Disney/Universal stocking/gifts for 22 male

[Scambone]

I’m gunning for a trip for my boyfriend and I in April. He’s never been to Disney, he’s not super gung-ho on going but he wants to go because it makes me happy. I’d like to get gifts/stocking stuffers for him for Christmas to make him excited to go. So far I got him park maps, which I plan to attach some of my favorite things there that I would like to share with him. Specialize luggage tags for his bags. We’ll also be going to Universal so I got him a Wolverine shirt and hoodie (his favorite). Any ideas? He’s 22, he doesn’t collect anything so I don’t want to start him on vinylmation or something like that because he wouldn’t be super interested in it.

Also he’s more of a fly by the seat of your pants guy than a planner (I’m the opposite) so I don’t want to weigh him down with park books.

 

[scottmel]

I’m gunning for a trip for my boyfriend and I in April. He’s never been to Disney, he’s not super gung-ho on going but he wants to go because it makes me happy. I’d like to get gifts/stocking stuffers for him for Christmas to make him excited to go. So far I got him park maps, which I plan to attach some of my favorite things there that I would like to share with him. Specialize luggage tags for his bags. We’ll also be going to Universal so I got him a Wolverine shirt and hoodie (his favorite). Any ideas? He’s 22, he doesn’t collect anything so I don’t want to start him on vinylmation or something like that because he wouldn’t be super interested in it.

Also he’s more of a fly by the seat of your pants guy than a planner (I’m the opposite) so I don’t want to weigh him down with park books.

Personally I would make a reservation for something that would interest him. Does he like eating? My DH loves Dining with An Imagineer at Brown Derby. Does it solo now every year! I also sent him on an Epcot Tour that he loved....they have so many unique tours etc....

 

[Disneychix]

Maybe a movie or something for you 2 to watch together? It could even be Star Wars or something?

Coordinated t-shirts (don't have to be matching maybe just 2 muppets or Toy Stoy).

 

[Robinrs]

We're going to Universal in January for my son's 22nd birthday.

If he's ANYTHING like mine...you've done ENOUGH.

Great ideas already, but guys that age will only appreciate it half as much as you expect them to. Try giving him stuff he REALLY likes.

Have a great time!

 

[Scambone]

Reservations is a good idea. We’re doing Ohanas but I’m not sure what else would appeal to him. He’s a foodie like me so we plan to eat our way around world show case.

He’s hard to shop for. Last Christmas I bought him his favorite sports team memorial ranging from clothes and room décor and a leather jacket. He likes monkeys but doesn’t collect them. He has Netflix so he doesn’t ‘need’ movies or tv shows. He works out a lot but I don’t know what to get him as far as that goes. He does the whole P90X and he’s happy with that. He down loads all the video games he wants. For his birthday I went to random food places and bought gift cards. For our anniversary I got us a hotel in Frankenmuth for a weekend. He never has those ‘ohhh I want one of those’ moments when we’re out and about and any big item he wants he’ll go get himself. He’s pretty impossible.

I was thinking about coordinating t-shirts and he’ll wear anything I get him and he already agreed to a Sully shirt. Muhahaha

 

[msmama]

What about something Star Wars?

Also themed sock and underwear. Star Wars boxers perhaps?

 

[Marionnette]

We're going to Universal in January for my son's 22nd birthday.

If he's ANYTHING like mine...you've done ENOUGH.

Great ideas already, but guys that age will only appreciate it half as much as you expect them to. Try giving him stuff he REALLY likes.

Have a great time!

I agree! My older son is 22. A couple of stocking stuffers that go with the theme of your trip will be plenty. Inundating him with Disney/Universal stuff is not going to turn his level of enthusiasm up. Get him some non-trip related stuff that he can use while he's on vacation (portable charger for his phone, good earbuds for his ipod, a nice pair of sunglasses). Leave it up to him to discover his own magic once he gets to the parks.

 

[Scambone]

Yeah I'm also looking for non Disney practical stuff and things he can use besides on vacation. I was looking into getting him new sandals and sunglasses but my pickings are slim in stores now. I should have thought of this earlier. I can always do online shopping. Hmmm. I'm thinking about some La Nouba tickets for his big gift.

