Smaller gifts for older teen boys

[ChristmasStruggler]

The season has arrived for DS17's kind relatives and godparents to ask me for gift ideas and for me to scrabble about trying to come up with them. Just wondered if anyone had any ideas for good presents for older teen boys between about £10-£30? I've asked DS and he just says cash or a football but I can't say a football to everyone and I know some of them don't like to give cash.

Interests- football especially Spanish and South American, music (Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Loyle Carner etc), philosophy, left wing politics (I wondered about a New Statesman sub but is there anything a bit less dry?), maybe nice grooming stuff.

Any suggestions v welcome especially from left field. Something fun- a game, a funny gadget? Or something a bit grown up (like a Moleskine notebook?) Thank you!

Oh he’s also quite into healthy eating and fitness. Anyone think of eg a healthy cookbook (veg or fish) that’s suitable for a competent novice cook and not too obviously aimed at women?

A witty tshirt related to his interests or favourite films/tv shows?

Present indicative might be worth a look for unusual bits.

Within that sort of price range my DS17 loves his Adidas bum bag and sliders.
He got a nice colour-changing lamp for his bedside table last year, which was about £20. And a print of an album cover. And a running belt thing + running socks. I dread the annual enquiries from relatives re. ideas, particularly as he has a Dec b'day too – I never have any to spare! So will be watching with interest...

Bosh! cookbook might appeal. Two hipster blokes cooking fun vegan stuff (burgers and the like).

Aftershave?
Nike socks, Hilfiger or Calvin Klein trunks.

I just scrolled back through WhatsApp as I know he sent me a few suggestions himself last year... Album cover was from Etsy, and was a black/white printed canvas. He also asked for a silicon phone cover, some 'Slick Gorilla' sea salt (hair) spray and a Boots No7 Men 'grooming kit' (!). The weirdest request, though, was a set of artificial succulent desk plants from IKEA.

God he sounds like DE's twin all be it he's rugby not football
Wagamama cook book, DS loves it
Philosophy books or broaden out into politics - try Noam Chomsky,
And randomly the thing he liked the most last birthday was a tray to put all his keys, AirPods etc on his was from stussy so more expensive than your looking for but there are lots of cool ones

One of those multi-photo frames, with this year's photos of him and his mates.

If he wants cash, I would ask for cash for him. Giving a gift should be about what the person wants (within reason and budget!) not meeting a need in the giver (I don’t like to give Cash) IMO.

My teenagers love counting their birthday/Xmas cash and planning what to buy. A few £10 gifts from people add up to a nice amount to buy something they really want.

retro/vintage football shirt?

Was also going to say football shirt. DS18 loves getting them from different foreign teams and vintage shirts.
Decent football pump.
Planning to get DS an Air Tag (well Samsung equivalent) to put on his keys this year.
Is he learning to drive? Surprise hit last year was a copy of Top Gear magazine I bought on Xmas Eve so may get him a subscription this year.

Football socks - I’ve just ordered Man U ones for ds - they also do slipper socks.

For magazines how about Private eye, or red pepper ( if he is very much more left-green) or the Week.

iTunes vouchers
Starbucks/ costa cinema voucher
Smellies
Games
Ticket to something cheaper!!!
T-shorts/ socks
Something for a hobby eg golf balls
6 months magazine subscription
If arty - stationery/ paints etc
Curry kit if they like cooking
Hamper with nice treats in
Mankind website do cool bits too

Can I ask about AirTags? Anyone got one? I was wondering if it was worth getting ds one for his school bag? Do they work well?

What about the hairy bikers cookbooks?

Take a look at the Joe Wicks cookery books, often to be found in The Works.

This is all brilliant- thank you, everyone!

This website is really cool too they have things for all age groups perfect for Christmas shopping

www.wickeduncle.co.uk/presents/boys/age-15-105