Aggh!!! Ds 15 has changed his mind!!!

[Feckinlego]

He had asked for a gaming pc, now he tells me he only asked for it to keep me happy and doesn't really think he'll use it much. He is the most unmaterialistic child I've ever met. He has all the usual tablet, phone, xbox etc. He had all the equipment needed for his sports. No interest in clothes. I've got him tickets to comic con and a comedy gig and some books. But that's it! I'm all out of ideas. Please help. Just throw any ideas at me please.

Cash in his Savings account towards University, Driving lessons or a post -GCSE celebration.

If he’s not materialistic then buying extra stuff won’t make him happier than just giving him what you’ve already got.
What about starting a savings account ready for driving lessons/a car or a special holiday?
Or an ‘experience’ gift, Segway/under 17 driving/axe throwing.

What you've got him already sounds like quite a lot to me if I'm correctly guessing how much they'd cost. I'd just maybe get some little things like food. You could get him a new game maybe? Or a new controller?

My 14yr old is the same - doesn’t want anything. In fact is yet to cash in an iou for his birthday!! I think we should try to embrace it and be glad, it sounds like you have bought him great gift which he will enjoy- anything else is just not necessary. (I’m trying to convince myself here too- I wonder sometimes if I’m buying just so it looks right to other people? )So probably no “main “ present here but nice hoodies and things he will use is my plan, along with some great ideas from the bulky stocking fillers thread!

Vouchers for when there is something he wants. Gig tickets with a friend? Night away at a centre parks type place?

Yes that's very true, buying stuff for the sake of it won't make him happy. I suppose I just love them to have lots to open but it's really not needed. Experience gifts aren't really suitable as we're quite rural, but if there was one I thought he'd love then I'd definitely do it. I will give him cash but I'd love some small things for him to open too.

One of my ds isn't materialistic, he loves a cineworld voucher as it gives him the freedom to go and watch films all year long

I was going to suggest a cinema voucher or local 'activity' driving range or whatever he likes to give him enjoyment throughout the year.

Escape room voucher

I just love them to have lots to open

But Christmas presents are about them. DD loves time spent with her, so meals out, experiences etc. are a good one. Paying for music/film stuff is good. If he likes sports what about a meet-and-greet or tour a club or something?

If you like rurally a savings account for driving lessons, insurance and a car should be started ASAP!

Live, obviously.

I have the same problem with my 15 year old. its hard when the other 2 have lots of things they want/need!! if it was just him I would just get him things when he wants them etc but it doesn't seem right for him to have nothing and the others have lots!!
We have got him a new laptop for xmas so both him and his sister have new ones for GCSEs and A levels but its his birthday 3 days before xmas and no idea what to get him!

I've got him tickets to comic con and a comedy gig and some books
Sounds like plenty. A couple of food bits maybe, like any chocolate he likes, but why buy stuff for no reason? If he will be happy with those things

Just be glad he told you now and not on Christmas Eve when you'd already bought the expensive computer he didn't even want!

He told you a present because you presumably keep asking him and he wanted to say something to please you. Stop asking him! Stop trying to buy him expensive things he doesn't want, just to spend money on him. Put some savings in his account and tell him to treat himself when there's something he wants.

You sound like you've been pestering him.

Christmas shouldn't be presents for the sake of presents.

Costa card.
WHSmiths card.
Cinema vouchers.
Restaurant vouchers.
Offer of free lifts without complaints for a month!

Yes - however much you'd have been willing to waste on a gaming pc should buy quite a few driving lessons or a heck of a party!

Red letter day type thing for something he's interested in, paddle boarding, behind the scenes at zoo, chocolate making, tank driving, etc.

Yes to lovely special food and drinks.

My DS is the same so I am going to set up a Kiva account so that he can give money towards funding a start up business in Peru or Indonesia. When the loan is paid back DS can choose another start up to help. Not big amounts, £25 or so. It’s legit and I did this for my daughter many years ago.

Best idea I can offer; stop trying to be supermum .
You can't buy a parental rating (from DS, or other parents).

Vouchers are nice, but it's fun for the gift giver to know they've given something that has made someone else happy.
How about a board game?
Art work or something nice for his room? A new rug or lamp?
Good chocolate
Electric toothbrush or water pick?
(I'd quite like one of those myself)
Fire pit

If he’s into comic con then something sci-fi/fantasy themed he would like. Dose he have collectibles he likes? Poster or print for his room.

There’s no point in buying stuff just to match the number of presents the other dc will have. At 15 it’s perfectly fine to say to him that as there’s nothing he particularly wants he’ll have a smaller number of gifts to open on the day but will have money too that he can save towards whatever.

I think by the time they are his age they don’t care half as much about number of gifts or size of the pile (or Christmas generally) as their parents do. Remember he’s not a 5 year old waiting for Santa.

What about a book on investing, and then give him the cash to buy shares or premium bonds etc?