Please Help with 12 year old boy inexpensive gift ideas

[Sandy61]

At that age, my son got Guinness Book of World Records and all the boys in the family huddled around it to read with him.

 

[sweet maxine]

Another idea is to take lots of pictures during his visit. Surprise him after his visit with a late Christmas gift... A photo book from snapfish or whoever is running a great special. Better yet, make two copies of the book... One for him and one for his dad so they can look at it together over the phone. When you make extra copies of the same book, it's usually not to much more for the extra copies.

At that age, my son got Guinness Book of World Records and all the boys in the family huddled around it to read with him.

The photo book is a wonderful idea. I especially like the idea that dad and son could talk about it over the phone (if it's allowed on the other end).

+1 on the Guiness book. We have that one, and it is a gem! Another book that has been well-loved here is the 5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) (National Geographic Kids). Maybe even a book light to go with it, too. I've seen those at Dollar Tree and at Walmart.

A couple of more ideas:

* headlamp--- I've seen those almost anywhere. You can probably find them for around $5 or so.

* para-cord with directions for making those cool bracelets---or even the bracelet already made

* Nerf football---to throw with Dad and the family

I hope that you are finding some goodies to make his Christmas with your family special. Remember, hugs and a welcoming smile go a long way, and are free!

Best wishes!

 

[photogal06]

I just spent 2 days working the Salvation Army Distribution Day in our area, and I'll tell you, the parents of 12-year-olds struggled with what to get them...it's such a hard age to buy for! Some ideas based on what I saw:

Age-appropriate Lego sets

Remote-controlled cars and airplanes (would have to be small to fit in his suitcase)

Books or a gift card to a book store if you know he's a reader

Hoodies, especially with local or favorite sports team logos on them

Basketballs, footballs, soccer balls (he might not be able to take them home but could at least play with them while he's with you.)

Handheld games (not necessarily electronic)...we had a skee-ball type game that was really popular.

Hope some of that helps...you've gotten a lot of great ideas on this thread. Have a great holiday!

 

[Gorechick]

If this boy was sent on his own and we don't know how trustworthy the mom is, I wouldn't send him back with expensive electronics that could get stolen or conveniently lost.

 

[rt2dz]

Well, that's hard. At that age many have left behind toys such as Legos (I know mine has!) and size (clothes) can be a major issue since they are totally developing their own sense of style. If you don't know the 12 year old well. It's very hard, if not impossible. I know mine asked for some clothes, a pair of Beats, a few books and then google play cards and iTunes cards.

I would go with gift cards. I would think experiences should happen too, just as a bonding/getting to re-know you thing. If you do know he is into sports, try a new football or an over the door basketball hoop for his room. Things don't have to go back on the plane, you can ship them.

I also wouldn't rule out a tablet of some sort, with an email address so that you can communicate and don't lose touch for another 5 years. Get him a nice safe (with a combo lock) to keep it in. All my kids have one that locks to a bed post, the type used for dorm rooms, that hold laptops, tablets, etc. It will keep an untrustworthy mom from getting into it the way mine can keep their siblings out of their special stuff. FYI--for my kids, I do have the combo, but I respect their privacy until they give me reason to be suspicious.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[3boymthr]

I have an 11 yo and a 13 yo. In the last year on the relatively inexpensive/not electronic side they have wanted:

hoodies (Under Armor was HUGE, but any will do)
picket knives
DVDs
RC Car/Helicopter
playing cards/Uno
paracord for making survival bracelets
anything and everything camo - especially BDU Pants
headlamps
flashlights
FOOD - they eat like they are going to starve to death - especially the 13 yo
Gift Cards for experiences - This year they are going to the Archery Lanes, Snow Tubing, the movies, and later on in the summer Water Wizz (the water park seen in Grown Ups)
Airsoft Guns
Nerf Guns

 

[lisaross]

NIKE Elite Socks - about $15.00
Basketball
Axe cologne/spray
Mc Donalds gift card

I am completely done shopping. Or so I thought. My 12 year old stepson just came to visit (no one knew he was coming). I have no idea what to get him. We bought him an outfit and some shoes ($110.00). Compared to what I got my own kids I just don't feel like I got him enough. His mother is not getting him anything. She sent him here without telling us he was coming. We found out he was here from my mother n law (who didn't know until the last minute) anyways Christmas is in two days and I have no idea what to get a 12 year old boy. He likes video games but he doesn't have a television so no video games. He is from Texas so it has to be things that he can take back on the plane.

 

[lisaross]

I hope he has the best Christmas being with your family...

 

[LJSquishy]

You haven't specified an actual budget but a lot of the suggestions already mentioned are great inexpensive ideas, such as:

Nerf gun
RC Car/Helicopter
Hoodie
Experiences with your family (Mini golf, movie theater, laser tag, etc)
Books (Definitely get the Guinness World Records book, he will love it!)
Sketch book & colored pencils

I would probably shy away from gift cards because at 12 years old he has to rely on someone to take him to spend his gift cards. It sounds like he may not have the best home environment or have a parent willing to do that.

I'd get him a board game or two, or even something fun like a Bop It, Perplexus, or Rubik's 360. Something he can play/do by himself in case he doesn't have friends to play with (or family members who will play with him).

A razo scooter or ripstik or soul skate would go over well I'm sure. They have all different price points.

Maybe a dvd like Avengers?

The Mythbusters science kits are popular with kids in his age range.

Funny little things like silly putty, gross flavored jelly beans (like the ones that taste like grass, boogers, vomit, etc), laser key chain, etc would probably go over well with him for his stocking.

