Presents for 13 year old son - in desperate need of inspiration

[Pickledonionsfortea]

I really don’t know what to get my 13 year old son for Christmas (and a January birthday too). He wants “some fun things” or “a surprise” when questioned. Not very helpful.
In terms of clothes / trainers he isn’t really fashionable so I don’t know where to start, which brands are popular now, which should be avoided?
He likes Minecraft a lot, Dr Who, Star Wars, is not very sporty but is good at running, he likes interesting puzzles and games but is not practical in any way. He has shown some interest in baking over lockdown.
I would be so grateful for some inspiration!

Is he 12-13 or 13-14?

13-14

He’s at the age where he wants to feel grown up (is convinced he has a moustache when he hasn’t yet) but is actually still a boy in many ways. And a bit daft.

Some bits I got my ds 13
Aftershave
Go kart experience
Lava lamp
Wireless charger
Designer clothes
Designer pants & socks
Have found him really hard to buy for this year too so will top up his bank account and let him pick

Would he like to learn an instrument? Maybe a guitar and some digital lessons?

North Face is popular with that age group
Fortnite Jenga
Marvel Avengers dvds
Star Wars monopoly

Good headphones
Beats
Gaming keyboard/mouse
Gaming chair
Spikeball game
Stunt scooter
Tongue drum

Some great ideas thanks
@WhoUsedMyName designer clothes, what sort of brands are good and not embarrassing for a teenage boy?
Star Wars monopoly sounds good for him (not for me)

@TeeBee thanks, although I’m going to have to google some of those!

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz I wish he would, all he really wants to do is lie on his bed and play with his phone

My son likes to think he is cool
2 Ralph Lauren tops expensive for a T-shirt IMO
Hugo boss aftershave not a bad price does smell lovely.
Adidas & Nike socks socks and sliders
Boxers fcuk & Lyle Scott they were a good price online for quite a few pairs

Not sure if he will appreciate the lava lamp but I thought it was really cool

Forget him - I want that lava lamp!

Thank you for being so specific @WhoUsedMyName, I’ll be pinching some of those ideas.

Spikeball looks interesting, a good game for the beach.

My 13yr old isnt a great reader but loves those 'Ripley believe it or not' books so I've bought a few from Ebay.
I've bought a darts board as a joint gift for him and his brother.
Deodorant,chocolate, bath bomb,nice hot chocolate,fleece socks,slippers and two tins from b&m,one with £10 on it and the other with £20. I might give a little cash too as he wants to start saving all his money for a ps5.
He had a gaming chair for his birthday which he loves,so that's another idea.

Does he like Crumpets? Warburton have just released crumpets slippers!

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz
The mind boggles, but he loves crumpets! They have to be Warburton’s too.

Northface definitely for that age! , nike as well...
Decent headphones, cool bit of lego?

@kerkyra
A dart board is a good idea, I’ll have a look at those books too. He’s not a fan of fiction but they sound promising.

I got ds some led lights for his room

Adidas hoodie
Champion hoodie
Nike track pants
Magnetic putty
Funko pops - look at mine craft ones or my hero acadamia
Bespoke Xbox controller
Headset
Razr mouse
Fill a hamper with sweets and chocolates
36 packet box of his favourite crisps
Mini fridge
Thera putty
Metal detector
Interactive Rubik's cube
Fiddle toys
Fidget spinner
Japanese Kit Kat's
Apple Pencil
Air pods

Yes I have a 14 year old!

@LisaLemon
Wow!!!!!

I have boys aged 12 and 14. They have a football table as a joint present. I always get them a t-shirt with their favourite character on (this year 14 year old has lego on his t-shirt, 12 year old has star trek, 9 year old has star wars, 7 year old has mr men and 6 year old has snoopy), a book and sweets in their stocking.

Mine is the same age and he and his friends are all absolutely mad keen on anything from Japan - Japanese sweets and drinks in particular.

My eldest just turned 13, so I am familiar with the Christmas+birthday in quick succession problem! We solved the birthday thing (he got a small tent, for next time we go camping - then he doesn't need to sleep with his siblings) but now am stuck on Christmas. Am considering a swish new desk lamp and will probably also get a t-shirt (from Patagonia, trendy and also eco-friendly). He also loves adventure/fantasy fiction, Michelle Paver's Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series went down really well, got him the last two volumes for his birthday so need something else along those lines...

@willnotbetamed that book suggestion sounds interesting. Although he tends to prefer non fiction, he did enjoy Lord of the Rings, so would the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness be similar?
I’ve not come across the Japanese things, just had a look at the Kit Kats though. I’m learning a lot this afternoon