To ask if you have a 15yo son, can you please help me?

[Lovingalltheserings]

Taking part in one of those Christmas gift donation appeals and when I went to pick up a ticket there were only teenage boys left which made me feel sad and like everyone leaves them until last as they don’t know what to buy. Which has made me want to get something really good for the 15yo boy whose ticket I picked up. So, if you have a 15yo son, could you give me some ideas of presents I could buy (nothing extortionate!), bearing in mind I know literally nothing else about him?

I would recommend some smellies (fat face goes down well in this house) and sweets/chocolate. I wouldn't give a gift card in this situation as its nice to have something to use on Christmas day if you are getting very little.

if the teens to who these presents will go are in care then the answer is different.
A lot of stuff gets stolen in care. Teenage boys get moved around a lot as nobody seems to want them - so stuff for a room may not have much use.
Nike/Adidas socks work for most teenage boys (not all), definately some snacks, a beanie, some gloves etc might be helpful - plain is always better.

My 16 year old would like David Beckham fragrance.

Lynx is really cheap - and if this is for a boy who might get little, then I'd go for Beckham's fragrance instead. They aren't ridiculously priced, but are just nicer than the stuff you can buy in B&M type stores. A bit of luxury!

Also agree that he loves LED light strips in his room.

You can't go wrong with a voucher for the cinema and McDonald's.
I wouldn't buy clothes because you don't know his size.

Also wash sets,lynx are always good.
Some hot chocolate,and some nice crisps.

@Greenhand

if the teens to who these presents will go are in care then the answer is different. A lot of stuff gets stolen in care. Teenage boys get moved around a lot as nobody seems to want them - so stuff for a room may not have much use. Nike/Adidas socks work for most teenage boys (not all), definately some snacks, a beanie, some gloves etc might be helpful - plain is always better.

Very much agree with this and think ideas like lights for room (while lovely) just don’t take into account the difference in living standards some kids in care have, with no proper space ‘of their own’ to decorate like that.

Agree gloves and socks are good. Also all the ideas of gift cards to eating places/cinema or similar. I would very much have enjoyed that as a teen because I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone robbing it and I didn’t often have cash to go places like that and enjoy them.

What appeal is this?

Steer clear of boring stereotypes like football and lynx - loads of boys hate that.

Lava lamp is a good idea, quality wash sets, excellent pens e.g. fineliner set, plain black t-shirt, think the pyjama hoodie is a nice idea.

I'm getting this for my 16 yr old son. It's got good reviews and seems a bargin at £10 ish
amzn.to/3HCsDgG

@rrhuth

Steer clear of boring stereotypes like football and lynx - loads of boys hate that.

Lava lamp is a good idea, quality wash sets, excellent pens e.g. fineliner set, plain black t-shirt, think the pyjama hoodie is a nice idea.

Surely t-shirts and other clothing isn’t a great idea? A fifteen year old could be 6ft tall and overweight, or a tiny little lad. You literally usually get a card saying ‘Mike, 15’ you don’t know their size or anything.

@Kanaloa I think a pyjama hoody would be ok, because not worn outside and can be outsize. But yes, might be better to go for accessories I guess.

scarf, gloves,hat set.. my teen is ALWAYS losing his.. keeps his nan in wool supplies replacing them...

be different, go for the dove/sure mens gift set instead of lynx, they smell nicer.

sports socks
wallet with a chain link
voucher/giftcard for Game.. they can buy merch even if they dont have a console :)
drawstring sports bag

Is this for kids in care? Don’t buy anything phone/gaming/room related.

I’d get an oodie type thing with one of the extra big bags of Lindor balls.

You can’t go wrong with some kind of lynx set.

Oh yes - Amazon have a 1kg bag of lindor truffles for £13. That would be popular

I think you are on to a winner if you buy something made by Nike or Adidas in the relevant price bracket.

I would advise not trying to be creative!!

I'd second smart watch and wireless ear buds. Off brand can pick reasonable ones up for under 30.

Also second power bank.

Sports Direct/JD Sports vouchers?

My 15 year old ds wears Dove sprays and uses Loreal shower gels - not much dearer than Lynx and is just a touch more luxurious.
He loves his chocolate and crisps - he would eat his body weight in crisps if I let him.
He wears Nike undies and socks as well.

Just asked my 16 year old son

Decent backpack
Oddsocks
Game and watch
Book light
Pizza express voucher
Hemp shampoo
Lego set
Sharpies

@lunarlandscape

Not Lynx sets please. They can trigger severe asthma!

Lol, makes me think of the boys at school in the 90s drowning themselves in the stuff!! Didn't realise it was still a thing!!

Following this as NO idea what to get DS for Christmas.

I agree with PPs that food goes down well with this age group.

Would also favour Greggs/McDonalds over Nando’s. As much cheaper and more transparent pricing. So more bang for his buck. You’ve inspired me to head out and find the same.
Think I’ll go Nike socks, giant Cadbury bar (£5,90 on Amazon) or giant tub of jelly beans and a greggs card.

What my teenage DS enjoyed from his donated presents when we were v stuck was a Tommy Hilfiger shower/spray set in a tin box I think mostly because a) it was a change from Lynx & b) he’s still using the tin box it came in for bits years later

A personal gift he uses constantly is a multi-purpose/multi-tool credit card shaped thing - think swiss army knife but flat like credit card.

Oh and clothing accessory wise, the bandana style things he uses over his hair, keep his neck warm, etc he has found so useful he has ordered himself (& me & friends) more over the years as he got older. They can be bought in packs of plain coloured jersey or loads of patterns and you don’t need to worry about sizes.

Anything Nike, north face or Adidas
Greggs, Nando’s or KFC gift card
Designer socks / boxers
Man bag / bum bag
Chocolate
Vape - just kidding!!!

I take back my original suggestion, agree a JD sports voucher would go down well!

My DS loves graphic novels, comics and Funko Pops, movie type merchandise or a cinema gift card goes down well too.
Hates getting it smelliest, clothes or socks