Gift for kid turning 18

September 5, 2020 10:39 PM

Please give me your suggestions for queer nerdy kid turning 18 in quarantine.

Interests: fanfic, dogs, architecture, the internet, thrifing, quirky fashion, socialism. We did a big trip right before COVID, that was partially in recognition that she'd be transitioning to adulthood, but I'm open to ideas that are more of an experience or a trip, as well as actual physical items.

posted by anonymous to Human Relations (9 answers total)

What a nice thing to be looking for! I don't know how plausible this is in quarantine, but as an 18-year-old queer nerd, spending time with my queer friends and away from parents was invaluable. If there are queers in her life that would be down for, say, a masked/distanced walking tour of cool architecture in {your/nearby} city, that might be neat to try and help facilitate.
posted by Zephyrial at 10:53 PM on September 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

We've been having fun with self-guided architecture tours in the car, taking photos from the passenger side window, with occasional hop outs to get a special shot. If you're in the U.S., you can create a route from the online lists of local, state and National Register landmarks, and focus on the types of architecture your nerdy kid likes.
posted by Scram at 10:58 PM on September 5, 2020

Honestly? An Amazon gift card and a thoughtful card. Tell them you care and support them.

Whatever their interests are, they can find something enjoyable for them.
posted by metasunday at 6:19 AM on September 6, 2020 [6 favorites]

Yeah, honestly, when I was 18 all I really needed was money.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:19 AM on September 6, 2020 [3 favorites]

I would get them something from this shop.
posted by pazazygeek at 4:50 PM on September 6, 2020

I'd go with an Amazon gift card with a nice card, and also throw in some cash as well. They can then get what they want in a couple of different ways.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:45 PM on September 6, 2020

Definitely an Amazon gift card. Let them choose.
posted by signsofrain at 5:49 PM on September 6, 2020

Just chiming in to say that, while cash isn’t a bad idea, if one of her main passions is socialism, she might not be a big fan of Amazon :)

She might like a nicely framed piece of art, maybe pertaining to one of her fandoms. At that age I was mostly printing things out from the internet and thumbtacking them to my walls, so framed art felt very Adult.
posted by rabbitbookworm at 9:18 PM on September 6, 2020 [3 favorites]

Yes, a VISA gift card or something similar might be better than Amazon; they can use it in many more places.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:47 PM on September 6, 2020 [1 favorite]