How do you keep Christmas magic alive for teenage boys?

[notagiraffe]

Hi

DSs have asked for money this year, and I'm happy with that, as they are saving up for things which they really want that cost the earth.

But I'd love to give them some thing small but that makes them go wow on the day. Budget for a handful of things is around £50 per child.

They have a stocking (included in the above budget!) filled with a tee-shirt, DVD, book, sweets, bath stuff, fireworks and stuff related to their hobbies.

But what might make their eyes light up? Either an activity or a fun present. I don't want the day to be flat because they've outgrown toys. And I want it to be something festive - just out of ideas right now.

Last year we went to the ice sculptures, circus and giant ferris wheel at Hyde Park Wonderland on Christmas Eve and they loved it, but they've outgrown that too.
What do you do to keep the magic alive for teens?

[Robbabank]

I admire your optimism but it's kind of a contradiction in terms isn't it? I mean they're teenagers. Boy ones at that. Isn't it part of the job description that they're above all that Christmas magic lark now?
What you've got lined up sounds really lovely and generous already and very thoughtful. I'm sure they'll be happy with money for their savings fund and a stocking full of nice bits. Other than that they will probably want to just be left to enjoy a 'do nothing' Christmas Day. Slob around and graze all day, listen to their new music/play games etx r whatever their into and turn up for the big meal. At least you can rely on the fact that they will probably do it justice and polish off all the food you've laid on.
If you're lucky, and persistent, you might be able to drag them out for a Christmas Day walk. Other than that I'd imagine they will be very teenagerish about it all and the best present from their parents would probably be to have no expectations of them whatsoever! (Apart from help

[Robbabank]

*apart from helping out pre and post Xmas lunch.

[Luggage16]

fun ways to fold money gifts :): www.pinterest.com/lad2lap/ways-to-give-money/

[melodyangel]

I buy DS1 lots of really bright silly sock and pants from top shop each year and fill his stocking with them. Only rule is there must be at least one pair with stars on.

We also always buy a pot of honey as he is completely obsessed with the stuff.

And a toothbrush!

I think the trick is to start new traditions early, around the time santa is no longer the main event and they look forward to the silly stuff.

Also it's great to get them a suprise ticket to something so a gig/ comedy show/ theatre whatever they are into really. We got tickets for him and his girlfriend when he was older.

Everyone comes and opens stockings on our bed on christmas morning but we still have a younger one.

Oh and food get them into the food and when they disappear off upstairs for most of the day don't worry they are teenagers it's what they do. They will come down when they are hungry.

[soontobeslendergirl]

what about a family game that is maybe a bit young or is pretty simple so you don't have to spend the day learing how to play it e.g. kerplunk or moustrap or something? Something that allows them to be kids again for a day.

if they have ipods, what about these:

www.iwantoneofthose.com/gift-gadgets/apptoyz-appblaster-augmented-reality-gaming-for-iphone/10532041.html

they probably wont get used much after Christmas day tbh, but my boys had fun chasing round with them last christmas - i think I got them on a deal somewhere for a fair bit less than this.

[Rubybrazilianwax]

Any males I know love a scaelectrix set.
Or how about a dart board set? Or a roulette casino set

[MyBoilsAreFab]

I feel your pain! Last year I got my Ds' various "novelty gifts" for their stockings like puzzles, top trumps etc, as well as giving them money/computer games etc. Some of them have not even been opened!

This year I am filling their stockings with band t-shirts, dayglo shoelaces, lynx, book, clip-on reading lights, bright coloured boxers and socks, sweets and dvds. Doesn't sound over exciting but at least it is all stuff they should like and use.

