I appreciate it's early but.....stocking ideas please

[DocBrown]

Two DS 7 and 10. Both are having a very expensive Christmas present this year (connected with their hobby and the only way we can justify the hobby and continue with it and both boys knew this when they took up said hobby).

I still want their stocking presents from Father Christmas to look good but not cost too many ££££ - perhaps £50 in total. The older one does not believe the younger totally believes!

Am looking for ideas on say three big items and then perhaps things they need (eg pants socks etc) then some fun things - bit ambitious for my £50? Any ideas.

What about those little Lego packs that come with the newspapers? Cost the price of the paper ( not sure if its the Times ir Express).

Bigger items - dvd, cd, book each

Those fingerlights from Amazon that some of us got last year?

79p with free shipping.

Good grief!!!!

Viv?

docbrown may I be nosey and ask what is said hobby? Ds (5) has recently started a new and expensive hobby and I am struggling for things not related to the hobby to get him for his birthday in July and for Xmas! He's not been that interested in toys for a while now - doesn't like lego or anything like that-more drawing,reading,outdoors activities and computer games (latter I am loathe to buy!).I normally put a DVD, DS game, shower gel,pants,socks,chocolate Santa and satsuma in the kids stockings.

I have a DS (now 14) and a DD (12) so I know it's difficult buying the Stocking Gifts because IMO they need to be useful, fun, or edible and I like to spend less than £5 (preferably £3)

I start looking as soon as they go back to school in Sept and seriously looking Oct/Nov because these are the trickiest to buy.
Mine prefer cash/vouchers so their present pile is ££ but miniscule. They can have to wrapper tearing frenzy with the Stocking Gifts (and, yes, I wrap them )

Hawkins Bazaar is good for ideas ( the shops are vanishing but they are online. Some good fun/puzzle books for teens)

Underwear ( DS is to get pants, but I buy some M&S trunks in a bit jazzier colours than his school ones)

Chocolate (of course)

Pens ( I bought packs of the Staedler Fineliners)

There are threads way back in December , I'll see if I can find one or two and bump them

I did buy the finger lights last year which were a hit - going to get them again this year!

Rosvita my DSs sound exactly like yours - not bothered about "toys" as such but give them new notebook or those finger lights and they are over the moon! It does make buying them gifts very difficult.

Their hobby is motocross. They are having new bikes for Christmas. These are going to set us back a few ££££ so I need to plan ahead and get the rest sorted so we have the funds available to buy the bikes. Goodness knows how they are going to fit down the chimney!

You need a bigger chimney or a Santa Key

I made one last year ( Yes, mine are well past believing age but it's nice to do something that doesn't cost loads and they'll remember because I remind them constantly )

eBay - vintage large key
Gold Paint
Ribbon
Glittery and red nail varnish

We hung ours on the front door (even though we have a chimney. DS was sleeping there so Father Christmas had to get in another route)

Can anyone link to the finger lights please?

The Christmas bargain thread is up and running again by the wonderful reastie. Have a pop over there

There's a Christmas bargain thread! Already?! I have found my spiritual home. I'm heading over there now before it gets too busy! Excited!

Thank you for the help and suggestions - I do bounce into the bargain thread quite a lot (still have a few things left over from last year in the cupboard!)

I love Christmas, and always try to make it a special time of year - but - I do find my boys very difficult to buy for as they like "qwerky" items rather than toys.

docbrown just to let you know have om'd you-hope you don't mind.Great ideas guys - LOVE Christmas!

Pm'd!

I've just got these following the success of the fingerlights, which are still working. Shoelaces are fab, they can flash slowly or quickly or be on static

Took two weeks to arrive and a big hit

mini ball puzzle

I stick with the "something to play with, something to read, something to use and something to eat" mantra to fill the stocking.

This year it will be a comic book, box of Kinder eggs, an inflatable globe and a wallet.

A couple of other bits will get chucked in but nothing particularly exciting to write about.

Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to read

Something to play
Something to drink
Something to share
and Something so sweet

Ooh that ones better ^^

realises parents were stingey with the above mantra

I shall now be doing that one :o

I made up the second verse myself

I love doing the stockings for my children. I also do my niece and nephews for my sister. My nephew is a similar age to your boys. He will be getting:

Yoyo
Paint by numbers (£2.50 in sports direct)
Drinks bottle
Activity/joke/magic book
Mini football
Chocolate Santa (nearer Xmas)
Lego sets
Torch

My Dh does a
Stocking for me and it had this really fun make your own balloon thing- its basically a straw and a
Tube of chemicals and you blow your own balloon from the chems- think it was his best gift as a kid! I'll ask where Santa got it!

Is it this stuff shake? We used to get it as kids and it was good fun.

That's the stuff- not for little kids- over 7s I reckon so they dot eat it!

I got that for my DC from Hawkins Bazaar.
I think the real danger is if they suck rather than blow on the 'straw' and inhale it ( it does smell pretty potent)