Tween/Teen Christmas gifts

[dez1978]

What are you all getting 10-15 year old boys this year? My 10 yr old still believes, or pretends to, so the Santa illusion needs to remain lol. We live pretty rurally so experience gifts are hard since most stuff like trampoline parks etc, are an hour or more away. They wrestle and play football. The 13 yr old plays fortnite, and has a phone. Over the last couple years they have both gotten gaming setups and chairs and such. I'm at a loss. They have grown out of toys for the most part and have electronics. Just hoping to get ideas from others who are probably also thinking about the same thing

 

[sam_gordon]

What are you all getting 10-15 year old boys this year? My 10 yr old still believes, or pretends to, so the Santa illusion needs to remain lol. We live pretty rurally so experience gifts are hard since most stuff like trampoline parks etc, are an hour or more away. They wrestle and play football. The 13 yr old plays fortnite, and has a phone. Over the last couple years they have both gotten gaming setups and chairs and such. I'm at a loss. They have grown out of toys for the most part and have electronics. Just hoping to get ideas from others who are probably also thinking about the same thing

Jerseys of a player from their favorite team?
"Advanced" Legos?
XBox/Playstation Gift Cards?
Amazon Gift Cards?
Do they hunt or fish? Maybe something in that area?

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I don't have any good suggestions, but I'm in the same boat. Mine doesn't like any sports teams, no legos (advanced or not), no hunting/fishing, and I really hate to give a pile of gift cards, like maybe one or two is okay, but it doesn't seem like much to open.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I just saw this at Target Store but it is available now online .
Iggoled toy drones to find it but it is packaged by FAO Schwartz which is the exclusive toy store in the TomHanks movie BIG in New York City !
So the box is really nice priced at $50 .
If I had a child right now I would want them to become interested in drone technology because college classes are teaching this for the future .
The Navy even uses drones for their submarines …
You could be opening a whole new world with this gift from Santa .

 

[barkley]

not inexpensive BUT have you considered a VR headset? we live rural and thanks to starlink have good enough internet that my dh is addicted to VR exercise. there's a wealth of games that can be played as well as educational programs.

 

[Skippy918]

No clue what to get my 16yo son. I asked him if he wanted certain things and he’s like nope. He’s my frugal kid and it’s like pulling teeth to get him to buy new things. I’ve suggested a newer phone (he has an iPhone 7), mattress, clothes. He’s good with the stuff he has.
13yo daughter has a huge list.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

No clue what to get my 16yo son. I asked him if he wanted certain things and he’s like nope.

This is like mine. He wants absolutely nothing. He's a minimalist and removed all books, toys, stuffed animals, etc from his room several years ago. And it's hard enough for me to figure out what to give him, then grandparents want ideas too! Mine does like outdoor stuff and the national parks, so I usually get a sierra club or similar calendar. We're pretty big on consumable gifts at least between DH and I, so maybe I'll get DS a popcorn set with different types of kernels and seasonings. I do really like the drone idea above too.

 

[unrequited23]

So far I'm getting DS 12 (almost 13) an ice cream maker, a board game called "let's hit each other with foam swords", pattern socks, a Pearl River Mart friendship box, air dry clay and yet another hoodie.

The 10 yo is easier. I picked several books including the history of the world in maps, an earth & moon in orbit Lego set, a science of bread making kit, and an assortment of tea. He's asked for a snuggie and will probably get a new Xbox controller.

If you have kids into anime a subscription to Crunchyroll might be an idea. We use my stepbrother's login, so I have no clue what it costs. You do have to keep an eye on the content though.

 

[barkley]

If you have kids into anime a subscription to Crunchyroll might be an idea. We use my stepbrother's login, so I have no clue what it costs. You do have to keep an eye on the content though.

our anime fans also like subscriptions to hidive.

 

[EACarlson]

My 12 year old wants Lego and video games. I may be surprising him with a new system, that I would never think of using to play games myself.

 

[mmbrad02]

Anyone with girls in a similar boat? Mine just turned 14 and isn't into clothes at all except for shoes - but she is soooo dang picky about her shoes, has tiny feet, and therefore it makes it hard to find anything that really suits her in that arena. Somehow I thought we would be into name brands by now and I would buy one pair of Lululemon leggings and be done - haha.

For her birthday (October - doesn't help that they are so close) she saved part and we contributed part and she got a new iPad. It was one that Amazon was selling for $189, not the newest version, but newer than she had, and didn't have the cracked screen hers had.

