Stressing over Christmas

[Thatusernameisalreadytaken]

I have a DS13, He has most things that any 13 year old has, Switch, PS5, Phone, Fitbit watch, bike,...(These have been Birthday/Christmas gifts)Which means I have no idea what to get him this year for Christmas. I can't even think of stocking fillers. I will get him some books as he enjoys reading, (Prefers paper books, to a Kindle) Other than that...Not a clue. I'm starting to panic now and don't want to end up getting "just something" AIBU to ask what you are all getting your DC's this year?

@Thatusernameisalreadytaken mine has more tech than you could shake a stick at too. It’s tricky! I think I’ll just give him money for his main gift, so he can buy things he’d like throughout the year.

Stocking fillers are well nigh impossible as I don’t want to buy stuff for the sake of it. Last year I gave him nice deodorant; special drawing pens; a ramen recipe book and bowls as he’s into all things Japanese. Previous years were a punchbag and boxing gloves. And a great archery set from Decathlon which is fun for me too 😃 Its a proper one with sharp arrows, be warned! He also inherited a dartboard which he likes.

Why not suggest he sells the tech he isn't using anymore to go halfs with you on a gaming computer?

Or offer to buy some components of the computer now and some for his birthday and he can learn to build a p.c, which is a great skill.

My ds only wanted 2 specific things for his birthday this year. We had a chat about why neither of them were an option and then rather than buying things for the sake of it, we put a little bit of money in his bank account and got him a couple of small bits from a list of ideas he eventually came up with but no big main present for the sake of it.

Apple Watch is the next step up from a Fitbit.

I was wrong actually, they do have a bike, but I ride it as they're not interested so I forgot it was theirs!

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Apple Watch is the next step up from a Fitbit.

I was thinking maybe updating his watch, he does only have the small one, He has a Samsung phone, so a Samsung watch might be an idea.

@LolaBaby75 - great list!

If he really wants a gaming PC, can he sell some of his other expensive things that he's bored of, plus can you agree with him that he can have a gaming PC but he has to contribute with savings/selling things, plus more modest gifts next Christmas and the next couple of birthdays?

For example, if you normally spend £200 and a gaming PC is £1000, then he just gets a couple of books and a bar of chocolate for the next few occasions and he saves some of his pocket money, sells the laptop etc?

If you don't want to get him gaming PC then tell him it's too expensive, you're not getting one and ask him what else he wants.

Mines coming up to 13 and I've decided to scale stocking filler right back to consumables like sweets, chocolate and lynx and socks!

He just doesn't want little bits any more. It's a shame because the stocking was my fave bit of Christmas, they were always surprises and they loved them and I loved buying them throughout the year. When he was really little he was happy with that, we have a lovely video of him coming down to the pile of ones from relatives and being so overwhelmed and happy with more he really thought the stocking was Christmas and to me it was.

This year DC will probably get either a bike or X box upgrade as he has grown out of both but he has to choose one only.

If he's into Harry Potter, I'd suggest the studio tour. I'm hoping to take my 12 year old there as a birthday gift.

Oh and I too have said no way to a gaming pc at this age!

Unfortunately he has a lot of wealthy friends who seem to have so much and all expensive (think top I phones for 12 year olds ) but I just stay firm and say I will not be swayed by what others have, you can have xyz when you earn and an pay or when I decide you are old enough.

In other words I will never buy him an I phone (I don't have one!) And a gaming pc may be an option when much older...

Drone
VR glasses

Bike

I find typically boys this age lack hobbies. So maybe ask him if he'd like to try something. It could be anything sporty, or astronomy, music, drama or anything in between. Lots to buy for then.

@LolaBaby75

Humourous parody coffee table books, such as "The Joy of Photoshop: When You Ask The Wrong Guy For Help"

Laces (funky colours)

Instant print cameras

Any favourite youtubers merch

"vintage" vinyl record player

Wireless headphones

vlogger light

portable bluetooth speaker

sharpie pens

chocolate pizza

imported candy

lumie sunrise alarm clock

Some great ideas, thanks

Nintendo Online subscription, or the PlayStation variant?

OP, get yourself over to the 'Christmas' board, under 'Fun and Games' in the talk-menu-thingie. Umpteen threads about this sort of thing and people putting up their kids gift-lists to give other people ideas. Some of us lurk on the Christmas board all year round....

Skateboard?

Encourage a new hobby so outfit and lessons like Karate etc?

Experience Day?

@PaulineScrambledPhones

Nintendo Online subscription, or the PlayStation variant?

Thanks for the idea, DS pays for this himself, It was one of the conditions when he asked for the PS5.

I agree with others suggestions of an activity or experience.

I got my first seasons ticket at 14 and honestly it was the best gift I’ve ever had! My siblings were the same. One of my cousins got an annual pass to a ski place for Christmas last year, he was 13.

Stocking fillers are much harder when you’re older, and I always find boys more expense to buy for - I’d suggest looking for aftershave on sale, whatever face wash/ soaps they use, boxers, socks etc.

It's going to be a long three months if you're panicking already. Maybe stop putting so much pressure on yourself to get him the perfect expensive thing just because you think that's what all 13 year olds have.

Air pod pros
Gaming Laptop (cheaper then computer) could sell his old laptop.
Apple speaker
Does he enjoy racing games? could get him g29 steering wheel for ps5
Ps5 vouchers
Steam vouchers for laptop
Tracksuit
Trainers
Apple Watch
Apple air tag
Gaming Headphones
Gaming chair

Clothes for teenage boys, maybe shoes.

Be grateful if they read books for fun and buy loads of books (ask on the books board if you need inspiration).

Stationery.

Vouchers for the console, phone etc

Things for his sport, if he plays sport (e.g. kit, clothing items, accessories etc).

Food treats they are not normally allowed.

I agree the transition in gift buying is hard: first toys turn into tech, then they have the tech, so you need to look at what makes them feel good (nice clothes, kits, stationery, snacks, freedom to buy something extra on their console or phone etc).

A laptop that had equivalent specs to a proper gaming rig us NOT cheaper than the rig!

Games for the Switch / PS perhaps? Or vouchers for such?

If he really wants a gaming pc (which in reality is just a decent pc) give him money and tell him to save up for it.

Ask him to make you a list of 10 things, within a given price range. And make sure he knows that, depending on the price of each item, he will get 1 or 2 of them. No more than that.

And the above comments are right, EVERY 13-year-old emphatically does not have all of those expensive items. He's riding a gravy train, and has no clue.

@Chikapu

It's going to be a long three months if you're panicking already. Maybe stop putting so much pressure on yourself to get him the perfect expensive thing just because you think that's what all 13 year olds have.

I never said it had to be expensive, I'd rather it wasn't.