11 year old DS

[BeaLola]

Really stuck for DS - not helped by fact that birthday is just before Christmas and I end up buying on behalf of both sets of elderly grandparents and Uncle.

All he really wants are AirPods and Apple Watch - obviously these are expensive but not outside budget for collective gift but I am not willing to buy these 2 things .

He does rugby , loves football & has FIFA 20 which he saved pocket money for and now in year 7 has a phone.

Help pls

Can I ask why you are not willing to buy the things he really wants as you say they're within budget?

If they're within budget I would buy the things he's asked for as otherwise you will spend money on stuff he doesn't want which would just be a waste.

The secondary school my son attends does not allow Apple Watches or any smart watches so your son may only be able to wear it on evenings and weekends, just a heads up.

Apple Airpods might be a good idea, but if he is planning to wear them to school he needs to make sure his bag is not unattended at any point, very easy to nick and conceal. My sons are 16 and 13, stealing is rife in secondaries and difficult to prove or prevent.

He could always spread his gifts throughout the year, if he is given cold hard cash, just put some to one side for him and later when he wants something he can get it.

I would get one of the things he really wants if you can afford it in budget. I've just googled and the watch seems lots more expensive than the airpods. I don't think I'd want my son (11) wearing something so valuable. But to have the headphones at home would be ok. (Although when would he use them? My son doesn't even have headphones for his phone so a genuine question).

My 11 year old is getting a new bike, some drum taster lessons, a dressing gown, books etc a new game for the Switch. He also has his birthday right before Xmas. He wants a new phone but will get some money he can put towards that from others- unless I see a really good black Friday deal.

Thank you for all the replies and thoughts- keep them coming ideas wise.

The reason I am conflicted about this is I would like to get him what he really wants as it's birthday /Christmas BUT :

Already has wireless earphones which are pretty good , would not be allowed to use AirPods at school or even take them to school and I think when he did use eg at weekends would end up getting lost or left behind - this is a child who so far in year 7 has mislaid his coat 4 times and left his blazer and pe kit behind twice !

I think the watch is unececessary- he has a watch plus glued to phone when allowed and he would not be allowed watch at school and I would.be wary of amount he could use it at weekends because he would have to take off when playing sport and easy to lose / get stolen. I have suggested that he saves pocket money and money that elderly relatives send through post for birthday to save towards AirPods.

All I can think of is real football top of team he supports, Tom Gates book , lynx ,aftershave. He isn't a big book fan.

Contingo mug for his hot chocolate.

He has good phone, bike and PS4. Trying to think of activity,

Young drivers lesson
Tickets to a show
Branded hoodie - my ds liked superdry at that age

Skins for his controllers, a box set, a speaker pillow for bedtime music, an echo, with Spotify subscription, hot choc selection pack with marshmallows and stuff, a chilly bottle for water to go with his mug, any of these any good?

Definitely recommend Young Drivers lesson. A great experience. My 11 year old had one for his birthday in January and still talking about it.

Thank you all - you are fab- some great ideas that I am going for but still suggest as making a huge list.

Has got an echo but no spotify subscription to date.
Like young drivers especially - think Grandparents could get for him.

Due to husbands job he gets a pretty good offering if events to go to theatre/sport wise.

It is hard as he doesn't really ask for anything and I'm in charge of buying on behalf of everyone as Grandparents and Uncle old and happy to very generously party with cash but want to get him a gift and feel I'm better placed then them to sort.

I’ll be following this as my DS is same age as yours, has same interests and wants same things!
He too wanted an Apple Watch til I persuaded him that it did more than he could use it for, couldn’t use it at school, he doesn’t use his phone that much etc. And it would take much of his budget and he would prob lose or break it. He now fancies a fitness tracker watch, poss Fitbit charge 3, which would be cheaper and more suitable.
He was also looking at AirPods but wouldn’t use them that much and he agreed he should they genuine ones as again take much of the budget. But he’s seen some copies for about £40 that have good reviews so will prob get them. He also suggested some fancy Nike trainers but I think he’s gone off that idea.
We’ll prob give him some cash as his main present, as he saved up loads but bought a pc earlier in the year so drained his bank account. Have also got or planning to get:
Bobble hat (from his rugby club)
Haynes rugby manual
Water bottle
Marvel funko pops
Chocolate making course
Power pack
Mario olympics (to share with sister)
American sweets
PJs

By the way we have a family Spotify subscription and he loves it, I think that’s an excellent idea.

For activities my son loves high ropes courses like go ape. We recently went to Bear Grylls Adventure at Birmingham NEC and did high ropes, rock climbing, indoor sky diving and archery and he loved that.

Vr , colour changing light bulb.

Branded clothes , trainers.

David walliams books.

thank you all so much - this is so helpful

Can I ask pricing for family Spotify & why it's so good ?(dinosaur Mum here )

He does a lot of activities such as climbing ,zip wire,caving etc both ionScouts camp and also a residential he went on in summer,

Liking the colour change light

Tbh all are brill ideas

He has all Williams books ,, he is t into crafts or magazines except I did buy as a small gift 3 issues fir a £1 of a classic car magazine

He has just started German at school and loves it - not sure if anything fun to tie in with that ?

I would rather not give him money only because that's what Grandma dioes and he would rather have a gift to kidney and use /play with

If I had a 11year old Daughter I wouldn't be so stuck as can think of Locke’s of ideas

Penknife or a fire starter kit?

My Ds has muzzy . It’s an app tbf but you can get the DVD’s . My Ds started German year 7 and enjoys them .

David Walliams has a new one out end of November I think.

I picked up Ripley’s believe it or not from WHSmiths . It was £10 and you got another book free.

We do amazon music it comes up on Black Friday deal every year.

I also got my Ds his own named cup for camping with a picture of a tent . eBay

If he has any camps coming up does he need anything for that . A thick sleeping bag for camp , Richard sac , jelly bean cover , walking socks etc.

I have just ordered my Ds a pizza blanket . I think he will love it

Horse riding lesson
Indoor sky dive experience
Whitewater centre experience

Just ordered my Ds a scooter sledge

Gaming chair or beanbag?

Lavalamp?

Wallet?

Has he started any music lessons? My DD12 started ukulele recently and really enjoys it, she's been borrowing DH's, but I've got her her own. She's also having a Switch game, musical tickets, Lego set,Vans, box set of books.

Thank you all - really helping me get him sorted.

[Notname] can I ask re Bera Grylls thing how you found it - was it exhaustingly busy - did you go on a weekend or schoool holiday - we don't live near Birmingham at all but could go before end of year or for FFeb half term or a Sat in Jan- March - would a particular time/ day make much difference and how long do you need do you think ? Apologies for all the questions but it looks fab

Following for ideas for DS10.

He’s having a tv for his bedroom for playing PS4.
Branded clothing (Nike or North Face), headphones, Alexa Dot. Books (David Walliams new one). Hair products as he loves styling his hair!

Gaming chair or giant beanbag for his room (look up ru comfy)

Surely there is a new PS4 game he'd like.

Merlin passes.

They're having a sale at the mo, they're worth the money and will also give free access to the bear Grylls centre as well as all the theme parks etc. It's a win / win.

Netflix subscription?