Big present ideas for a 13yo boy

[flipflopping]

I'm really struggling, especially as DS has his birthday near Christmas so I need two things.

We normally do one main present for his birthday, one main present for Christmas, plus a lot of little things. The little things I am fine on. The big present is a different matter.

He likes football and playing Xbox. I know he would like more electronics (eg new laptop) but I really don't want to give them to him- I feel that he already has too much of this stuff and I'm trying to reduce the amount he uses it.

I wondered about making a voucher saying that I will take him (and a friend??) to eg Madrid to see Athletico Madrid play a game. Obviously this would be rather expensive. Hmmm.

Any other ideas for things? He has a Fitbit which doesn't get used much. Not sure how much he would use a camera.

Football shirt, drone, 3D printing pen, cinema voucher, young driver experience, lego, go pro, football table, headphones, portable speaker. Do any of these hit the mark??

The 3D pen is a new idea, thanks!

I think the trip is a great idea - just you and him though; I've done that with mine a few times and it has always been so lovely. Always base it round a stadium trip or a show, but then some days just wandering around and doing stuff with no plan as we always end up finding the best things then! I'm all for memories rather than stuff now that they're all getting older.

Chem Lab C3000
Lego Technic Porsche
Thames and Kosmos Robotics Workshop
Radio Control Quadcopter
Knex Big Ball Factory Building Set
Electric Guitar

I feel that he already has too much of this stuff and I'm trying to reduce the amount he uses it

It is Christmas,don't buy him crap that he won't want at the expense of getting what he does want.

At 13 he knows that santa isn't real. he understands budgets. Set him a budget and ask him do a list- don't promise to get everything.

Am in the same boat - DS birthday is Christmas Day.

We normally get presented with an Excel spreadsheet with links, alternatives and prices.

This year, no PC related gadgets - he will not be happy

Watching with interest.

Retro Nintendo console?

The stocking filler for my nephew:

Bendy and the ink machine
Yu Gi Oh cards
Socks
Some Sharpie pens as he loves drawing manga

My brother has decided against the Lego Porsche as it's so expensive!

Ds is interested in Lego mindstorm ...I'm considering as is not playstation related :)
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not really got much further on so watching with interest...am struggling too

Personalised controller?

My 13yo wants a gaming lap top for joint birthday and xmas.... i am not sure you will get away with a non electronic gift at this age, good luck!

It's a nightmare, isn't it? And I'm never sure if it's a good or bad thing that my DS doesn't want lots of things...

Gaming chair?

Big hit with my DS last year was a driving experience - he got to drive a Porsche and Lamborghini.

I buying myself the retro PlayStation that is coming out with 10 games on that used to play back in the day

DS (13) want a GoPro type camera, not actual GoPro as he knows they are too expensive, would your DS use something like that rather than an ordinary camera? I was also thinking about buying a new tablet for him but like you feel he has too much of that.

If you can’t run to a a Madrid trip, how about a game more locally, including a stadium tour? Also most football clubs have really good shops loads of stuff, last year DS got the dressing gown, training kit, socks etc., if he is a fan of a foreign club you could order from there.

But if you can afford a trip, I do this every with DS, usually for birthday main present. We really enjoy it and DS loves to go.

Can I ask what the little bits are. That's what I struggle the most with. Big present ideas gaming chair, customized control pad, headset, phone, beats

Record player and some records

A gift voucher for indoor karting for him and a friend? My son did it and he loved it!

A bike.
Overnight trip to London, incorporating a tour of Wembley and an England game (assuming you are English!).
New football boots.
Golf clubs and lessons, if he doesn't play.
Driving experience.