We've been eating Hi-chews a lot lately so I've been thinking about getting other Japanese candy to stuff in his stocking. We've been on mini road trips and he never breaks anything besides clothes and a few toiletries. He's mostly entertained with his phone on our down time (especially when we both have full stamina on our game that we play together).

The gift cards to random restaurants have been nice but I don't want to continuously do it ya know? I am proud to say that I've gotten a couple things that he didn't know he needed and uses often now. haha.

 

[hhartill]

I’m gunning for a trip for my boyfriend and I in April. He’s never been to Disney, he’s not super gung-ho on going but he wants to go because it makes me happy. I’d like to get gifts/stocking stuffers for him for Christmas to make him excited to go. So far I got him park maps, which I plan to attach some of my favorite things there that I would like to share with him. Specialize luggage tags for his bags. We’ll also be going to Universal so I got him a Wolverine shirt and hoodie (his favorite). Any ideas? He’s 22, he doesn’t collect anything so I don’t want to start him on vinylmation or something like that because he wouldn’t be super interested in it.

Also he’s more of a fly by the seat of your pants guy than a planner (I’m the opposite) so I don’t want to weigh him down with park books.

Chapstick, earphones for the plane/car, neck pillow, poncho, gum, mints, beef jerky, book, guide to hidden mickeys, travel size razors, shaving cream or other toiletries.

 

[Marionnette]

Yeah I'm also looking for non Disney practical stuff and things he can use besides on vacation. I was looking into getting him new sandals and sunglasses but my pickings are slim in stores now. I should have thought of this earlier. I can always do online shopping. Hmmm. I'm thinking about some La Nouba tickets for his big gift.

We've been eating Hi-chews a lot lately so I've been thinking about getting other Japanese candy to stuff in his stocking. We've been on mini road trips and he never breaks anything besides clothes and a few toiletries. He's mostly entertained with his phone on our down time (especially when we both have full stamina on our game that we play together).

The gift cards to random restaurants have been nice but I don't want to continuously do it ya know? I am proud to say that I've gotten a couple things that he didn't know he needed and uses often now. haha.

Has he expressed any interest in seeing La Nouba (or any Cirque show)? If this is a gift for him, it should be something that he wants and not something you want him to have.

 

[Scambone]

Hmmm good point Marionnette. I don't think he knows much about Cirque besides what I've talked about it and a few clips I've showed him on youtube. I think he'd enjoy it but I dont know if he'd rather enjoy something else more. He always just says he'll do whatever I want which is nice but at times can be annoying because I do what to do things he wants to do.

Ive hinted around a bit about star wars and he thinks its 'alright'.

 

[yellowjacketfan]

My son is almost 23 and would love to see La Nouba. However, if he's into music, I would also check out House of Blues and Hard Rock to see if there are any concerts he would be interested in. Both of my 20 somethings love concerts. Good luck

 

[LJSquishy]

Isn't there some sort of race car driving experience at/around Disney? I could be wrong but I thought there was, and if so, maybe that would be something he'd enjoy.

I wouldn't get any more Disney/trip related stuff unless it's something he would really be into. You don't want to waste money on junk he won't use when it could go toward something he'd actually use. I like Disney (my husband and I went for the first time in 2012 and are going again in late 2015), but I hate Disney-themed stuff and knickknacks, etc. No way would I wear Disney shirts, have Disney kitchen towels, or wear Mickey ears! I just don't like "stuff". I'm not a souvenir person at all, no matter where I go.

Maybe he would like a watch, pair of shoes, or Weathertech floor liner for his car.

Since he does P90X, he might like a pair of push-up grip bar handle things if he doesn't have them already. My husband does P90X3 and really wants them. Amazon has one really inexpensive stationary ones but they also have some that have ball-bearings that turn so I think your muscles have to stabilize themselves (which is more challenging) and those seem even nicer. Heart rate monitor watch w/ chest strap? My husband and I both have the Polar FT7 and love them.

