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?

I'd be thinking about new games for the consoles he already has. Games are expensive and a couple of new ones would make a generous Christmas present.

Just seen that he wants a gaming PC. At that age my son built his own gaming PC. He asked for money when people asked about gifts and was able to build cheaper than buying. Also meant he got amazing graphics card etc.

The Christmas topic is really worth a visit. It's not the bear pit of aibu. I thoroughly recommend it.

So if I'm reading this right, he has:

Switch, PS5, Phone, Fitbit watch, bike,

and some of you think this is too much tech for a young teen.

Really? 2 gaming consoles and a phone is too much for a thirteen year old?? I'd have thought that a phone is actually a fairly standard thing to have at that age these days, and most will have access to, if not actually their own, pc/laptop (especially given the last year and half of homeschooling).

Anyway, OP I wanted to suggest airpods or good over-ear headphones, as they've been a huge hit here and have encouraged DS1 with his new hobby of listening to music (which is actually now getting him into vinyl - so there's our christmas presents sorted!).

@gardeninggirl68

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

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

This. You should be stressed about a 13yo with so much stuff that keeps him sat down staring at a screen, not working out how you can give him more stuff to keep him inside staring on a screen.

@ManifestDestinee

Er, not all 13 year olds have all of those things, by any stretch!

As to what to get him, it's a radical idea but you could just actually ask him?

I'd ask him, no doubt he has a wish list.

If not, buy him something small, take him out for a meal (maybe with a friend or couple of friends), and give him some money. Money is always gratefully received at 13.

@HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst

So if I'm reading this right, he has:

Switch, PS5, Phone, Fitbit watch, bike,

and some of you think this is too much tech for a young teen.

Really? 2 gaming consoles and a phone is too much for a thirteen year old?? I'd have thought that a phone is actually a fairly standard thing to have at that age these days, and most will have access to, if not actually their own, pc/laptop (especially given the last year and half of homeschooling).

Anyway, OP I wanted to suggest airpods or good over-ear headphones, as they've been a huge hit here and have encouraged DS1 with his new hobby of listening to music (which is actually now getting him into vinyl - so there's our christmas presents sorted!).

Switch, PS5, Laptop, Phone and Fitbit.

Do you really think thats standard? It's a lot!

What about something like a young driver experience? Let him get behind the wheel of a car for the first time.
It's on my list for when DS turns 13 next year.

@Etinox can you quote the bit where the op asked about wanting stuff to keep him inside and static?

I mean I can quote the bits where she talks about books and stocking fillers and his cycling/exercise and him categorically not receiving a gaming pc if you like? Fair's fair.

This. You should be stressed about a 13yo with so much stuff that keeps him sat down staring at a screen, not working out how you can give him more stuff to keep him inside staring on a screen.

I really don’t get these comments. Kids can have screens AND manage to go outside. My kids have a phone, iPad, gaming PC, consoles but still spend lots of time out with friends, walking our dogs, my eldest goes to the gym 3 times a week as well as obviously attending school/college. People are very judgemental. 🙄

@ WithASpider I recommend Mercedes world my DS goes every year. He loves it, they get given a hard drive, log book and free gifts (hats, water bottles, etc) each year they go.

Well said @ LiamGallagherIsHot

Don't get him things just for the sake of it. Give him some money. If he wants something then he can save for it. Apart from reading and gaming does he have any other interests? Is he interested in any gaming conventions? So maybe a ticket to something like that?

I once saw a helicopter ride experience and gifted someone paint ball experience. Probably escape room? He might like something like that.

I second pp’s recommendation to have a look at the Christmas topic. There’s a great ongoing thread about bargains/unusual gifts and you’ll be able to find plenty of ideas for interesting and fun gifts.

Just don’t put yourself under pressure - he’s not a child anymore, in terms of Christmas - he doesn’t need, and probably doesn’t even want, a huge pile of presents.

I also think the suggestion of buying him the parts to build his own gaming computer is a great idea - you could give him X amount towards it and he can supplement with savings/birthday money/chores etc.

