is a
short novel, available online for free, and can be found as part of
the Oxford World's Classics series so it can't be too bad. 8-)

FATHERS AND SONS, by Ivan Turgenev:
http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/t/t93f/

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer your question - I
hope you two have a memorable time together.

Sincerely,
hummer

an inspired answer and a gift as well! thank you.

I can't imagine an 18-year-old college student who wouldn't be
delighted to receive an iPod (or similar music-storing device) as a
gift.

As a 21 year-old college student, I most enjoy two types of gifts.  1)
practical gifts (my most favorite present last chrsitmas was a 200$
gift card to Cub Foods) and 2) presents that make me go out and have a
good time.  In college, stuff isn't as important as experiances. 
Maybe you could get him (season?) tickets to his college football
team's games.  Or a play.  Or offer to pay for an all expence paid
high class date for him and the person of his choice (read: opera,
fancy resturant, possible car rental or 20$ for his bud to orrow his
car (if he doesn't have one)).  Beyond that, my parents helping with
my college life and being with me through my stuggles and being
understanding when I come home to do laundry and steel lots of food
and to give me hugs and wish me luck on tests has been soo valuble.

A mini-fridge is a great asset in a dorm room, but in my opinion not
much of a birthday present.  Sort of like getting, you know, a
Dust-Buster for Mother's Day.  I'd suggest something glamorous and
fun, something that says you recognize him as a young adult (he's
*eighteen*) while still catering to the kid that hasn't gone away. 
This might take two presents.  A very handsome, snappy dress shirt and
tie for important dates *and* a portable music device might be the way
to go.  If your budget is up to it, a laptop computer, fully loaded
for game-quality graphics and DVDs and CD burning and wireless, such
as a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop (in December, about $1250 net after
rebate), is seriously special and would speak to both dimensions of
him.  Too bad a boxed set of the complete LOTR series with lots of
supplementary features isn't out yet, but I expect there'll be one of
those on the birthday list of one of my sons in the next year.

If he's a bicyclist, how about a mountain bike for about the same
price as a laptop?

Apteryx

There is something special for a fan of "The Lord of the Rings"
on Ebay's UK web site; the autograph of J.R.R. Tolkien.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3276853798

"Autograph by JRR Tolkien author of the Hobbit and Lord of the rings."

Current bid is £70.00 with 2 days left on the auction.

Here is a great gift for any LOTR fan: The One Ring (a replica without
the magical powers, of course).

http://www.badalijewelry.com/theonering.htm

If you're on a tight budget, you might want to consider one of the
gold-plated "Gollum Gold" versions of this ring. I've seen one. It's a
knockout.

How much for one *with* the magical powers?

>> How much for one *with* the magical powers?

Heh. The fully-functional One Ring is, I believe, currently in the
hands of Bill Gates, and I doubt that it is for sale. I've heard
rumors that Mr. Gates is sometimes seen snuffling through the darkened
halls of his palatial home, muttering "My Crosoft" instead of the
traditional "My Precious."

Folks, I really, really, really did not set our friend Pink up with
that straight line.  She's just good at making the most of whatever
comes her way.

Hi mickey_one,

How about the two of you doing something together? The first idea that
comes to mind is a weekend camping trip, but that ofcourse depends on
the weather. Even just a night out having a beer together can be
special (two men rather than father and son).

hummer

thanks for all suggestions so far, the one most appealing is the
weekend away together. simple but brilliant! why didnt I think of it?

If he was a Lord of the Rings fan he may also like an authentic
reproduction of the Movie Ring created in Nelson, New Zealand by the
original jewelers who made the Ring for Peter Jackson.  Their address
is www.jenshansen.com

Sincerely RingSmith