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Christmas

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

Stocking things for an 11/12 year old BOY. I'm struggling!

25 replies

WindUpBird · 20/11/2019 09:55

Any ideas?! I've had a search of previous threads and no inspiration so far. His big sister is 13 and SO easy to buy for - dance accessories, stationery, face masks, superdrug make up etc. But for DS, I'm really stumped this year. I'll get a few sweets/chocolate things I know he likes. He's into cricket, so I'll get a couple of new cricket balls and cricket pants! Other than that...
He's not into building things so he wouldn't me interested in any craft kit type thing. Please tell me anything you've bought which you think might be good!

OP posts:
angemorange · 20/11/2019 10:01

I did a Prezzybox shop yesterday for a few things for my 13 yr old DS. Got a lamp and novelty soaps, some books and assorted nonsense.

mine likes football and Xbox and not much else! Agree boys are much harder than girls!

TheWoollybacksWife · 20/11/2019 10:06

Card games. I found a game on Amazon called Game of xxx (DS's name). There are a few names available but only useful if it's a reasonably common name. He's also had travel versions of Cluedo and monopoly.

Water bottle (Chilly or similar)

If he's a gamer as well as a cricketer then skins for his controller.

Bat tape

Hair gel/wax

Cinema tickets or Costa card

SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 20/11/2019 10:07

Key chain
Small book
Earbuds?
Socks or a scarf
Usual bits of chocolate
My DS likes a bath bomb, but might not be for everyone

Saisong · 20/11/2019 10:14

Bath bombs - that age group seems to love them, whatever sex they are.
Penknife/binoculars/compass?
Magazines (there's a great 'How Things Work' with lots of fascinating detail)
Comics - who doesn't love a Beano?
Ripley's or Guiness World Records
Potato clock
Crystal growing kit
Headphones
Duvet set
Emoji pillow
Deodorant/scent
Slippers/new PJs
Cooking stuff - like cake mix in a box

BrieAndChilli · 20/11/2019 10:37

Tiger is good for picking up little stocking type things.

For DS age 12 I've got so far

trump cards (the 12+ version NOT the adult one!!) its cards with things on them and you have to guess if its something Trump said or not! DS and his friend are into politics and dressed as trump for halloween so its right up his street.

Choc orange (tradition in our house!)

Socks that say I'm gaming on them

Star wars battery bank for his phone

touch gloves

MrsNoMopp · 20/11/2019 10:51

Phone case
Portable power bank
Cactus
City map
Pencil tin
Guitar/keyboard/saxophone lesson
Young off-road driver lesson
Desk toys
Cinema voucher
Tea tree shower gel

marmite51 · 20/11/2019 10:52

My son has

animal face masks
lip balms (peanut butter, drumstick)
socks with sushi on
top trumps (fortnite)
comic books (James smart)
sweets
fountain pen (star wars)
a maths set
ps4 skin for controller

That's it so far!

Howmanysleepsnow · 20/11/2019 11:01

Novelty usb stick (got ds a Lamborghini one)
Novelty power bank
Jelly bean double dare game (b&m)
Fidget spinner pen
Bloxxels (but it wouldn’t fit in an actual stocking!)
Books
One night ultimate werewolf (card game)
Hair stuff

BiddyPop · 20/11/2019 11:21

Some travel sized toiletries of his favourites, or some more "grown up" type ones, possibly including hair gel or mud to experiment with, or pack of a mix of small sizes of shower gels in different smells to try out....

A magazine on an interest he has - not crafts, but does he like games, or a particular sport, or current affairs, or history...…

A slinky

Shower radio

Tools for fixing bike etc? Wallet card tool, or a swiss army penknife (if you teach him how to use it safely)....

Favourite sweets or savoury snack

Pocket calendar

Accessories for phone/gaming device etc, pair of earphones, spare charging cables or power bank (if anything like my teen girl, these always go missing/broken so spares are very useful!)

