15yo who doesn’t want anything….

[sealandforest]

I have a near 15yo who has a birthday and Christmas close together. He has pretty much everything like TV, gaming, electronics etc and this year, has said there is nothing he wants - would be fine with a bit of money or a gaming gift card. But he never spends any of them.

While I admire his non greedy attitude, there are numerous (older) relatives who want to buy him an actual thing and I’m not sure how he will actually feel on his birthday and Xmas day when all he has is a few envelopes to open and everyone else has lots of presents (on Xmas)

I can’t think of anything special for him anyway, even as a surprise as he has all the big things. He hates sports, clothes, toiletries, ‘things’, ‘experiences’, books etc. his friendship circle and social life is limited as he’s autistic and his interests are quite limited.

What would you do? Any ideas?

Are there any youtubers he watches? Most of the big ones have merchandise he might like.
I second the fridge for his room, I got my son an xbox fridge last year.

Get him into Warhammer. You will never be short of things he wants again

i have one of these OP. He's 18 now and he really just hates pointless 'stuff'. He just had a mammoth clear-out of his room and literally everything he's had for Christmas for the past few years was chucked in the bin - brand new. (Obviously I hauled it back out for use and charity shops)
He isn't interested in random shite, nor does he see the need to 'open presents ' - its lost on him - I've always done it for me really - but also to make him see that he is not 'less important' than his younger brother (who loves shite - the more the merrier) I'm not sure he's ever seen it in that way, but I never wanted him to feel that way.
He is therefore extremely tricky to buy for - if he wants something he gets it or asks me to get if for him at the point in time he needs it.
I am learning to deal with it, but its so alien to me. I do tell everyone that money is the way to go, so he can use it as and when he wants to. I suspect people will stop gifting to him anyway now he's an adult.
That didn't answer your question I realise!

Invest the money you would have spent for Christmas in a JISA for him.

In your shoes I'd recommend people give him money. If he doesn't end up doing anything with it, but it into an account. Maybe ask him if there's a charity he wants to support.

I am the same with my 15 year old Dd. I mainly spend time gathering all the thing's she likes ie favourite scents, cloth brands, lego, snacks and then give cash as the main gift so I feel she is still experiencing opening some gifts....good luck.

Teen boys care about tech, gaming, money and clothes. Steam or Xbox vouchers, a good brand hoodie, decent trainers, game boy, a good headset and microphone, LED lighting, go karting tickets or some other experience day.

Snackverse subscription or similar ? We love these as it's interesting to find out about the different countries.

We have an autistic teen.

He has a special interest in music. Endless gifts in that.

Also, trains. So, days out on steam trains etc.

He is also partial to a bit of Hollister (and doesn't mind me getting it from the outlet bit).

And he still likes Lego. And card games/ board games.

He does think greetings cards are pointless, though

Is he bothered about not having presents to open though? Maybe present opening is stressful for him (as pp says - knowing how to arrange his face when he doesn't know what it will be)? Maybe he's happy watching others open their things, with just a card with some money in for him, or a note saying you've contributed to his bank account?

Above all, I'd say listen to him and respect his wishes.

(He sounds great, btw! Many of us could do with being less material!)

I would buy physical gaming vouchers, a neck massager to help with gaming pains.💆‍♂️

How about a fridge for his room? Im getting my DD this one: www.bmstores.co.uk/products/goodmans-elite-gaming-fridge-398756

I can sympathise. Does he like problem solving or puzzles? Just think you could make the money more interesting with a treasure hunt/puzzles to solve, there is a company Enigma that does a solve problems type of exercise or you could on your own? Fridge for room? Snacks?

Adopt an animal in a sanctuary. Elephant, rhino, big cat, horse, loads of options around the world. It costs between £10 and £50 for a year, and you get monthly updates.

Someone did it for me once, I loved it and now do it for all my friends/family.

He’s autistic he may not measure the way you worry in terms of numbers if gifts. He may like not having more ‘stuff’.
Ask him just ask him how he will feel with fewer presents. Will that bother him. Get him a junior ISA. He may think that’s quite cool. Having a grown up account. In 2-3 years you can convert it to an ISA.

How about spending time with him a walk in the woods or a park looking out for wildlife go fishing go to a quiet place and enjoy the view of nature/sunset’s etc