At a loss for DS1 (15)

[MegBusset]

He is a lovely lad but extremely hard to buy for!

• not into buying clothes yet
• Doesn't need or want a new phone or other tech
• just not that into 'stuff' in general
• doesn't like going out to McDonald's or cinema etc (a homebody and not a fan of busy places) - his main hobby is D&D but all his campaigns take place over Discord so doesn't even need so much as a d20
• has £££ in his bank account as he never spends any. So giving more money is not really going to mean anything to him

So far on the list is:

• a new Warrior Cats book he's asked for
• a new mouse for his PC
• a onesie

In any other year I think this would be enough along with some sweets etc, but this year DS2 is getting a new gaming PC (He's saved up all year, we're not paying for the whole thing!) and I worry DS1's presents will look a bit meagre alongside!

Any ideas welcome...

Young drivers experience?

I have a hard to buy for DS too and I am following this thread with interest.

I bought him a mini fridge for his bedroom and two retro Mario and Zelda hand held game players for his birthday. www.amazon.co.uk/Game-Watch-Super-Mario-Nintendo/dp/B08GZ3DRLW. They were down to something like £23 each at the time. My DS loves them.

Would he like his bedroom revamping or could you put his monitor on a bracket so he could have a second one or a bigger one?

🙄

My 15 year old son only wants pyjamas, so loving the ideas on this thread!

I've asked him about this today. He has politely declined a new monitor, or a gaming keyboard, or a mouse mat 🙄

My DD is 15 and sounds very similar. She has asked for some LED lights for mood lighting because she does her D&D in person and she's the dungeon master.

There are a few books she wants, some art supplies and obscure merch.

We usually buy experience type stuff such as theatre tickets. Last year, we took both DC to Manchester for the weekend be fore Christmas and saw a show, visited the Christmas markets and stayed in a quirky B&B. That was their gift really.

I second the experiences. For teens we’ve done HP World and Alton Towers with overnight stays, and a music festival. Also a Young Driver session and Spotify subscription were popular.

I agree, an experience day

Watching closely. My ds is a year younger but otherwise the same. He already has the wireless headphones and other tech he wants. So far I have ....

Trade in his outgrown frog for an adult size bike.
New salapettes and ski gloves (school ski trip in March)
One of those photo frames x 9 and fill it with this year's school mates
Waterstones vouchers - if I give him money he saves it, but vouchers get spent
A mixed box of grooming stuff/smellies

Stocking fillers are the hardest things to buy for mine.....

@JacquelineCarlyle where do you get his pjs?

My ds is super skinny and 31" leg. He likes those check flannel pj trousers and a t-shirt but the last ones I got were M&S. They were 8" too big round the waist and it took me hours to take them apart and remake.

Where can I get them, the right size for a lanky teen?

Mine is super skinny & lanky too (he's a 30/34 in school trousers) & likes similar to your DS.

I get mine in M&S & Next and they're not too bad. A bit big around the waist but as they're elasticated they're usually ok. If I find any good ones this year, I'll post on here.

Thanks - I’ll take a look. He dislikes crowds (so festivals and theme parks are out) and loud noise (so no concerts etc). In the past we’ve done alpaca walks and a Segway experience which he liked.

What about doing an escape room, or failing that you could get one of the home escape room things, some of them are super hard. If he likes puzzles too there are some great GCHQ puzzle books that are interesting

Money will be useful to him at some point. Even if he is saving it all now, therewith come a time when he wants clothes/car/going out funds. Really don't see any issue in giving him cash instead of physical gifts

If you’re thinking of a driving experience day just be aware of the additional fees. I bought DS one for his birthday, when I rang to book it cost me an extra £75 due to insurances (this was based on it being a 4 car experience)

What company was this with I have one booked for my daughter's birthday in November. It was £80 for 1 hour now I'm worried.

Ds is similar with change, why change when it works? He doesn't see how improvements can make things better or more enjoyable.

He has a dual monitor arm that clamps to the desk and gives him so much extra desk space and he loves it now it is there. We also recently got him an over monitor light that he absolutely hated when we first got it, and again now loves.

They are so frustrating when you know they will like something but they decline!

Are you in the South of England? If he's into D&D, maybe get Tickets for London Spring Comic-Con?