"Cool" mug (in his kind of style - whether a regular pottery one for at home or a thermal one for out and about) and a favourite hot drink for it, or a reusable water bottle

Carbeeners (even if not into outdoor pursuits, carbeeners are great for hanging things to bags etc as teens)

Small puzzle book and a refillable pencil (the ones where you can refill the lead) or small sized pen

Bits for any hobbies - guitar strap and plecs, music sheets, gaming token, studs kit for boots, mouse pad, some fun long socks not just school/club colours…

Some more fun than everyday utilitarian socks and underwear

Cool hat and gloves

Bamboo toothbrush, wooden hairbrush, other eco friendly toiletries

Wallet

Travel accessories - pouch of cutlery for 1, reusable toiletries bottles, travel towels,

Voucher for the cinema

Kit to grow crystals or other small science kits

Story cubes

Cards or small games (travel, one person, or just small sized so good to bring to friends houses)

wibdib · 20/11/2019 11:28

Santa has always left a funny cuddly toy on the top of the dc’s stockings - younger ds has always loved the kinder plush ones but he’s had all of the ones that are out this year and he is into sloths so have got him a sloth heatpack from Sainsbury’s (whiz in the microwave for a minute to become toasty warm) - ds1 (14) is getting the tiger version as he supports tigers rugby. In previous years he has had little stuffed football and rugby mascots for his team which he has liked as he’s at that age where he would be upset if he didn’t have someone sitting there to wake up to - but also doesn’t want to ask to check he is getting one - so worked as it became a ‘sport’ thing rather than a cuddly thing!

Things like shower gel, deodorant, new comb, hair gel etc - maybe nicer brands than his everyday ones. Socks and pants, maybe a T-shirt to wear on the day. Fiddle toy. One of the ‘smart games’ travel games - dc like IQ focus and IQ puzzler pro. Some nice pens and stationery for school (ds1 likes frixion pens whichbare more expensive than normal ones), little highlighters, post it notes that sit on a card to go in a file, revision cards, etc

WindUpBird · 20/11/2019 12:02

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. Some good ideas for things I hadn't thought of. I must admit, I had to look up controller skins!
wibdib - funnily enough I had already bought him some revision cards and a tiny wallet to keep them in! He'll be thrilled. And those IQ games will be great, I hadn't thought of those, he loves a logic puzzle and it's something to do on the day. And yes, maybe I could just get him some more stationery for school - things always need replacing!
Magazines are a good idea - though relatives bought him a history and a space mag subscription and he never reads them! Saisong Maybe I'll get a copy of How it Works - it might interest him for a day and takes up a good amount of space!
Brieandchilli Those Trump cards sound hysterical - will definitely get those! Have you got a link? A quick google just comes up with Top Trumps. That's exactly the kind of thing I'm after - something silly but not throwaway.
And everyone who suggested a powerbank - good thinking, he hasn't got one!
I'd been thinking of getting bamboo toothbrush for both of the DC.
Yes to a bathbomb - i've got a tiny bodyshop one and he always gets a Lush one on Christmas Eve...
I was also thinking of a 'perfume spray' type thing - but I can't bear the smell of Lynx and his granddad uses the Body Shop sprays so he wouldn't want those. Is there a cheap brand of something similar?? I love Lush, but too expensive for an 11 year old!

OP posts:
wibdib · 20/11/2019 12:57

I got ds a subscription to How it Works last christmas - i think on cyber monday - it was something like half price and then 10% or even more off on top plus a little book free with it so less than £30 - and have just looked and seen it is currently at about that price now.

IF he likes logic games then try Rush Hour - not a stocking filler but ds2 has it and it has been a big hit with friends and relations whenever he takes it with him to a gathering as something to do - with everyone from 8 to 80!

If you're thinking power bank, all my tech friends recommend Anker as being the best value in terms of money and power.

WindUpBird · 20/11/2019 13:51

wibdib - yes, he already has that Rush Hour game and has worked his way through the 'levels'! Thanks for the Anker tip - I'd no idea which were best!

