My son loves pillowcases...funky ones that go with absolutly nothing in his bedroom...like he has a rockstar themed one, and a fishing one, and a basketball one...and the list goes on and on...the only thing is that he likes them made from flannel, so they are "comfy cozy" Since you don't have time for a quilt, mabe think of his interests and make him a personalized pillowcase =)
My son is only 7...but it seems like a great idea, seeing as how my 36 yr old husband has his own special pillowcases as well.