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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask for help choosing a Christmas gift for my 10 yo nephew

36 replies

NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 17:51

He loves all things gaming (esp. Fortnite and Minecraft) and V Bucks went down well for his birthday, but I'd like to get him something that isn't gaming related. However, I gave him a beautifully thought through set of gift vouchers for experiences + outings with me last year and he hasn't 'cashed in' any of them. I think he's becoming a little tween now. Any ideas??

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Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 11/11/2024 20:48

JumpstartMondays · 11/11/2024 19:55

https://www.wickeduncle.co.uk/presents/boys/age-10

This website always gives me a good starting point for ideas

Will have a look, thank you.

I spent WAY too long on the Mankind website last night due to this thread!

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Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 11/11/2024 20:47

Invisimamma · 11/11/2024 19:50

My ds was into Minecraft Lego when he was aged 6-8. Now at 10 he'd find those a bit boring and babyish.
He had some of the massive £100+ builds too, not just the simple small sets. Every kid is difficult by my 10yr old has outgrown those types of lego.

Show quote history

Yeah, I did reflect on this one actually. I bought him a lot of the Super Mario Lego a couple of years back. He loved it but it was so expensive and I'm pretty sure he has long since outgrown it. Might be best to avoid a repeat.

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Chan9eusername · 11/11/2024 20:12

Experience gifts are so hard. Ds family buy a lot of them and they are quite random and require us to spend a lot to get there.

The ones we've been given often have restrictions on which dates or times are offered, between jobs & kids hobbies its difficult to find a time that works. They also often require a bit of planning. Eg last year DSIL bought one for DH which was a ticket for 2 adults to do a 2 hour experience only available between 9 & 4 on saturdays, in a city an hour away.

To actually do it would have cost us £40 in baby sitters and £40 for return train fare. It was a walking tour thing we'd never expressed any particular interest in. If we'd been childfree living in the city in question we'd have happily booked & enjoyed it, but we just never managed.

persisted · 11/11/2024 20:03

Have a look at the Science museum online shop, lots of kits to make cool stuff - fancy building your own remote control spider?😆
Also technic lego.

Newuser75 · 11/11/2024 19:54

Some things my 11 year old son likes
Bubble tea set
Nerf machine gun
Books
Football things such as shin pads, goalie gloves

Invisimamma · 11/11/2024 19:50

WingsofRain · 10/11/2024 19:37

There are both Fortnite and Minecraft Lego sets out now, they look great and are a super communal but games related activity that doesn’t involve a screen.

My ds was into Minecraft Lego when he was aged 6-8. Now at 10 he'd find those a bit boring and babyish.
He had some of the massive £100+ builds too, not just the simple small sets. Every kid is difficult by my 10yr old has outgrown those types of lego.

AnneButNotHathaway · 11/11/2024 08:26

I agree about sticking with a gaming gift. You can get him a good mouse or maybe even a headset, there are also video editors that are suitable for gaming video making if he does it.

Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 19:40

WingsofRain · 10/11/2024 19:37

There are both Fortnite and Minecraft Lego sets out now, they look great and are a super communal but games related activity that doesn’t involve a screen.

This is great too!

I now have a lot to choose between - this will be hard (in a good way)!

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WingsofRain · 10/11/2024 19:37

There are both Fortnite and Minecraft Lego sets out now, they look great and are a super communal but games related activity that doesn’t involve a screen.

Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 19:33

Squidgemoon · 10/11/2024 19:12

@Invisimamma thank you for drawing Lush Minecraft bath bombs to my attention, my DS will love these!

OP have a look at the Menkind website, my DS has loved some of the gaming themed bits from there (lamps for his room etc) as well as some of the random but fun stuff like the Candy Grabber:
https://www.menkind.co.uk/candy-grabber

Ooh this would definitely go down well!

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Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 19:26

Invisimamma · 10/11/2024 19:16

My ds would love that, a few different kinds, with some marshmallows and sprinkles and toppers in a kind of hamper would be lovely. Maybe add in some popcorn and a dvd, fleece blanket or gamer themed PJs for a movie night.

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Ooh, I like it! Thanks @Invisimamma

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Invisimamma · 10/11/2024 19:16

NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 18:58

Interesting - someone also mentioned the velvetier, which I think they already have. Perhaps he would like some chocolate to go in it.

Show quote history

My ds would love that, a few different kinds, with some marshmallows and sprinkles and toppers in a kind of hamper would be lovely. Maybe add in some popcorn and a dvd, fleece blanket or gamer themed PJs for a movie night.

Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 19:12

Marblesbackagain · 10/11/2024 19:07

Regards the experience voucher ask him to pick between a couple of dates. Tends to work with my ten nearly 11 year old.

I think he feels its a little cheeky to ask even though the voucher/cost is gifted. Not sure of I am explaining it well but I know when my sister says shall we go this sat or next sat for example he engaged.

@Marblesbackagain that's helpful, thank you

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Squidgemoon · 10/11/2024 19:12

@Invisimamma thank you for drawing Lush Minecraft bath bombs to my attention, my DS will love these!

OP have a look at the Menkind website, my DS has loved some of the gaming themed bits from there (lamps for his room etc) as well as some of the random but fun stuff like the Candy Grabber:
https://www.menkind.co.uk/candy-grabber

Candy Grabber

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this Candy Grabber featuring real arcade music. comes with plastic coins so you don't have to spend money.

https://www.menkind.co.uk/candy-grabber

Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 19:11

MumonabikeE5 · 10/11/2024 19:05

Why didn’t you sibling/his parent arrange for him to do any of the activities?

Show quote history

I have offered quite a few times, I just don't want to push him if he isn't really keen. We did go for one which he asked for. Since then he just shrugs if I ask. The first one was the big ticket item on the list!

OP posts:
Marblesbackagain · 10/11/2024 19:07

Regards the experience voucher ask him to pick between a couple of dates. Tends to work with my ten nearly 11 year old.

I think he feels its a little cheeky to ask even though the voucher/cost is gifted. Not sure of I am explaining it well but I know when my sister says shall we go this sat or next sat for example he engaged.

MumonabikeE5 · 10/11/2024 19:05

NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 17:51

He loves all things gaming (esp. Fortnite and Minecraft) and V Bucks went down well for his birthday, but I'd like to get him something that isn't gaming related. However, I gave him a beautifully thought through set of gift vouchers for experiences + outings with me last year and he hasn't 'cashed in' any of them. I think he's becoming a little tween now. Any ideas??

Why didn’t you sibling/his parent arrange for him to do any of the activities?

IAmNeverThePerson · 10/11/2024 19:03

Matches
firecrackers

IAmNeverThePerson · 10/11/2024 19:03

Toasting marshmallow kit
Cadburys chocolate

IAmNeverThePerson · 10/11/2024 19:02

10? Things my dc liked at that age

fidget toys
Percy Jackson books (if he likes books)
Guinness book of records- regardless of whether he likes books
Lego
programmable anything
panettoni
penknife
torch - head torch - blind your mother torch.
onsies

Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 19:00

Rewis · 10/11/2024 18:24

I just ask my brother what I should buy and he tells me. Then I buy sowm hot coco cause that's our thing.

In the past years I've participated into buying tech. Brand t-shirt, shirt of his fave sports team, magic kit, board game, guineas World record book, cinema tickets.

I think experience vouchers are a nice thought but you have to have a plan in place and not expect the chil/family to cash them in. I've given vouchers of a sleepover and once it is given we agree on the day and activity so it is in the books.

@Rewis can you tell me why I shouldn't expect them to cash them in? I don't have kids of my own. I tend to assume if he hasn't asked to do anything it's because he doesn't want to. I have gently prompted him a few times and he just shrugs (he does this to a lot of things lately, tbf). I don't want to push him if he doesn't want to hang out with him aunty 1:1. Maybe it isn't cool anymore?!

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Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 18:58

pelargoniumsarepopping · 10/11/2024 18:33

I asked a 14 year old relative if he would be happy with some Knoops hot chocolate and he was delighted. Looking through the individual sleeves and the selection box thing now and trying to decide - might just go with a voucher

Interesting - someone also mentioned the velvetier, which I think they already have. Perhaps he would like some chocolate to go in it.

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Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 18:57

Invisimamma · 10/11/2024 18:27

I have 10yr old son who loves gaming, but if I was going for a non gaming gift here's things he might like...

Fluffy Oodie or onesie
Mini digital basketball net (got one for his birthday and loves it)
Nike t-shirt or tracksuit
Minecraft Lush bath bombs
Fortnite nerf gun
Strangers things merch
Hot choc velvetiser (Aldi do a good dupe)
Bubble tea set
Personalised phone case

The basketball net and nerf gun both sound good!

Yep, I can ask my brother - I just like to try and think of something that he might not have heard of / asked for.

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Original poster
NeedToUnfreeze · 10/11/2024 18:56

IGotBigKidsAndICannotLie · 10/11/2024 18:12

Remote control helicopter. DS2's was under £20 and he ADORED it. Played with it endlessly until it broke.

Ooh I could imagine him liking this!

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