last minute gift for 13 year old boy

[drcmk]

To make a long (and frustrating) story short, I was recently informed that the gift that I purchased a long time ago for a 13 year old boy on my list is unacceptable. I need a quick and easy replacement because I can't stomach going to a mall on Christmas eve, but I still want to make my recipient happy. Any suggestions? His hobby is music, both playing and listening, but I've gotten him an itunes card for every birthday for the past few years and I'd rather do something else.

My only idea so far: He loves root beer. I thought I could pick up a four-pack of the higher end root beer (Stewarts, maybe?) at the grocery store today and wrap five or ten dollar bills around the stem of each bottle and tie with a ribbon to be festive.

Can you improve on that idea?

TIA

 

[eatatmidnight]

I have a 13yo son that likes to listen and play music. Your root beer idea sounds ok to me. Also, if you have a local music store, you may get him a gift card there. I don't know what instrument(s) he plays, but if he likes to play music, there is always something he wants. They also probably are not as busy as most grocery, department stores and malls.

 

[KKB]

are a teenage boys best friend.
iTunes, GameStop, Target
But your rootbeet idea is fun.
CURIOUS...what gift was deemed "unacceptable" (obviously by someone else)

 

[trustknoone]

If you have Dominion Root Beer there it's awesome.

 

[trustknoone]

If you have Dominion Root Beer there it's awesome.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

To make a long (and frustrating) story short, I was recently informed that the gift that I purchased a long time ago for a 13 year old boy on my list is unacceptable. I need a quick and easy replacement because I can't stomach going to a mall on Christmas eve, but I still want to make my recipient happy. Any suggestions? His hobby is music, both playing and listening, but I've gotten him an itunes card for every birthday for the past few years and I'd rather do something else.

My only idea so far: He loves root beer. I thought I could pick up a four-pack of the higher end root beer (Stewarts, maybe?) at the grocery store today and wrap five or ten dollar bills around the stem of each bottle and tie with a ribbon to be festive.

Can you improve on that idea?

TIA

My nephew is 13 and he would love this!

 

[CandyMouse]

My dd is almost 13 and would love the rootbeer and money! Great idea!

 

[daisyduck123]

I always give me DD15 & DS11 some holiday-themed scratch offs (yes I know they're too yound..but they love them)!

 

[dfchelbay]

A DVD, like an action movie, Transformers, Spiderman, Hulk, etc. Or, a gift card to Best Buy so he can choose whatever he likes.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

To make a long (and frustrating) story short, I was recently informed that the gift that I purchased a long time ago for a 13 year old boy on my list is unacceptable. I need a quick and easy replacement because I can't stomach going to a mall on Christmas eve, but I still want to make my recipient happy. Any suggestions? His hobby is music, both playing and listening, but I've gotten him an itunes card for every birthday for the past few years and I'd rather do something else.

My only idea so far: He loves root beer. I thought I could pick up a four-pack of the higher end root beer (Stewarts, maybe?) at the grocery store today and wrap five or ten dollar bills around the stem of each bottle and tie with a ribbon to be festive.

Can you improve on that idea?

TIA

My boys would love the root beer idea as well, but I too am curious what gift was "unacceptable".

 

[puffkin]

I always give me DD15 & DS11 some holiday-themed scratch offs (yes I know they're too yound..but they love them)!

My nieces are 12 and 9 and have been getting scratch offs for years. They love them.

We have some pretty good scratch offs here in PA (love that Gus the Groundhog ) but DH's aunt comes up from VA every year. She always brings scratch offs for everyone and then just gives them their winnings in cash. She takes the tix back and cashes them in when she gets home. One year, several people hit pretty big (in the $100's) so she mailed them a check when she got home

OP- I like the idea of the Rootbeer and cash

 

[libinatorsmom]

I think your Root Beer and Cash idea is PREFECT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ceecee]

Itune card is he has an iPod or any gift card or $ a 13 year old would love.

 

[java]

ok I'll be the one to ask what was Unacceptable???

I think your idea is a great one.

 

[Maddie2]

I have 2 boys - 15 and 12 and I think your root beer and cash idea is fabulous. I know my boys would love it too.

Just a quick question, as you mentioned that it is a long and frustrating story. Have you already given the gift and has he opened it? If so, I would not rush to make up for whatever has been deemed as unacceptable. If there was a gift receipt, perhaps he could exchange it?

But I know I shop ahead sometimes too and by the time Christmas rolls around, kids have changed their likes and dislikes. I'm guessing that's what happened here? In these cases, I shelf the first gift (and usually give it to an angel tree next year) and give another gift.

With my kids the ages they are, I no longer shop ahead. It has been a hard habit to break, but easier and less expensive in the long run. I don't even ask them what they want until after Thanksgiving. I'd prefer to be done shopping by 12/1, but it just isn't practical anymore.

Also, question to those of you discussing scratch-offs. We do not have them here in the midwest. We have lottery tickets, which may be the same thing, but I am wondering, with the holiday scratch tickets, is there a guarantee of some sort of return? Or do most of them? With lottery tickets, only a very few have winnings, so we don't gift them as most recipients would be left with nothing. Just curious. I'd rather just have the cash as then you know you are giving/getting something.


Merry Christmas!!!

 

[Green Tea]

Print an itunes card off the website.

 

[stsomewhere]

My DS would love rootbeer and cash

 

[Lucky'sMom]

This is too funny. My 13 DS is a drummer (loves music) and LOVES root beer! I got him 4-pack for his stocking. Your root beer and cash idea is a great one and very original. I'm sure he will love it!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I think the root beer idea is fabulous. Or how about making a quick movie night basket?
Root beer, candy, popcorn, chips, and a new DVD- Harry Potter, Transformers, X-Men Wolverine are all popular movies for that age group... or you can pop by the movie theater and get a gift certificate to put in the basket. My sister in law does this for all the kids each year, but being they are all her nephews her budget is higher, so she does a DVD and movie theater gift certificates, they get rave reviews from the kids.

 

[drcmk]

I'm the OP with the update AND the "prequel."

I went with the root beer and cash idea. I think the root beer brand is IBC. It was the only pack of bottles left in the supermarket today and my DH said the supermarket and parking lot were extremely unpleasant to negotiate. I'm sure my nephew will like the gift. I didn't want to do an itunes gift card *again!*

Okay, since you asked--here is the story. My mother wanted to buy my brother's family a wii plus accessories/games for Christmas. She asked my brother first and he liked the idea a lot, so she bought it and wrapped it all up. I decided to piggyback on mom's gift by giving my nephew a game that my mom hadn't purchased. But this weekend (when we were all snowed in here on the east coast), my brother called my mom to say that his wife will not allow the children to have a wii. So my gift of a wii game became useless. My mother is in a much worse position since her entire gift to the family is now unwelcome. I really don't know what she decided to do.

As for why a wii is forbidden, I really don't know. The kids have been allowed to play on the wii when they visit my house and my mother's house for years now. I could have returned the wii game I bought to Amazon, but I just gave it to my kids to play with today while I finish my cooking.