I'd get a good beginner's kit, as it will look spiffier under the tree than a gift certificate to go brew somewhere else. Besides, then he can start brewing on Christmas afternoon. *g* Seriously, I think it would be more fun for him to try his hand with a simple, but decent quality kit. It helps if you have enough room for the rig. My house doesn't have that much available space, so the carbuoy was the centerpiece on the kitchen table during the fermentation process. It made for interesting viewing during breakfast. And of course the most important thing is to keep everything spotlessly clean. A bit of dirt (or soap) will ruin the whole project. Have fun.