Need present ideas for 9 almost 10 yo who has "everything". $125 Budget

[MomToOne]

I would rather that than grandma telling me that she isn't getting my kids anything because she has decided that 11 year olds only want expensive stuff and so she isn't buying for any grandkid.

??? How did that become a possibility??? The OP has said nothing like that, but HAS said the Grandma got "really cool" gifts for the two older brothers.

 

[2disneyboys]

my 11 year old and 9 year old boys vote for experience type things... laser tag, movies, arcarde, etc.. this is of course easier when you are buying the experience things for all siblings, however, OP or even grandma can take this one kid to do his experience things solo to help it be more meaningful

my 9 year old would love a customized team jersey (but my 11 year old would hate one!) does the 9 year old read? a nook or kindle and some ebooks

my 11 year old is obsessed w/ "apps" so a gift card to itunes or amazon or whatever would make his day.

and of course, there's always more legos

 

[mdsoccermom]

Personally, I would ask Grandma to buy one of the more expensive, more complicated Legos sets, and then use this opportunity to clean out some if the older toys. Though, I do have to tell you, Legos nd need guns are pretty much what 9 year old boys play with. Nothing very mature or out of rye ordinary about it.

 

[pigletto]

We tend to go all out at Christmas. I don't buy the kids much "stuff" the rest of the year as extra tends to go to vacation and lessons/clubs (hockey, scouts etc.). The problem is my inlaws also tend to go all out at Christmas. As much as I appreciated the gesture it was at times overwhelming and obnoxious to see so many presents. The special items get lost in the shuffle. And the kids didn't ask for/want/or need half the stuff. So.. long story short we have asked that they give the gift of their TIME. A trip to the zoo, or the movies, an afternoon sledding or baking with Grandma. The kids LOVE it!!
My inlaws make coupons for the kids to redeem for these activities through the year. It's win/win for everyone. Maybe something like that would work?

 

[Crystal0608]

My ds 10 has or is getting about all that's on your son's list. He got the Skylander game this weekend for his bday and loves it.

If he likes playing outside is is average to smaller stature, what about the Huffy Green Machine or the 360 trikes? My son is getting a Schwinn tricked out bike from Santy and a 360 trike from my mom. Those are in the $75+ range.

Clothes- my ds LOVE LOVE LOVES clothes and shoes. He was shaking he was so excited to get DC shoes & a hoodie this weekend. I saw Northface kids jackets for $35-50 online today.

Tarjay has cool stand up snowboard for $25. Wrap with a cool animal boggin.

Does he have a video game chair recliner? Those are usually @ $50.

Events?? Does he like WWE? My son loves tickets to see them. Also, WWE or Sports Illustrated magazines.

Amusement parks? My mom got all of us a season pass to the local waterpark this summer for like $250.

 

[3boymthr]

Grandma and Grandpa because he and his brothers do have a ton of "stuff" are really into giving them BIG gifts - usually combined gifts for him and his brothers -things that DH and I can't afford to buy for them - and in the past have given him and his brothers some great things - a wooden swing set, an air hockey table, a pin ball machine etc. They would do the same again this year but oldest and middle DSs have moved on to wanting individual things that I can't afford and that pretty much take up their entire budget so she's searching for a way to give him something he really wants but that isn't junk and that isn't electronics. As PP have mentioned it's also because she is trying to be equitable in what the kids open on Christmas morning. One of his older brothers is getting an ipod touch while the other is getting a gun. They don't believe in giving a charitable donation in a child's name. They do not need to contribute to the kids education funds as they have already fully funded the kids' education.

He is a kid that has inherited most of what he has from his older brothers and has very few wants but who also has very few interests because he has taken on those of his older brothers (he's very smart, but not a creative thinker). Because of physical limitations he is not very physical or outdoorsy so no sports stuff - even for the yard. He's not into toys at all and books on a very limited basis (comics are it). The experiences do sound like a good idea if I can find something he wants to do.

 

[Debbie7452]

My DS is 13 but has expressed an interest in a "Fathead" ie: big stick on sports figure picture for his bedroom wall. Actually, my son wanted a pic of his favorite college stadium KYLE FIELD!

 

[3boymthr]

We tend to go all out at Christmas. I don't buy the kids much "stuff" the rest of the year as extra tends to go to vacation and lessons/clubs (hockey, scouts etc.). The problem is my inlaws also tend to go all out at Christmas. As much as I appreciated the gesture it was at times overwhelming and obnoxious to see so many presents. The special items get lost in the shuffle. And the kids didn't ask for/want/or need half the stuff. So.. long story short we have asked that they give the gift of their TIME. A trip to the zoo, or the movies, an afternoon sledding or baking with Grandma. The kids LOVE it!!
My inlaws make coupons for the kids to redeem for these activities through the year. It's win/win for everyone. Maybe something like that would work?

It's a very nice idea but one we don't have to go for. Grandma and grandpa live down the street. He sees them at least twice a week as he can go there pretty much any time he wants.

