Eight and a half weeks is a little young, are you sure he can't stay with his mother until he's twelve weeks? It might ruin the whole gift idea, but it will benefit both your new kitten and you if he has a little longer with his mother (kitty mothers have things to teach their kittens, too).
By twelve weeks you'll find that he'll try to defy the laws of gravity, so to speak - up the sides of furniture, blankets hanging off the bed, maybe even curtains. So he'll maneuver a litter box just fine.

I suggest you get him some kitty furniture early, just something smaller with a nice sisal rope wrapped post on it. This way you can direct him to that before he starts thinking furniture or carpet feels better under his claws.

Other tips - remove any ribbons, strings, eyes, buttons, etc from toys so he can't choke.