[Swanhilda]

I remember enjoying Christmas as a teenager because:

we watched good films (that was the 70's) together as a family
the food was better than normal (teenagers are v greedy)
we went to teenage parties then(teenagers love socialising with their peers, dressing up, showing off) One disco to look forward to, made Xmas.
the socialising was done for us, in the form of family meetups, lots of talk about, no pressure to be anything but a member of a tribe
I liked organising the presents and cards for my friends, making decorations, cooking stuff, festive buildup, outings
I liked crafty stuff and Christmas was a good excuse
There was no school, and we got to chill out

I don't especially remember the presents making me go WOW. Usually my parents gave me exactly what I didn't want or in the wrong size


It was really like being an adult in the sense that Xmas is not what you get from a store but you looked forward to the atmosphere, the carols, the events surrounding the Big Day.

[Swanhilda]

Okay, I wasn't a teenage boy, but had two brothers, and I think they felt the same way (without the craft) chopping wood, making pies, choosing presents, in charge of their own Xmas cards, talking to friends on phone in the holidays when everyone is stuck with their families. Chance to scrub up.

[Swanhilda]

Ds1 who is just 13 absolutely loved getting Lynx and clothes last year. He seems obsessed by his Calvin Klein spray "scent" and his music cds. I think he really likes the feeling of treats rather than toys or gadgets. He also adored getting a bean bag, more grownup stuff really, feeling his room was his den. Ds2 who has ASD and is 11 loved the rituals of Xmas, I don't think I realised to what extent families make their own rituals and how children/teens enjoy all that side..whether it's the Christmas Pjs, the special dessert, the table decs.

[notagiraffe]

Oh you lovely people, thank you for getting what I'm on about.

Boils - that's exactly what I'd have bought, (novelty stuff) so I won't do that. Thanks for the tip. Yes to band tee-shirts, dayglo laces etc - all that stuff is exactly right.

Brilliant ideas about wrapping money in interesting way. They wanted money for their birthdays and I put it in little chests full of gold coins, just to see them look puzzled when they expected an envelope.

Love the idea of tickets to gigs etc. that's exactly the sort of thing I had in mind, but they are still a tiny bit too young for that yet.

They definitely have started to love food. They just sit and feed all day long.

Bean bag and stuff for den like room is also a very good idea. Rock salt lamps maybe?

Maybe we do already have traditions and I've not quite realised. We always have home made chocolate log on Christmas Eve, which they help bake, and a special soup that my mum makes if she's around.

I might decorate the cat and guinea pig cage. They'd still get a buzz out of that sort of thing.

[Mellowandfruitful]

Near me, there is a skating rink that operates temporarily just in December - would they enjoy ice skating? You could go and do it as a family or maybe get them tickets to go with friends?

This sounds a bit worthy, I know, but how about helping out at a shelter over Christmas? That could be a new tradition now they are getting old enough to understand that some people aren't as lucky as them etc.

Lots of new films open on Boxing Day; how about making it a Boxing Day thing that you go to the cinema together and see one of the new blockbusters they'd enjoy? It's often a point when people are ready to shift out of the house after eating their own bodyweight as well.

[choccyp1g]

The "too cool for toys" sets in early.
DS was just 12 last christmas, and the presents that made his eyes light up were a gift set of Lynx, and a pack of Nandos spicy sauces.

Already, he expects his stocking to be full of FOOD. Chocolate orange, tub of twiglets, pack of peanuts, dried mango slices etc.

Are yours big enough to start shaving? I can see Ds being THRILLED when he's old enough to get his first pack of razers.

[MyBoilsAreFab]

I am going to get both my Ds' one of these, which I saw on the Christmas thread here. They will be ridiculously excited about them!
www.amazon.co.uk/Chill-Factor-Squeeze-Slushy-colours/dp/B00CBFSLVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383318980&sr=8-1&keywords=slushy%20cup&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Leeds2]

You could get them a driving experience. My DD did an off road 4 wheel drive experience when she was 13. I think they are offered at various venues throughout the country, but at the one she did you didn't have to be a certain age to participate but a certain height. She has also done road driving at Mercedes World, where they have a mock up of roads, roundabouts etc and the kids drive for an hour with an instructor. DD thoroughly enjoyed both.

