I have a weird Christmas problem - please share your wisdom with me

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DS13 can’t think of anything he wants for Christmas. And I don’t have any ideas. I have a few small bits, books and pyjamas, but nothing ‘big’. He’s already got all the sports kit and equipment he needs/wants. His xbox and iPad are only a few years old and he doesn’t want a phone. He’s got a bike. He’s not into clothes yet or music. I’m also worried he’s not asking as we’ve lost a lot of income this year - but I have money set aside for this and could afford around £100 for him...if only I knew what to get.
Please please help with ideas.

Metal detector? Can be lots of fun.

I’ve just got all excited about event tickets. I think I’ve found a couple of sports things he’d like to see so now just to see if I can get to the front of the queues when the booking opens.
Keep the ideas coming just in case......

I think experience too, driving or that weightless machine? Where you fly in a tunnel, if you have snow center near you skiing or snow boarding lessons.. Diving lessons? Sky diving... And yes money!! Dc do love money cinema vouchers too. Oh and Google home or Google mini??

Virtual reality headset?

Skateboard or stunt scooter?

Our nearly eleven year old is in a similar position.

We set him up with his own Amazon account. It isn't linked to any debit or credit card or any bank account, but we can register gift cards on it so he will be getting £20 of Amazon gift vouchers and he can decide what he wants and also I hope it helps him learn that while buying stuff online doesn't feel like spending real money, once the money has gone, it's gone. Amazon gift cards can last for a while, so while he may not want anything much now, he may think of something in a few months time and be able to chose something himself.

Trainers or practical clothes (does he have any sports hobbies that he might need)
Experience, a day trip, evening at the threatre

I have to say this for a child but honestly if he needs nothing why not ask him if he wants to give a sum of money to charity, maybe a charity helping homeless youth, or disabled children overseas or engaging children in sports etc, anything else!

Comicon tickets, if he's a gamer?

I honestly think that a Christmas present to a child should be a present to the child, not a charity gift. Giving and receiving are both important skills.

Wireless speakers?

Some good basic gear if he doesn't have it , which will last him through to early 20s? Eg a sleeping bag, quality outdoor shell jacket etc . Unless he's not outdoorsy at all.

Are you sure he doesn't want a phone or clothes, given what you've said about finances? Maybe a brand he wouldn't like to ask for.

He sounds like an absolute credit to you.

annandale "I honestly think that a Christmas present to a child should be a present to the child, not a charity gift." why?

I didn't mean just give him a card that says you bought a goat, I mean ask him is that may be something he'd like. If he can't think of anything else.

Children get so much, it's nice for them to think of others now and again, and he sounds like a thoughtful lad. But I certainly would not guilt a child into taking a charity gift!

Magazine Subscription (Match of the Day?)
A cool light for his bedroom - my 12 year old loves his lava lamp
Decent headphones
Alarm clock (my son has one of those cube ones you clap next to and it then displays the time)
Stunt kite
Hammock for your garden

Any good?!

What about getting him to choose how to decorate his bedroom?

He is changing from child to teenager so might like it to be acknowledged

Like new bedding, paint colours or wallpaper or curtains

let him paint it himself if he would enjoy that or get a decorator

Also he might be shaving soon so you could buy him a razor and aftershave

Also, driving lesson on private airfield is great fun for them to learn to drive and work a car without worrying about other cars or road signs

Just able to control gears and steering and braking etc

I feel your pain.

I am getting mine a Parrot mini drone.

He loves the idea of drones, but he knows a full size one is out of the question, due to legislation/no where to fly it.

The Parrot Mambo, he can use in the house. It seems to fly as well as the big ones, and he can use it with his Star Wars Lego, which he still loves.

They have a new one out with a dinky little camera, but I got the one that fires pellets.

It hasn't even entered his head to ask for one, so he'll be blown away on Christmas morning .

He's also getting random Harry Potter stuff as supplied by Primark and eBay.

My 13 year old is exactly like this! I got him a wireless speaker (suggested on here) for his birthday which he seemed pleased with but has never used. He doesn't want anything for Christmas.

He's also still got Amazon vouchers untouched since last Christmas!

Give him vouchers and then wrap up the following so he has some stuff to open - sweets / chocolates, socks, deodorant/the shower stuff he uses/ a magazines or a good book. Then he'll at least have some stuff to open.

Ooh lots more good ideas here. Thanks all.
I’m definitely going to try to get tickets to a sports event. But also like the idea of a solar charger for camping and maybe some cash in an envelope which he can choose to save or spend...thinking about it I don’t think he’s ever seen a £50 note so that could have some novelty value too!

My 13 yr old is getting: wireless headphones, mp3 player, magni-viewer for his phone, portable phone charger, speak out game.

Has he got Xbox live gold? A years subscription is about £40

something fun? lego technic? My DS is 25 and still loves it

we have got out son a gaming chair for his Xbox

Has he got any chance of a trip abroad? Giving foreign currency instead of pounds is a bit more exciting. My American aunt used to send me a ten dollar bill for Christmas, very exotic.