10 year old who doesn't want or need anything

[Bunnybigears]

DS2 is 10. We have redone his bedroom and bought him a much wanted high sleeper bed so he knows he isn't getting a 'big present' at Christmas but I need to get him a few bits to open. He is a boy of very few interests, he is a club swimmer so is mostly either at school or swimming. He plays on the xbox occasionally but isn't obsessed with it. He isn't in to clothes, doesn't play with toys, doesn't play with lego. I will buy some sweets and chocolate but what else can he have to unwrap. I hate just buying for the sake of it but I cant have a 10 year old on Christmas day with just some sweets and chocolate! Any ideas?

I work with boys of your son age, would you son be interested in a scooter and nice helmet? Skate board? New games for his Xbox? Board games? Science kits?

How about an experience rather than a tangible ‘thing’? The best Christmas gift I have ever bought for either of my children was a day as a junior zookeeper; when she was nine, my eldest (now nearly 13) went to Edinburgh Zoo, where she got to, among many other things, go into the meerkat enclosure to help feed them (she wasn’t keen as one tried to climb into her welly boot!), plus lead the legendary daily Penguin Parade around the zoo. Basically, she shadowed a real zookeeper for several hours and got behind-the-scenes access and I got to follow as the official photographer!

We have legions of fantastic photographs and we still talk about it as a magical day out even now. I will definitely be repeating this as a gift idea for my four-year-old once she reaches the same age.

All the RZS zoos (London, Bristol, Edinburgh and Chester) offer similar experiences but I found the Edinburgh option to be the most cost effective, plus it is the only place in the UK to see pandas.

I bought the experience as a Christmas/birthday (December 27th baby) gift and I was sent an official gift voucher, which, I think, was valid for one year, so we chose to go in the following August, when the Scottish children were back at school and the zoo was relatively quiet.

Wallet
Watch
Joke book
3D jigsaw
Where’s Wally? books
Magic trick set
Pencil case
Watercolour paints and pad
Waffle or toastie maker
Mug cake recipe book
Bop It
Addictaball

Ber84 thanks for the suggestions, he has a scooter but never uses it, he will get board games from relatives, thats all they ever get him. An Xbox game might be an idea but he got his xbox passed down from his older brother with lots and lots of games but I could question him if there is any he would like.

Moominmammaatsea yes we love doing experiences he got to go scuba diving for his birthday (which was in April so only just got to do it last month) The only problem is now things are getting back to normal (ish) after school, swimming and football and cricket for his brother we have very little time. I could have a look if there is something he could do locally so we can fit it in in an afternoon.

I've got the same challenge OP. Just had his 10th birthday and we didn't get him anything as he didn't want anything. He honestly isn't into stuff. Other family members insist on sending him stuff but without wanting to sound too ungrateful it just gets unwrapped, thank you cards written and in 6 months time I'll take it off the windowsill in his bedroom and put it in the charity box.

I hear led flexible lights are all the rage, so some cool ones for round the high bed?

• LED lights are popular & would go nice round the bed
• Trampoline
• £50 note is exciting to get
• Penny board skateboards are good
• an iPod touch is a bit like an iPhone

didireallysaythat I'm glad its not just me!

MrsWooster now thats a good idea.

My 10 year old will be getting a book box set, he gets one from Santa every year. A set of wireless headphones and I’m not sure what else!

Also a kindle went down very well for his birthday

top quality racing goggles, 3D racing cap and jammers

My 10 year old is getting a leather jacket, and he likes little fiddle toys. Only thing he's asked for is vbucks, but I've told him in not passing for those, if he wants them it will be his money... If he won't spend his money but will mine be isn't so keen!

How about a cool bag for his swimming kit, are there specialist brands for that?
A personalised towel.
A small Alexa and smart bulbs for in his room- great for lights off at bedtime and playing music / podcasts on
Christmas pants and socks.
Bath bombs
Chocolate marshmallow bombs for hot chocolate

Oodie's seem to be the big thing this year, maybe one of those or the cheaper equivalents or a fleecy onesy.
Projector to watch movies
Lava lamp
Magic 8 ball
Poster in a frame
Slippers
Neon wall light
Board game
Fitness watch
Gorilla gym
Popcorn machine or ice cream maker
Bedding
Rucksack
Trainers
Remote control car
Drone
Alexa or Google home mini
Alexa activated colour change light bulb
Books
Skateboard
Jigsaw
Lego
National geographic activity set
Gravitrax
Telescope
Rubix cube

The Week subscription is great at his age too.

T-shirt or hoodie with one of his interests on it.

Maybe some "grown up" things - electric toothbrush? Watch?

Does he read or draw? Novelty stationery?

Does he have a phone or ipod - portable charger, novelty headphones.

DS1 (12) has requested for his birthday:

Bum bag (dunno if this is just a German thing or a now it's cool thing)
Waffle maker

A nice tracksuit for after swimming?
A waterproof phone pouch?
A comedy towel or towel from a favourite sports team?
A book about fitness or cooking for fitness?
New duvet set?
My kids have never grown out of cuddly toys tbh

What about a swim coat/parka? I always wanted one when I swam competitively as as a kid.

Camera?

Stop motion animation kit/camera/book/green screen?

Fosse ball table?

Also.....

Perplexus brain puzzles?

Magic trick set?

Framed poster from a favorite movie?

Magazine subscriptions are nice, or a membership of an organisation that includes a magazine.

Microscope went down well at the same age here.

Ozobots are fun, and small.

I'm thinking of a disco light for my youngest one this year. For no good reason

Construction. There are some hydraulic kits that are really good. I'm considering the cyborg hand.

Books.

A Dryrobe? DD2 is also a club swimmer and her Dryrobe is invaluable now that the changing rooms are unavailable. We walk to and from the pool several times a week and she stays warm in it. Expensive, but worth every penny.

Would he like a fitbit or garmin? The charge 3 allows you to track swim sessions.

Funko pops
Xbox gift card
Team merch, football/rugby club?
Jigsaw
DVD box set
Alexa dot for his room

My DS (11) is the same we got him ifly vouchers last year which were a huge success and I'm thinking junior driving vouchers this year. Other than that and a couple of books, plus some stocking fillers, he'll just be getting money. I'm going to have a look online because I know there's various ways you can wrap money to make it look more than it is and he'll either find it highly amusing or just be but at least he'll have a few things to open on the day!