Present suggestions for a grieving 11 year old

[EsmeCordelia]

I need to find a Christmas present for anow 11 year old boy whose dad died suddenly recently. I don't know him at all thoughost I did know his father and am in touch with his mother. I would like to send them something as this will be a difficult christmas but want to get it right

book? chocolates?

Only I don't know if he's a reader or into lego. He does play football. He has a sister and I'm sorted for her, just a bit stumped for a boy present

I once bought a little notebook which I decorated with his name and a nice pen for a friend of my DS whose dad died. I said to his mum that perhaps he could use it to write any difficult questions or thoughts in, so that she could look through it with him. She'd mentioned that he'd been asking questions and she didn't really know how to talk to him about things so I hope it was ok. Poor little guy

This may be a bit risky but I like Michael Rosen's Sad Book. It kind of explains that is's okay to feel shit sometimes. I don't think I'd get it was a Christmas pressie and I'd run it by his mother first, but I think it makes a big difference to some kids.

DS's best presents at that age were things from the Science Museum - a metal detector, various robot building kits, bug catching kit.

Things to do help with grief.

But maybe as a Christmas gift rather than a bereavement gift it might not be very jolly. I'd just ask his mum what he's into and send him something to do with that (Pokemon, Minecraft etc!) so that he can be seen as himself rather than as someone whose dad died.

Oh the poor family :(
I would suggest Minecraft Lego or something like that.
Something he can play with and lose himself in a bit

If he likes football what about something from his favourite club, they usually have club stores and online shops. Something to wear with club badge, a bag for school/football practice, new shin pads etc?

DS is a similar age (he'll be 11 in February). He desparately wants one of these:
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002YGSYN8/ref=pd_aw_sim_201_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7BTSYBB9N5BP4BZPGSHT