Presents for an 11 year old boy who says he doesn't want anything

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We're struggling to come up with Christmas present ideas for our 11 year old son (year 7) who doesn't seem to want anything in particular. He's not into football but he does love: history, myths, facts about countries (capital cities etc) board games, computer games, D&D, and he has a great offbeat sense of humour. He's a big reader.

If you have a boy who sounds a bit like this, what are you getting him for Christmas?

Thank you :-)

Books based on history were a massive hit for our ds. Is he into gaming ? There's probably some great games you could get age of empires or that sort of thing. Gaming head set , gaming chair . Sims was very popular in our house .

He's got a good list of interests there that should be fairly easy to buy for - books, books and more books, board games, computer games.
What sort of history does he like? Would he appreciate a trip somewhere historical or a weekend away?
Tickets to a show or concert?
Has he started going out places with his mates yet? Starbucks and cinema vouchers are usually a hit with the teens who do.
Everyone always needs new pants, socks and PJs!
Maybe a hoodie?
An alexa or echo dot for his bedroom, or a lava lamp?

Yes concert tickets for a band he likes

Subscription to a history magazine?

I think I was this kid. I liked many smaller gifts such as books in comparison to a big showstopper gift

Does he like Lego? My son who is 33 loved building architectural buildings and Lego do a lot of interesting historical buildings. He has always been interested in history since a small child btw.

Is he into Warhammer at all? If so and you’re anywhere near it, a day out at Warhammer World in Nottingham with lunch at the very cool restaurant would be fun. The talent of the people who painted the figurines in the extensive displays is incredible. I love going there with my son.

Does he like hot chocolate? My son was vague about presents last year so one thing we got him was a velvetiser and he was thrilled and he uses it all the time!! Lego also went down well.

A Steam credit gift card, so he can buy games he likes.

These outdoor escape room kits/days out look fabulous! And seem to include a lot of history too!
https://www.mysteryguides.co.uk/collections/upsell-collection

Thanks everyone. Age of Empires looks up his street but I'm not sure we've got the right hardware, will need to check with my OH. Books will definitely feature and Lego too. If anyone's got any suggestions for specific books or boardgames I'm all ears!
He's not really at the hanging out with mates stage yet but will think about days out. His favourite bands seem to be ACDC and GnR (!) so that's probably out.

Favourite periods of history seem to be ancient empires and the vikings.

@winewolfhowls I think I was like this too. It's a good reminder that we don't need to do a big thing necessarily

My year 7 son sounds exactly like yours and I have struggled enormously this year too.

I’ve bought my son a Lego board game that he wanted called ‘brick like this’ from Argos. That might be worth looking into?

My son is similar age and similar interests. He asked for lego, a telescope,some books. He likes those airfix model plane sets too?

Our 12 yr old is very similar. Luckily he's into gaming so that helps.

We've padded out with Stranger Things theatre tickets and a driving experience this year.

It's so hard!

A metal detector is a fun gift (especially if you stash a load of ‘treasure’ where they might want to use it and never tell them it was you).

I’ve heard settlers of catan is an awesome board game for this age and type of child, we have it but couldn’t work out how to play it! Maybe one day.

Our similar son is getting a Russian hat, warhammer and a docking station for his PS5.

Does he have Mapominoes? They're good for flags, countries, capital cities. There are loads of sets.

Risk? Strategy war game with all the countries? Always a hit in our house.

Or a more complicated but also fun one is Escape from Colditz. Lots of strategy, bit of wartime history?

Look up Brilliant Maps by Ian Wright. This is a great book. Lots of weird country based facts.

Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus box set? Rick Riordan does different greek/norse/Egyptian mythology

How about a magazine subscription, something he can look forward to every month or couple of weeks.
National Georgraphic/How it works/History or other such magazines.
or
A proper Camera, with a book on photography, so he can start to discover his local stuff and take pictures. Maybe promise to take him to historic places, most are local landmarks, the history of your local area, will surprise you, even how your local towns and villages got their names, the local dockyard, train station, old buildings, bridges, workhouses, prisons, airfields and if he’s that way inclined the gravestones and history of old war hero’s from the area, buried locally (That is always so interesting and sometimes overlooked).

I've just ordered "The Dangerous Book for Boys: facts, figures and fun" for my 11 yr old, he's read a couple of the others in the series and enjoyed them, and it sounds like it might suit your boy too if he loves facts and reading etc

We have a yr 7 boy. It probably helps he’s had his room redecorated but we’ve got him a lava lamp and mini fridge. Then just bits like a smell, chocolate, a book (Tin Tin, which he loves) a decent hat/pair of gloves, some Lego.

Sounds like he’s the age to give him money or take him to the shops and let him pick

Which books has he already read and enjoyed?
Has he read Harry Potter yet, and if so did he like it?
If he hasn't read Harry Potter, I'd get the set, and if he has, maybe the Hobbit and LOTR?

Which board games has he played and enjoyed?
I second the recommendation of Catan, also Ticket to Ride is good.

PS you say he likes computer games - does he have a Nintendo switch?