22 Awesome Gifts for 18-Year-Old Boys They’ll Actually Want

Gifts for 18-Year-Old Boys

A great gift guide for 18-year-old boys. 

Don’t know what to get an 18-year-old guy for his birthday or for Christmas? Then scroll down and take a look at this list of the best gifts for 18-year-old boys that they’ll actually want and use. So, take a look and check out these great gift ideas for 18-year-old boys to find some great gift inspiration and ideas.

(Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links for which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase)

1. I’m an Adult Now (Technically) Shirt

I'm an adult t-shirt: gifts for 18 year old boys

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A funny shirt to mark the occasion of them becoming official adults is a great 18th birthday gift idea for boys. This shirt comes in a couple of different color options for you to pick from, so be sure to check out the different options. A funny shirt like this is a great and affordable present that you can’t really go wrong with and is a perfect item to pair with a gift card or something else as an added little gift if you have a bit more budget to spare.

2. A Versatile Power Bank

a versatile power bank as gift ideas for 18 year old boy

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If you’re looking for gadgets for 18-year-old boys, then a power bank is a must-have. Now, be sure to check if they don’t already own one because no one needs more than one. It can charge your phone or other devices a couple of times and has multiple ports so you can plug in more than one cable at a time. It’s especially great to give if he’s planning to go traveling or going away to college because a power bank is really practical while on the go.

3. A Pair of Personalized Cufflinks

pair of custom cufflinks: best gifts for 18 year old boy 2021

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One of the best gifts for 18-year-old boys is a set of personalized cufflinks. They’ll be able to use them for years to come and they’re an affordable, but meaningful present to get. It’s also great as a stocking stuffer. You can customize it to have two or three letters engraved in them and you can pick the metal you want, though silver is a solid and neutral option you can’t really go wrong with. And in many ways, these are one the most ‘adult’ gifts you can get him.

4. A Must-See Movies Scratch-Off Poster

a must-see scratch-off movies poster; what do 18 year olds want for their birthday

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Does he love movies and can use some pieces of home décor for his room? Then this poster that has 100 top movies on it that he can scratch off as he watches them is a great gift idea. Just make sure that can’t already scratch all of them off at the start, because then there’s no fun in this present to be had. And while he’s working his way through them it will look great on his wall. If you want you can get a frame for it and leave the glass out, so that it can still be scratched off.

5. A Pizza Gift Box of Socks

a pizza socks gift box - unique gifts for 18 year old

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Usually, socks are a bit of a dud gift to get. However, these socks are much better. Not only do they look like your favorite toppings, but they’re also wrapped as pizza. You get 4 different pairs of socks in this pizza box, so they’re easy to pair up and just fun to get. They’re a fun gift if you want to give them a more practical present such as socks, but want to make is a bit more special. You can pick from a couple of different sizes and the box makes it a lot easier to wrap up for his 18th birthday or for Christmas.

6. Dr. Squatch Men’s Cold Process Soap Variety Pack

dr. squatch soaps (practical gifts for 18 year olds)

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These soaps are a great present for guys who will be interested in trying out some new scents or body care products. You can pick from a bunch of different combinations, though a basic variety pack is a great place to start. These soaps are cold processed, which means that you need to try and keep them as dry as possible in between using, so not like a normal dove bar of soap. The packaging is what makes these so much fun and the different scents are also a great feature.

7. A Handy and Multi-Purpose Multitool

a handy multitool: gift basket ideas for 18 year old boy

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A multitool is one of those gadgets for 18-year-old guys that any man should own at some point. It has all the basic tools that you can possibly need with you wherever you go. This one comes in two different colors and offers everything from screwdrivers, to saws, and even a pair of scissors. So, if you want something to give an 18-year-old male who is pretty handy, then this handy tool is the perfect gift idea for him to get this year.

8. A Set of Color-Changing LED Light Strips

LED strip lights as gifts for 18 year old boys

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If you’re looking for something to add some life to his room or gaming setup that isn’t too permanent, then these LED strips are a great option. You get a set of strips that you can connect together or cut short however you want with a remote to control the light options. It’s a fun way to add some color to any room without any real big changes such as painting a wall. So, if they’re going to a dorm, then this might just be a fun way to decorate it. Either way, these LED light strips are great gifts for 18-year-old boys.

9. Soap with Cash in It

money soap by SoapByNadia on Etsy - gift ideas for 18 year old boy

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This soap by SoapByNadia on Etsy is a fun and original way to give them money. You can pick the amount to go in and then they’ll have to put in some elbow grease to get it. It’s a fun and original gift idea that any boy age 18 would smile about when they get it. And they can get their favorite gift: money, while you can give them something unique and original that still feels like a proper present.

10. A Sturdy Yeti Insulated Tumbler

a sturdy travel mug (gifts for teenage guys 18)

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A really practical gift idea that any man would love to have is an insulated tumbler like this. It’s great to keep your drinks hot in winter and cool in the summer. You can pick from a bunch of different colors, though a basic black is one of the options you can’t really go wrong with and the full stainless steel option is also a great choice. Either way, a good tumbler like this is a great present that they’ll love having and will definitely be put to good use.

RELATED: Original Graduation Gifts for Sons

11. Throw Throw Burrito

throw throw burrito - 18 years old birthday gifts

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This fun tabletop game is great for teenagers and young adults to play together. You play with a set of cards and when a certain card is played, it’s basically a game of dodgeball but with tiny burritos. It’s a lot of fun and a great gift idea for 18-year-old guys who enjoy playing games with their friends or family. So, if you’re looking for something original, then this is a great option. There’s also a more extreme outdoor version available if you want them to play it outside.

