To ask for help choosing a Christmas gift for my 10 yo nephew

[NeedToUnfreeze]

He loves all things gaming (esp. Fortnite and Minecraft) and V Bucks went down well for his birthday, but I'd like to get him something that isn't gaming related. However, I gave him a beautifully thought through set of gift vouchers for experiences + outings with me last year and he hasn't 'cashed in' any of them. I think he's becoming a little tween now. Any ideas??

If he loves gaming then I would stick with a gaming gift. It seems a shame to ignore the thing he loves in favour of something else just because you might get more pleasure from giving it.

I do sympathise as I resent how invested my son is in gaming, but the gaming gifts make him really happy, which is the point after all.

What’s the budget?

My son (similar age) loves the Guiness Book of World Records (about a tenner).

Remote control helicopter. DS2's was under £20 and he ADORED it. Played with it endlessly until it broke.

What else is he into? My son is 10 and not into gaming, he likes board games, football, reading (football books!), riding his bike…

Depends on the budget? My 10year old gamer loves the Ripleys Believe It Or Not book. Also, what games console does he have? Accessories go down well, like a fancy Switch case or a custom PS5 controller. If gaming is the hobby I would probably stick with it!

I just ask my brother what I should buy and he tells me. Then I buy sowm hot coco cause that's our thing.

In the past years I've participated into buying tech. Brand t-shirt, shirt of his fave sports team, magic kit, board game, guineas World record book, cinema tickets.

I think experience vouchers are a nice thought but you have to have a plan in place and not expect the chil/family to cash them in. I've given vouchers of a sleepover and once it is given we agree on the day and activity so it is in the books.

I have 10yr old son who loves gaming, but if I was going for a non gaming gift here's things he might like...

Fluffy Oodie or onesie
Mini digital basketball net (got one for his birthday and loves it)
Nike t-shirt or tracksuit
Minecraft Lush bath bombs
Fortnite nerf gun
Strangers things merch
Hot choc velvetiser (Aldi do a good dupe)
Bubble tea set
Personalised phone case

I asked a 14 year old relative if he would be happy with some Knoops hot chocolate and he was delighted. Looking through the individual sleeves and the selection box thing now and trying to decide - might just go with a voucher

Oh, sorry - I didn't word this correctly. It's more that I don't want to get him a game or more V Bucks. I'd like it to be something that doesn't involve looking at a screen. He spends tonnes of time doing that already so ideally it would be something else that he loves. It doesn't need to be something that I enjoy giving, though I appreciate my OP may have made it sound that way.

About £30 for a main gift. I will also get him a little gift to go inside a cracker, maybe around £10.

I think he has a switch and a PS something.

Ooh I could imagine him liking this!

The basketball net and nerf gun both sound good!

Yep, I can ask my brother - I just like to try and think of something that he might not have heard of / asked for.

Interesting - someone also mentioned the velvetier, which I think they already have. Perhaps he would like some chocolate to go in it.

@Rewis can you tell me why I shouldn't expect them to cash them in? I don't have kids of my own. I tend to assume if he hasn't asked to do anything it's because he doesn't want to. I have gently prompted him a few times and he just shrugs (he does this to a lot of things lately, tbf). I don't want to push him if he doesn't want to hang out with him aunty 1:1. Maybe it isn't cool anymore?!

10? Things my dc liked at that age

fidget toys
Percy Jackson books (if he likes books)
Guinness book of records- regardless of whether he likes books
Lego
programmable anything
panettoni
penknife
torch - head torch - blind your mother torch.
onsies

Toasting marshmallow kit
Cadburys chocolate

Matches
firecrackers

Why didn’t you sibling/his parent arrange for him to do any of the activities?

Regards the experience voucher ask him to pick between a couple of dates. Tends to work with my ten nearly 11 year old.

I think he feels its a little cheeky to ask even though the voucher/cost is gifted. Not sure of I am explaining it well but I know when my sister says shall we go this sat or next sat for example he engaged.

I have offered quite a few times, I just don't want to push him if he isn't really keen. We did go for one which he asked for. Since then he just shrugs if I ask. The first one was the big ticket item on the list!

@Invisimamma thank you for drawing Lush Minecraft bath bombs to my attention, my DS will love these!

OP have a look at the Menkind website, my DS has loved some of the gaming themed bits from there (lamps for his room etc) as well as some of the random but fun stuff like the Candy Grabber:
https://www.menkind.co.uk/candy-grabber

@Marblesbackagain that's helpful, thank you

My ds would love that, a few different kinds, with some marshmallows and sprinkles and toppers in a kind of hamper would be lovely. Maybe add in some popcorn and a dvd, fleece blanket or gamer themed PJs for a movie night.

Ooh, I like it! Thanks @Invisimamma