 

[jimandami]

I do think an experience (maybe a concert) would be cool. If not, what about a nice remote control helicopter or airplane. They have all ranges of $ and some of them are pretty cool. He may be a little old for this one but my DS almost 8 is dying for air swimmers so we got him the shark and a helium tank. Although those are toys, they are a little different than legos and nerf guns.

 

[luvmy3]

A small flatscreen TV for his room
A Kindle or nook
inexpensive tablet
Favorite sports team winter coat
New room decor (comforter, lamp, etc)
Event ticket or lift ticket and ski or snowboard lesson
bike
skateboard, gear, ramp
basketball hoop

 

[Miandrea]

My nieces and nephews all have savings accounts and instead of buying gifts, I put $ into their accounts. We go to the bank together and once they have $500, we buy a savings bond. It's amazing how quickly this money adds up.

I would suggest taking the money and investing it.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

Snap circuits and solar projects are fun for "those" type of kids (my son is one!).

I also bought my son a flute (he loves all instruments) and some apps to learn guitar.

 

[malibuconlee]

http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Book-Boys-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0061243582/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323731790&sr=1-1

I"m getting my nephew this. He's 11. It has all kinds of random boy facts. Rugby rules, how to build things like a simple light.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

??? How did that become a possibility??? The OP has said nothing like that, but HAS said the Grandma got "really cool" gifts for the two older brothers.

I didn't say that---but acting as though a 9 year old was being "punished" because Grandma only spent $100 and folks are suggesting that a kid who has "Everything" could perhaps use the money elsewhere.

That said, I found your post to be the opposite extreme and suggestions were only made because the OP stated that her son had pretty much everything.

 

[crazyme5kids]

My 10 year old daughter has one of those money lock boxes with the trays for bills and coins. When my 13 year old son saw it he was all, "Hey how come I don't have one of those?"

So I got him one for Christmas, I think from Staples, it was only about $20.00, and I am going to put some cash in it. Maybe Grandma could give him a lock box and cash.

 

[storabelle]

I love the idea of time spent with Grandma! The folks in the Disign's are terrific in coming up with great certificates/ invitations. How about seeking their help for an actual gift to represent the event or activity that could be shared. It could be wrapped and then he and grandma could share an amazing year together making priceless memories! I wish my grandparents were still here to spend time with! Gifts are great, but time is something we can never have more of once our loved ones are gone.

 

[MomToOne]

I didn't say that---but acting as though a 9 year old was being "punished" because Grandma only spent $100 and folks are suggesting that a kid who has "Everything" could perhaps use the money elsewhere.

That said, I found your post to be the opposite extreme and suggestions were only made because the OP stated that her son had pretty much everything.

Since I quoted your exact post, I'm not sure what you "didn't say"

And the idea of "punishment" was a concpet you brought to the conversation, not me. I personally was thinking that the child - as a 9 year old - would simply feel it was unfair and he could even start to think he was less important to his grandparents as his siblings.

A gift to a charity is something you would give to an adult. Doing something like that for one child in a family, and not the others, is not something a 9 year old could properly appreciate and really understand. Their thought processes simply aren't there yet.

 

[StephMK]

DS9 also loves video games, legos & nerf guns. His gma gave him a guitar last year and he loves it. He will actually pick it up & play without being asked. He takes lessons through Arts for All, it is very reasonable and the teacher has been great. DS even taught himself a new song from the internet and now wants an amp for the second guitar his cousin passed down to him.

On his wish list -he really wants an x-box 360, Skylander wii game, Skyward wii game, Stratego board game, and a Snuggie. Our basement is cold! He would love a lift ticket to try skiing and likes a nearby funplex/water park. He is getting a Nook Color, he doesn't have a touch and I think he will use for reading and games.

How about animation stuff to make lego movies or stop motion? DD learned how in 6th grade and really loves it. I might get a book & some clay for her & DS to play around with this winter.

 

[kayrosek]

What about a bean bag chair or one of those gaming chairs with speakers in them that you can hook up to electronics. Something like this. http://www.giftdistrict.com/bomp3plgach.html

Does He like space? Maybe these type of things.
http://online.findgift.com/gift-ideas/pid-91135/
http://online.findgift.com/gift-ideas/pid-268535/
http://online.findgift.com/gift-ideas/pid-282200/

What about a microscope or telescope?

Would he have room for or like something like this floor air hockey set
http://online.findgift.com/gift-ideas/pid-205700/


You said he likes Comics. Would he be interested in a monthly subscription to a particular comic or perhaps some sort of comic related merchandise.

I'll keep thinking but that's all I can come up with right now.

 

[akcire]

A couple thoughts come to mind.....

A lionel Train Set or a Lego Train, both cool.

Start a coin collection. Either with US currency or a silver coin.

I saw at Toys R Us a Playmobile Secret Agent set. I am not sure what the intended age was, but I am a 30+ mom and I almost bought it for myself. It was awesome!