So on that note I considered an Apple watch for Christmas, as the main gift. She has mentioned one but it's not like something she mentions often (the ipad was). Any of your teens have one? Do they use it or does it sit on the dresser?

I'm like others and need ideas to share with THREE sets of grandparents too, so it starts feeling materialistic and silly after a while but at the same time I truly love that Christmas morning excitement so I don't want to become scrooge either just because she is getting plenty from the grandparents.

So far I've gotten her a decent size Lego set, a couple of duck related toys (I grew up always getting a toy for Christmas even as I became a teenager so I've tried to continue it - and she loves ducks), some Robux Giftcards, an Owala water bottle, and a sucker box from Sams (I bought it for younger cousins and when it came in she truly said she wished she had something like that). So if I go the watch route, she may be finished except for her stocking. Or at least close.

I know one set of grandparents is getting her a nightstand for her room (she is currently using a small table but wants something nicer), possibly another water bottle, maybe a pair of Nike Blazers if she can find a pair she likes and fits. No idea about the other two sets, they will want ideas but haven't really inquired yet.

 

[Silvermist999]

Anyone with girls in a similar boat? Mine just turned 14 and isn't into clothes at all except for shoes - but she is soooo dang picky about her shoes, has tiny feet, and therefore it makes it hard to find anything that really suits her in that arena. Somehow I thought we would be into name brands by now and I would buy one pair of Lululemon leggings and be done - haha.

For her birthday (October - doesn't help that they are so close) she saved part and we contributed part and she got a new iPad. It was one that Amazon was selling for $189, not the newest version, but newer than she had, and didn't have the cracked screen hers had.

So on that note I considered an Apple watch for Christmas, as the main gift. She has mentioned one but it's not like something she mentions often (the ipad was). Any of your teens have one? Do they use it or does it sit on the dresser?

I'm like others and need ideas to share with THREE sets of grandparents too, so it starts feeling materialistic and silly after a while but at the same time I truly love that Christmas morning excitement so I don't want to become scrooge either just because she is getting plenty from the grandparents.

So far I've gotten her a decent size Lego set, a couple of duck related toys (I grew up always getting a toy for Christmas even as I became a teenager so I've tried to continue it - and she loves ducks), some Robux Giftcards, an Owala water bottle, and a sucker box from Sams (I bought it for younger cousins and when it came in she truly said she wished she had something like that). So if I go the watch route, she may be finished except for her stocking. Or at least close.

I know one set of grandparents is getting her a nightstand for her room (she is currently using a small table but wants something nicer), possibly another water bottle, maybe a pair of Nike Blazers if she can find a pair she likes and fits. No idea about the other two sets, they will want ideas but haven't really inquired yet.

Both of my kids have Apple Watches. My son loved his from day one, used all the features. My daughter got hers before him and she wasn’t really into it, kept “forgetting” to wear it, insisted she could just use her phone to tell time. Why? I suspected because nobody she knew from school had one. She didn’t want to be unique. Fast forward a couple years, soon more classmates got them, the same version she had but at a much cheaper price! only then did she start to wear hers more. So if your daughter mentions it as something she really wants, for the fitness features,etc. then get it, otherwise save money and get an older version in the future.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Anyone with girls in a similar boat? Mine just turned 14 and isn't into clothes at all except for shoes - but she is soooo dang picky about her shoes, has tiny feet, and therefore it makes it hard to find anything that really suits her in that arena. Somehow I thought we would be into name brands by now and I would buy one pair of Lululemon leggings and be done - haha.

For her birthday (October - doesn't help that they are so close) she saved part and we contributed part and she got a new iPad. It was one that Amazon was selling for $189, not the newest version, but newer than she had, and didn't have the cracked screen hers had.

So on that note I considered an Apple watch for Christmas, as the main gift. She has mentioned one but it's not like something she mentions often (the ipad was). Any of your teens have one? Do they use it or does it sit on the dresser?

I'm like others and need ideas to share with THREE sets of grandparents too, so it starts feeling materialistic and silly after a while but at the same time I truly love that Christmas morning excitement so I don't want to become scrooge either just because she is getting plenty from the grandparents.

So far I've gotten her a decent size Lego set, a couple of duck related toys (I grew up always getting a toy for Christmas even as I became a teenager so I've tried to continue it - and she loves ducks), some Robux Giftcards, an Owala water bottle, and a sucker box from Sams (I bought it for younger cousins and when it came in she truly said she wished she had something like that). So if I go the watch route, she may be finished except for her stocking. Or at least close.

