Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Teenage DS doesn't want or need anything!

74 replies

MissDollyMix · 10/11/2023 11:55

Apologies because I know this gets asked a lot but I'm at a loss for what to get my 13yo DS for Christmas. I think I know what I'll get him for his main present but I'm completely stuck on smaller presents both to pad out his stocking and to suggest to well-meaning relatives who inevitably will ask me for present suggestions for him.
His birthday was in July and half his presents are still unopened in their boxes. He doesn't usually spend his allowance. He literally doesn't want or need anything! He's a very geeky boy, not into fashion or smellies at all (we're still at the pinning him down and forcing him to wear deodorant stage) He doesn't have any hobbies (we've tried so many things!) He loves retro gaming but he has all the games/consoles he currently wants and has plenty of money in his bank account to buy more should he want to. He's been on every trip/outing I can think of. He has every football shirt he wants (not that he actually plays football!) Lego remains unopened. He likes non-fiction books (geography, politics, gaming etc) so any suggestions for those would be good! Last year I ended up buying a load of sausage dog related gifts because he loves them but I've slightly exhausted that angle now! I'm utterly stumped. I don't want to buy presents just for the sake of buying stuff but he has a younger sister with a list as long as my arm and he will notice if there's a big discrepancy in the gifts they receive. He's a lovely boy and he works hard at school so I'd love to put a smile on his face but how??! Anyone else with a similar DS?

OP posts:
MissDollyMix · 10/11/2023 14:07

Wow! Thank you all so much for these ideas! I'm so touched you all took the time to give me some inspiration. Relieved to find out it's not just me with a slightly awkward boy!

OP posts:
BrieAndChilli · 10/11/2023 14:14

joining this thread for ideas - I too have a DS who doesnt want anything! I asked him the other day and he said he doesnt want anything give it to charity!!

I'm getting some replacement headphones (he doesnt want airpods as doesnt want the hassle of having to charge them!
Board games go down well - if he likes maps like my DS does then 'who knows where' has been a big hit.

other than that I'm stumped, he has had every map book going - his highlight one year was a book called transit maps of the world! He is not into clothes at all so buying some branded stuff would just not interest him.

My issue is that the other 2 kids (DD and 13 year old DS2) are really easy to buy for!

Starlightstarbright2 · 10/11/2023 14:15

I have just ordered fake ear pods for my Ds . He has also asked for crocs .

has he done a driving lesson ?

iffyi · 10/11/2023 15:32

Precipice · 10/11/2023 14:02

gradually throw out the old ones as they appear in the washing basket, so he has to wear them

What an awful idea, getting rid of things your child owns, likes, and uses, to try to force them to use something newer you've bought them instead. A terrible waste and deeply unpleasant.

they’re holey old socks not his childhood soft toys!

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 10/11/2023 15:36

Oodies are on offer at the mo.....£36 down from whatever they were.

Try bulking it out with stuff he'll need anyway, new trainers, hoodies etc. At least you know they'll be used eventually if he likes music new, decent headphones (( loads of offers on Bose at the moment )) some vintage / retro gaming or music tshirts usually go down well. I also found some little Joydivision and Smiths cassette badges on Temu, they're only a.couple of quid buy I know my.brother will love them.

He sounds a bit like me, I just don't feel the need to buy or accumulate stuff. You both have my sympathy , him for the pressure that he has to want something and you at trying to conjure up ideas !!

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 10/11/2023 15:43

And behold, would you look at what I found in the sale !!

Teenage DS doesn't want or need anything!
ThinkingAgainAndAgain · 10/11/2023 15:49

He sounds like my 15yo DS1, he never wants anything and never spends money as he never wants anything…

I go down the food route quite a lot. He likes hot chocolates, so I created a hot chocolate station last year for him - various sprinkles and toppings, marshmallow shapes, different chocolate flakes, squirty cream etc. I did something similar with coffee too. Imported Pringles, sweets, slush mix, that type of thing.

Just some ideas - sunglasses, new school bag/pencil case and stationery, headphones, clock radio, bedside lamp, throw for his bed, phone case, case for his console…

what about one of those t-shirts that comes with a pen that you can draw on the front and whatever you draw glows in the dark?

sneakymumalert · 10/11/2023 15:52

We have one like this. eventually they appreciate

  1. LOTS of waterstones vouchers (for comics, manga books and non fiction)
  2. silly t shirt related to TV, music, gaming
  3. vouchers to spend online on gaming chosen platform (his favourite gift!)

https://www.truffleshuffle.co.uk/gaming also lots of retro gaming stuff here.

