SWH ADD Gift Ideas for TWO Kids/events

For your daughter maybe a massage or mani/pedi. Facial or a cute haircut to start summer? New pair of sandals or a movie night with friends?

For your son I would talk to his recruiter. It might be that you can purchase a bag that is regulation for boot camp. You can always give him a card that when he gets his first deployment you'll help him with what he needs. Personally I think a laptop would still be great. He can take it with him after boot camp where ever he's stationed. A great way to stay in touch.

Tell him thanks for his impending service.

Well for your daughter, if you don't want to do cash what about a gift card to her favorite store, food place, website? Does she like getting a mani/pedi, anything like that? I know gift cards aren't very exciting but really I think the gift should be something the recipient would truly appreciate and enjoy.
Not sure what a young man about to go into the in the military wants or needs (?) but at 18 my son (who also got a new laptop for college) would have loved a really nice high end camera. He also would have liked good hiking boots, a new phone, the latest Xbox. He may have appreciated a nice watch, a good backpack, high end speakers/headphones, a kindle or some other kind of portable e-reader.
Kind of hard to make recommendations without knowing your kids' particular passions or interests, maybe if you share more you'll get better advice.

I'm going to tell my kids how lucky they are - we have three and keep a $150 budget for birthday's, but have gone as high as $300 when it's been a big ticket item they needed anyways (bat, dance bag, etc).

For your 19 year old...house stuff!! I remember dropping $100 on cleaning supplies at my first apartment when I was 19, I wanted to cry. Or does she love to bake? Candles? Bathroom stuff? A gift card for any of that stuff would work. Spa gift card?

Kid #2 - I am from a military family and laptops are still good for military. He'll want to have one for his down time and to keep in contact. But if you don't want to do that, I would pay for his tattoo. It's what he's asking for - and that's what birthdays are about, right?

For your son, you should talk to someone in the military, ideally the specific branch/location where he will be. Since you purchased laptops for your other kids - a practical gift related to what they were doing after high school - you should try to find an equally practical gift for your son's military career. Perhaps there is equipment or clothing he needs. Maybe he's allowed to bring an iPad. Try to find out what other young recruits really wish they had - that they are allowed to have - and figure something out from there. I'm sure there are plenty of things you can get him that are just as practical as the laptop. If you want to match the price range, you may need to buy a few less expensive items that add up to the $###-###-####.

Is this your daughter's first time in an apartment? First time with her own kitchen? If so, I would get her something nice to have in the kitchen. I know it adds to the moving load, but it will be useful. Otherwise, I would get her a gift card to somewhere she loves - something like a massage, manicure, etc.

Maybe for your son a really nice new phone? I don't really know the rules of training and all that which he probably can't use it then, but maybe after he could Skype on it to keep in contact with you guys and his other friends?

Would your daughter like something for her apartment? Maybe you can give her an IOU and suggest when she moves in she can let you know of something she really wants? That's not so fun to open on your birthday, but at 19 she's probably more understanding. :) I like the idea of a mani/pedi if she would like that.

Your 19 year old in college probably would love to go see the latest movie(s) without it costing her out of pocket. I know you are against $ or $ "towards" something, but an actual movie gift card isn't like giving money. It's like giving a trip to the movies. I think they are wonderful gifts, as movies are something that age loves to go do. My kids LOVE when people give them those (and so do I). Just be sure that you purchase it for a theater that she frequents (or is convenient to her).

As for your son, that's a bit tougher. Does he have an automobile? Maybe some sort of accessory for that would be something he would enjoy. My graduating senior son is always dropping $15-20 on some little auto accessory. Gear shift knob. Colored LED lights for the interior overhead light. Air fresheners. Plasti-dip to change the outward appearance (not permanently). Tail pipe cover. Sun shades for the windshield. But if you are genuinely planning to spend the cost of a laptop ($###-###-####) on his gift, then you have a whole world open to you. Heck, you could buy him a surfboard or a kayak and accessories (if he's into that type of thing). Just take him with you when you shop b/c those items are very much about personal preference/choice.

Good luck. And congrats on your son's graduation.

daughter: purse, sandals, outfit, robe, watch, movie tickets
son: pocket knife, gym shoes, wallet, good cell phone case, small safety box for valuables, watch