Clothes for presents?

[PapaStinky]

Having a bit of a debate with DH for Ds's 12th birthday. He doesn't really want for anything so DH wants to get him some clothes. My thinking is clothes is something we all need anyway so is not really much of a present.

Wondering what others thoughts are on this before I say anything more?

Depends on the child. I remember being wildly disappointed with clothing for my ninth birthday but delighted at 13. I didn’t care about clothing at all until I turned about 12.

I think clothes are great at that age.But maybe get vouchers.Or you could bring them shopping but buy them something they normally wouldnt get.

If the child is fashion or character conscious and they are "nicer" clothes than you would normally buy then I think they are a fine present, but ordinary clothes that he would have needed anyway, or to a child who doesn't care about clothes, yes it's not great.

I loved getting clothes as presents!

If any of my two ask for clothes, I usually get them some expensive designer stuff that wouldn't usually be in my budget for clothes

I don't do clothes as presents, My mum always got us clothes for Xmas and Birthdays and I remember been so disappointed that most of my presents were clothes, like you say, it's something you need, not something a child particularly wants.
If it's something he wants/has asked for then great, if not, personally I'd get something else.

My girls got into Pauls Boutique (in the 00's), Uggs, hunter wellies and more expensive tracksuits. So were happy with clothes.

They also got into perfume/grooming stuff.

Is there trainers that he wants that are outside your usual budget?

Or a day out?

Ypu say he doesn't want for anything, but have you asked him if there's something he wants?

Presents don't have to be surprises as they grow up.

Thanks all. Yes asked him but he doesn't want anything specific. Well a better mobile phone but he'll get my current one when I upgrade.

Guess it's a tricky age as they are no longer into toys. I think a combination of money and some clothes then. His dad is also taking him go-karting which he'll enjoy.

When are you due for an upgrade? Perhaps you could trade yours in and get him something he wants?

What does he do in his spare time? Just money and clothes seems a bit sad - perhaps a couple of novelty things at least. DS1 would like things like:

Oversized tub of sweets - or imported snacks from America/Japan etc
Phone accessories - pop socket/holder thingy/novelty case/headphones/portable charger/portable speaker (actually this could be quite a decent present and you can get a decent brand - JBL or Sony - relatively cheaply.)
Novelty USB for school work/nice quality (or novelty) stationery
House key? With key ring/wallet.
Grown up deco for his room
Comic type books
Nice toiletries?

Again if he's into brands or characters you can do well with things like a mug/deodorant set/alarm clock/hoodie/notebooks/blanket etc in a Marvel or Harry Potter theme or whatever.

Maybe think along the lines of a "teen years survival pack":

• Food (snacks, toastie maker, etc)
• Music (headphones, speaker, disco ball, Spotify subscription)
• School (USB/stationery)
• Friends (cinema/coffee shop/mall voucher)
• Coolness (t-shirt, beanie, bag, magazine)

He might like stuff like a Loot Crate - just a one off if you don't want to do a subscription.

We have done clothes for presents when it is thinks like a Harry Potter Hoodie, but not just boring normal stuff.

How about an 'experience' such as meet an animal, sky diving in a tube, make a pop recording kind of thing?

My view is that bog-standard T-shirt's from primark, Next wherever = not a gift.

But a name brand hoody or special jeans/trainers that are trendy but you wouldn't normally buy = yes, a gift.

Only if its the fancy stuff you normally say no to

Why not get him a new phone then?