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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Ds (9) is getting nothing for Christmas this year...

74 replies

WaitingForSunday17 · 04/08/2018 21:08

Not because he’s been naughty but because I cannot think of a single thing he wants.
He’s a little unusual and not completely NT. He is dyspraxic so anything like Lego is out. He has no interest, it’s all too hard. He cannot follow the instructions at all. He has a big box of bricks he just builds with and that is fine. He doesn’t want any sets or anything.
Same with craft stuff. He can’t do it so it’s pointless getting it.
He has hundreds of books which he’s never read despite somehow being a very good reader. He wouldn’t see books as an exciting or interesting gift.
He’s not interested in clothes.
He has a PlayStation 4 which he’s looked at twice since he had it. I think he finds the controls difficult to operate.

He has an iPad which he plays with loads. He is massively into football but he has about ten footballs, including some ‘special’ ones from different teams and he has a football kit in his favourite team (had it for his birthday).
He does play with Playmobil but he has a LOT of it and he doesn’t bother with the castle / pyramid etc. He just takes the guys out and will build things with magnatiles but we don’t need any more of those either.

He had a good sized bike last year and he isn’t interested in scooting or skateboarding (can’t do it). We have a trampoline and football nets outside.

I’m drawing an absolute blank. It wouldn’t be so bad but my daughter will be 3 around Christmas and I could buy endlessly for her! She plays with things already in a way ds never has and she also likes dressing up etc which ds has never been interested in.

Any ideas? I don’t want to waste the money but equally I don’t want to just say to ds here’s some money for your account, whilst dd has several gifts to open. Gifts she will be thrilled with. Ds doesn’t need the money for his account particularly either, having been left a sizeable chunk from my FiL.
I want to get him something he will be pleased with.

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 04/08/2018 21:10

Ask him what he'd like?

namechangedasimaguider · 04/08/2018 21:10

It's a long time till Christmas.....
Perhaps he will start an activity he likes before them.

DreamADream · 04/08/2018 21:10

Is there anything you could do as an experience? Something like a trip to the theatre or a sports fixture? I've done that with mine before now as they often value quality time more than material things

Waitingonasmiley42 · 04/08/2018 21:13

It is only just August! Forget about Christmas for another few months and an idea might come to you.

MissMess · 04/08/2018 21:13

Have you asked him what he wants ? He might have some idea himself.
If not any things, maybe activities like climbing or bowling, or something he likes to do?

missyB1 · 04/08/2018 21:14

My dd will be 10 at Xmas (also dyspraxic) I’m thinking of getting him a basketball hoop for the garden, and an instant camera.

Notthisnotthat · 04/08/2018 21:14

My daughter is 9, she has everything she needs, a tablet, bike, trampoline etc so this year I was planning on taking her on a trip to London. Is there a trip you could plan?

crumpet · 04/08/2018 21:14

Where do you live? I agree, a day out/theatre trip would be good. We’ve done Thames Speedboat rides, theatre, days at theme parks, even a trip to Paris as one dc had always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. One dc really wants to have a stay in a motor home, so that might be a future present. Tons of options for things to do.

BrieAndChilli · 04/08/2018 21:14

Kano, build your own coding computer for kids

Board games

Subscription to the week junior

Nerf guns

A pet??

Nintendo DS

starryeyed19 · 04/08/2018 21:15

iTunes vouchers so he can buy stuff whilst using the iPad?

Camera? DVDs? Is he into fossils or anything like that? Check out the gift shops for the Science Museum and Natural History Museum for ideas? Book a day out for somewhere he might be interested in?

Original poster
WaitingForSunday17 · 04/08/2018 21:16

I know it’s a while off but to be honest I struggled for his birthday in May so I feel unlikely to get any huge flash of inspiration between now and then.
I haven’t asked him yet, although I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t know... I was just thinking about it earlier and wondered if anyone had any ideas!

A camera might be one to consider. He uses his iPad in the house but it’s too big to take out to use as a camera.
I did wonder about tickets for something but couldn’t think what.

OP posts:
Coldhandscoldheart · 04/08/2018 21:16

Favourite team away strip? Season ticket? Being a mascot? Spend a day/half an hour with your favourite player experience? Table football kit?
No idea how expensive or possible any of these ideas are.

Pinkprincess1978 · 04/08/2018 21:17

If he likes football how about a tour of his favourite or a local teams grounds? We have just been to my DH & DS team as it was a Father's Day gift. They both loved it.

fuzzyfozzy · 04/08/2018 21:17

Apple card so he can buy apps
Trip out to his football stadium

Mrsr8 · 04/08/2018 21:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JennyHolzersGhost · 04/08/2018 21:20

Special football related event tickets ? Day coaching school thing if he plays himself ? Match tickets? A team shirt or other merch?

ShatnersBassoon · 04/08/2018 21:23

I think I've just emerged from a four month-long coma.
Ask him again in November. He'll want something by then, guaranteed.

Knitjob · 04/08/2018 21:23

Subscription to the Phoenix magazine? It's comic style but has some great stories and good writers. Philip Pullman has written for it. My 10 yr old asks for his sub to be renewed every Christmas.

WrongKindOfFace · 04/08/2018 21:24

Even if he’s not into books does he like comics? Could get him a subscription to a comic or football magazine etc.

Tickets for a day out or maybe an annual pass? Show such as horrible histories? Football match? Tour of the stadium?

Believeitornot · 04/08/2018 21:26

There’s a heatwave where I live. How can you even be thinking of Christmas 🤣🤣🤣

My ds will be 9 soon. He’s writing me a list so I’ll just pick from that. Why not get your ds to do the same?

StillRowing · 04/08/2018 21:27

Most teams do half season season tickets starting Boxing Day. May be worth a look into if someone can go with him

Bellabutterfly2016 · 04/08/2018 21:30

How about going away for Christmas to a hotel for a few days where there are activities?
Or could you take him to window shop nearer the time for some ideas perhaps - it is a dilemma tho x

tararabumdeay · 04/08/2018 21:32

A torch a radio a pen and and a notebook.

tryagain · 04/08/2018 21:33

I am getting my DN who is 10 yro a camera and printer for her birthday and Christmas (birthday is the 24 Dec). I am buying them tomorrow in the sales so she gets a better camera and printer then my budget would allow for Christmas. Santa is bringing paper for printing and spare ink (we exchangd family gifts on the 24 Dec) she got a laptop last year
Your DS sounds just like her tbh and yes it can be so hard to buy.
As an aside for a sport she seems to be enjoying and managing jitsu,

interestingdays · 04/08/2018 21:34

Try buying him an experience - a sailing camp or bike riding lessons from people & places who understand his needs. My nephew has really benefitted from both of these things