Urgent gift help - 16 and 13 year old sons!

[gifthelp]

Have NCed for this as otherwise I am quite identifiable.

We were due to go skiing today but FIL who is local to us died yesterday so we have needed to cancel. Both DSs, 16 and 13, have been amazingly good about the cancellation and equally upset about FIL. We had already warned them that skiing was their main christmas present and they were getting some ski stuff - goggles, gloves etc - as the presents before we left. Now we are home and I'm not sure how their ski gifts are going to go down as it's highly unlikely we will get to do that holiday this year. We also now have some extra budget for gifts as we will get the holiday costs refunded and we hadn't paid for any lessons, hire, passes etc yet. Soooo, long story short - anyone got any ideas of what to buy - either available in the stores or maybe with express delivery/Amazon Prime. They have probably enough technology, phones and PS games but anything else very welcome! Help! And thank you!

[Nothavingfunrightnow]

Branded hoodies or tee-shirts
after shave
portable dvd player
vouchers
books
watch
camera
man bag
wallet

[PrincessOfChina]

If they're reasonably active how about a FitBit Flex? They could have competitions with one another and sync to their phones etc.

[gifthelp]

Thank you, hadn't considered vouchers - good idea! Also liking Fitbit (I have one) and watch idea. Think I have to brave the shopping centre now!

[Ohmygrood]

Headphones - my ds's are always needing new ones. I don't know what they do with them!

[NapoleonsNose]

I've bought my 15 year old DS clothes, a bluetooth speaker and some trendy headphones this year.

[velourvoyageur]

Oh OP, so sorry for your loss, how difficult at this time of year.

Headphones are a great idea (and they keep your ears warm!). I love my Urban Ears ones, Sennheiser are meant to be good too.

Stuff from Zara man, American Apparel, Topman etc.

Eau de cologne

Voucher for shoes/coat, so they can get something a bit more trendy and expensive

Posters from HMV

Netflix subscription/stack of DVDs

Nice pen, if either of them would like that sort of thing

Bracelet (ankle/wrist), cufflinks, earrings, belts

Eurostar ticket or plane tickets for the 16 year old for after his exams

Cinema pass

Whiskey miniature for 16 year old

One of those big glossy book in Waterstones on a particular subject they like or a place

[Bowlersarm]

Sad about your FIL op.

My three teen boys are getting in no particular order, in addition to their main presents:-

Nice leather belt
Wallet
Identity bracelet
Hilfiger jumper
Topman t-shirts
Sweet dispenser thing
I tunes vouchers
PS3/Xbox games
Uggs slippers
Books, specifically manga
Smellie gift sets
Designer boxers

[SueDunome]

Driving experience day for 16 year old.

[Chottie]

I have DNs the same age as your sons.

I bought DN 16 a Hollister V neck jumper and DN 13 asked for a magazine subscription and I also bought him a bike cleaning kit.

[DeeCayed]

Sorry to hear of your fils passing Have you not got a ski slope near where you could maybe get them some lessons booked?

What about paint balling or another experience?

[serin]

How awful for you all

Since they like being outdoors would they like kayaks? we got a couple for our DS's age 14 and 12 and the have never been out of them whatever the weather.

Money is tight for us this year so we are going skiing at half term in Scotland, would that be an option?

Merlin pass?

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

Do you have a Menkind near you? They have excellent presents for boys that age.

[Gillybobs]

My boys are the exact same age. As well as their main gift their parcels include

Football strip
Converse
Ear buds/phones
Clothes from their favourite brands Superdry, Jack and Jones
Brushed cotton PJ Trousers
Aftershave and skincare
Books
Fake moustaches, sweets and daft socks in their stockings

[Redglitter]

I got my 12 year old niece a driving lesson. There are a few young driver schemes you can pay for a half hour or hour lesson.

Good practise for the eldest if he's getting a license soon. The younger one would probably love the novelty value. you can pay online and print off the gift voucher. I've put hers in a gift box so it's still a proper present to open

[Rivercam]

iTunes voucher
Memory stick
Hoodies/t shirts
CDs
DVDs
Toiletry sets
Books
Sweets, chocolates
Stuff to do with any hobbies. Eg running socks if they like running,

[FrancisdeSales]

If either of them are into Minecraft I bought a great book this Christmas for my son called Blockopedia published by Egmont. It has every single block in the game (which is the game, everything is made from blocks) telling you all the qualities, tips and short cuts. It is high quality and comes in a presentation box - all very nifty.

I am convinced it will be DS's favorite Xmas gift. It's half price on Amazon at 15 squid.

I also got him the Minecraft light up torch from ThinkGeek. (Replica of the one in the game).

[Chillycamper]

Hi
Do you have a Waitrose near you? John Lewis do a great click and collect service to waitrose and you'd still have time.
Some ideas here:
www.johnlewis.com/christmas/for-teenage-boys/c60000948

[SilasGreenback]

What about a GoPro? Brilliant to use for future ski trips but also lots of fun to record doing other stuff. They are not cheap, but then nor are ski lessons, passes and ski rentals!

[gifthelp]

Thank you so much all of you for the help! I think you have given me enough gift ideas for a few years!

Got DS1 the Fitbit which will be a great gift for him as a fitness freak (and some £20 Converse which I picked up in Jones the Bootmaker sale) and am sorting DS2 some stuff from JL via Waitrose Click n Collect. Having to stop DH from going overboard with all the money he thinks he has "saved" from not going skiing! Suggested to him we were very lucky to have been going in the first place and have healthy kids who haven't once moaned about the fact that they should now be on the slopes and actually would be fitting to put some money towards the local food bank or something like that.

Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas.