13 year old boy gift with wealthy parents

[dumdumdummer]

Aghhh I mean it's going to have to be a token gesture. I can't compete with his parents. We give vouchers most birthdays for the last few years. He's not really into much, likes bands but no idea which?

Who is he to you and why do you have to compete with his parents ?!

Find out which bands he likes and get some band merch, like a t shirt, pin badges, hat, guitar strumming things? Just got my dd a limited edition cardigan from her favourite singers shop.

@WoodbytheRiver he's a relative. I can't compete with his parents, I'm sadly not as wealthy. If I was, I too would give my kids everything they want. I try to best I can on a budget. Still I need to give a gifts to relatives at Christmas too.

Ah. Can you check with his parents or him which bands he likes and get something to do with that? Chocolate? Funny t shirt?

Why are you worrying about competing with his parents? No one buys gifts for relatives that are equal to what parents might buy.

We don't try to compete with nephews parents. Hes 14 - he has asked for JD vouchers as there's some trainers he wants which his parents have refused to buy as expensive and not practical. Hes allowed to buy them himself if he gets enough money.

Something for him to do perhaps - with you if it's appropriate?
Cake mixes (see The Bottled Baking co)? The Science Museum do great gifts to make, build or interact with.
Funky case for a device he has, a "voucher" good for one afternoon out together with lunch, and ice skating / surfing / shopping / skate park / whatever suits him?

An American food hamper? Weirdly, my 13 year old and his friends go mad for them but having tasted them, I can't really see the appeal!

You're not meant to compete... many spend hundreds on their own children and most other relatives £15- 50.

Normal and expected

I mean, I'm.not sure why you need to compete...

A 13 yo would be happy with a giant bar of chocolate that cost £4...

Classic MN pick apart from one part of my post . I am not trying to compete, I was just saying I can't ask him what he wants, because he will say something which is way way above my budget. That is just simply the situation he is used to. My budget is Max £50 ideally £30.

JD voucher could be an idea..

@IToldYouIWasFreaky any recommendation, sounds interesting !

Could you ask his parents? They might be wealthy but it doesn't mean they'll bit him everything. Depends how close you are to them really.

I'm not sure how else we were supposed to interpret "I can't compete with his parents".

Anyway, just get him a voucher for somewhere like JD sports and a loads of chocolate

I really wouldn’t buy gift vouchers in this climate. Does he not have any hobbies or interest? A book on something he likes could work.

I'd buy him a T-Shirt or something.

North Face is a brand he'd probably like. Way under your lower budget too so you could get him some little goodies/snacks on top.

People pick on that but because it stands out! Why would you compete with the parents!?

I have a soon to be 13 year old boy. He would be very happy with a voucher. You can get gaming vouchers which might be popular.

Oh maybe not due to Covid but the best gifts I think are the ones when you get an experience. Our DD’s auntie invited her over to watch a movie with popcorn (with her cousins) and it was one of her favourite gifts. If he already has everything go for something unique that you can give like a day out together? Appreciate this is harder with Covid and a teenager.