OP posts:
weebarra · 20/11/2019 13:55

Yes, DS1 has an Anker.
Lava lamp
Hotel chocolat stuff
Bath bombs
Tape dispenser (I know, he's quirky!)

Leeds2 · 20/11/2019 14:28

Tube of Pringles.
Pot of Crunchie/Malteaser/Galaxy chocolate spread.
Tub of Marshmallow Fluff.
Shower gel.
Stunt/trick yo yo.
Sudoku book.
Computer mouse.

wibdib · 20/11/2019 15:06

Did you know you can get expansion packs for rush hour if he enjoys it? A set of cards with new puzzles and a new car! Makes a good stocking filler if he already has the game Grin

BrieAndChilli · 20/11/2019 15:12

@WindUpBird Trump game here: www.amazon.co.uk/Kick-Ass-Games-R9008-Trump/dp/B07J6S6PTB/ref=asc_df_B07J6S6PTB/?hvlocphy=1007420&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=310843163984&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos=1o1&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-594504257435&hvrand=13469555171210196872

Other things that have gone down well in the past are

scrunchable london map
little bluetooth speaker
lego of london landmarks

WindUpBird · 20/11/2019 17:46

a tape dispenser Smile
Thanks BrieAndChilli, that's great. And yes to a bluetooth speaker! I'd quite like the London map for myself...
wibdib I didn't know about the extension pack; I'll investigate, thanks!
Leeds2 - I'd forgotten about Pringles, he had them last year in his stocking and they were a treat! A sudoku book's a good idea, too, thanks.

OP posts:
lexloofah · 20/11/2019 21:19

Pringles are great as really fill the space!

In addition to already mentioned bath bombs etc

Candy kittens
Vimto jelly babies
Mini led light that fits on a zip, in scouts so good for night hikes and camping
Shower foam
Bath sponge
Hankies
Pillow spray, he has trouble sleeping so got a lavender one
Enormous divine choc coin rather than bag of coins as get sick of finding the bits of foil everywhere
Instant cool towel from a tip on another thread
Key ring for football club he supports
Balancing eagle
He collects special 50p coins so I have one to put in
Mini rugby ball

Hmm that list looks a bit lame and too practical now I have typed it out, will look for something fun and silly too. Hoping to come across Simpsons socks or something as well

1nsom · 21/11/2019 19:08

@Howmanysleepsnow We all love One Night Ultimate Werewolf! X

carolina21 · 21/11/2019 19:13

Present for 24 year old that has everything but an electric tooth brush is that a suitable Christmas gift or boring ?

soupforbrains · 21/11/2019 19:15

If he's into cricket I'm sure wisden's do some pocket books.

My DS is 12 and in his stocking he's getting an assortment of books, some gamer socks, some sweets, a teen cookbook a crystal making science kit thing and a flick-a-chicken because it's stupid and juvenile and he will love it.

debbiewest0 · 21/11/2019 20:01

Sports direct have some small bottles of perfume/aftershave type thing for boys. Adidas and such for about £5
My son always likes to get one of these at Christmas. They’re pump sprays, glass bottles so pretty nice

Artesia · 22/11/2019 05:57

He might like this- I got it for my DS, and it’s properly funny. www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0241422728/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8&qid&sr

Also, there’s a really good book of comedy wildlife photos- will see if I can find a link. That was a hit for us last year.

How about edible stuff? Novelty foreign sweets are always popular- unusual flavours of Skittles in particular. I also put in a packet of Brussel sprout flavoured crisps last year!

BecomesHelen · 22/11/2019 19:54

Mine has
Mini wooden cube puzzle
Mini wooden spinning top
Potato clock
Lego tape
Bug pop
Strong magnet
Bendy ruler
Alphabet 10p coin (his initial)
A Christmas poo squishy
Word a day calendar in French
Monopoly deal
Charger cable
Fun snaps
A telescopic metal straw on a keyring

Then stuff he gets every year like sweets, chocolate coins, shower gel, a toothbrush, a polystyrene glider...

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