I know one set of grandparents is getting her a nightstand for her room (she is currently using a small table but wants something nicer), possibly another water bottle, maybe a pair of Nike Blazers if she can find a pair she likes and fits. No idea about the other two sets, they will want ideas but haven't really inquired yet.

My daughter will be 14 next week. One thing she has asked for which I think is a great present is the Fuji Film Insta max camera. Other things - she is into lip balms (like lanegie) she is also really into capybaras (for some really weird reason) so got her some crazy slippers. Are her ears pierced? maybe some fun earrings.

 

[Travel60]

We are in to experience gifts. Tickets to a play or concert or sporting event. Annual pass to local gym, amusement park, zoo, pool.

 

[unrequited23]

she got a new iPad.

We got an apple pencil and pro-create for Christmas when the birthday present was an ipad. My son used his birthday money for wireless ear buds (not airpods.)

 

[AZMermaid]

No clue what to get my 16yo son. I asked him if he wanted certain things and he’s like nope. He’s my frugal kid and it’s like pulling teeth to get him to buy new things. I’ve suggested a newer phone (he has an iPhone 7), mattress, clothes. He’s good with the stuff he has.
13yo daughter has a huge list.

Mine are 14 and 12 and same. I could just spin around in Sephora like I’m about to whack a piñata and my daughter will be done! My son…. Ugh. I got him the Lego Spider-Man head when it was on sale, but even that feels like it’s just to fill the tree. He has a very part time job and buys himself the few things he wants (3D printer and Apple Watch). I do plan to get him AirPods. But he’s going to his first travel swim meet in early December and asked for them early. I’m okay with that but also like nooooo! I have no cheaper/smaller ideas! Plus family asks for ideas too. So basically- following.

 

[AZMermaid]

My daughter found on Amazon a thing where you can send in a photograph and they will turn it into an art project where you fill in different color dots. She also wants the Instax photo printer and a new lululemon belt bag. She has a white one and it’s gets so dirty! She also wants Ugg slippers. I got her an Aviator Nation sweatshirt on sale. She’s not getting all those things but those are some non makeup things on her list!

 

[neverlandsky]

Besides cash, PJ bottoms, socks, underwear, Bath & Body Works products, personal grooming kits, toothbrush, razors and razor refills have always been a hit in our household. Kids are adults and they still ask for this every year.

 

[slo]

What I used to do with my girls is I took them to the mall to look for something for them - jeans, shoes or whatever I could think of to get them to the mall. As we would meander around, they’d ask to go look into stores, and as they’d look at something and express a desire for it, I’d take a picture of it the minute they’d start to walk away from it. It could be bigger items or something small for a stocking stuffer. Then I’d return soon after to get it. On Christmas Day they’d always be so excited because they weren’t expecting me to remember. Now my girls are moved out and one is 2 1/2 hours away, so this doesn’t work anymore, but it was a great system for awhile

 

[Frozen Canuck]

We bought our 12 year-old a balance board and he used that thing for YEARS (all through high school). We still have it and the youngest makes use of it. This isn't the exact model, but it gives you an idea. There are two separate parts. It is not just a rocker board. https://www.amazon.com/Sportneer-Balance-Board-Adjustable-Balancing/dp/B0CJV11YQF?th=1

You could also consider board games. We LOVE one called Project L. https://www.amazon.com/Project-Strategy-Players-Playtime-Mixlore/dp/B08R7MX8MX

A game that your older son might enjoy is Box One, which was done by Neil Patrick Harris. It is for one single person, so he wouldn't need others around to play. https://www.amazon.com/Board-Game-Presented-Patrick-Harris/dp/B08QR394V6/142-9135747-9082327

All of my kids have loved to receive soft blankets in whatever style suits them.

I like to give my kids a book every year. Sometimes it is a novel or book set, other times it is a book based on an interest, like a cookbook. Graphic novels are great and there are many to choose from now.

I also try to look for different sorts of items that can still be considered "fun," like colour-changing lights strips for their room, or a Night Ize bug light, or a Leatherman (when they are old enough to be responsible for a multi-tool.

Does anyone need a new backpack? The Osprey 26 + 6 gets great reviews on Reddit "one bag."

I'm just tossing a few ideas out there that quickly came to mind. I will let you know if I think of any others.