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Christmas

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

Original poster

Absolutely no ideas - DS 19...

59 replies

WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 22:27

I have DSs 18 and 19. DS18, gave me a couple of ideas and I've also been able to pick him up some stuff he needs/would like/some surprises.

DS19 - not a clue :( He doesn't know, he has no opinions on anything, he is quite down mentally and the inability to make decisions etc is part of it. He doesn't go out apart from to uni, is very clever, likes tech stuff but really has everything that he needs/wants. Money is no use really as he has plenty and doesn't spend it. Despite everything, he would be a bit upset to not have things to open at christmas. Not interested in clothes or sports, doesn't play an instrument, really has no hobbies. He goes to the gym as part of an effort to help with his MH but has t'shirts/shorts/trainers and to be fair, he doesn't really enjoy it, just accepts that he needs to go.

I can get him some sweets/chocolate and some beers but otherwise not a clue. No specific budget (usually spend about £500 in total but open to anything really).

Help! Please!!

OP posts:
YahBasic · 29/11/2019 22:37

Does he have a Fitbit? Could be a bit of added motivation for the gym.

Similar wireless headphones if he doesn’t have any. Either AirPods or over the ear ones.

What is he studying at uni?

BillHadersNewWife · 29/11/2019 22:37

Would he ever paint? You could get him art stuff.
Or what about a nice camera?

Lololololola · 29/11/2019 22:42

A gig? Lots being released at the mo. Is there anywhere he wants to go? Trip to Barcelona/Amsterdam/Paris for the 2 of them if close as joint present, or with tour, on his own?

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 22:43

Thank you.

He has quite a lot of art stuff, including a drawing board but he doesn't touch it anymore, i've suggested photographt as I thought it might get him out the house but he didn't look keen and that didn't even get "i'm not sure", just no response.

He has a fit bit and some nice headphones, but no wireless ones, I might test the water with that, thanks. He doesn't have an iphone, he's an android man.

He's doing an M Eng in Computing Science (2nd year and grade average over 90%!)

He has a gaming PC which he built himself and triple screens and all the usual gubbings which apparently is all good and doesn't need replaced or upgraded.

OP posts:
Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 22:47

DS2 is into music but DS1 is a man of mystery. We know he listens to stuff but it's on his phone and he doesn't tell us what and just blanks if we ask.

DS2 is really good with him and is away at Uni but invited him up for a weekend and also takes him out for a pint/lunch when he is home. But he is hard work and he isn't DS2s responsibility, he has his own friends and his own things he wants to do. When we were on holiday in the summer, DS2 was getting a bit frustarted with him as he wanted to go out to the pubs and have a few but DS1 didn't. DH ended up having to go to pubs with DS2..

He wouldn't travel himself either. :(

OP posts:
Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 22:50

Lots of great ideas though, thanks, not trying to be negative, I just think it's an impossible task.

he still takes his old DS gaming thing which he's had for about 10 years, on holiday when we go away. he has a tablet and phone. Would something like a switch be too babyish?

OP posts:
YahBasic · 29/11/2019 22:53

Decent bag for laptop to take to uni? Or for the gym? Washbag for the gym?

Is he a reader? Would a Kindle go down well, or if not, just a couple of non-fiction books as stocking fillers?

Something practical like an electric toothbrush or shaver.

Is he into cooking? Something like a make your own biltong or brew your own beer kit.

YahBasic · 29/11/2019 22:54

I think a Switch is a really good idea, particularly with something like Zelda or Mario which is more retro.

Snoopytwist2 · 29/11/2019 22:56

How about tickets for both DS's for Insomnia - it's an annual gaming festival (I think Birmingham) for a weekend - along with a room in a nearby Travel Lodge or something not too pricey? It's a weekend so not too much of a tie for DS2 and something they both might enjoy? If not that one there are other gaming festivals around the country...

insomniagamingfestival.com

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 23:00

He got a new backpack for starting Uni and has a gym back thing too.

He used to read a lot and at one point had a kindle paperwhite. He sold it as he preferred physical books. He did take a couple of books on holiday (not sure if he read them) but some I'd got him for Christmas last year after careful research are still sitting unopened.

He has an electric toothbrush and one of those beard shaper things.

I'm liking the beer brewing kit though, that might be a goer :)

OP posts:
Chilledout11 · 29/11/2019 23:03

Stuff to make his room cosy. Nice chair / uplighter. Blankets etc.
Magazine subscription.
Has he an Alexa?

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 23:04

Gaming festival in theory a good idea. We did one in Manchester a few years ago. However he doesn't really engage, he just follows whoever he is with around. It's hard to tell if he enjoyed it or not Confused.

