£20 present ideas for 14 yo boy in care

[TwigTheWonderKid]

We're doing the Met Police Christmas present thing and we've been allotted a 14 year old boy. Rules are £20 max budget, no tech and nothing requiring batteries. I'm fairly au fait with the general needs and wants of teenage boys but realistically most of them are tech based. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions. I really want to get this right.

Just asked my 14 year old boy.

He says Champion or Stussy or JD clothes.

Not gloves, silly toys or books.

Not food or toiletries.

I wouldn't get branded clothes, you have no idea what he is into, sportswear or goth etc, what I think is cool for teens is not what they think is cool. My 14 and 16yr old dress completely different to each other, different brands all together and wouldn't be seen dead in each others clothes.

Can you not get a shopping centre voucher, like the intu voucher, I get them and they can be used in any shop in the metro centre or eldon square so there will definitely be something he can buy

This is a great idea, looking for something similar locally.
But why the hell are kids in care having to move their stuff in bin liners? I've hear this before. It's appalling. Surely SS can buy a load of rucksacks at bulk-buying rates?

The child won't be only getting that one present, anyway

Why are you so certain about that? It well be the case

Other ideas:

• rucksack
• alarm clock
• wind up torch
• books
• Cadburys Selection box
• PJs
• bedding
• towel
• socks / pants

I have worked in residential care for umpteen years. Over that time I have worked with a few who had to be supervised at all times so couldn't go out on their own with friends. They would all have still been able to use their vouchers they would just be supported by staff.

Sorry meant to say , worked with a few kids!

I would try and go for something physical. Often these youngsters actually have a reasonable allowance to pay for cinema trips etc. I think a backpack is a good idea, supplemented with chocolates etc. Or hoodie of a popular brand or similar.

Teen boys love Hype. There are some nice gift sets in Boots - one is £20 with a beanie and hair products, the other is a gym bag with products for £25

I'm thinking of a Hype wallet with a gift card in, plus chocolate. Would a 17-year-old still like Hype?

I've been assigned an 11 yo girl- I don't see anything about what to buy it how much

www.met.police.uk/applyregister/met-christmas-appeal/frequently-asked-questions/

I think a primark or a cinema voucher would be a good idea.

I’d love to get involved in something like this, it’s a shame that London’s so far away from me.

crazy, I put in a random London postcode and going to post it. There must also be something more local that I still hope to find.

Wilkos gave an amazing range of teenage boy stuff which is quite cheap! You could get loads for £20 and all def suitable for that age range. Maybe nice gloves, beanie hat or something personal too and tons of sweetie nonsense!! Or a Greggs voucher in with bits and bobs!

I have a 14 year old son.
He loves football.
He loves Xbox.

I appreciate that you don't know anything about the young man in question but ds has
tons of friends over here and I would not be short on ideas of what they're into.

Aftershave
Lynx set ( You is the new one and is fab )
Posh undies
Posh socks ( as in Hugo Boss/Armani )
Football annual - Shoot for example
Ripley's believe it or not
Guinness book of records
Yankee candle for men- barbershop is nice
Lush products
Lounge pants ( no pj's anymore )
Thorntons Christmas chocs
Nivea for men skincare set
Now 3million cd haha ( think it's Now 98 )
DVD box set
Sports direct voucher
Nando's voucher- ds loves this
Diary and nice pen
Pack of playing cards
Joke book
Tub of celebrations/heroes

Other things I buy are more specific to ds and his football team.

Good luck, I'm sure he will be really grateful

I think I’d spend £10 on some things to open and £20 on vouchers.

Small things to wrap:
Socks
Sprays/shower gels (£shop - can get decent brands for a quid)
Selection box
Pack of cards
Fun/novelty mug/pint glass
DVD (can get fairly recent ones for a few quid)

Vouchers:
You could get gift cards/vouchers that are for lots of shops, I.e. love2shop or one4all. That way he has more choice.
I agree Nando’s and cinema sounds good, but do you know which cinema chain is near him? For example, there isn’t an odeon or vue cinema for miles near us and we aren’t super rural or out of the way.

it does say on their FAQ that gift cards are a good idea for a teenager! I think cinema or a restaurant is a great idea

We do this with a different scheme (different country) and tend to get teenagers a wallet with some cash in it.

If cash is not allowed then yes I would do a voucher or a couple of different ones. One for entertainment and one for clothes/sports gear

You lot are bloody lovely.

I work for a London borough within the children service and have done for 24 years. I work with 12 to 18 year olds in care. I've just looked up the nearest collection point and there is one about a mile away from where I work. If anyone would like to send their gift to me I could drop it off for them. I can send you a picture of my ID badge and letter headed paper if you like and a picture of me giving the gifts at the collection point. Pm me if interested.

I wouldn't go for clothes, we have a 15 yr old who is 6foot4" and another boy who is half that size.

I'd go for sweets/chocolate
Nice socks
Or vouchers (jd, sports direct, or food places.

Voucher is good.

My friend works at a school and each year we make a hamper for 20 families in the worst poverty. This year we are pushing it further and also want to do smaller hampers for 12 children in care homes.
Heartbreaking to think about it but glad there are lots of people willing to help.

Thank you for starting this thread OP - I did it a couple of years ago but was too late last year but have signed up now and have an 8-year-old girl - which is SO EASY. I do like the idea of having something to keep things in so think this might be part of it. www.theworks.co.uk/p/storage-boxes/unicorn-notebook-and-storage-suitcase-set/kit21969

My 14 yo DS stopped wearing Hype a few years ago. It’s all Nike & Rascal now.

If he’s into football - something from the Rascal website : tshirt, cap, rucksack. Or Sidemen or Spencer FC book or similar.

My Dd was in care last Christmas, she got loads from them, though of course I can't speak for all authorities/children's homes.
I can't think of anything she have wanted/needed to that value she couldn't have got, so would probably just go with an Amazon voucher.
(She was there because of her violence towards me btw and the SW flat refusal to believe she has PDA)