How do you keep Christmas magic alive for teenage boys?

[notagiraffe]

Hi

DSs have asked for money this year, and I'm happy with that, as they are saving up for things which they really want that cost the earth.

But I'd love to give them some thing small but that makes them go wow on the day. Budget for a handful of things is around £50 per child.

They have a stocking (included in the above budget!) filled with a tee-shirt, DVD, book, sweets, bath stuff, fireworks and stuff related to their hobbies.

But what might make their eyes light up? Either an activity or a fun present. I don't want the day to be flat because they've outgrown toys. And I want it to be something festive - just out of ideas right now.

Last year we went to the ice sculptures, circus and giant ferris wheel at Hyde Park Wonderland on Christmas Eve and they loved it, but they've outgrown that too.
What do you do to keep the magic alive for teens?

Parsnip that sounds er dramatic. How does it end? How do you decide who gets the best prize finally? And how do you stop it descending into real sulks? You must have very well-tempered teens.

Not sure if there is one near you, but how about one of the indoor skydiving experiences. They're not too expensive and one year my in laws got one for all the boys in the family (with their club card points too I think!) and we all had a great day out watching them. It suited males from 11 to 56 and they all loved it!

It ends when the last gift is taken from the sack. My teens are definitely the dramatic and sully genre but it has always been taken well, as they have their proper pressies, and they like posting pictures of the mean prizes on Facebook!

notagiraffe can I ask where you got the playing cards from? DS1 is learning guitar so would be good for him. Thanks

there was a great thread here last year about what to get teenage boys. I bought the survival wristbands that uncoil to make yards of string also indoor fireworks and silly string was good. This year so far they have got Christmas jumpers from Primark (get now they sell out very early) and onesies as a joke present.

Top trumps?

I keep adding things as I think of them!

My teen DSCs still love top trumps. it can go on for bloody ages though :o