What to buy non conventional 12 yr old ds

[rabbitheadlights]

Not AIBU but I need the traffic, Completely stuck on what to buy D's 12 for Xmas, any ideas??

He's not into football or gaming, he watches a lot of anime though?

Just ask him what he wants. He must know by now that FC isn't real so just ask him then there's no danger of getting it wrong.

Is there a particular Anime he is into? If there is, would he like comics, t-shirts, collectibles for it?

Does he draw? Sketch materials maybe? My ten year old recently saved up for a drawing pad that plugs into laptops or pc and he can draw animations on a computer programme.

@viciousjackdaw yeah he knows but I don't like the kids to know what they are getting. I know it's daft though!

@monsterKidz I've actually got one of those for DD, I could maybe get ds one too thanks

Ask him what he wants. There’s a good chance of you take a guess, it will sit unused. (Speaking from experience!)

In what ways is he unconventional?

@flaviaritt in that like all the other boys his age that I know he isn't into football or games consoles

I don't think asking is spoiling it. I always ask my kids but they don't know what if any of the things they have mentioned they will get. Unfortunately the 13 year old has absolutely no ideas this year - it must be nice to live a life where you have everything you want already!

So what does he do with his time?

The only thing he really likes to do is Maths, but it just feels wrong to essentially get him school work for christmas

He's your son.

Surely you should know more what he's into than strangers will?

What about Anime does he like? Does he draw them? If so could you get him one of those sketching iPads?

What about a Nintendo switch? I'm not a gamer but I love ours. Animal Crossings is great.

What about an experience day? Driving cars or the like? They do CSI and Spy ones which are a bit different.

Does he like reading? New books? Does he need a new bike or maybe a scooter or skateboard?

Metal detector! Dungeons and Dragons or Warhammer. Telescope and astronomy stuff.

If you're really struggling you can never go wrong with tech - a cheap laptop or the like.

Obviously @onelineplease I'm just looking for ideas/things I've not thought of

An experience day is a fantastic idea! @myneighboursarerude thankyou!!

My dd is into anime, I have bought her art books and pens/pencils, there are lots of good 'how to draw' books, and i got her an art tablet. I also bought loads of clothes with various characters and whatnot on them. Also there are manga themed pops if he likes My Hero Academia as well.

Honestly ask him for a list of stuff he'd like (names /style of anime he's into, if he actually wants to draw it or just read it, if there are collectibles he's into), as a grown up nerdy kid it sucked to get something adjacent to the thing you were into!

POP Vinyl collectibles for their favourite games/tv show/anime? loads out there

You can buy intro packs to dungeons and dragons now too which is cool

Japanese sweets/snacks/drinks.
If he likes maths would he be interested in coding? Maybe a raspberry pi or there are some other cool programmable toys, depends on your budget I guess.

If he's into maths, maybe get him some puzzles?

Rush Hour is great, and a similar one called TipOver. Haven't tried the new laser puzzle from the same people but I did the online thing I think it's based on years ago and that was cool too.

I really enjoyed Tantrix - so called because it's illustrating knots, not anything dodgy)!

I was the same last christmas for my DD 11 and we bought her a voucher for an indoor skydive. She did it a few weeks ago and loved it so much she asked for another one for this christmas

Where does he watch a lot of anime? Maybe consider getting him a crunchy roll subscription (it’s Netflix for anime without ads or having to search out what you want) or signing him up for TokyoTreat or Bokksu (monthly subscription boxes of Japanese sweets)?

12 year old anime obsessed me would have been overjoyed.

@akittyisyou I've heard him mention crunchyroll I had no idea will definitely look into that! He watches on now TV and you tube atm

Will have a look at those @merryhouse thanks