16 yo ds presents

[lizabes]

I know it’s probably been done to death but I’m struggling with what to get for my eldest.

His stocking is more or less sorted and I’ve already got him a new laptop, a couple of tops and new trainers so he needs another main present and another few biggish things.

Watching as also gave a 16 year old but can't help as I would have thought a laptop was more than adequate as a main present? I'm sure he'll be more than happy as you've got him bits & bobs too. How much are you wanting to spend?

no, really he doesn't.

We got DS a DSLR camera last year because he is doing photography A Level and it is something that will last a long time. I would consider a laptop a main present personally, we always get a fair few medium size presents for ours like aftershave and polo shirts, alongside one big one and a few little ones - like a stable belt for his cadet uniform, boot polish, earphones and charger cable.

If it was just him I would just leave it at that but his younger siblings are getting two main presents each so I don’t feel like it would be fair to just get hom one.

Also by biggish things I don’t mean expensive - just big enough to go under the christmas tree rather than in his stockng.

Is he of an age where he starts to take an interest in household stuff? DS1 is that age and loves stuff like cafetieres (coffee mad) and might even like a cool lamp for his room or a framed poster (get a good band or art poster and a cheap frame from IKEA).
Are there any practical things, like a new rucksack?

Agree with lizabes some good quality aftershave might go down well.

Dd2 is getting a dslr and I’m not sure he’d really use it but he might like a polaroid??

Stuff for his room could definetly be a good idea!!

They get smelly stuff on christmas eve-- so they don’t stink when the relatives visit-- can pamper themselves before bed

I have a nearly 18yo. For last few years I've struggled to find presents because he asks for money (which he saves, always been a saver )

I buy him some XBox games (though he downloads so there's no paper reciept to show a tangible present)

New £50 note in a nice gift box is his most appreciated present.
He has a December Birthday too , so usually two lots of money.

This year he got a huge TV (combined 18th/Christmas) so he'll get some smaller things.
Provisional last year
He had Young Driver lessons (he's not asked for driving lessons on the road yet)

We've bought (in past years)

'name' underwear (Levis) rather than M&S . Might buy him some Calvin Klein .
Chair (Ikea) for his desk
Really nice fleece jacket
Good electric shaver/trimmer
Small camera (but he uses his phone now)
Assassins Creed TShirt
BigBang Theory T Shirt
The Walking Dead TShirt (theme here)

He doesn't want to upgrade his iPhone 5 .

Wow! A laptop is a main present here!! But different budgets, I get that. My DS wants:
Xbox games (priority)
Mini fridge for his room. (No way, his room is a disgusting pit.)
A bigger tv (portable size at the mo)
Sweets x 1,000,000,000

Doesn’t give a toss about fancy pants, socks or toiletries!

Was also going to suggest a fridge for his room.

Watching with interest.. what are you putting in his stocking OP?

Seriously, what you've already got is ott. And Why is a 16 yo having a stocking?

A mini fridge would probably be appreciated so he can stash stuff away from the LO’s.

The laptop is a main present but we usually give each dc two main presents.

He gets a book, a dvd, sweets and chocs, socks and undies and a couple of other little things like a phone case or little puzzle or something.

He gets a stocking because his younger siblings get one and it would be miserable to leave him out just because he’s oldest.

How much is the laptop costing you?

My DCs appreciate their stockings more as they get older. Lots of practical stuff like pants and socks which I only buy once a year. I love doing them as much as I ever did, and they love getting them.

What about some decent Bluetooth headphones formyour DS OP?

There is a significant amount of people on MN that think at 16 your son should be buying his own Christmas gifts with the money he earns down the salt mine.

Things that we've bought in the past for my DSs are:

Smart Watch
Fit bit
proper VR mask thing
stuff for their PC
Fan for bedroom
mini fridge
Nvidia tablets
Phones
Ipods
gaming keyboards/mice
decent headphones
phone cases
hoodies
bath robes
good headtorches
scout knifes
multi tools
posters
mouse mats
books
architecture lego

I know it’s not the answer you want but he doesn’t need anything more (or even half the stuff on your list) and I find it really sad how caught up in consumerism you are. Greed is so ugly and damaging 😔

What type of smart watch did you get, Wax?

I did the living only on the essentials and nothing else thing as a child (out of necessity rather than moral superiority) and would prefer that my own children don’t have to, thanks Laughing.

You seem to be reading a lot more into my comment than I wrote OP, very defensive.
Not unusual though for parents to try to compensate for their own inadequate upbringings by inflicting consumerism on their children. Sad.

And Why is a 16 yo having a stocking?

The misery that affects people never fails to amaze me.

The laptop isn't even his main present?

I recommend a new addition to his silver spoon collection, OP.

I have just re read your post OP as I thought I might have missed the bit where you asked if people thought what you had bought was enough and If so to feel free to rant about you.....but as I first thought you didn't ask that

I loved this comment by:
*WaxOnFeckOff

There is a significant amount of people on MN that think at 16 your son should be buying his own Christmas gifts with the money he earns down the salt mine. hmm*

Anyway, I was going to suggest things for his room, merchandise from fave tv programme, hoodies, phone, computer accessories, concert/event tickets.

I wish I was as organised as you !

CaretakerToNuns 🙄

You really came on to say just that. Just...why ?

They do get trickier to buy for as they get older.
To those giving op a hard time there really is no need. We all do things differently. If she wants to give her ds a stocking then where’s the harm in that? I will continue stockings until my ds’s leave home! They love them!!
And the amount of money or presents she wants to didn’t on or give her children is up to her. She didn’t come on here asking if more than a laptop was unreasonable!
Anyway op you’ve had some good ideas on here!

Migraleve- its not misery it was a question, we stopped stockings and advent calendars before 16, the kids choice. The little gifts that would go into the stocking - pants, toiletries, chocs etc then became their under tree gifts and we also get them a voucher. They have never been wanting kids so have always focused on it being family time and relaxed. Birthdays we tend to spend more but then that's a personal day.