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Christmas

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

Original poster

What to get kids that 'don't want anything'?

46 replies

AsahiGo · 09/09/2019 15:25

^ exactly that.
I have two kids, 8&9 who don't need anything, and really don't want anything. They had a major sort out last month and got rid of about 80% of their 'stuff' (their decision, not mine!).
Obviously I want to get them some gifts! I was going to do the four gift rule & stockings & Christmas Eve hamper.
Does anyone have any suggestions of gifts that aren't just 'stuff'?
Hope it makes sense! tia

OP posts:
Aria999 · 09/09/2019 15:33

One of those zoo animal adoption packs? A day at go ape?

What are they into?

SnuggyBuggy · 09/09/2019 15:36

I second some sort of outing voucher. I have a toddler who doesn't need anymore toys and I'm going to suggest this.

Helenluvsrob · 09/09/2019 15:39

Voucher for an experience.
Family ticket to national trust / theme park
And something like an oxfam school good gift ?

Original poster
AsahiGo · 09/09/2019 15:42

They don't really have any specific areas of interest! They both like a bit of everything. Adoption things are nice, and we have a Go Ape up the road from us, both great ideas.
They both like books (although they've told me they're happy with getting them from the library), and they both like drawing and writing. I honestly think they're sick of tidying up!

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 09/09/2019 15:44

Dd, is 18, so much older but I've said I'm not buying stuff this year, I did the same for her birthday, instead we have days out/meals/gig tickets, that type of thing, it's much more fun in the long run.

Grasspigeons · 09/09/2019 15:44

Magazine subscription, outing like one of those aqua parks, or bowling, or a cinima voucher in a box of popcorn

Original poster
AsahiGo · 09/09/2019 15:48

I have seen some ideas on Pinterest on how to package tickets and that sort of thing. So you reckon experiences are the thing? Dd9 has her bday a couple of days before Christmas, so I struggle to think up different things

OP posts:
Barbarara · 09/09/2019 15:48

What do they like to do?
Something that they need for their hobbies?Computer games?

What are their values?
maybe there is an organization or cause they would like to support.

Our stockings have stationery (they are usually running low by December so they’d need it anyway), bath bombs, comics and sweets - stuff that disappears over time.

Original poster
AsahiGo · 09/09/2019 15:50

Arrggh I meant Dd1 lol. I only have two kids thank god

OP posts:
AmIThough · 09/09/2019 15:52

Merlin passes?

Original poster
AsahiGo · 09/09/2019 16:00

@Barbarara - they're both mini Greta Thunberg's in the making; they don't really like plastic stuff, they're both into environmental things. They both love animals; we have a few pets. They like computer games, however they have LOADS. Dh is into retro gaming, so kids are as a result, so they've got a lot of consoles that they've hacked to play the old games.
They like bathbombs, so I'll get them.
I think they have a bit of everything :/ I was trying to think of equipment they may need for Scouts?
I'm really not trying to be difficult lol. They don't really 'want or need' anything. I've usually got most of my Christmas haul by now, but this year I haven't bought anything!

OP posts:
Grasspigeons · 09/09/2019 16:03

Do you have a garden? Things to grow or a bird feeding table

RhinestoneCowgirl · 09/09/2019 16:04

I got an orangutan sponsorship for DD last year, she got updates thoughtout the year and really enjoyed it.

SuddenBeetE · 09/09/2019 16:12

OP my DD is the same, doesn’t really play with toys, likes gaming and very interested in environmental issues. For her birthday in March I made up a little hamper of ethical skincare/kids make up. Nothing too grown up just some foaming cleanser, little lip balms etc in tins. Also some washable face pads, matching wet bag and mini soaps. She’s slightly older than your girls at 10 but it was her favourite present! A voucher for a dinner, mocktails and the cinema from my mum also went down well.

Bubblysqueak · 09/09/2019 16:14

What about a Kindle or ereader? I know they said they are happy with the library but sometimes it's nice to be able to reread etc.

Barbarara · 09/09/2019 16:20

I got a penguin sponsorship for ds here. We get lovely email updates and reports. He likes it so much he pays for it himself now and is saving up to move to Chile Hmm Haven’t had the same email in 3 years which is impressive. You get a certificate and photos but everything is by email so no “stuff” at all.

Zero waste toiletries might be an option.

Do they have bikes? Would they appreciate clothing - ecologically responsible clothing, particularly for outdoor weather is expensive.

They are at good ages to invest a little bit more in hobbies - good pens for drawing perhaps.

I think they sound wonderful btw, have you asked them how they envision Christmas? If they feel strongly about climate change would they be happier to get no presents?

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 09/09/2019 17:00

Some sort of experience?

PrimalLass · 09/09/2019 17:10

It's September. They might want something by December.

PaddingtonMare · 09/09/2019 17:16

In some of the libraries you can adopt a book, sometimes you can choose genre etc and then have a day out to see your book which can be great fun if they’re not on display and you’re one of the few to see them.

Some handmade slippers? There’s some in Japan which are still made by elderly women, who are the only ones making them this way now - they’re good for your feet, supporting traditional making methods and supporting real communities.

PaddingtonMare · 09/09/2019 17:19

Or how about inviting an elderly neighbour or two for Xmas lunch - DS’s get to find and invite the guests, help with dinner and entertaining - sounds like they may get more out of something like that?

Theredjellybean · 09/09/2019 17:26

Firstly I'd not do Christmas eve hamper.. Its just more stuff.. We never used to have these.
Stockings.. Use for things they do need.. And if they are ethical go for things like bamboo toothbrush, reusable straws, Bath bombs, new socks, pants etc.
Maybe a magazine with on going subscriptions.. Aquilla was big hit for my dds.
And then I'd do a whole family experience.. Maybe something like a zoo keeping experience with overnight stay?
Or maybe weekend away at coast when there is a beach clean up event?
Maybe something they could do at home for environment? Like garden stuff to start growing own veg?

Theredjellybean · 09/09/2019 17:27

Oh and they sound really lovely children.. Well done OP Flowers

Thehagonthehill · 09/09/2019 17:35

Bug hotels,bird feeders that stick on your Windows,make your own bathbomb kits.Tee shirts with their favourite animal on it.My DDS one desire at that age was against bean bag(that was fun trying to find a good hiding place for it.
Be happy that they don't want much and s not of praise for not being greedy.
Concentrate on other Christmas stuff,get them to make a wreath for the door collecting Holly,ivy etc.Collecy pine comes to spray silver for it.They don't need lots of presents to make it special.What do you remember about Christmas as a child the presents or the tree and fairy lights,the boxing day walk when everyone has new hats and scarves?

Cherryrainbow · 09/09/2019 19:43

movie night hampers usually go down a treat - couple of dvds, popcorn, drinks and snacks inside, maybe a cinema voucher too. Good times.

BumblebeeBum · 09/09/2019 20:15

Some great ideas already.

How about practical things?

Money box, bike helmet, pin board

Or grown up/STEM stuff?
Microscope, telescope, build your own computer equipment, circuit sets, fossils, bonsai tree, programmable robot