Stumped for Birthday Gift

[kathy87]

I need some great ideas for my DS 16th birthday. Just a little background...
He has a cellphone, ipod, and a xbox. A car is not an option!!

TIA

 

[mrudman]

Without knowing what his interests are, what about an IPad or laptop?

Since he'll be heading off to college in the next couple yrs, these would probably be really beneficial to him.

 

[kathy87]

Thanks for replying so quickly. Not bad ideas just not sure if it is in the budget. He will be a sophmore in high school and I have been hesitant to buy a laptop now when he will probably need a better one for college. He does love sports, video games and he is a great student.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I would look into taking him to a sporting event.

 

[Disney845]

If he plays any sport, how about some nice new equipment?

Or as a PP suggested, how about tickets to see a sporting event?

 

[furb & dez]

Put money in his/her college fund. Kids that age don't need things, and if they do, they can earn the money for it themselves.

 

[puffkin]

I would look into taking him to a sporting event.

Yup, thats what I would do!

 

[tweedlemom]

Will he be driving your car? Get him a gas card so he doesn't have to pay money out of his own pocket to fill it up when he borrows it.

 

[Sandi]

My daughter is 16 and will be turning 17 in October. She loves to shop and do things with her friends (ice-skating, movies, lunch out, etc.). The best thing for her is making a deposit in her checking account so she can use her debit card to cover stuff she wants. She babysits, is a good student, is in sports, takes dance classes, and is a wonderful person. (I'm biased.) She doesn't get everything she wants, but likes to have money to be able to make choices.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Are there any activities in the area that he enjoys that you could get him passes for, maybe a couple different activities? My DS would like gift cards for paintball, indoor skydiving, a sporting event, movie tickets, ice or roller skating, ziplining, things like that.

Don't forget fast food gift cards, gamestop, and of course, cash.

ETA: My DS is turning 14 next week and I have gotten to the point where he knows my budget for gifts and makes me a wishlist. It's not as fun, but at least that way I get what he wants. I will throw in a couple suprises, too, he knows he won't necessarily get everything on the list, but it gives me an idea of what he's thinking about. It's especially helpful because he has a tendancy to save up his allowance/mowing money and buy what he wants (which is great, but makes shopping for him harder) so that way I don't buy something he's planning on getting himself.