 

[worm761]

I wouldn't make his Christmas about a trip you want. Don't get me wrong. I have been where you are right now. Back when I convinced DH (then boyfriend) to go to Disney with me he only wanted to go because I did/was and he didn't want to spend the week without me. He didn't get excited or show any enthusiasm until the night before we went. And then he was like that Disney commercial with the whole I can't sleep I'm too excited. To a point where I had just gotten off of a 13 hour shift at work, drove 45 minutes home, it was 1 am and he decided we should load up and head to Disney. Which we did. And he fell in love. Now, he still doesn't get excited until right before the trip but I don't have to do much to convince him to go either.

For those hard to buy for people I make a list of everything they like. And then I see what I can make/buy/do that involves what they like. Maybe find some sort of experience around home that he would love but wouldn't necessarily buy himself. I saw the idea on Pinterest of giving your significant other a year of date nights. Prepaid or preplanned. They can be anything from reservations at a swanky restaurant to movies to taking a nature hike.

 

[Scambone]

All good ideas. I like the house of blues and racing idea. We love trips so even if we don't got to Disney I'd still like to check those out. We've yet to have an out of state vacation.

worm761 I can see my bf being the same way, I hope I'm right and he'll love Disney too. Funny story, we went to Mackinac island and there was a turtle photo prop and I had to force him to take a picture with it and some guy walked in front of us. He apologized until my 6'2 bf stood up and was like 'oh its an adult!' so the rest of the trip we made that remark when we did anything goof. fast foward to our anniversary trip and there was more cut out face photo props, he willing went and took pics with it. He later confessed that he needs to stop caring what people think and do what he wants.

I love pinterest and actually stole an idea off it for our anniversary. muhaha. I guess I have at least a month or so to think about it but I'd love to hear more ideas.

 

[LJSquishy]

I do agree not to push the trip & details on him too much. My husband reluctantly agreed to go in 2012 and didn't want anything to do with planning the trip (which worked well because I love researching and planning). He would tune me out if I rambled on about different restaurants, etc...his only input on planning that trip was, "I want to eat Lobster one of the nights", to which I booked Narcoossee's during the Wishes fireworks. Once we were actually there, he was excited, enjoyed himself, and complimented me on how great of a job I did with our itinerary.

Now that we are going again next October, I don't mention much to him but he occasionally asks about certain things, reminisces about his favorite restaurants, or asks how much longer until we find out if we've secured our room at AKV (we're renting points). I show him photos of AKV every once and a while and he is excited to stay there.

So, just let him be as involved or uninvolved as he wants.

 

[worm761]

worm761 I can see my bf being the same way, I hope I'm right and he'll love Disney too. Funny story, we went to Mackinac island and there was a turtle photo prop and I had to force him to take a picture with it and some guy walked in front of us. He apologized until my 6'2 bf stood up and was like 'oh its an adult!' so the rest of the trip we made that remark when we did anything goof. fast foward to our anniversary trip and there was more cut out face photo props, he willing went and took pics with it. He later confessed that he needs to stop caring what people think and do what he wants.

As for the bolded, here is my secret. DH is a Star Wars fan so for his first trip I took him for Star Wars Weekends. For his second trip I took him to the Food and Wine Festival. Now he requests a trip every year so he can have dinner at 50's Prime Time. My husband is really just a giant child. LOL He loves being goofy so Disney works for us.

 

[Scambone]

turns out my boyfriend is a bigger nerd than I thought. I was talking to his cousin and his cousin said to get him some tabi boots (think of the toe mitten socks from world showcase in the Asian pavilions). Well there's inside and outside tabi boots...and I'm pretty sure they sell them at world show case so I'm hoping for them to be there, so maybe he can decide what set he likes and get them there

anyways! So while I was hunting them down I found some neat ninja stuff. I got him ninja 3 piece throwing knife set and sheath, dragon sword cane, twin ninja swords and a couple of wooden bokken samurai swords so he can battle it out with his cousin. I dont know why I didnt think of this stuff before, especially since he flipped when I got him nunchakus for his birthday.