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Original poster

Is just money an awful present for 16th?

40 replies

lurchersforlife · 05/03/2023 15:49

DS is about to turn 16 and is adamant he doesn't want anything as he has everything he needs. I can usually think of small-medium presents he'd like but I can't this time. He isn't interested in 'stuff' for the sake of it and I don't want to waste money. Last year I took him to the theatre but we have been several times over the last year and he's busy revising so I don't think it would be much of a treat at this point. He isn't interested in clothes.

He probably needs a few bits and pieces for the sport he does but that doesn't feel special as he would obviously get that anyway if it wasn't his birthday. I can't even get sweets/chocolate as he's just had braces fitted.

He also doesn't want a party/to do anything with friends - he has plenty of them and likes going to things they organise but not keen on being the host!

I don't know - I think it will feel really flat if I just do a transfer but I really can't think of anything...

OP posts:
LittlePinkPill · 05/03/2023 16:00

My teen like getting money. I do get bits to open as well but then put cash in the card, rather than a bank transfer.

2chocolateoranges · 05/03/2023 16:01

I’d get a couple of things to open and give money eg Nike t shirt sweets and money.

myveryownelectrickitten · 05/03/2023 16:01

I think a 16-year-old will think it’s the ideal present! Get a big cake and some sweets/choc and a wodge of cash in a card, and bob’s your uncle 👍

Mrsjayy · 05/03/2023 16:02

Just give him money take him out for dinner. You can maybe do/buy a thing for his 18th.

myveryownelectrickitten · 05/03/2023 16:03

Sorry just saw about the braces! Even if sweets are out, a nice squishy cake should be possible (I basically ate soft mashed things for weeks when I first had braces fitted, but I definitely would have managed cake…)

Mrsjayy · 05/03/2023 16:03

Yes buy him bits and bobs

Original poster
lurchersforlife · 05/03/2023 16:05

Thanks everyone but it's the bits and bobs I'm struggling with! He's anti bits and bobs - loves food but that's largely out. Might get him a cheese set but that seems a bit old-manish!

OP posts:
Saisong · 05/03/2023 16:08

That's what I did with my DD as she was adamant that she didn't need anything (problem with having a birthday after Xmas!).
She got a few arty bits and bobs, lots of chocolate, a sushi making set and lots of cash. She was very happy with that!

Mrsjayy · 05/03/2023 16:08

If he likes cheese get him cheese

Comefromaway · 05/03/2023 16:08

We gave Ds money for his 16th but he’d been saving for about 8 months to buy a new keyboard. Birthday money from us and others meant he had enough.

Oblomov23 · 05/03/2023 16:09

No. It's a great present.

Floralnomad · 05/03/2023 16:09

New wallet
new bedding
new bed
if he appreciates money that’s fine , neither of mine are that bothered so although they’d be grateful it would be a bit of a non present . There are some resources for learning the Highway Code aimed at 16 yr olds on Amazon so they are ahead of the game .

BrokenWing · 05/03/2023 16:10

16th is not a big birthday to us, and we don't generally go OTT on normal birthdays, so ds got what he wanted which was some cash in card and a home baked chocolate cake. We offered to pay for him to do something with friends, but he sorted out meeting up with them by himself and said everyone would pay for themselves (which seems to be the normal around here when they reach this age).

We celebrate 18th and 21st more.

Jellybean23 · 05/03/2023 16:13

My fall back used to be something from Superdry - a tshirt or hoodie. Most 16 year olds would prefer the to have money for when there's something they really want to buy.

Spanielsarepainless · 05/03/2023 16:17

Give him lovely new notes, not a bank transfer.

Tilllly · 05/03/2023 16:24

Cheese making kit?

Delphigirl · 05/03/2023 16:27

Money is a great present for a 16 year old, especially if you tell him it is for his future travels, or future gap year, or for something he is saving for - so that it is to go towards some great opportunity now he is growing up. Much better than wasting cash on stuff they don’t want or need.

LadyJ2023 · 05/03/2023 16:46

Ok love Reading this...Your 16 year old has clearly got a good mind and knows what he does and doesn't want so at least give him the respect and allow him to choose his birthday wishes and not foist everything he has explicitly said he doesn't want. Wouldn't do that to my teens, they have there own ideas and minds now, when one says no presents or party then thats there choice and there happy and other says wants party not presents then thats what they get, not a bunch of stuff just because you have to

Lcb123 · 05/03/2023 16:48

Money is very good present. He sounds sensible not wanting unnecessary stuff, don’t buy him things for the sake of it. Or a gift voucher for a shop he likes?

Iheartmysmart · 05/03/2023 17:01

My DS is exactly the same. Absolutely hates stuff for the sake of it and wouldn’t thank me at all for getting him bits and pieces unless he genuinely needed them. It’s his 21st this year and is getting money from pretty much everyone.

SeasonFinale · 05/03/2023 17:04

Cash or even cash bit you hold on to it and he can draw it down for larger ticket items like festival tickets etc

seratoninmoonbeams · 05/03/2023 17:31

Mrsjayy · 05/03/2023 16:08

If he likes cheese get him cheese

Haha. I love it. And I completely agree 👏🏼

Clymene · 05/03/2023 17:33

Yeah I'd get him cash and then he can give it back to you if he'd rather have a transfer but I think an envelope of notes feels more tangible and exciting

Vodababy · 05/03/2023 17:35

Cheap city break just you and him?

U1sce · 05/03/2023 17:39

Dont get hung up on what you think they 'should' get - go with what he actually wants!! Money in a card is always wanted my tweens and teens I think