[lilolilmanchester]

We watch a film as a family on Christmas afternoon, usually something just out on DVD that we didn't see at the cinema. Now they're older, we have a full English breakfast once everyone's up and Christmas dinner late afternoon. In some ways much more chilled than with little ones and the magic is in having family together for the day.

[MyBoilsAreFab]

I agree lilo - although I do miss the childlike excitement, I love that we have a chilled time, can all watch good films together, can have nice meals together but they can go off and do their own thing and help themselves to snacks etc, and they are generally in good moods because they are on holiday and they are being spoiled.

[FloresCircumdati]

This thread is really useful for my teenage girl too! I am struggling a bit.

[funnyossity]

Mine likes hot chocolate so there are always marshmallows and other bits for on top in the stocking.

[MyBoilsAreFab]

#good idea funny- I will get each of mine a cool mug and fill it with hot chocolate and toppings.

Another idea - DS1 usually gets a subscription for a sports mag he likes from my mum. He loves when it comes through the post every month.

[Parsnipcake]

Food and fizzy drinks in the stocking and a Kelly Brook calendar definitely works for my teen boys! ( will i get shot for that?)They like scratch cards too. We play poker for sweets and money later in the evening - they enjoy being adultish. I have 5 older teens and a tiny baby this year :( I am quite sad not to have children who will be super excited.

[way2serious]

Am finding this thread really helpful for ideas for my DS(nearly14). I wondered which Lynx 'flavours' are popular at the moment and also if there are any 'scents / aftershaves' that anyone would recommend for this age group?? He isn't shaving yet!

I will also be getting him some hair products (gel, wax etc) for his stocking.

Socks are an absolute standing Christmas joke in our house for the men so they are a necessity! Obviously lots of foody type treats will be there as well and we always have a board game and jigsaw.

He probably won't be getting a big pressie this year because we have preordered PS4. He has paid for at least half of it but we agreed that the rest would be for Christmas and Birthday present.

With regards traditions, we always go to the Panto on Boxing Day. DS was very negative about it a couple of years ago but we go to one in a major city which is more like a show and he will now grudgingly admit that he enjoys it!! We also drag him out for a walk in a local country park.

We often manage to get him to do thing he wouldn't normally because his gran stays with us for a couple of weeks over Christmas.

[MyBoilsAreFab]

My ds' like the Lynx that smells or is called something to do with chocolate, and also one called Africa. I avoid the ones called Excite etc!

Oh yes, joke socks are a must. Last year I got them monster feet slippers from Next and they love them.

way we are doing the same with DS1, his birthday is in November so a PS4 is a joint present along with him adding money into the cost. We are thinking of getting DS2 a gaming chair as main pressie. As if these aren't good, expensive main presents, I always end up spending a fortune on all the little things "so that they have things to open on the day" but I don't feel a bit guilty as we don't spend a fortune on them the rest of the year.

[worley]

Just bumping as I have same problem with my DS.. I've ordered the slushy cup! Thankyou to who posted that amazon link!

My ds15 still lives to build warhammer and disappears off to make that as soon as he is free!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

My DS is 14 next month. He's so difficult to buy for.
Doesn't bother about clothes.
Wouldn't recognise brands if they bit him.

If he looks co-ordinated it's because his sister has picked his clothes
He doesn't like 'warm' or 'puffy'
I buy him Lynx and M&S underwear - much to his disgust but he needs them.

We give him money, he saves it.
He's had an X-Box game for early birthday and a Young Driver lesson booked.
DD is a much easier person to buy for, she has her list written out and embraces everything from the shopping to the cooking.

Some of the nicest times over Christmas is the simple things.
Cinema and a MacDonalds.

Scraping raw cake out of the bowl after I've made fairy cakes.

Dr Who on Christmas Day after dinner, DS and DH snuggled on the sofa with some sweets. They critique the plots .

And for all the bravado and the teenage angst, he's still my little boy