Prize for the most "first-world" problem ever. 🏆

Sorry but what is this Christmas madness? It's SEPTEMBER, the boy has everything he wants and needs, and the OP is "panicking"? Only in the UK!

My DC dont and wont have half the gadgets your DS has! Each to their own, I
just feel most is unnecessary.

My DS loves his scooter, He has a new one every xmas ( He does stunts ect so v.well worn after a year) He will have a few branded Items of clothing ( Nike ) An xmas bag of tolietries and in stocking some random bits as usual- underware, socks, chocolates, nic nacks!
And some books!!

What about a day out gift type thing? cinema, some shopping, skate park, lunch out!

OP, your mistake here was posting this on AIBU. You will always get s**y replies. You will get far more help on the Christmas thread.

FWIW, my DS is almost 13. He has a PS4, iPhone, Fitbit and bike and is by no means spoilt or unusual in his group of friends for having all those things. He is lucky, obviously, and he knows it.

Does your DS have hobbies that his Christmas present could be related to? Mine has asked for his team’s football shirt, FIFA22 and some cricket stuff (for his birthday which is before Christmas). He’d also love a gaming chair. Mini fridges filled with snacks seem to be very popular and well received present. Menkind have fun stuff…I bought him a table top air hockey game and a hydraulic robot arm construction kit from there last year. Sweet hamper? Any board games? A card game for his stocking? Lynx set, mini tool set or wallet ninja, penknife for whittling, LED strip lights, beanie…

oh and my Ds (13) has also enjoyed a day on a motor x bike and Quad bike, water park. All gifts

A day out somewhere of his choice? Unless he's at the Kevin and Perry stage

A drone is a great shout - as other people have suggested - because it's quite an active form of tech.

For stocking fillers, it's probably easier to go to the shops and pick up things as you see them, rather than thinking about it.

If you are doing online, I think Firebox is quite good for that sort of stuff.

OP. I’ve worked with younger children that have even more than what your son has. He is very lucky but I don’t think it’s unusual for a teen at all. Some have a copy of each console brand: big gaming set up in their room for a starter then iPad/laptop/phone etc.

I’m not saying it’s wrong or right but I’ve met very young children with their own iPads/tablets. That’s then the start. Some families don’t really play with toys they use tech very early now. Some don’t have tech and solely have toys/bikes. There’s room for both and both have their positives.

For my kids stocking fillers, they all get toiletries - deodorant, shower gel, skincare, etc - sweets and vouchers, usually for Amazon, Zara, H&M and Nandos.

In terms of his main present, is he in to Nike? A tech fleece tracksuit, and/or depending on your budget, Airforces should go down well.

My ds(15) has a gaming PC, and before he had that, he would have much rather had money towards buying one than stuff he didn't want or need. Get him to spec a pc, then he can ask everyone for money, sell his other devices and save towards the thing he actually wants

Actually, yes I do think it's pretty standard that most 13yos will have a phone, and a watch (doesn't have to be a FitBit but that suggests that there is at least some interest in activity and not just sitting at a screen all day as has been repeatedly suggested), a bike which again is not tech at all.

Most kids will have either their own or access to a laptop/pc - how on earth could htey have done homeschooling this last year and half otherwise?

The only really techy things which might not be standard imo are the Switch and PS5, but again, many, many teens have a gaming console of some kind and if that is something that they particularly enjoy then having a second handheld device surely isn't all that astonishing?

The judging and moral outrage on this thread is ridiculous.

Also, the cost is relative to how much you have or want to spend. So again, yes, I reckon most 13yos will have a phone, a watch, a gaming console of some kind and their own laptop or tablet.

In fact, I've just looked up the gov. statistics:

88% of 12-year-olds own phone

At age six, 85% of children say they have access to a tablet at home, and 40% have their own.

And over 50% age 12 have own laptop

From here: yougov.co.uk/topics/education/articles-reports/2020/03/13/what-age-do-kids-get-phones-tablet-laptops-