Do I just go with cash? 15yo DS

[cyclingwife]

Just that really. DS15 loves gaming. He has PC, great monitor, headphones, earbuds, gaming chair. He has a bike, likes to walk (has a newish fitbit), not really into clothes but happy with clothing he's got (loves his hoodie which is newish). I have no idea what to get him for Christmas.
We usually go for a main present (hence the above equipment he's got already) and lots of little stocking fillers. Am thinking cash seems the only option as I don't want to spend £200 for the sake of it.

If he’s happy with cash then absolutely. If you’re looking for ideas, my ds is 17 & also a gamer, loves football(arsenal fan) & loves the gym.
I’m getting him a ticket to an arsenal game for both of us(this will involve flights & hotel as we are in Ireland) and his PlayStation annual membership. If I can get a Fitbit on Black Friday I will but that depends on my funds. I’ve already picked up some fleeces & tshirts as fillers.

Thanks Alsonification, I'd rather not give cash but it's my last resort. He says he's not bothered.
My DS hates football and not got many other loves. I was trying to think of an experience instead.
He does love his Fitbit versa which encourages him to get away from his monitor. I'd recommend one if you find one in Black friday. My DS saved up his pocket money/ work money to get his.

I'm doing vouchers rather than just cash. PlayStation and Steam for gaming, iTunes for music and a gift card for the cinema.

What about an escape room experience- you can get different themed ones, maybe something like one of the games he likes.

Also axe throwing or archery/shooting?

Cooking/baking classes and supplies in stocking?

What about a raspberry pi or Kano computer kit?

I'm in the same boat with 16 year old DS. He has everything he could possibly want - just got earpods for his birthday and a new computer for doing well in his gcse's. However he has more cash than he knows what to do with - he has £765 just in his money box not his actual account!! I have absolutely no idea - we got a joint (with his brother) gaming chair and fridge for the gaming room last Christmas. He's going to buy himself an Apple watch so I have literally no idea. We've done the driving experiences etc

Fucking hell^

I know its ridiculous

Crikey

How about volunteering in a soup kitchen for Xmas day?

That is a great idea. I want him to do so volunteering tbh.

Last year ds mostly got clothes, some game points, some other small bits and cash. He likes to have money in the bank to buy new games during the year when they come out.

Voucher for gaming, escape room sounds good suggestion my dc same age have been talking about doing one. Theme park tickets if he would enjoy that

What's a gaming chair please?

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Sorry for the humungous link!

My son is 15, we will probably give him cash, trainers, clothes, aftershave, gym stuff.

If there's nothing he wants then cash is good rather than buy things for the sake of it.

I got dh a unicycle for Christmas a few years ago and this summer ds1 - now 14 - has been obsessed with trying to get good on it. Could see it working really well for someone like your son - and if he had no idea it was coming could be a great thing to have under the tree and watch being opened!!

I got it around Black Friday and it was a set that included a stand and how to unicycle book and delivery for less than £60. I can dig details out off my pc if anyone is interested. It was from a small specialist unicycling/juggling/poi/etc shop and decent quality especially for the price, so felt a nice shop to support.

Alternatively how about a nice lightweight kite something a bit different to do onj a walk. There are some small pocket ones that aren’t very expensive.

My DS is slightly younger but we have the same problem. He still has around £100 from his birthday. While he likes getting money he rarely spends it.

We have focused on getting activities and experiences lately. Some he has had or we are thinking of getting are
Gig tickets, either music or favourite comedian
Indoor sky diving
Driving lesson - he gets one every birthday and Christmas
White water rafting session
This year he has asked to try snow boarding so we are getting him a taster session

Other things that have gone down well include a mini fridge for his room, fudge hamper (he loves fudge)
What about a monthly subscription to something? A gaming magazine or grooming box? Theres loads to choose from
Ds would probably love a cheese one!

Aren't our teenagers so lucky already

Thanks for everyone's input. We did an escape room as a Christmas present last year, which included an overnight stay in a big city but thinking maybe he could do one with friends instead of family.

Love the idea of a Unicycle or something quite bizarre that gets him away from his pc. Although saying that he spent the day pressure washing the patio (for cash) so maybe cash is the answer

I remember getting given £100 in cash one Christmas and being told I couldn't save it and spent a few day trips wondering around the sales buying all kinds of stuff. It was such a fun few days out ... but then I'm a girl!!!

Definitely go for cash if he doesn't want anything else. If he's anything like my partner's son he will be asking for things all year round - so he will have the money to get things as and when he wants them.

My own mum actually used to really annoy me at Christmas (and still does!) because she would always HAVE TO spend £200 for me and £200 for my brother, she would never do money or vouchers as she said they were boring, so we often got things we really didn't need or would never use.. and it was an absolute waste. I always said to her I would prefer her to just spend a tenner on me if that's all I've asked for, as for me Christmas was always about the presence not the presents.. but she would never and still never listens.

Well I'll probably wait until December (but put the money aside anyway) and see if he comes up with something.

I'm definitely loathed to spend on something unnecessary apart from fun stocking fillers

At that age l used to get a few small things to open and gave the kids cash to spend in the sales. They got want what they wanted and was always cheaper after Christmas. But we didn't have alot of money and £100/£200 always seemed like a fortune to them. I think they would have been less impressed if the had loads of money saved already.

If you are prepared to. It from Amazon, you might be interested to know that their gift cards come in a cute little box very convenient to wrap up and super useful for a wide range of things.

Is he into music? Maybe some lessons for new instrument, drums, guitar? Mine is into music production so got him some bits for that.
Theme park tickets? Any gaming convention coming up you could get tickets for or any concert tickets for music he's into?
I'd hate to give cash, mine has loads in money box too!

When I was this age I remember mum giving me £100 to go out and buy stuff I actually wanted for Xmas and she would spend £100 on random stuff for me (usual kind of stuff like makeup, perfume etc). I loved it and appreciated it as my mum's never been a fan of my style or music tastes so I went out and bought the band merch, cds, dvds etc I wanted. So I had stuff to unwrap that I wanted as well as some surprises on xmas day