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Christmas

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Original poster

Shared present idea for 8 and 13 year old

45 replies

Coronado2 · 10/11/2023 08:25

I'm looking for suggestions for a shared present idea for my 8 and 13 year old. A family member has suggested they get them a karaoke machine, which one of them would use but probably get bored of quite quickly and the other wouldn't use so I'm looking for what else I can suggest. Budget about £150.
My problem is the younger one wants everything, the old one wants nothing. Both girls.

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 10/11/2023 08:27

Can it be a trip somewhere or tickets?

Whinge · 10/11/2023 08:30

Is there a reason it needs to be a shared present? If they're into different things (which makes sense as they're quite far apart in age) then it makes more sense to buy them individual gifts. Rather than buying something they don't want.

Needmorelego · 10/11/2023 08:30

8 and 13 is very different.
Does it have to be something shared? Why?

Dontjudgeme101 · 10/11/2023 08:30

Why can’t your relative , just spilt the money. That sounds more practical. Why do they have to have a shared present. I would of hated that at that age. 8 and 13 is quite an age age for buying presents.

minipie · 10/11/2023 08:30

Tickets somewhere. SIX? Go Ape?

Needmorelego · 10/11/2023 08:31

Also unless these are your children £150 (or £75 each) is a ridiculously high amount to spend on a "I hope they like this gift".

Yajebbend · 10/11/2023 08:39

Over budget but a Occulus VR went down a treat with my family last year and is still loved today

Mayhemmumma · 10/11/2023 10:11

Merlin pass

Original poster
Coronado2 · 10/11/2023 11:54

I was thinking a day out, they do appreciate experiences and time with people.

I had also considered saying buy them separate things, but again there is nothing the older one would want really.

They might both enjoy the vr though.

OP posts:
CatsTheWayToDoIt · 10/11/2023 12:12

I have kids this age, boy girl, and they do play together - a lot. So I get where you are coming from. Yes they are very different ages but as siblings they have a lot of time together. Mine play Harry Potter game on switch (plugged into tv), have done jigsaws together, but mostly they play hide and seek or silly games they make up. They do love a day out at a theme park or crazy golf so this is probably good advice.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 11/11/2023 07:29

Harry Potter Lego? Older one has poss outgrown it though.
2 book club subscriptions - new age approp book every month x 6
fireworks - 1 x big box
one of the swanky choc pot makers with sachets. First time I’ve seen my older child (13) be jealous of a present the younger has received
waffle/crepe maker

IHabeNoIdea · 11/11/2023 07:30

I bought my girls Merlin passes last year. Made up little games wrapped up in cardboard boxes to say all the places we were going to go in the coming year. This year I am looking at Nintendi Switch or VR headset

Simplelobsterhat · 11/11/2023 07:41

I have the same ages. The only big joint present I can think I've given them is Nintendo switch but that's over budget. If you already have console games would likely appeal to both though.

Otherwise they both enjoy board games and Harry potter Lego ( they may not like to share a set though as they display in their rooms).

There are lots of days out and theatre trips they would both enjoy.

I was just looking at Instax cameras and wondering if one of them would like one, again I think works for both ages.

Maybe a craft or cooking project they could do together?

Simplelobsterhat · 11/11/2023 07:43

Oh a keyboard, that's the other big joint gift they've had and used.

Kattiekat · 11/11/2023 08:05

Split the money. Give the older one cash to put in her bank account if she doesn’t want anything. Get the younger one what you feel she would like.

grayhairdontcare · 11/11/2023 08:31

Lego set
Kindles
Zoo experience tickets
Theatre tickets
Fitbits

celticprincess · 11/11/2023 08:40

My older one never wants anything and the younger has a log list. But they both (3 years apart) and their younger half sister have all enjoyed a family escape room together, a show, a zoo trip etc.

celticprincess · 11/11/2023 08:42

For people saying a Nintendo switch - it’s not the type of console you can easily share. There are joint games to play when connected to the tv but there are also lots of single player games as well so line got one each. Odlest doesn’t play as much as she’s not a gamer but it is in constant use by the youngest playing online with her friends.

BertieBotts · 11/11/2023 08:44

I think the Switch is good to share, but it does need to be the proper one with the dock, not the purely handheld one.

Tabitha2721 · 11/11/2023 08:55

Trampoline, or tickets out somewhere?

Needmorelego · 11/11/2023 09:13

I find these threads quite sad with the determination to spend so much money on things children haven't even asked for. If they know that's the budget being asked "what do you want for Christmas" is such an overwhelmingly question because deep down really what the 8 year old probably wants is that squishmallow she saw in Claire's and the 13 year old wants the new Heartstopper book.
Lower the gift budget to £20 and if you want to put the rest in their bank accounts.

SkaterGrrrrl · 11/11/2023 09:42

Candyfloss machine
Waffle maker
Gaming chair / bean bags
Day out / experience....

paddlinglikecrazy · 11/11/2023 10:30

Theme park tickets ?

quivers · 11/11/2023 13:57

Chocolate fountain.

Tickets to Harry Potter Studio Tour

Actual cash. Shiny new crisp notes.