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Original poster

Stressing over Christmas

148 replies

Thatusernameisalreadytaken · 17/09/2021 09:51

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Thatusernameisalreadytaken · 17/09/2021 10:41

@Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse

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
Some good ideas, thank you
OP posts:
BoredZelda · 17/09/2021 10:42

You don’t have to justify what he has. That’s your business. DD has similar, although her laptop is my old one so we might go for that this year. But we’re in the same position. Now that we are past (and have had over the years) every single craft kit on the market, I think vouchers are going to play a big part of Christmas/Birthdays. We have an additional problem that often the “big gifts” involve things like bikes, scooters, hoverboards and those are no use to us. She’s never had a bike for her birthday/Christmas.

XelaM · 17/09/2021 10:42

@DrGoogleSaysSo It's amazing and we aren't even Harry Potter fans. My cousin gave us two tickets for free as she couldn't go and I'm so glad we went! It was truly special!!

Wondergirl100 · 17/09/2021 10:44

While some of this is normal - I find it quite sad reading about 'updating' fit bits just or the sake of something to give -

If at 13 a child constantly gets the new better version they are literallly being immersed in consumerism. HOw about he enjoys the tech he has and you give him experiences nice days out and books to read

The idea of expensive tech constantly rolling in and having to be updated is a catastrophe for the planet and for a kids sense of pleasure and joy in the simple things of life.

IndigoHexagon · 17/09/2021 10:45

I second a pp who said Occulus Quest 2! And yes, it’s gaming but wow! It burns some calories! So much so my Fitbit records it as cardio and something even gets me into peak heartbeat! Me and the kids (11 & 16) play it together sometimes and we all end up dripping with sweat! I do CrossFit and my coach there also has one and it says he finds it ones the most fun ways of getting cardio into your week without even realising your exercising!

MargaretThursday · 17/09/2021 10:45

@PinkyU

Also a lot of young teen boys are getting more into skincare, maybe a skincare hamper for a less mainstream gift?
🤣🤣🤣

I'm going to suggest that for my 14yo ds. Can't wait to see his expression.

Op, out of that selection ds has a phone and he uses the family PC, which he's added a gaming keyboard (as far as I can tell if flashes pretty lights) and a couple of other improvements.

He did buy himself some gaming glasses (they cut down on blue lights) with money he got for his birthday, which he loves. You can get them from around £10 on Amazon. I think they're a bit of a gimmick myself, but he says it helps.

ShowOfHands · 17/09/2021 10:46

We tend to buy tickets and experiences for ours. They had tickets to Hamilton for their birthdays this year (they're 14 and 10 respectively). This Christmas I've got them tickets to The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe at our local theatre. Family do the same but not always theatre. ILs took the 14yr old to the Tate Modern and for afternoon tea for her last birthday. Then they just get some token gifts such as books, weird imported sweets, stationery etc.

Ninkanink · 17/09/2021 10:46

Please don’t upgrade his watch just for the sake of it. If he’s not asked for another one then he’s perfectly happy with the one he has.

It’s not something to stress over, honestly! Give him some money, and then get him some small surprises. Christmas was a much bigger deal when people didn’t have everything already and getting a toy/game/console/whatever actually meant something.

ManifestDestinee · 17/09/2021 10:47

You don’t have to justify what he has. That’s your business

of course she doesn't. But the point was that she said any 13 year old has all those things, and they don't.

Original poster
Thatusernameisalreadytaken · 17/09/2021 10:48

@Mamanyt

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.

Really? They don't have a phone of some sort (he has a Samsung that is on a £12 a month contract - and my old one before that) or a bike? I can understand consoles, especially if they are not in to gaming, but there are a lot of different consoles around, so I'll be surprised if they don't have one, even if its the older series. And watches are cheap - You can get a smart watch in Argos for about £15
OP posts:
Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 17/09/2021 10:50

Your welcome OP. Like another poster said you don’t have to justify what your DC has its your business. We have a lot of technology in our household also and are struggling with our DC this year.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 17/09/2021 10:53

Really with all that tech I would go for an outdoor experience

Whatiswrongwithmyknee · 17/09/2021 10:55

I have a 12-year old DS and am also stuck for some present ideas. He wants some mountain biking gear for a main present, so that's sorted but stocking is much harder. I asked my DD for ideas and this is what she said:

Funky stationery (post its, massive eraser, funky pens)
Chocolate (of course! I've seen a fab looking chocolate games consol)
Mountain bike stickers
Fluffy socks
Xmas socks
Nice smellies (shower gel)
Hot chocolate sachets
Small soft toy (he still really loves them!)

