Older teen boys.... help!

[MrsChristmashohoho]

Any ideas for presents for older teen boys? 16/17 year olds.

It's my son and it used to a nice pile of presents to open on Christmas morning but I just have no ideas this year.

He says money would be great but I don't give money for Christmas as a rule.

He'll need new trainers by then and I've bought a 3 in 1 charging dock for iPhone/Apple Watch etc.

I'd rather buy a few bits he will use than waste money as I have done previously.

He's into football, music (records) and xbox. But has all the football stuff, xbox stuff and loads of music.

I'm thinking his main present will be an IOU for festival tickets for next summer but it's the smaller presents I could do with some ideas for ......

Thank you!

He says money would be great but I don't give money for Christmas as a rule.

Revisit this rule? If giving a present is for the recipient, give them what they want. Teenagers have limited access to money and a whole load of stuff they want. We did a small stocking for my 18 year old and a fun personalised card for his main present telling him his cash had been transferred that morning.

Depends what they are into- we've done local shake shack vouchers in stockings, phone chargers, posh pants, crep spray, hand cream, Spotify vouchers, gold coins obviously.

Main present for one of the others was a cinema membership card for the year - this is so good we're doing it again

This age they have very particular wants. Trainers aren't just shoes - they need to be a specific brand and colour, for example.
I'd ask him for a list and choose a few things off that.
My (19 this year) also says money. I do give him some and buy three or four other things (but he's warned me not to get and sports socks from his face team)! But one of their jerseys always goes down well.

I'm thinking of getting tickets for a comedy gig, Is there anyone he might like to go and see?
Xbox voucher
magazine subscription

If he collects vinyl records , how about a storage box for them?

I always ask mine to send me links of suggestions. There is no promise they will get everything they suggest but at least I know what I do get is actually what they want.

Thanks for the replies, really like the idea of tickets for a comedy show - he'd enjoy that!

Honestly at that age give him the money. And now is the time to change the expectation from a big pile of presents to a more modest (adult) sized pile of presents. My son is 15 and I'm thinking of doing away with his Santa Sack this year so I dont feel the need to fill it.

Headphones/phone chargers/money/subscription to a streaming service - just asked my 20 year old. He said money first…

Things like AirPods, small battery pack for phone if run out of charge, favourite trainers, things to do with a hobby, concert tickets

I don't want to transition to all money just yet, he has younger siblings which will enjoy opening presents. He does have a well paid part time job alongside college so it's not like he needs the money for day to day spending which is why I'd rather put the money towards something like comedy tickets/music gig etc.

It's just the smaller items I need ideas for, happy to pop £20 in his stocking or whatever but I also want him to have a few presents to open - it's tradition 🎅😀

Lego. My eldest is 23 and still loves lego...! I do money and experience tickets but lego is his (and his girlfriend's) happy place!

Tickets for a concert/festival?

Sorry I didn't read properly. You already said you were getting festival tickets as a main present.

My son (18) still quite likes to receive new board/card games! Either something that the family could play, or something more appropriate for with friends eg Cards Against Humanity.

I got mine a personalised beer glass which I've noticed he uses all the time. Think it has his name and Est <date of birth> engraved.

^^ for juice 😂

Designer boxers
Aftershave
Scratchcard
American sweets
instant noodles from other countries (especially if he likes spicy food)
Candle
Lava lamp

Charging cable
Cable covers
Hot chocolate sachets
Novelty sweets/chocolate
Lego mini figure
Card game
Festival stuff

CK boxers
Aftershave
Disposable cameras
Propelling pencil 😂

My son loves a projector he gas bought to watch films/football on his big bedroom wall.

Why don't you give money?

Clothes, chocolate / sweets, vouchers (but like money I think generic Amazon etc is boring), a designer belt, trainers, driving experience or money towards driving lessons, a book (I never give up! Maybe an autobiography of someone they admire) a silly Xmas day game, beers - if you allow that at home - socks, pants (Calvin kleins never wrong here), sunglasses, jewellery if that's the fashion & it stops them randomly nicking bits from your own jewellery box), sports equipment if they do a sport or work out.

If planning a festival do you / he have a tent? DS got a cheap pop up 1 person as didn't want to share! Or a sleeping mat?

Baby wipes & a loo roll as a bit of a joke on the festival theme..

nice shower stuff and smellys, branded boxers and hair stuff goes down well with mine

Oh yes posh smellies go down well here too!