Shop Gaming T-Shirts, Gifts and Merch - 80s and 90s : TruffleShuffle.co.uk

Score top points with our official, action-packed Gaming clothing, accessories and homewares, in stock now. ⭐ Free UK Delivery & Same Day Dispatch

https://www.truffleshuffle.co.uk/gaming

PhantomErik · 10/11/2023 16:09

My DS 13 is a bit similar although has asked for a few bits. These are:

Mouse & keyboard mat
Peg board
Xbox controller holder
Rug
Chubby seal soft toy
Phone case
Magnetic Rubiks Cube
Wooden chess set
Led lights

His main present is a new phone.

tattygrl · 10/11/2023 16:19

I can vouch for an Oodie being a brilliant present. I got one last year and it is my favourite item of clothing in winter!!! So, so warm and cosy.

mummyof2boys30 · 10/11/2023 16:24

Power up at the science museum in london if doable. Wee weekend break. Also back to the future musical is amazing

Sparkleirisheyes · 10/11/2023 16:24

Hotel chocolat hot chocolate maker
driving lesson
aeroplane simulator - you can choose which airport you land into on the day and you do a day and night landing.
board games- Does he have a genre of game he likes? Secret Hitler is good, Coup, Detective club, Werewords
puzzle type games- genius square
jigsaw of USA or another country
spotify subscription

Sparkleirisheyes · 10/11/2023 16:25

Agree with Oodie, we have the Comfy and it’s excellent quality and worn every day.

MissDollyMix · 10/11/2023 17:15

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 10/11/2023 15:43

And behold, would you look at what I found in the sale !!

That looks amazing - my DD would absolutely love that!! (also loves sausage dogs and desperately wants an oodie - amongst other things!)

OP posts:
BlueGrey1 · 10/11/2023 17:34

He sounds like a lovely boy!

I always enjoyed reading the Guinness World Records book when I was young so maybe that’s an option, it’s also quite cheap on Amazon

Sugarfree23 · 10/11/2023 17:41

I have a similar issue, other than main gift - new phone I'm struggling for ideas for other people and stocking fillers.

Ideas I do have are a rubix cube and something he mentioned a "box of posh chocolates" so probably thortons or something. Not wildy expensive but not kids selection box either.

GettingStuffed · 10/11/2023 17:54

Red bubble do t-shirts related to games etc

Mirrormeback · 10/11/2023 18:02

My DS just gets money now

He says he's buying himself a Switch with his recent birthday money

He has a PS5 and an Xbox but I wouldn't buy him a switch so he's buying his own

Mirrormeback · 10/11/2023 18:04

My DD also has huge list which she texts me with hyperlinks Grin

With DS its just a blank look and I dunno

Bertiesmum3 · 10/11/2023 18:11

A laptop for when he starts in year 10, ready for GCSE coursework

Flamango · 10/11/2023 18:24

What I’ve got my 12 year old in case it helps (Xmas and bday as very close)
Beats headphones
call of duty new game
new wimpy kid and Tom gates books (nostalgia)
Percy Jackson book box set
4x4 Rubik’s cube
hoodie
pyjamas
cord bean bag for bedroom
far cry game
street fighter game
print for his bedroom
lamp for his room
new backpack for school

others are getting him
t shirts
various Rubik’s cubes
Stylus and mouse for chromebook
mortal kombat

other ideas
heated throw
oodie
new trainers
tickets to see a football match
tickets for derren browns new thing
Nando’s/costa vouchers
sliders
Adult technic Lego set
black and British book
adam kay books for kids
new lunch bag

Sonyo · 10/11/2023 19:25

Biology: The Whole Story by Lindsay Turnbull is a brilliant non-fiction with great illustrations

Maray1967 · 10/11/2023 19:48

My DS (15) is having money, an Almost Famous voucher, giant bar of galaxy, a plain T shirt from Hollister, the only type he really likes, and his favourite lindors. That’s about it.

I’ve given up overthinking it because he is a saver and really does not want stuff for the sake of it, and I think that’s actually good.

Swipe left for the next trending thread