Help me choose a gift for a 15 year old boy.

[BangersNmashNgravy]

In my workplace we have been asked to buy a gift for a child this Christmas.
There are different age groups and I have picked a 15 year old to buy for as the older children tend to be less popular.
As this will probably be the only gift they receive we’ve been asked to spend £40.
We can’t buy anything that requires batteries or subscriptions. Obviously I don’t know their size so items of clothing are out.
Please help with some suggestions O wise Mumsnetters.
Maybe you have a 15 year old who could help?

That's hard and I have a 15 year old boy!
I would probably go for a game voucher if you know he has a games console.
Otherwise vouchers for JD Sports or River Island would probably go down best in my house.
Smellies would not be popular but that's

Sorry, posted too early.
That's because he uses Lynx all the time. It might be popular as a present if he couldn't afford it.
He still likes sweets as well!

Sorry to hijack OP's thread but as part of the gift I'm doing for similar age group I was going to get a beanie hat - any brands that are most popular? I was thinking along the lines of Adidas/Nike/North Face.

We aren't told the likes/dislikes/interests of the kids, nor sizing, hence why I'm not going to go for a hoodie or similar.

I think clothes vouchers are a bad idea.
Even the full £40 in vouchers at somewhere like jd wouldn't stretch very far and it's unlikely they will have extra to make up to the voucher to buy what they really want. £15 in Topman would at a push buy a plain boring t-shirt or some socks!
Headphones and games voucher would also be a no-go.
What about a board game, rubix cube, science museum stuff or agree a good backpack would be good.

The thing is 15 yo boys are all so different!

Mine would like headphones. They wouldn't be keen on smellies as they're shower dodgers and sports stuff/clothes would be a big no, they live in fandom/band t-shirts and primark jeans! So even the usual clothes shop vouchers wouldn't interest them.

They actually science and maths books, general knowledge books like the QI ones, books about their favourite tv shows etc.

Their Christmas list is basically books and t-shirts!

Maybe Waterstones vouchers? Even if he isn't into books they sell board games and other stuff.

Though I'm always wary of buying vouchers in case shops go bust.

Whatever you decide on, I'd get more than one thing, ie something main and a few small bits like chocolate, toiletries, or 2/3 things approx the same price. If you get a few things, I'm sure there's something he'll really like.

Sound boring, but what about a pair of gloves.

A few consumable things is a good idea. Lynx as mentioned is popular,chocolate, portable phone charger.

The problem with experience vouchers is if they don't cover the whole cost (e.g. a £10 cinema voucher may not cover the whole cost of the ticket so he has to add more money that he doesn't have, or has no one to go with). The full £40 though would buy two tickets and some popcorn, so that could work.

Love to shop vouchers cover a fairly wide range of places which could suit. Or amazon would be good too.

Specific ones for places like Waterstones a no no. DS is 15 and has had Waterstones vouchers from an uncle for years, every year I end up giving him the cash and I use the voucher.

To be honest boys aged 13-18 are so hard to buy for! I struggle every Christmas and birthday with DS, but no problem with DSD.
They don't tend to like 'stuff' in my experience.

Ok, so current plan was:

£15 cineworld (a few near us so easy/free/cheap travel and that would cover ticket and snack or 2 tickets)
Beanie
Lynx set
Selection box

Happy to change as nothing bought yet!

We were told to spend at least £15 and no vouchers unless cinema/trampoline park. Realistically in our city there's a good chance they won't have any tech so I'm avoiding games, headphones etc.

After shave?
Electric shaver thing.
Travel type Costa mug

A cap, mine 15 year old would be happy with that. They are hard to please.

Hi all.
Sorry I’m just getting back to you.
Thank you for all your helpful suggestions. In the end I bought:
Under Armour school/sports bag.
Under Armour cap New, which DS got as a birthday present, donated as he had too many.
Smellies
Small selection box
Football
All wrapped and donated.
Merry Christmas one and all.

Oh, and a book. Love reading myself and if it’s not his taste hopefully he can pass it on.

Id buy a cinema voucher, some lynx, chocolate and a rucksack.
Something for him to do but also something visable so he feels the same as everyone else(awful explanation but hope you get what I mean) x

Adidas cap
Adidas socks
Adidas gloves
Aftershave
Lynx Shower gel and deodorant set

Earbuds seem to be the in thing this year.