12. Personalized Leather Toiletry Bag

personalized leather toiletry bags - 18 year old birthday gifts

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If you want to get them something that’s both practical and custom-made, then a toiletry bag that has their initials embossed on them is a great option. There are loads of different designs available on Etsy and Amazon, with this one from Amazon being a great simple option. And they can use one of these bags for so much more, whether it is for their toothbrush etc. while traveling or to keep all their cords in while on the road.

13. A Single-Portion Cooking Book for Beginners

cooking for one cookbook: 18 year old bday gifts

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A cookbook is a great gift for an 18-year-old and this one is perfect for the guy who hasn’t cooked a lot before and now needs to start cooking for himself. It’s filled with 175 one-person recipes that are all easy and manageable for a beginner without the need for fancy appliances or tools. So, if you want to give them something nice and educational, then a cookbook is always a great choice. Just make sure it’s doable for their skill level.

14. A USB Microphone for Streamers and Gamers

USB microphone (gift ideas for 18 year old male)

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A good-quality microphone is a great gadget to have if you enjoy multiplayer games or even stream online. Be sure to check with his friends or family if he doesn’t already have one or maybe has his eye on a particular one. This one here is a great quality microphone, but it is quite pricey. So, if they already have another in mind that might be cheaper, be sure to get that one instead. This is one of the best gift ideas for 18-year-old boys that spend a lot of timing gaming with their friends online.

15. A Nice Quality Watch

a nice watch; christmas gifts for 18 year old

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A nice watch is a great gift to give to someone who just became an adult. This watch by Fossil is a great neutral choice that you can’t go wrong with. It’s modern enough not to be outdated while also being timeless enough to last for years to come. You can pick from a bunch of different colors and band options to pick the one you like best. So, be sure to check out all the options that you can choose from. The small dials in the middle and the date dial are great additions to a classic watch.

16. A Roku Streaming Stick

a roku streaming stick - gift ideas for 18 year old

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This little affordable gadget is a must-have if you enjoy streaming series or watching YouTube, but would like to do so on your tv or other screens while keeping the ease of access of your phone. This allows you to get easy access to all your streaming services and more conventional tv channels. So, basically free cable with so much more all with one simple gadget that isn’t all that expensive. This is a great gift for an 18-year-old boy who enjoys sitting back and just watching some tv.

17. A Custom Docking Station

custom docking station by SkyWoodStudio on Etsy: a gift for 18 year old

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This fun wooden docking station by SkyWoodStudio on Etsy is a great 18th birthday gift idea for boys or as a Christmas present for an 18 yo guy. You can get it customized with their name and pick the design of the logo on the side that goes with it. The dock has room for everything from a watch to your phone and wallet. So, not only does it look nice on your desk or dresser, but it will also keep your stuff organized and help him to stop looking for his stuff all the time, because it will be all in one place.

18. A Practical Guide to Adulting

a practical guide to adulting (best gifts for 18 year old boy)

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This book is filled with tips and advice for anyone graduating high school and moving out about how to actually face the reality of being an adult. It’s a book that help will help you learn more about things such as credit scores, IRA, debt, and so on. This is the type of advice that any new adult needs but typically doesn’t get by going to school. So, if you want to give them a book that will help them on the road to getting their sh*t together, then this is a great option. Just make sure they’re the type of person who will actually read it.

19. Personalized Leather Bifold Wallet

personalized wallet by YoursPersonalized on Etsy (gifts for 18 year old boy)

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A nice wallet is another classic and traditional gift idea for an 18-year-old boy that they’ll actually use. And this one by YoursPersonalized on Etsy is even better because it’s engraved with their name. So, not only is it a nice personalized and custom bifold wallet, the fact that his name is on it will make it easier to get back if he ever loses it. In other words, it’s both practical and meaningful. You can pick from a couple of different leather colors and where you want his name to be, to make it truly his.

20. A Handy Mini Fridge

a handy mini fridge - best gifts for 18 year old

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Whether he’s moving out or staying to live at home, having his own little fridge in his room is a great gadget to own. It’s not as expensive as you might think and this one is even portable and can be hooked up to your car charger. So, not only is it great to have in your room, it’s also great to take with you on trips to keep you food fresh and ready to use. In other words, if you don’t know what to get an 18-year-old boy who has everything, then this is probably one of the things they don’t have yet.

21. A Doorway Pull-Up Bar

doorway pull-up bar (birthday ideas for 18 year old boy)

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Is he into getting in shape and working out, but doesn’t have the budget for a gym membership? Then this pull-up bar you can hook up to your doorway is a great solution. He can use it to do pull-ups and take it down afterward. So, if he’s really into working out, then this is probably the best choice on this list of gifts for 18-year-old boys. Just make sure they have a doorway they can use it in and that they don’t already have one. And don’t give it to someone who has never shown any interest in it.

22. A Pair of AirPods

a pair of AirPods: christmas gifts for 18 year old boy

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If you have the budget for it, then a present for 18-year-olds that you can’t go wrong with is pair of AirPods, except of course if they already own a pair. This one comes with a wireless charging case to make it even more luxurious and a good pair of earbuds or headphones is always useful to have as a young adult. So, if you really don’t know what to get but have the money for it, then this is a great safe gift to get him.

RELATED: Great Gift Guide for the College Guy

I hope this gift guide for 18-year-old guys helped you find some gift ideas and inspiration on what to get him for his 18th birthday or for Christmas. This list is filled with awesome gifts for 18-year-old boys, but if you still don’t know what to get, then you can also just give them some cash, something they’ll never mind getting. Just make sure to wrap it up in an original way or be creative with a DIY gift and you’re good to go.

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