She's already got him a personalised bike keyring

Good luck!

ShowOfHands · 17/09/2021 10:55

I think most of the stuff on your list are things a child might need depending on circumstances.

I have a 14yr old and she has to have a laptop for school, particularly given the remote schooling which has had to happen recently. The school helped to ensure every child had a laptop. She also needs a phone as she has to travel to school quite a distance away, either on her bike (45 minute ride through countryside, no houses nearby) or on a bus where her phone is her ticket. She also has a watch so that she can tell the time!

It's really just the gaming stuff that is optional and certainly, I think a lot of dd's friends have various consoles.

Please don't feel like you have to justify things op.

Becca19962014 · 17/09/2021 10:57

@XelaM

Anything Apple
@XelaM

I know on second reading you didn't mean the fruit but my first thought "what is a 12yo going to do with a bag of Granny Smiths??"

Thankyou for making me smile today!

Becca19962014 · 17/09/2021 10:57

Sorry 13 not 12!

LiamGallagherIsHot · 17/09/2021 10:58

@gardeninggirl68

So he'll be getting the gaming pc then!!

Looks like he eventually gets everything else he wants to keep him static indoors!

What a shitty reply.
Coffeeanddarkchoc · 17/09/2021 10:58

I think it comes to a point where they have all the 'big' things they want so you have to get them smaller things.

My DS birthday is tomorrow and I have had to do this. I feel bad that there isnt a 'big' present but I'm not buying him expensive things that he doesnt want just for the sake of it.

Cas112 · 17/09/2021 10:58

An adventure weekend away/experience day

Buyagift.co.uk is good, they have experiences specifically for children like junior driving/animal experiences etc

ManifestDestinee · 17/09/2021 10:59

Really? They don't have a phone of some sort (he has a Samsung that is on a £12 a month contract - and my old one before that) or a bike? I can understand consoles, especially if they are not in to gaming, but there are a lot of different consoles around, so I'll be surprised if they don't have one, even if its the older series. And watches are cheap - You can get a smart watch in Argos for about £15

The point is that not every 13 year old has a bike AND a phone, AND a fitbit, and a PS5, and a Switch. Sure, you can get a smart watch for 15 quid, btu your kid has a Fitbit, not a cheap one. He has a Ps5, not an old console.
Your kid can have whatever you want him to, that's entirely your business. But it will annoy people if you say that all 13 year olds are as lucky as yours is.

Dipsydoodlenoodle · 17/09/2021 10:59

If he wants a gaming PC, why don't you tell him it's too expensive, but you can give him some money towards it and then get him a few little surprises as well?

That way, if he really wants one, he can get money for the next few occasions and save it up?

UnLunDun · 17/09/2021 11:02

My three teens don’t have all of that, no switch only one xbox1 to share and own cheap laptops, no phones inc the seventeen year old as she isn’t interested in social media at all and would rather use her laptop. No Fitbit stuff. A lot of their friends don’t either.
For more unusual (apparently lol) presents - a good metal detector? Dungeons and Dragons? A kayak?

iamtheoneandonlyyy · 17/09/2021 11:02

@Thatusernameisalreadytaken don't explain yourself to people passing judgement, they're just rude

LiamGallagherIsHot · 17/09/2021 11:03

If he really wants a gaming PC, then maybe give him money so he can save for one, even if it takes him a while, if he likes gaming he’s likely to still be into it in a few years. My kids have them and love them.

Notsandwiches · 17/09/2021 11:04

Spotify subscription.
Nice toiletries
Trainers