Is this an awful present for a 14 year old?

[DobbleBobble]

I have 14 and 8 year olds, both get stockings and (small-ish) Santa presents plus presents / money from family. 14 year old has always been full of Christmas magic, never had a conversation about no Santa, last time he asked was 4 years ago and I just reminded him how much he loves the build up and if he doesn't believe he will lose that (8 year old has never questioned, I don't think she ever had any Christmas magic although she still loves the holiday and is my best bet for watching a Christmas film).

So, scene set, my 14 year old doesn't want anything for Christmas, there are a couple of things he wants but to do with computer games and he is very aware that it's all a rip off and he doesn't really want to spend money on it. He has chocs, a t-shirt and a couple of things he might like plus money and probably a computer voucher from family, but his stocking is quite empty (compared with sisters and previous years) and I'm thinking rather than trying to fill it I put a note from Santa (obviously he knows that is me although we haven't discussed it) saying he's growing up, nice to see he appreciates what he has, stocking a bit empty, no child should be without gifts so hope he likes what has been chosen for him and Santa has given an extra gift of xxx to a child whose family can't treat them like his can.

I feel happy with that and I think he would be but what do you think, is it Christmas ruined for a 14 year old and what on earth do I do instead if it is?

Oh let the poor kid have a computer game!!

Did you get him the computer games he's said he would like?
Even though he's said he's aware it's a rip off etc - he has said he would like them.

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Bizarrely invested in this now, what's your son getting, OP?

I need details of this stocking now.

It's crap. My kids' stockings are bursting at the seams and I never struggle to know what to put in them.
I've donated Christmas presents to children's charities, but not at the expense of my own kids.

Anyone else just here for the stocking suggestions 😂?

Perhaps you’re buying your children too much over the year?
You say he has everything he wants, has all the gaming equipment, an expensive keyboard and all the games he wants and has his own money he’s allowed to spend without question.
Is he getting lots of pocket money?

A lot of the suggestions on here; such as new socks or even some of the latest pens in the shops you say he already has.

Weve always had quite a limited budget but mine are teens and know they have to wait until Christmas to get the latest computer game, football shirt or the hoodie they want or they have to save up birthday money to buy it.

They don’t struggle to think of a few things they’d like and are always happy to get new socks, pyjamas etc as it’s a treat.

They don’t struggle to think of a few things they’d like and are always happy to get new socks, pyjamas etc as it’s a treat.
If DS needs new socks in September I'm not going to leave him with holey socks until Christmas. Unless there was literally no money for socks. He got new warm pyjama bottoms from Tesco when the cold weather hit. He'd been happy with summer pyjamas for years but with less heating and colder weather he needed them. It would have been mean to keep them for Christmas.

@SmileyClare my eldest has not been bought much over the year at all but just wants nothing. She had a couple of books on her list and that's it 🤷🏼‍♀️.

I hate this buying for the sake of buying, it means more plastic tat and more crap in the world which will have to be dealt with. We've just cleared out their rooms ready to decorate and the amount of unwanted stocking fillers/birthday presents which will end up going to charity is obscene.

Yes just go to b&m but why buy shit that no one wants.

Hope you find something to fill the stocking, it's an absolute nightmare when they don't want anything!!!

A computer game is the least “rip off” thing to ask for at Christmas. If you split the cost by the number of times they actually play it then they are actually very good value for money. There is no way a 14 year old would say he doesn’t want computer games as they are a rip off.
I have 2 boys, 1 is 12 and 1 is 17 and they are so easy to fill a stocking with. Admittedly they are both sporty which makes it easy but there are so many things you can buy, non of their stockings is tat and all will get used.
Nike socks, boxer shorts, Lynx, Sweets, chocolate, new water bottle, some SIS hydro tablets, scratch cards, wallet, keyring, American drink (one of mine loves Strawberry Fanta so gets one every year) and the other has a Rubixs Cube. They also have a £10 Apple Voucher each as they are having iPads this year to replace 10 year old ones.

The OP has already clarified that it was an in-game currency voucher that her DS said was a rip off. I'm wary of getting these for my kids too as the whole in game spending thing can get rapidly out of hand. I do very occasionally against my better judgment but no way would I spend serious money on it.

Yes, very different to Steam credit which can be used to buy games that will be played over and over (often very cheap as well).

I agree with this- I think in-game money is worse than just a rip-off, it’s designed to hook you in and keep you spending.

Ahh apologies I must have missed that, I thought I’d read all the way through as well.

Indeed we are. Your child hasn’t said this, so I’m pleased you’re no longer going to do it.

Worst "present" ever for a selifsh teen surely, being told that santa has given someone else his present.

surely there are plenty of things he can have - socks, hair gel, chocolates, shower gel etc.

If anyone is interested, he already had in his stocking - chocolate, sweets, shower gel and a t-shirt now he also has push up handle things, tennis wrist bands, can of compressed air and a little usb fan that tells you the temperature as it spins round (who knew that was a thing?!).

Sounds plenty 😀

You could still involve the kids in giving something to deprived families at Christmas.

Most food banks take Christmas treats for children, chocolate coins, selection boxes or wrapped gifts labelled “gift for girl/boy X age”
Perhaps you could involve them in choosing something x

Also, for anyone near an IKEA looking for a last minute filler I would like to suggest this. DS already has one (of course, the boy who has everything), really simple and smart, takes up very little room and cheap.
www.ikea.com/es/en/p/mojlighet-headset-tablet-stand-black-00434277/

In his stocking, my almost 14 yo DS is getting chocolate, t-shirt, socks, Lynx shower gel, rechargeable batteries, a board game, fancy granola, fancy honey, biscuits, a bottle of Nandos marinade, a book and toaster tongs.

Board game and book both pre-loved. He likes his food, so I am buying nicer than usual versions of things he often asks for. I think it's an age where it can be a treat to have something that's just a bit nicer than usual. He's been mentioning toaster tongs all year. I could have bought them at any time really, but I try to save things up for Christmas.

Last year it was fluffy PJs and a new dressing gown. I'm eyeing up some nearly new astroturf boots on a local selling site. A power bank would probably also go down well.

My DS also had stuff like gym clothes and cooking accessories on his Christmas list.

Does he like Lego? There are loads of small sets suitable as stocking fillers, the Lego Boost is great as they can build things that they can control from a phone or tablet.