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Travelling abroad: gift ideas for 14-year-old nephew

14 replies

Luelare · 10/07/2022 11:24

Morning!

I'm travelling back "home" to visit family, and bringing gifts from the UK for everyone. Besides the usual shortbread, ginger biscuits, tea and crumpets (fun fact: my parents find them an absolute delicacy and serve them with expensive/elaborate toppings!) I also bring small non-edible things for the kids.

They've so far loved any novel games, activity books, and toys you wouldn't find in their country, but I'm running out of ideas for the older kid (14.5 yo)! He's not into toys anymore and spends his freetime outside with friends (cycling, swimming, parkour, hanging out) and at home playing online video games.

In the past when he was younger, I've gotten him things like paper plane kits, electronic snap circuits, wooden build kits, Gravitrax, etc. which he enjoyed a lot due to his technical mind and his interest in building things.

Wondering if anyone has any ideas? A board game is a bit too expensive and besides that's what I got him last time, so would like to bring something a bit more unique. Same with books – you can get loads of books in English in their country, so it wouldn't be that special.

Do you know of any good technical/build type toys for older children?.

ANY suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Thesearmsofmine · 10/07/2022 11:28

What about some snacks that aren’t available in his country? Depends where they are of course but things like Pot Noodle, Jelly Babies etc

Gumbo · 10/07/2022 11:33

I'm just about to do similar... I'm taking a deflated England rugby ball and an England rugby shirt (on sale at Sports Direct). Obviously if you're not from England you may wish to substitute England with Wales (or wherever)....

Luelare · 10/07/2022 12:48

Thesearmsofmine · 10/07/2022 11:28

What about some snacks that aren’t available in his country? Depends where they are of course but things like Pot Noodle, Jelly Babies etc

For fairness between the siblings, I'd like to bring something non-edible to both. They are already getting some Cadbury chocolate on top of that. 😁

OP posts:

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NorthFaceofthelaundrypile · 10/07/2022 13:39

Chilly’s water bottle

Luelare · 10/07/2022 13:42

NorthFaceofthelaundrypile · 10/07/2022 13:39

Chilly’s water bottle

Good idea but I actually got him a quality water bottle for his birthday last Christmas! 😆

OP posts:
BonnesVacances · 10/07/2022 13:44

There might be some Lego sets that aren't sold in the other country. Or Lego mini figures or any other of those blind bags. Stationery themed to his interests.

Luelare · 10/07/2022 13:45

Luelare · 10/07/2022 13:42

Good idea but I actually got him a quality water bottle for his birthday last Christmas! 😆

(*last Christmas, not birthday 🙄)

OP posts:
LittleSockOfHorrors · 10/07/2022 13:45

A 'wherever you live' team football?

Threetulips · 10/07/2022 13:48

Team football
those flying garden darts

Threetulips · 10/07/2022 13:48

Snap!

Fivemoreminutes1 · 10/07/2022 13:52

T Shirt from Illuminated Apparel
UGears Models
IQ Puzzler Pro
Metal Earth models kits
3D lamp
Heat change mug
LED bike wheel lights

Luelare · 10/07/2022 13:57

BonnesVacances · 10/07/2022 13:44

There might be some Lego sets that aren't sold in the other country. Or Lego mini figures or any other of those blind bags. Stationery themed to his interests.

Some more advanced Lego Technic would've been good in the past, but I think he's grown out of that too sadly. They visited earlier this year and my niece was absolutely blown away by all floors at Hamley's in London, whereas my nephew just checked out the lego floor but didn't seem that interested in any of them, or want to buy something. To be honest I think he was more impressed by the glass floor up on Tower Bridge. 😂

OP posts:
Luelare · 10/07/2022 13:59

Fivemoreminutes1 · 10/07/2022 13:52

T Shirt from Illuminated Apparel
UGears Models
IQ Puzzler Pro
Metal Earth models kits
3D lamp
Heat change mug
LED bike wheel lights

Great suggestions! I'll check these out!

I got him IQ Puzzler Pro a couple years back and he loved it, as did his dad! Could get a harder version of it.

OP posts:
Gerwurtztraminer · 10/07/2022 18:59

At that age my nephews back 'home' were into specific cool/trendy brands for clothes/accessories/stuff for their room so I bought them things that were cheaper in UK or harder to get over there. I usually took pictures and sent to parents for confirming it met exacting teenage standards first...T shirts, hoodies and wall posters were all popular.

As they got a bit older I just took them shopping with me for something parents wouldn't buy for them due to cost or not being 'value for money' . Cool auntie credits.

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