Teenagers that don't need anything for Christmas

[Spooklingbrook]

What do you do? They really don't need anything.

I did ask if anyone wanted to see Lee Mead in panto at Christmas but all 3 said no. I may ask about the theme park or a trip.

What a great list Remus and not unreasonable in terms of finding the stuff and cost.

We're going away on holiday for a few days. He doesn't like receiving clothes and there isn't anything else that he needs, so we're going to go somewhere cold and snowy.

Spook - yes, it's a good list isn't it? But what the heck does she mean by a chunky gold watch - any ideas much appreciated!

Dd2 hasn't written her list yet, but it usually involves - a blanket, PJs and/or dressing gown (she likes her comfort!), art stuff, lots of chocolate, a bottle of grenadine, a t-shirt. She is usually very easily satisfied!

I agree with Saga- my Dad used to put huge boxes under the tree and we would have unwrap all the little boxes to find a silly present and some cash inside- I know it's boring but it's better then getting annoyed when you walk past that present you thought they'd love sat unused on a shelf NEXT Christmas.

While i'm dreading my children getting older- i'm certainly not dreading my attic being over taken by bloody Christmas presents!

I am all wistful about it porgie. years gone by when i wandered into ELC and spent £30/£40 on a huge box containing a garage or something and their little eyes would light up on Christmas Day.
Stocking fillers of Matchbox Cars and bath toys.

Now-not so much.

I hide the presents around the house, Spookling and make clues so that ds can find them. It takes a couple of hours so he doesn't notice that there's less, he's just knackered by the time he's found them all

A couple of years ago I got my dd a ticket for the Strictly Live Tour. I printed off a homemade ticket on gold paper and put it in a really posh
envelope. She absolutely loved it. On the plus side, she was too young to go without an adult, so Santa had to buy me a ticket as well

We went to a play at the Globe over the summer, an Ed Sheeran concert last week and Cirque du soleil (think that's how you spell it) after Christmas. It's quite cool having a teen who isn't old enough to go to things like this alone.

I bought a falconary half day experience for 13 y o has EVERYTHING KNOWS EVERYTHING god daughter. She looked appalled - muttered something about hair and nails .....
I dragged her there regardless.... Best present ever apparently!

That sounds fab, Effic!

remus would a chunky gold watch mean a branded one by Michael Kors/fossil?? I have a Michael Kors one that I wear 24/7-shower/gym/pool etc. It cost me £4!!!! I tripled Tesco vouchers and used in Goldsmiths. Bargain!!!

Thanks, Turd.

I'm sure she'd love a Michael K one, but I'd prefer much cheaper (no Tesco vouchers here, sadly!).

Ticketmaster vouchers so they can choose a show/ concert.
MAC vouchers- they do a makeover as part of the selling process which my 15year old DD loves and 13 year old DD wants...but she's going to have to wait a couple of years! Benefit do that too, but in a brighter shade of orange. An appointment with a topshop stylist in Oxford street store went down well....paid for the voucher, booked the stylist for free. Great service and she came out with a lot for the £100 voucher- stuff that I actually approved of as well!!!

I got my son his first really nice watch last christmas. He was delighted with it - and it was way cheaper than the bloody xbox he got when he was still a teenager.

He's getting posh cufflinks this year, as he now has to wear shirts to work and would desperately like to impress the laydees with his suave-ness.

He still needs to learn how to talk to them without blushing though. Bless.

I think my son might get a nice watch this Xmas. He's 17 and desperate to impress!! I was telling him about the rolled up sleeve/ nice watch thread and I think it's hit home!! He doesn't want a wickedly expensive watch-well, he does, he wants a tag heuer like his gobshite of a DF wears! But since DF has no contact with him, me or DD20 that isn't going to happen!! Sorry, that's incorrect. He does have contact. His solicitor writes to my solicitor to ask me to hurry up with my part of the financial separation!!! He wants to wipe his hands-and wallet of us!! The financial "discovery" shows that he has no savings. Not a penny!! Amazing. But his half sister, who has learning difficulties has lots!!! In his name! With a covering letter to say that this money was left to her by her father for her future security, and is her benefit money ( v wealthy family, DLA etc claimed but saved not spent) This is true- I'm quite certain of it -they are hiding money to allow her to claim and she would need someone to look after it for her. But no savings of his own??? My 'D'h who didn't spend any money?? No presents for his own kids -even when he was living with us?? No oil in our tank?? Turning off the hot water to the bath tap as hearing bath water was wasteful?? Taking my car keys to work in summer so I couldn't go out "and waste petrol or spend money"!! Liar liar!!

Crap! Ignore that total derailment of thread!!! Couldn't stop myself!! Sorry op. Carry on as u you were!!!

was that cathartic? Better out than in!

DS is 13 and I miss the days of ELC and matchbox cars too. So easy.

This year he wants a pool table! Not happening.

He also suggested a punch bag. DH pointed out that he had me.
He wants weights and a pull up bar.
Likes Hollister, jack wills etc - bought a Hollister shirt and two tshirts in the sale in September
Got him some Fat face pjs and slippers
And he wants tickets to see The Script I think

I bought a Polaroid camera for teen DD. One of those ones that prints out the pictures instantly.
She will love it.

Teen DS is a bit harder, so I'm scanning this thread for ideas.

I took ds into Hollister and he laughed at how dark the place was

What about smellies? I bought ds a small set from Lush last year, fluffy socks, ear warmers with gel packs in them (he only wears them in the house) DVD's, books, X box games, a load of chocolate and sweets which mysteriously vanished in a few hours a money box, that sort of thing. It gets harder as they get older as they don't need a new x box/laptop etc, and things get smaller and more expensive

My uncle did that for DSis and me, Loki, such a good idea.

On a similar note, this year I have gone into Jack Wills, Top Shop etc and got some festive pants to pin cash on (to be handed, over not risking sending through post).

I'm buying DS1 (14) an i7 processor, a graphics card and a stick of DDR3 so I've been informed :o He is buying the rest of the computer bits himself. He's also after a new computer chair. He has no interest in Clothes. He'll also get toiletries, books and sweets and PJs. I've also just ordered him a razor which he hasn't asked for but is getting anyway as he is starting to look like a Turkish kebab seller :)

DS2 (13) did originally just have a list of 10 PS4/Xbox 360 games but has now decided on an xbox one. he will get something off his original list too and the same extras as DS1 and a new knife for Scouts.

The both need their magazine subscriptions updated and I've just ordered Breaking Bad themed keyrings done in their names :) and maybe I'll get a poster or something to pop in their stockings with the usual coveted food items and hot chocolate etc.

Sad to say but for our DC's (age 10 and 6) we have already been buying them "experiences" for quite a while and they love them! It's either a season ticket for a local attraction or theatre/concert tickets or similar. I hate filling up the house with "stuff" too and we have generous relatives so I can't bear all the rubbish that seems to mount up...

My ILs as usual don't get it. They either buy tat or give the DC cash but insist on taking them out to spend it resulting in the DC buying tat that they don't need/want.... Can't win them all :)

I agree that Christmas is about spoiling people and buying what they want, not what they need but sometimes children really don't actually even want anything in particular.

My daughter prefers money for the sales even though I but some bits and bobs I never thought of doing what Loki's mum did.