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Christmas

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

Original poster

DS asked for something I just can't get, last minute.

52 replies

Christmash · 19/12/2025 20:52

I know the general answer will be 'just explain to him' but he has spent the last few months in a deep, deep depression and he hasn't said a single thing he wants for Christmas. Not a single thing.

I've asked and asked.

Yesterday he had been on a family members SteamDeck and said he would like one of those.

The expense is a factor (only because I have bought him general teen stuff because he had no interest in anything and gave me nothing on a wish list!) but I could swing itnif I could get hold of one.

But its more the fact that I can't get hold of one. Official website will take a few weeks to arrive.
No where in UK sells and I've messaged FIVE 2nd hand sellers locally and all have been scammers :(

I know he should have said earlier and its not something he can want that bad if hes only just thought of it but its just that awful christmas time parental guilt!!

I will have to just tell him its not possible and he will have to wait till his birthday but it feels shitty :(

OP posts:
Rumpoleoftheballet · 19/12/2025 22:21

I think a gift certificate with clues to what it is is a great idea from a pp!

FreshPrincessOfYorkshire · 19/12/2025 22:23

Is he desperate for the OLED model? The LCD one regularly goes on sale for about 280, that’s the one myself and my DD have. If you’re worried about the space being enough, you can add an SD card in and down the line can look at putting a bigger hard drive into it (they’re very easy to change the bits of for the most part). The major difference is the screen, the battery life is slightly better on the OLED and it can pull slightly higher frames per second, but in day to day life it’s not noticed.

if he has his heart set on the OLED, It won’t get here for Xmas from valve so looking at CEX would be a good idea, otherwise maybe get him some form of card that says it’s on its way? Maybe a couple of games or a steam gift card if it’s in budget, they currently have the winter sale on and games that are great on deck (such as Hades) are 70% off.

bluelavender · 19/12/2025 22:25

Its best to try and get it from the valve (steam) store: and they are only a short delay. Does he have a steam account already? You could do him a voucher for the deck; and a gift card for the steam store? He could then start playing a game that he likes on a pc or laptop

Lovelyview · 19/12/2025 22:31

Home made voucher and he can order it himself on Christmas Day. I came here ready to say you can't always get what you want but I can see why you want to do something nice for him. I hope his mental health improves op.

ItsameLuigi · 20/12/2025 00:40

Cex? They are handy with the extended warranty (I worked there, awful scammy company in regards to trade ins, but very good for purchases)

Andrasa · 20/12/2025 10:30

I’d do him a printout of one and a promise to get it, plus a steam gift card for his sock?

i wouldn’t buy one second hand looking at how many 18+ games are being played on steam 🤢

you could also do with a beefy battery pack for one as well, the battery usually doesn’t last two hours

BauhausOfEliott · 20/12/2025 10:37

He already has things to open and he’s a teenager, not a five-year-old. He will understand about delivery times; it’s not like he’s expecting it to come from Santa. Like others have said - print something out to say when it’s arriving and put it in a card.

TootSweeties · 20/12/2025 10:53

Buy a nice handwritten voucher. My daughter asked for something that’s arriving after Christmas so I had it written on a gift card from these guys. Like a nice IOU.

holly.co/storefront/another-loop

winterwarmer8274 · 20/12/2025 11:27

100% just order it after Christmas and get him the one he actually wants.

LividArse · 20/12/2025 11:35

Vinted won't come by Christmas.

Amazon have excellent returns.

Blueskiesnotgrey · 20/12/2025 12:43

Just print a picture of it, put it in an envelope and say it's coming in January. I do this often with my teens and they are fine with it. You will be able to get an official one easier in January and there will probably also be a discount in the January sales.

I get gaming stuff off Amazon often and it has always been fine and returns are easy (if Amazon direct, third party sellers can be hit and miss - I'd always avoid those if possible)

PotofPens1 · 20/12/2025 12:46

Does he definitely want one? I just ask as it's a lot of money and effort for you if it's just a 'that was kind of fun and it'll stop mum nagging me for present ideas', rather than 'this is make my life so much better and happier'.

Jugendstiel · 20/12/2025 15:15

If you can afford it, I would get the Amazon one if it arrives on time. Put away most of the general teen stuff for his birthday. But also, I'd see it as an important breakthrough. He's been depressed. Now he is showing enthusiasm for something. That's worth paying a bit extra for.

Obviously this doesn't apply if you are short of money, but if you can pay the higher price to get it on the day, I'd justify it as his happiness being worth £100 more than the going rate for the item.

WhamBamThankU · 20/12/2025 16:17

Curry’s?

Hollyjollynights · 20/12/2025 16:34

He’s only just discovered it exists and thought about getting it, so does he definitely need the newer fancier one?

awrbc81 · 20/12/2025 22:53

Yeah i’d go with the idea of ordering one to arrive after Christmas and putting the order confirmation/a picture in an envelope - he’s old enough to understand that and it’s something for him to look forward to

Original poster
Christmash · 20/12/2025 23:00

I got one 😁
Fb market place. Can relax now.

OP posts:
Luxio · 20/12/2025 23:26

Christmash · 20/12/2025 23:00

I got one 😁
Fb market place. Can relax now.

I'm pleased you got one and I don't want to sound like a misery but I really wouldn't trust getting something like this from FB marketplace. I hope it all works out ok but it's a very risky way to buy and it means you now have no guarantee should anything go wrong.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 20/12/2025 23:41

Yay!
merry Christmas 🎄

NessShaness · 21/12/2025 07:11

I’m so glad you got one for him. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and things start to improve for your son very soon x

Original poster
Christmash · 21/12/2025 10:38

Thanks! All wrapped up now and presents finally finished!

OP posts:
justpassmethemouse · 21/12/2025 13:22

Another vote for printing a “voucher” or order confirmation. This was a regular occurrence under our tree when I was younger, sometimes with a riddle for you to guess what the present was.

cobrakaieaglefang · 21/12/2025 15:08

Anyone else Google what it is? out of touch