16yr old boy. We’re in need of some inspiration!

[maldivemoment]

Our son recently celebrated his 16th birthday and received lovely gifts from family and friends. However this now means he (mostly we!) are stumped for Christmas! Argh!

He not got hobbies, as such. Likes gaming but got all he needs for that. Not into sports. Doesn’t go out much so not really interested in clothes/fashion. He loves reading, esp sci-fi but we have soooooooo many books.
Oh god, it’s an impossible task, isn’t it? 😭

Any ideas? Quirky/practical/fun, etc.

Im sure there are a bijillion threads on this already but if anyone can help I’d be extremely grateful.

My 17 yr old is getting:
A razer mouse doc pro (whatever that is)
Clothes
A bucket hat
Phone case
New gym bag
Grip strength squeezy things
Cufflinks (just fun ones so he doesn't have to borrow his dad's for grad ball next year).

Thank you @sladtheinkaler

It is hard though. Especially when I also have girls and it's so easy to pick up inexpensive bits and bobs for them that they'll use and love. They end up with a much bigger pile than him and I have to try and equalise it.

You don't mention budget so here's a selection.

Telescope with a star map
Metal detector
Hover board
Different bedside lamp - rugby ball/solar system/lava lamp
Phone case/screen protector
Tablet/kindle
Oodie type hoodie
Headphones/ear buds/stretchy headband esrphone thing
PJs & robe
Comfy chair & desk for studying in bedroom - 16 so exams coming up
Computer program to prepare for theory driving test
Trainers

Does he like board games? Our son does and got him Ticket to Ride in the past. This year it’s the Colt Express. Then you play the new game over Christmas 😊

Also, trainers or hoody. T shirt or other merchandise from his favourite band if he has one. Lava lamp, tickets to a show at the theatre or sci-fi convention if that would interest him. Back to the Future at the theatre is really good if you’re close to London.

Laptop bag/rucksack.

Favourite chocolate/sweets … always room on the shelves for a couple more books if he’s not the kindle type 😊

Board games
metmo fidhgets pens and tools

toiletries especially quirky

young driver lessons
driving theory test stuff
puzzles eg from skill toys

hoodies for favourite items

socks

etsi sells great items connected to ganes sci fi.

world snacks box

american or japoneese candy

Shashibo cube
Perplexus
Astraglass light
Soda Stream
EXIT escape room game

you say he's a big reader @maldivemoment what about a paperwhite save space on the books 😉

Thank you @CoffeeBeansGalore

He’s clearly a very privileged and blessed kid as he has most of those on you list. Room decorated at beginning of year.

Thank you @Twiglets1. We’re in Scotland! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Thank you all for being so kind and helping a frazzled mum!

Anyone got one of those little mini-thermal printer thingies? Any good or a total gimmick? Contemplating getting him one of those.

If he's got all that stuff, maybe an experience present would be better. Gig tickets?

Trip to London with a friend to go to Lander 23? This is Punchdrunk's new immersive show - 90 minutes of something that's apparently a mixture of escape room and live-action videogame. I'm taking three 16yo in December, can't wait!

@zaxxon

No idea what this is, but off to Google. 👍🏻
Thank you

I had a similar ds. The two experiences that have proved a hit for him are a day with a master blacksmith hand-forging a claymore and a day's hire of a canal boat. He and his friend learned to drive the boat and operate the locks while I provided a grade A picnic and sat drinking wine and 'supervising'.

@zaxxon that looks right up his street! Amazing. Thank you. Off to price EasyJet fights now.

What about a kindle? Great for avid readers.

I also agree with the experience presents- any gigs up near you he would like?

How about one of those snack box subscriptions? You get snacks from a different country each month which looks really fun!

I’d go on the sci fi vibes if that’s what he’s into, no point buying a load of crap if he’s not interested like of standard socks, pens etc can you find some sci fi themed bits

Google sci fi gifts for teens I’m sure loads of merch will come up

Something food related? E.g. waffle/toastie maker, popcorn maker etc

I’ve just ordered some metal print posters from here for my teen. I haven’t used them before but the trust pilot reviews/score is good and they have some really lovely items plus there’s a Black Friday discount currently. You mention he’s into sci fi, there’s lots there that might fit the bill for his room?

DS is also getting some gaming items, trainers, hoody, Lego Lamborghini, a microwave toastie maker, Simpsons pjs.

I find teen boys so much harder to buy for than girls!

When mine got to 12- 14 they said they didn’t want money etc and wanted to do something eg pushing unusual out of comfort zone experiences or just won’t have thought of it experiences.

Daughter’s 16 th was sheep walking (yep with a lead etc ) for the morning with 3 friends.

We’ve done making stained glass in a cathedral and we’ve even done a trip to the opera. Things they never thought of and actually were not that expensive. In recent years we have been surfing, ice skating, been to feed alpacas, been clay pigeon shooting, been to the rugby, learnt to bake bread, been on a wildlife walk at night etc

Now they are much older they do it for each other and us. It’s a bit of a game to keep an eye out and keep a note. It’s become a family thing to do.

There are lots of niche local people we have found eg stained glass was an art teacher working with a local cathedral for an experience thing.

When we started eldest (they are all ND) was a bit ‘errr no not my thing’ and we said - nope we are all going, try it once and if you don’t like it that’s ok. Getting him ice skating was interesting and afterwards he said - not really my thing but I’m pleased I’ve done it. Then he suggested surfing.

Activity centres do loads of stuff and you can get discounts and local deals.

Just another thought.
You're in Scotland, as are we. DH did a metal forging afternoon workshop & made a fancy poker. Would that interest your son?

We are getting gaming a son a mini fridge and all his fave chocolate and drinks!
plus clothes and nice aftershave

That would interest me! Where is it?

@CoffeeBeansGalore was it with Green Aspirations by any chance? When our children were little they did a few ‘Little Skelfs’ workshops with them. Would highly recommend.