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Christmas

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

12 year old boy - big surprise gift, ideas needed

18 replies

LittleSF · 05/12/2024 10:22

Hoping you can help - every year my son's main gift is actually a surprise. Over the years he got a Kindle, Nintendo Switch, CD Player, V-tech camera. These were all massive hits and he has gotten great use out of them all. I'm completely out of ideas - I thought of one of those small wifi projectors but we don't need one (we've a converted attic which has a massive TV so is a great cinema room). I could also upgrade him to a decent video camera, that's my last resort if I can't think of anything else. He loves making short movies so one that was better quality and he could actually edit them could work.

Budget is up to £200. He loves gaming and music - listening rather than playing, the CD player he got last year is one of his favourite things and he never would have asked for it. The Kindle was the same - I guess I'm trying to replicate that idea of a gift he wouldn't think of asking for but ends up loving. With the video camera idea, he'd probably think "but I already have one" but later realise how much better this new one would be. That's fine, I'm not looking for a "wow" moment on Christmas morning, just something that he really will enjoy long-term.

He's asked for Lego, CDs and books so they're all sorted. But the main gift has me stumped. I know I could get him a VR headset and he would be absolutely thrilled but I think he's a bit too young and would prefer a non-gaming gift if possible.

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

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Starabella · 05/12/2024 10:25

Well I was going to suggest the VR headset! My son and all of his friends have this on their list. From what I can understand, it's not only for gaming but they can watch YouTube and Netflix and stuff too, I hope anyway!

Starabella · 05/12/2024 10:26

Or maybe a go pro camera?

LittleSF · 05/12/2024 10:29

Starabella · 05/12/2024 10:25

Well I was going to suggest the VR headset! My son and all of his friends have this on their list. From what I can understand, it's not only for gaming but they can watch YouTube and Netflix and stuff too, I hope anyway!

I know he'd love this - my DH is against it but I'm very tempted... it is over budget but could stretch to it. Will take another look at this idea, thanks.

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LittleSF · 05/12/2024 10:30

Starabella · 05/12/2024 10:26

Or maybe a go pro camera?

Thanks, I did look at this but it's very similar to the v-tech one he already has, not enough of an upgrade to be worth it.

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BruisedNeckMeat · 05/12/2024 10:31

I was going to suggest VR headset too! DS is 13 and absolutely loves it.

christmasiscoming2 · 05/12/2024 10:32

My son got a VR for Christmas last year and absolutely loves it. Gets lots of use out of it. He's 12

AlwaysFreezing · 05/12/2024 10:32

I'm similarly stuck for my 12 yo.

He had a steam deck last year, which has been much loved. He also has his brothers vr (he gave it to him when he left for uni).

He also had his birthday a month ago!

I take it he has amazing headphones already?

What about dj decks?

BruisedNeckMeat · 05/12/2024 10:33

Record player and some vinyls?

LittleSF · 05/12/2024 10:41

AlwaysFreezing · 05/12/2024 10:32

I'm similarly stuck for my 12 yo.

He had a steam deck last year, which has been much loved. He also has his brothers vr (he gave it to him when he left for uni).

He also had his birthday a month ago!

I take it he has amazing headphones already?

What about dj decks?

I suggested the dj decks a while ago and he didn't seem keen - although if I had have suggested Kindle or CD player a few years back, I probably would have got same reaction. Going to have a real think about that.

We have his birthday in January so I feel your pain... but that's 2025 me's problem!

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LittleSF · 05/12/2024 10:42

BruisedNeckMeat · 05/12/2024 10:33

Record player and some vinyls?

We actually have a record player but he loves the CD player in his room - and CDs are so much cheaper than vinyl records to get.

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LittleSF · 05/12/2024 10:43

The VR headset is definitely something he'd love. I might need a new thread -"how to persuade DH into getting son a VR headset" 😂

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OssieShowman · 05/12/2024 10:47

Drone

GnomeDePlume · 05/12/2024 10:51

Entry level 3D printer?

Is he into model building? One year I got DS an entry level airbrush. He swore blind he didn't want one but I got him an inexpensive one as an extra present. Tried it and has been upgrading his airbrush equipment ever since.

Invisimamma · 05/12/2024 10:52

He's not too young for the VR, it's the perfect age. My son got one when he was 8 and it's didn't get much use but now he's 10 he's so much better at it. His 14yr old brother takes a turn but gets bored with it very quickly as he prefers 'proper gaming.'

LittleSF · 05/12/2024 11:05

Thanks everyone - someone mentioned headphones earlier and he doesn't actually have any. I hadn't thought of that at all! So looking into that now.

The airbrush pen is another good one - his Dad has an Apple pencil thing that he uses for drawing, maybe that's the same thing? I'll look into it.

A drone could be fun too - these are brilliant ideas, thanks everyone. Also looking at second hand VR headsets as a possibility. Maybe might hold off on the headset for his birthday in January, will give me more time to work on his dad.

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AnneButNotHathaway · 11/12/2024 10:39

I'm a bit late, but if he likes making video, maybe you can upgrade his current software? Here is a list of best video editing software for Windows 11 that might give you ideas.

PurpleHiker · 11/12/2024 11:37

Concert tickets if he's into music

LittleSF · 11/12/2024 15:02

thanks @PurpleHiker and @AnneButNotHathaway - am saving those ideas for his birthday in January, and some of the other ideas mentioned. Thanks everyone for their contributions - as of this afternoon my Elf Work is officially done, just waiting for a few things to be delivered. Am sure he'll be thrilled with his presents, and as his birthday is January it's great to have this thread to revert back to for then.

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