I mentioned the switch to him and he said "maybe, i'm not sure", i'm tentatively viewing that as a yes?

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YahBasic · 29/11/2019 23:06

I reckon you’re starting to get a decent list together.

Switch and a game
Wireless headphones
Beer brewing kit
Snacks & sweets
Standard pants/socks

PixieDustt · 29/11/2019 23:06

Have you tired a website called firebox? I love it. They sell all kind of weird and wonderful things on there Grin

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 23:07

Offered to do up his room but he isn't interested, he used to be quite proud of it but is letting it get very messy. He has an unused Alexa from 2 christmases ago, to be fair he did take it out the box but hasn't actually set it up. I've tried a couple of magazine subscriptions I thought he'd enjoy but he didn't really open them.

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 23:13

Yah, yes, I think I am :)

I really do appreciate it.

Switch or switch lite?

DS2s list for comparison:

new amp for his guitar
clothes - all black...parka jacket, band t-shirt, shirt, sweatshirt
David bowie vinyl album
some picks and a personalised pick holder
aftershave
Pjs
belt
some postcards with his favourite album covers
a cat mug and some instant mochas
A crate of cider
sweets

I like to spend similar and have similar amounts of gifts.

OP posts:
wigglybeezer · 29/11/2019 23:14

DH bought himself a Switch!
I have this problem every year, especially for DS2, I used to buy him books but he has to read so much for uni he doesn't want them anymore...
I do food and drink hampers for mine to bulk out the gifts.
I always have to come up with ideas for Grannies to buy too...
Fancy water bottles for the gym went down well, DS1 has kept his for a whole year!
This year I will be buying nice North face canvas belts, north face are a godsend, DS2 only likes sensible clothing but I want him to look reasonably fashionable, DS3 vets my selections.
Would an Audible subscription to have stuff to listen to on his commute do? I'm hooked on mine.
DS1 bought himself cordless noise cancelling headphones, he loves them but they were quite £££

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 23:25

He likes his chili (type) bottle and contigo for his coffee on the train. I'm with you in that he isn't interested in clothes but I like him to look reasonably fashionable but I'd really prefer him to develop his own style but that isn't happening. I've had to strongly suggest he changes sometimes if we've been going for dinner somewhere nice and he's gone loco (black trousers, navy shirt and brown shoes!) I look at what he chooses form his wardrobe and try to buy similar. However, i've noticed that he rotates the same handful of t-shirts and ignores the other similar ones. I put away his laundry one day instead of leaving him to do it, put the old favourites to the bottom of the pile but he fished them out. Newer ones are same brand, same size and colours but for some reason have been rejected. He has about 8 pairs of jeans but rotates the same two pairs.

OP posts:
Cuddling57 · 29/11/2019 23:26

I'm having trouble too for DS teenager!
How about something personalise ie. Mug, coaster, mouse mat?
Pictures in photo frames?
Designer jumper?
Weights for his room?

Cuddling57 · 29/11/2019 23:26

What about one of those sunrise alarm clocks?

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 23:27

No grandparents on either side and no-one else buys for them. Some relatives still send money/cheques but gifts have pretty much always been our domain.

OP posts:
Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 29/11/2019 23:32

Did the alarm clock last year so that was a good suggestion :)

DH has a lot of equipment for training in the garage and he can use it whenever he likes, he has the run of the house more than we do. He's not yet at the stage of enjoying the gym but he is looking fitter and he's developing a better physique. We've been emphasising to him that we can see the results so hoping it sinks in and encourages him.

OP posts:
MaryPeary · 29/11/2019 23:58

-Lock-picking kit from Amazon - £12 ish.

  • Fire strike (flint and steel) plus a bag of cotton wool to use as tinder. Bag of marshmallows to cook on the campfire that he manages to light with firestrike.
-Swiss Army card or knife.

Places that I find interesting stocking fillers for my boys of similar age : Menkind, Gadgetshop, I Love Science Store.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 30/11/2019 00:05

Ex scout so has all the knives and camp kit but those are good ideas for anyone with teens into scouting and camping or DofE :)

What would you use the lock picking kit on? Your own locks? don't want him ending up arrested! I've been on some of those websites before but not all so I'll have a wee look and see if I spot anything. thanks.

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elephantoverthehill · 30/11/2019 00:05

I bought my Ds a clock kit from here a couple of years ago, it's quite techy and nerdy. Ds had enjoyment from soldering it all together. I bought a cheaper kit but you can pay what you want here