Gift ideas for a kid, graduating university and moving to Madison, WI

March 7, 2019 6:57 AM

The twist? My nephew not only has no debt, but has sizable savings and has just landed a sweet new job. So I could do a gift card for IKEA, but I want to get creative.
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic to Shopping (14 answers total)

Best answer: One neat idea could be a package of small gift cards or Groupons to local experiences to encourage him to get out and explore town. I don't know what his interests are, but you could probably find these for restaurants, breweries, bookshops, local boutiques, fancy grocery stores, spas, fun gym/sports experiences (rock climbing? axe throwing?), theatres (screen or stage), comedy, coffee shops?
posted by capricorn at 7:26 AM on March 7, 2019 [2 favorites]

Best answer: When I went away to university (so at an earlier stage of independence than this, it may not apply here) my mom gave me a tea box.

It was a large biscuit tin (Peek Frean, if I recall, with bright patterns) and inside was a small electric kettle, two mugs, a couple of cloth napkins, a silver spoon, and lots of Earl Grey.

I'll always remember it as such a comfort to me in a new place.

Maybe something with the comfort of home?
posted by Lawn Beaver at 7:41 AM on March 7, 2019 [2 favorites]

I came here to say something similar to capricorn; I always like looking at the local food critic's reviews to learn about the best/most interesting restaurants in town. You might also consider the distinctive and awesome Wisconsin supper club tradition--here's a good primer.
posted by dapati at 7:49 AM on March 7, 2019 [2 favorites]

Madison is cold. How about an electric blanket, or snow shoes?
posted by MadMadam at 8:01 AM on March 7, 2019

Best answer: Zingerman's has a nice kitchen starter kit.

Feathered Friends has a pretty dang nice down throw. Eddie Bauer has a significantly cheaper one, now on sale. I've owned both. FF is very nice indeed but the EB one is perfectly adequate.
posted by praemunire at 8:07 AM on March 7, 2019

Off the wall, but a journal and nice fountain pen is a traditional graduation gift in my family. Goulet Pens (on mobile so no link, sorry) has nice sets at a variety of price points.
posted by Tamanna at 8:23 AM on March 7, 2019 [1 favorite]

Gift card to get a nice pair of dress shoes (or whatever the dress code at I'm assuming Epic is these days)
posted by sandmanwv at 8:25 AM on March 7, 2019

Best answer: That’s my home! If you know stuff about where in town his new digs will be, you are welcome to MeMail me for ideas for nearby coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. If he is outdoorsy, it’s a decent town for that - lots of bike trails, some nice walking trails, (at least?) two navigable lakes, good for winter sports like cross country skiing...
posted by eirias at 8:27 AM on March 7, 2019

Best answer: Sure he's got the income, and can buy any household items he wants, but he's an early-20's recent graduate with his first non-college apartment. What do you know now about good-quality home life that you didn't know when you were 20, and would make a good housewarming gift? Based on my personal experience, I'd recommend a really good skillet (like this $100 ScanPan) or a decent knife (or set). Or maybe something themed, like a bread knife, crumb cutting board, and [gift card to bakery, recipe for batter bread, etc]. But choose something that you personally like or have a story with, it's often the card/note that makes a gift worthwhile instead of dull. "The first time I had tastes of the same wine in 5 different shaped glasses, I was shocked to discover what a difference it made, so here are *red wine* glasses for you"
posted by aimedwander at 8:43 AM on March 7, 2019 [1 favorite]

I think a gift card for a local experience would be great, but the thing I wish someone had given me at that age was something to convince me to start investing in a 401(k). (Get A Financial Life is a good book, but really, I wish someone had just shown me a graph of how much more money I would make if I started investing at 22 or 23 than if I waited. Maybe you can think of a clever and non-off-putting way to share this information.)
posted by pinochiette at 8:45 AM on March 7, 2019 [2 favorites]

For the home-furnishing route: A gift certificate for a print + framing + shipping from 20x200. Acknowledging the move away from university/dorm life and toward something more home-like. They've got a wide range of types of art (so he can pick something himself). I've had good experiences with their customer service for similar gifts.
posted by miles per flower at 9:27 AM on March 7, 2019

What are your nephew's interests and hobbies? Narrow it down, and I can recommend some local ideas.
posted by TrarNoir at 11:32 AM on March 7, 2019

The dress code at epic is “when there are visitors you must wear clothes.” So if that’s the job, not sure dress shoes are necessary.

A membership to olbrich botanical gardens? Or another local place. The outside gardens are free but the conservatory costs.
posted by azalea_chant at 3:58 PM on March 7, 2019

Like eirias, I'm in Madison, and glad to offer more specific ideas based on geography or interests via MeMail. One quick general suggestion: Food Fight is a local group of about a dozen good & casual restaurants in a variety of cuisines. With a gift card for them, he'd probably find a place or two that he likes.
posted by NumberSix at 8:58 PM on March 7, 2019