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Christmas

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

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:
Trampire · 04/08/2018 21:34

Have you seen micro magnets? Seriously, I've bought so many of these this year since last Christmas from kids to adults and they love them!

Really powerful small ball magnets that you just fiddle' with and they form lines, clumps and you can squash them into shapes. No real skill or dexterity needed but Really addictive.

[Edited by MNHQ to remove identifying information]

interestingdays · 04/08/2018 21:36

Camera has also been wonderful and helped him to interact with activities

Trampire · 04/08/2018 21:36

Just realised that link has identifying details on it! I've reported!

Trialsmum · 04/08/2018 21:39

The away kit for his favourite team?
Team related accessories (water bottle, wallet... sports direct have all sorts).
Ds is 9 and he’s getting a lap top.
Magic set.
Guitar/ instrument.
Slime.
New duvet set or things for his bedroom.
Football boots/ new trainers.
These are all things that ds has had recently and loved.

sirmione16 · 04/08/2018 21:51

Some great material gifts recommended, I wanted to participate and suggest an experience gift he'd love - if he's into animals, zoos do different experience packages where they can feed/touch animals. Otherwise, there's all sorts such as going on a hot air balloon ride. One even offers a junior Lamborghini ride if he likes cars?

sirmione16 · 04/08/2018 21:51

Some great material gifts recommended, I wanted to participate and suggest an experience gift he'd love - if he's into animals, zoos do different experience packages where they can feed/touch animals. Otherwise, there's all sorts such as going on a hot air balloon ride. One even offers a junior Lamborghini ride if he likes cars?

sirmione16 · 04/08/2018 21:51

Some great material gifts recommended, I wanted to participate and suggest an experience gift he'd love - if he's into animals, zoos do different experience packages where they can feed/touch animals. Otherwise, there's all sorts such as going on a hot air balloon ride. One even offers a junior Lamborghini ride if he likes cars?

sirmione16 · 04/08/2018 21:51

Oops sorry for the multiple repost, said it hadnt posted Blush

parklives · 04/08/2018 22:02

I was going to suggest an experience too, junior zoo keeper etc or theatre / panto tickets

TwinkleMerrick · 04/08/2018 22:10

I knew a kid who got to be a zoo keeper for a day as an xmas present. Best present ever!!

LookMoreCloselier · 04/08/2018 22:53

Some really cool football boots
Tracksuit
Consumables - nice chocolate set, nice smellies, bath bombs if he likes that?
Mini fridge for his room?

Quite grown up stuff but my eldest is the same age and similar in that he's not interested in toys anymore and lots of stuff sits unopened/unplayed with.

Onynx · 04/08/2018 23:05

If he likes reading what about a kindle?

Alanamackree · 04/08/2018 23:07

Good range of suggestions on this site for 9 year old boys of all kinds. Might be something that he’d like.

BertieBotts · 04/08/2018 23:15

Great thread, defo following for ideas.

Surprise hit for difficult to buy for DS last year was a set of gel pens in rainbow/neon/glitter colours. He quite likes novelty stationery like that and he can use it for school so it doesn't get forgotten or lost in his room.

Cushions for his bed he likes and things like posters based on his interests. He has also had some Phoenix comics from a friend and he loved those. He enjoys reading but will rarely pick up a book - but the comics seemed to draw him in more. DH has got him into some manga comics as well.

Would a drone/quadcopter be too difficult for him to operate? Something else DS likes along the lines of camera is making stop motion films on the ipad- maybe there is some kind of set you can get which may include some backdrops, a book with tips/instructions and then a code for a relevant app or sound effect downloads, something like that. He could do that with his lego, mangetiles or playmobil.

Cloudyapples · 04/08/2018 23:17

Tour of the stadium at his favourite football team’s grounds?

ThatsWotSheSaid · 04/08/2018 23:27

How about -
slime making kits
Maze balls
Metal detector
Trampoline park pass
Hammock for his room

Fuzzywig · 04/08/2018 23:28

An indoor pop up tent he can make into a den.

Annual cinema pass.

cameltoeflappyflapflap · 04/08/2018 23:33

What about a trip out somewhere to a trampolining place. You could also buy him an iTunes voucher and he can download what he likes.

Jasmineforever · 04/08/2018 23:49

My two got football nets, football kits and goalie gloves, football skills equipment etc. You could also get him tickets to a game or a tour of his favourite club?

SorryAuntLydia · 04/08/2018 23:53

Depending on budget: Tickets to a musical, day trip to Lego land or Alton towers, weekend at Disneyland Paris, season ticket to a team he supports, camping trip, zoo trip, subscription to sky sports or Netflix, cool trainers, brand clothing - good luck OP

PeggySchuylar · 04/08/2018 23:57

Depending where you live The making of Harry Potter in Watford is fab.

We’ve had some great family trips to musicals too depending on what he likes.

kettleonplease · 05/08/2018 03:18

Ummm. It's August?!!

WaitingForSunday17 · 05/08/2018 08:21

Yes but you are in the Christmas section kettle. It’s bound to be discussions about Christmas!

Thanks for all the ideas, I will have another read over them. Maybe the zookeeper for a day might be a good one, I could wrap up a soft toy animal with the ticket or something. I will just have to check the ages, I seem to remember a lot of them are 10 and up but I think it depends what experience you choose.

OP posts:
Nottheduchessofcambridge · 05/08/2018 08:26

Tickets for a show/concert, clothes, electric scooter, signed football memorabilia.

Nottheduchessofcambridge · 05/08/2018 08:31

Interactive tshirt?

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