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Christmas

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

Stocking fillers for a 12yo boy

25 replies

MinnieMountain · 31/08/2025 05:50

I normally start looking for stocking fillers for DS around now, but I’m stumped this year.

What has gone down well with your 12 year olds?

He always has chocolate coins and marzipan fruits.

OP posts:
Neurodiversitydoctor · 31/08/2025 05:57

DS is 21 but age 12 we did deoderant ( the dreaded lynx) or after shave, football socks, sweets and a match football annual.

What are your DS's interests ?

VashtaNerada · 31/08/2025 05:59

At twelve mine was still happy with little toys and gadgets but it very much depends on what yours is interested in, they’re all so different at that age.

MinnieMountain · 31/08/2025 06:03

DS still likes little toys and gadgets. He’s of a science, engineering, Lego bent. Also history and weapons.

He doesn’t follow a sports team. He has slightly sensitive skin, so won’t want Lynx or similar.

OP posts:
Forgottenmyphone · 31/08/2025 07:16

Brick On mug
Joke book
Card game like UNO flip or Monopoly Deal
Magic Rainbow puzzle ball
Metal Earth model kit - you can get them cheapest on eBay
LED beanie hat
Pizza socks

Comedycook · 31/08/2025 07:20

When ds was that age ..

Sports water bottle
Football magazine
Gyroscope
Wallet
Socks
Mini body sprays/aftershave
Stationery for school

DongDingBell · 31/08/2025 07:32

Forgottenmyphone · 31/08/2025 07:16

Brick On mug
Joke book
Card game like UNO flip or Monopoly Deal
Magic Rainbow puzzle ball
Metal Earth model kit - you can get them cheapest on eBay
LED beanie hat
Pizza socks

This is probably closest to the stocking fillers for my tweens. Combined with food and bathroom stuff (doesn't have to be lynx!)

PermanentTemporary · 31/08/2025 07:33

Lego minifigure, especially if he likes a character
Small Lego kit
Clipit sandwich maker
I think I still gave ds bubble bath at this age!

midlifeattheoasis · 31/08/2025 07:50

Lego minis
hot chocolate stirrers or hot chocolate
bomb
if he has a phone - a charging lead holder
a coaster with his initial on for his bedroom

24Dogcuddler · 31/08/2025 07:57

Look on Wicked Uncle,Campus Gifts, and Rex London.

fourelementary · 31/08/2025 08:31

A roll on deodorant
a charging cable or power pack
head torch or mini torch
his own key on a suitable keyring
lego nano set
a fidget toy or puzzle cube type thing
socks
hat
sweets
Mini Pringle tubs

We have actual stockings so nothing bigger fits in!

CottageGoblin · 31/08/2025 08:34

Things that go down well with tween boys I know

hot chocolate bomb
lock pick kit or some type of puzzle activity
sweets
sensitive hair or body soaps
a wee odd £5 or £10 voucher for Amazon/ps network/apple for apps etc

Ophy83 · 31/08/2025 09:03

MinnieMountain · 31/08/2025 06:03

DS still likes little toys and gadgets. He’s of a science, engineering, Lego bent. Also history and weapons.

He doesn’t follow a sports team. He has slightly sensitive skin, so won’t want Lynx or similar.

He sounds really similar to my ds...

Things that have gone down well in the past couple of years include:

Smart games (one player puzzle/challenge type games that are particularly good at keeping him entertained if we're out at a pub or restaurant). He also likes wooden puzzle type games or those games that are like locks you have to undo. You can get ones where they get to some money at the end of a puzzle that are quite fun.

Fun card or travel size games (for similar situations with friends). His favourites are: the Chameleon, 6 second scribbles, uno no mercy, classic cards

Cashmere beanie from zara - super soft and non-itchy

Socks and pants (he is quite put out if his stocking doesn't include both these! He particularly loves bamboo socks and Nike socks)

Magnets. This could be a magnetic fidget toy, there's one called a chill pill that's great (I found a cheaper version on etsy last year)

Stationery -e.g. a nice propelling pencil or fancy pens

Bluetooth headphones or speaker

Magic tricks

Cycling gloves

Wild deodorant is good for sensitive skin if he has reached the stage where he needs it

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for ideas for this year's stocking!

WonderingWanda · 31/08/2025 09:12

Rubix cube. Hair products One of those extending back scratchers. Flavoured Popcorn. Fudge. Novelty socks. Then hobby accessories e.g guitar picks, mountain bike gloves, surf wax, football socks, etc

MinnieMountain · 31/08/2025 09:57

Great ideas. Thank you everyone.

I should have thought of the Armories shop. DS loved it there.

OP posts:
Lidlisthebusiness · 31/08/2025 10:30

I do themed stockings for each child and always put in underwear and socks, a chocolate orange, a book or magazine, a toy or game and something more personal to each of their interests. This year I'm thinking magazine subscriptions, and I like the suggestion made of one of the puzzles where they get money at the end!

bumblebramble · 31/08/2025 12:58

You can order individual Lego bricks either through the Lego store or second hand through sites like brick owl. Great if he’s into free building. I always try and get some interesting and useful pieces for ds.

Gymbunny2025 · 01/09/2025 07:49

Owala water bottle
lego techick
eachine drone
kanoodle
Fitbit

MageQueen · 01/09/2025 12:09

Agree to various deodorant/aftershave/cologne options.

We usually do "fancy" socks and/or underpants - eg Calvin Klein or the overpriced Nike ones!

I always put at least one book in - he won't read it, but it's a long-term campaign I'm waging to find something he WILL read and he does flick through them sometimes! Grin

Portable phone charger/ multi cord.

small accessories linked to whatever sport he's into - eg a basketball key ring or a mini rugby ball or whatever.

I usually squeeze in a t-shirt or similar.

New phone case.

Gift card - starbucks/nandos/cinema

This year, we're really starting to try get him into cooking and he is interested so I might see if I can find a small cook book for teenagers or perhaps some sort of gadget.

MinnieMountain · 01/09/2025 15:52

@MageQueen DS has slightly sensitive skin and will be a “young” 12 in both senses, so I won’t be putting deodorant/aftershave etc in.

OP posts:
VeruccaSalty · 01/09/2025 20:37

I have son that sounds like yours and hits have been
A little gold glue gun from hobbycraft and glue sticks
Telescopic magnetic thing for picking up dropped screws etc.
Sticky Lego tape
Card game called Dungeon Mayhem
Retro pin badges for his school blazer (Temu is good for these)
Stick bots for making stop motion animation (although now he just uses Lego minifigs)
Magnetic fidget pen

For books, he loved What If... ,(By Randall Munroe maybe?) which are all these crazy questions answered like could you make a jet pack using machine guns.

Streatfeild · 02/09/2025 11:53

Mine is almost 13 and will be getting one of those little lego mini bags of formula one cars, maybe something rubix cube related, a toblerone with his name on it, something Lynx, and I am not sure what else.

BasiliskStare · 02/09/2025 12:09

If he has anything he uses with batteries , a pack of batteries all of his own so he isn't trailing round the house looking for batteries. 😊

Kittkats · 07/09/2025 20:51

Stress ball
freeze dried sweets
manga
american sweets
anime blind box
astronaut pen

CharlotteCChapel · 07/09/2025 20:58

One of those credit cart size gadgets, they have notches so you've got a phone holder , a screwdriver etc

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