Teens that don’t want/need anything?

[Lovemusic33]

DD’s are 14 and 16, neither of them need or want anything.

Both have ASD (youngest more severe), dd1 has a phone, laptop, tablet and switch.

Dd2 has a ipad, doesn’t need a phone or any other electrical gadget, she breaks everything due to her ASD so I only really buy her lego, she has so much lego and we don’t really have space for anymore.

Neither of them like sports, both have dyspraxia and can’t ride bikes.

I’m tempted to just cancel Christmas, neither would be that bothered 🤣.

Was considering just booking a holiday but with Covid it’s a bit tricky.

What does everyone else do when their dc’s don’t really want anything?

Could you do a gift bag/Christmas sack/ stocking with an assortment of things that you know they like, and will need in the months after Christmas? Not necessarily big ticket items. You know what their preferences are for sweets, toiletries, clothing and food items.

What about new covers for the phones/tablets, some sort of robust stand to prop a tablet up on? Storage for the Lego?

What about a day out instead as the main present, clothing or food items they like.

Do you mean a uk holiday or abroad?

I would probably do a day out as a gift

We will do stockings, that’s their favourite bit.

We go on a lot of days out as I don’t really spend much on other things, they don’t really like clothes (not bothered about brands or fancy trainers), we usually go shopping near Christmas to a city and have a over night stay but not sure we will do it this year due to many Christmas markets being cancelled. Dd2 does like unwrapping presents so will probably get another Lego set so she has something to open, dd1 will likely want money.

@toomanyspiderplants

Do you mean a uk holiday or abroad?

I would probably do a day out as a gift

Was hoping to take them abroad for the first time but I don’t think it’s a good idea at the moment. We are going away in a October half term but in the uk.

Buying for teens is difficult. My 2 boys are not too bothered about fancy clothes or trainers either and they only get a phone when the old one becomes unusable.
Here are a few ideas of things I've bought in the past. Some of these they get every year!
Desk calendar
PJs
Socks
Clothes (usually just Asda or Sports Direct)
Wallet (good for an older teen)
Poker set (we enjoyed this on holiday)
Office Chair (good idea for encouraging them to revise!)
Belt
Echo Dot (usually cheap on black friday)
Dressing gown
Table tennis table something like this www.argos.co.uk/product/8834560?clickSR=slp:term:table%20tennis%20table:5:985:1
headphones
Dobble game
Trivia games
Humorous mugs
Mugs filled with hot choc/marshmallows
action camera
computer games (usually fifa!)
Homemade voucher for driving lessons
slippers

Hope that helps.

It sounds like you know what to get them for stockings, and that's their favourite thing, so don't worry about trying to find other presents.

I'm all for buying presents for people of any age if there's something they want or need, or that you think they'd really like, but people tie themselves in knots to find things because they feel they ought to.

Perhaps, give the COVID uncertainty, you can ask them to each choose a place they'd like to go for a day out (from a pre-prepared list if that makes it easier) and take them when it's possible.

If you can spend time as a family and enjoy the day, that's more important than spending money on stuff no-one wants and that you don't have room for.

Jewellery
Perfume/set
Spa day
Annual passes to theme park/local attraction
Bedroom makeover
Nice boots/shoes/trainers

Mine are now 18 and 19 and haven't wanted anything for Christmas for the past few years. It's very strange to suddenly stop buying presents, but ultimately that was what they decided. Instead, I have continued with a stocking and give them a ticket/voucher for a day out or event or festival instead.

It's quite a relief to not have the pressure of getting the presents anymore!

@NotExactlyMrsCurrentAffairs

Jewellery Perfume/set Spa day Annual passes to theme park/local attraction Bedroom makeover Nice boots/shoes/trainers

They don’t like any of those things, they are not girly at all and going to spa would be there idea of hell (and mine).

They really are tricky to buy for.

Mind just get a few tiny bits and then money to go into their bank accounts. They like this. It gives them freedom to buy Whatever they want, be it a pizza with their mates or a pair of trainers or anything else they want.

Do they like animals, could you sponsor on their behalf a guide dog for the blind or dolphin etc? Comes with certificates/info etc

Amusing socks
Large novelty sized food - DS always gets 1 litre Nandos hot sauce, massive chocolate bars
Greggs voucher
Cash
Books
Magazine subs

Plant for their bedroom in a lovely pot
New duvet set
Bath bombs
Costa/Starbucks gift card
Knitting kit from stitch and story for beginners (YouTube tutorials included)
New swim towel/ fluffy bath towel
New dressing gown
Book tokens
Fancy colouring pencils/felt tips and adult colouring book
Highlighter in different colours for school
Board game
Bakedin baking subscription- now do a bread one too.

I feel your pain. My DTs aren't into clothes and have all the electronics they need.
For their 14th birthday we put the cash in their bank accounts and gave them bits. This was six months ago and they still haven't spent it - I think it'll be the same for Christmas!

Sorry, no suggestions, just a nod that I share your dilemma.

ihate I don't know if the Gregg's voucher was a joke or if such a thing really exists?

If so, that's the stocking filler all wrapped up!

@middleager It is indeed real. little gift card

Pop corn popper
waffle maker
under age driving lesson
new rug
new bedding

Do you live anywhere near a Lego Store? You can get limited edition bits from the stores plus fill-a-cup bricks and make your own Minifigs etc.
(You can never have enough Lego).

[quote Ihatemyseleffordoingthis]@middleager It is indeed real. little gift card[/quote]
Thanks - I don't know which rock I've been under, but this will go down a treat!

I just asked my 15 yr old son what he would want for his upcoming bday. His response: How should I know?
:)

Apple pencils
3D glue pen
Nintendo switch
Air pods
Funko pops
Anime anything?
Hotel chocolat hot chocolate maker
Popcorn maker
Mini fridge for their bedrooms
Kindles
Apple watches
Jellycat amusables

The above have gone down well with my teens ofer the past couple of years (although the mini fridges went on the games room not their bedrooms!)

I know some is pricy but if you're looking for a main gift I thought I'd just throw them in there as ideas

However you say they're not bothered. In that case, I'd consider just stockings for them

My son has ASD and his favourite presents have been a super soft blanket, a super soft fleecey dressing gown, super soft socks etc,
I do get him toys too but these are the things that make him smile all day.
Is there anything like this that your girls love? It may not feel present like to you. Or some memorabilia of their favourite tv show or game.
But if they dont want to do presents, then fine. There are plenty of other lovely Christmas traditions you could do together.

@Jamhandprints

My son has ASD and his favourite presents have been a super soft blanket, a super soft fleecey dressing gown, super soft socks etc, I do get him toys too but these are the things that make him smile all day. Is there anything like this that your girls love? It may not feel present like to you. Or some memorabilia of their favourite tv show or game. But if they dont want to do presents, then fine. There are plenty of other lovely Christmas traditions you could do together.

Yes, dd1 loves cuddly toys and anything soft, she had a dressing gown last year and a onesie. Dd1 isn’t really that into christmas, she enjoys the things we do leading up to it (trips out) rather than the actual day. Dd2 likes opening presents but then doesn’t touch most of the things she gets.

I got them both a echo dot last year and they have barely been touched. Dd2 only really touches Lego or model building kits, she likes building things and likes mechanics and engineering type kits. She loves cars so would probably like a ride in a sports car (experience voucher)or a trip to a car museum.

I just feel a bit rubbish not getting them but they really dont need or want much.