How much should I give best friend's grandson who is going to be travelling for six months?

I also think it’s a lovely gesture, as the OP is fond of the boy and it may be that she doesn’t have her own grandchildren, or they are too young/old to go travelling.
A while ago here, I was called very generous for buying my friend’s son an expensive gift for his newborn. The fact was I never expected to be a Grandmother, so my dear friend had always said I could share hers!! That child is now 18, whereas my own DGSs
(who eventually arrived) are only 8 and 4.

M0nica

What does it matter whether it has never occurred to other posters to do this. I expect all of us at some time or another do something that it would never occur to anyone else to do.

The OP wants to give this lad, whom she knows well and likes, a little booster to help him on his way. What a lovely idea.

I would give him £100, large enough to be appreciated, not to large to put a burden of gratitude on his shoulders.

Agree with this

Lovely generous idea. We gave our nephew £200 when he went travelling after university. It was also a birthday present. His sister was given a wedding present of the same amount so it was fair.
I’d probably give about £100, if you can afford to.

My Nephew went travelling he wanted a powerful power pack and multi lead charger. I asked him what he needed it wasn't expensive so I gave him money as well.

This is something I’ve done a few timesBetony £100 pounds is usually what I’d give.

Give what you can afford.

My GC get £1000 for 18th birthday, what they use it for is up to them.
Anything else they can ask for, it has to be worthy, with parents OK

Get him some currency of the first country he will be visiting. I would say about £100 worth. He is your best friend’s grandson after all.

When a work colleague was going off travelling, I bought her a nice journal and a pen. She really loved it. Not saying that this young man will though! I think it’s a lovely gesture and I’m sure he’ll be very appreciative. I agree with the poster who said you could get him some currency for one of the countries he’s going to, maybe in a travel wallet.

Sorry, I meant that your wish to give him some money was a lovely gesture.

I also think £100 but a gift preferably.

NotAGran55

Why do you feel it necessary to give him anything?
When my son went travelling 12 years ago nobody gave him any money,not even us. He worked for 6 months and saved up to go.
We bought him a decent rucksack but that was it.

I’m afraid we didn’t even buy the rucksack.

I don’t think it’s odd. No different than buying him a gift for his Christmas, or birthday.
I would just get him some Euros- what ever you can afford, price of a meal.

Well, I'll stick to my original suggestion of a travel wallet which can be concealed beneath his clothes.
You could put in some currency as a surprise, however much you can afford or want to give.

It's very kind of you to want to give something, Betony.

I think £50 would be generous and most welcome. I wouldn't waste money on a gift. In my experience they either don't need it, don't like it, or want something like it but not that one!!

I would just get him some Euros- what ever you can afford, price of a meal
Not much point if he’s travelling in Asia as most young people do 🤣🤣🤣

I’ve just remembered that a friend of my parents gave me £5 when I went away to university. I thought it was extremely generous. Mind you, that was in 1964. What would that be worth today?

Around £130 according to AI.

I would avoid buying him anything.. young people travelling these days travel light and use particular gear of which there is an abundance of choice. So what you and I would pack would be of no use/interest to them.
So no wallets, luggage labels, bum bags etc... they would all be left at home.
I am sure money would be appreciated, but as previous posters have said, beware of setting precedents!

Allira

Well, I'll stick to my original suggestion of a travel wallet which can be concealed beneath his clothes.
You could put in some currency as a surprise, however much you can afford or want to give.

Good idea Allia, money wallet. Yes some currency & a silver coin for good luck 🍀

BlueBelle

*I would just get him some Euros- what ever you can afford, price of a meal*
Not much point if he’s travelling in Asia as most young people do 🤣🤣🤣

Sorry Bluebell, poster didn’t say where he was travelling to.
Yes currency of that particular country then.
When I visited Turkey, I took lira, people there wanted Euros 😳

If he's somebody elses's relative........let them provide.

mae13

If he's somebody elses's relative........let them provide.

The OP isn’t providing anything. The money is a gift.

Depending on individual circumstances, you could have a close relationship with your best friends grandson. Much more maybe than an actual grandchild. The advice on here to have a word with your friend is sound. As for upsetting others, well only you know if they are the sort of people to be upset and whether that’s a good enough reason not to do it or a good life lesson in generosity for them to learn.

How nice, I would give 30ish, and not tell anyone. I always try to treat my friends, grandchildren when I see her.

M0nica

What does it matter whether it has never occurred to other posters to do this. I expect all of us at some time or another do something that it would never occur to anyone else to do.

The OP wants to give this lad, whom she knows well and likes, a little booster to help him on his way. What a lovely idea.

I would give him £100, large enough to be appreciated, not to large to put a burden of gratitude on his shoulders.

I agree, I can't believe the negative remarks on this thread.