I agree with one person that mentioned being willing to ship his gifts to his house after Christmas if they don't all fit in his suitcase (or provide him with a checked bag/box for the plane).

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

You haven't specified an actual budget but a lot of the suggestions already mentioned are great inexpensive ideas, such as:

Nerf gun
RC Car/Helicopter
Hoodie
Experiences with your family (Mini golf, movie theater, laser tag, etc)
Books (Definitely get the Guinness World Records book, he will love it!)
Sketch book & colored pencils

I would probably shy away from gift cards because at 12 years old he has to rely on someone to take him to spend his gift cards. It sounds like he may not have the best home environment or have a parent willing to do that.

I'd get him a board game or two, or even something fun like a Bop It, Perplexus, or Rubik's 360. Something he can play/do by himself in case he doesn't have friends to play with (or family members who will play with him).

A razo scooter or ripstik or soul skate would go over well I'm sure. They have all different price points.

Maybe a dvd like Avengers?

The Mythbusters science kits are popular with kids in his age range.

Funny little things like silly putty, gross flavored jelly beans (like the ones that taste like grass, boogers, vomit, etc), laser key chain, etc would probably go over well with him for his stocking.

I agree with one person that mentioned being willing to ship his gifts to his house after Christmas if they don't all fit in his suitcase (or provide him with a checked bag/box for the plane).

Perplexus is a great idea, I forgot about that, all of my kids love it!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

A court order granting you & DH full custody.

 

[eatatmidnight]

My 12 year old is into sports, video games and cooking. I know broad spectrum. One thing we have been doing more and more with the kids is experiences. Since you haven't seen him or had contact with him is there something he would like to do with you? Like a basketball game or a hockey game? Maybe go to a laser tag place or day pass at an indoor waterpark. Something he will remember doing with you instead of getting things? I know you were not expecting him so these things might not be in the budget but he might enjoy them.

I agree with this poster. There are lots of things you can put in a box and wrap but no gift is a special as the gift of time together. Hoping that this is his (and your) most special Christmas ever.

 

[Zydebearsmom]

OP HERE! Thank you for the responses. I ended up getting him a wallet and I am putting $25.00 in it, Axe cologne, a watch, and some stocking stuffers. I am still not happy being that my 3 kids got iPhones and a 3DS but my husband doesn't want to spend money on anything electronic that can be taken by his mom and given to her boyfriend or his little brother. A little background info: my stepson lives with his mom, moms bf, and his little brother. The little brother-4 year old has everything such as: a computer, xbox, and a tv in his room. While by dss only has a tv and a desk. My husband and I have been separated for 6 months and just got back together during Thanksgiving we are trying to work out our problems fr our children. That is why my kids have so much more because I was not with my husband when I bought all of those items. Dh hopes to talk to dss mom to see if we can keep him. But he has to do it thru my mother n law because dss mom wont return any of dh calls. She allows her bf to mistreat dss. It makes me sad so we are working on trying to get him. She also didn't get him anything for Christmas she sent him here so she can have a "nice" Christmas with her bf and her younger son (which is his son).

 

[NYCDiane]

OP HERE! Thank you for the responses. I ended up getting him a wallet and I am putting $25.00 in it, Axe cologne, a watch, and some stocking stuffers. I am still not happy being that my 3 kids got iPhones and a 3DS but my husband doesn't want to spend money on anything electronic that can be taken by his mom and given to her boyfriend or his little brother. A little background info: my stepson lives with his mom, moms bf, and his little brother. The little brother-4 year old has everything such as: a computer, xbox, and a tv in his room. While by dss only has a tv and a desk. My husband and I have been separated for 6 months and just got back together during Thanksgiving we are trying to work out our problems fr our children. That is why my kids have so much more because I was not with my husband when I bought all of those items. Dh hopes to talk to dss mom to see if we can keep him. But he has to do it thru my mother n law because dss mom wont return any of dh calls. She allows her bf to mistreat dss. It makes me sad so we are working on trying to get him. She also didn't get him anything for Christmas she sent him here so she can have a "nice" Christmas with her bf and her younger son (which is his son).

This is so, so sad!

I hope you and your DH can get full custody of him. He deserves to be with a family that loves him and will treat him well.

 

[jenineh]

OP HERE! Thank you for the responses. I ended up getting him a wallet and I am putting $25.00 in it, Axe cologne, a watch, and some stocking stuffers. I am still not happy being that my 3 kids got iPhones and a 3DS but my husband doesn't want to spend money on anything electronic that can be taken by his mom and given to her boyfriend or his little brother. A little background info: my stepson lives with his mom, moms bf, and his little brother. The little brother-4 year old has everything such as: a computer, xbox, and a tv in his room. While by dss only has a tv and a desk. My husband and I have been separated for 6 months and just got back together during Thanksgiving we are trying to work out our problems fr our children. That is why my kids have so much more because I was not with my husband when I bought all of those items. Dh hopes to talk to dss mom to see if we can keep him. But he has to do it thru my mother n law because dss mom wont return any of dh calls. She allows her bf to mistreat dss. It makes me sad so we are working on trying to get him. She also didn't get him anything for Christmas she sent him here so she can have a "nice" Christmas with her bf and her younger son (which is his son).

Maybe while he is with you your husband can call the mother and just see if maybe he can stay. This story is so sad. I feel for this little boy. You did good with what you bought him and sounds like it's more then he would have gotten at his home. And if he does get to stay maybe at some point he can get his own iPhone and ds. I wish your family a Very Merry Christmas!

 

[dpswift]

I hope you are having a great Christmas. Do the other kids have old DSs? I am sure he would have fun playing them if the others got 3ds.

I would spend as much time as possible with him. He most likely needs that more than "things"