Stocking filler ideas for a 12-year-old boy

[Moonnstarz]

Any suggestions for a young 12 year old boy?
I have so many things for his sister already purchased as girls seem to be easier, but not sure what to get as stocking fillers for my son who will have only just turned 12.

I have ruled out deodorant, pants and socks as he has previously commented about that being when you are old, so it feels like he is too young to make it more practical (and in his eyes boring).

I also don't want to pop in a Greggs gift card this year as to my knowledge his sister is still a believer (and he might be too) and this is not the sort of thing Santa would bring.

He does not like football or any sport for that matter.

Any ideas please!

I'm struggling for my son too (he will be 13) but his sisters got a mountain lol 😆 will be keeping an eye on this post! Got some ideas for bigger presents.

Only stocking fillers picked up for him so far:

*3 x mini aftershaves from primark as stocking fillers.
*a powerbank for his phone etc

Swiss Army Knife
Box of novelty cereal
Cool T shirt
Inexpensive Bluetooth speaker
Santa absolutely does bring Greggs cards etc

Oh god my ds was 13 last Christmas, I can’t remember the finer details but he (and his much older sisters!) have pillowcase sized sacks - his was bulked out by things like new goalkeeping gloves (these seem to need replacing regularly anyway), sports water bottles of his preferred football team (the little weirdo chews the tops and then they leak), fancy new pants (Ted baker courtesy of tk Maxx!), Nike socks in the colour way and design he likes and some Levi’s ones because I was in buying myself some jeans anyway and spotted them, Zara aftershave, deodorant, his own Molton brown shower gel as he was partial to using mine, so lots of practical things. Also though, some games - anomia, doors and wheels, a Yahtzee scoring pad because we always have to draw it out otherwise, a shower speaker…
I can’t remember anything else. But basically a mix of practical things that we would probably have to buy at some point anyway but a nicer version, and fun stuff. Because he has a large stocking i just buy his Christmas presents and then work out what fits in there and what will go under the tree. He is old enough to know about Father Christmas now, I think he finally fessed up when he was just turning 10 - it made everything easier as he was our youngest!

Have you looked at the wicked uncle website? They have all sorts of good ideas and they section things off into age groups which is helpful. They have lots of little gadgets like Rubix cubes and magnetic games and various fun things - I buy loads from there I’m a huge fan.

Other ideas are the big long boxes with a selection of the little tubs of Pringles - they always go down well (B&M often have them)

chocolate for chocoholics do themed chocolate with things like a games console made of chocolate

Top Trumps/Playing cards/ pokemon cards - whatever is of interest and little quizzes/games like pass the pigs and uno etc…

Not boring smellies but fun things like bath bombs

Keyrings
Torches

Old school - but Walkmans and digital cameras are making a come-back

Lego

does he like art and crafts???

But you are right - I’ve got lots of things stashed for my daughter already and nowhere near as much stashed for my 2 boys. I personally always pad out the gifts with new pyjamas, socks, pants, vests, dressing gowns, a new outfit, maybe some trainers as it’s stuff they need and pads the things to open out. I tend to get those things delivered from George at Asda they have a great selection.

for your daughter - I got one for mine last year and she loved it - I got her a Spirograph as I had one as a kid and this went down brilliantly.

LED lights, new water bottle, hot chocolate selection. Make your own cheese kit, wallet tool, mini lego kit, book or annual, fun cereal, noodles chopsticks and a bowl, fun shoe laces, spoke lights for his bike, cake in a mug set, travel games or top trumps, bath bomb

Thanks for the suggestions so far. It seems like food is the way to go with little treats 😂

He does like arts and crafts but we find a lot of stuff is aimed at girls. We used to buy eugy models but think we exhausted these (still got one to make from last year).

Likewise he likes Lego but has quite a lot already and is getting fed up with it cluttering up his bedroom so I don't really want to add to it if we are going to be getting rid of it.

Card games like Uno/monopoly deal, puzzles, a book, nice pens, a comedy toy ie a hot wheels car or a small Dino depending on what he used to love, mini jigsaw, tech stuff like speaker/phone holder/charger etc, choc coins, choc lump of coal, nice fragrance, an orange, seeds in a tin that grow chillies or your name on a bean, t shirt, soap on a rope, lush bar, , Christmas socks/pants so they are fun, not boring, hair products, mini massage gun….look on menkind or prezzybox, They will have all sorts.

@Moonnstarz
have you been to hobbycraft? Or had a look online? They have a big sale on at the moment with some nice arts and craft things.

Another thing I’ve bought for this year is Monopoly but not the traditional one - it is for York as we are going for a couple of days between Christmas & New Year and Santa is going to put a note on it for all 3 kids as a joint present.

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbies-games/model-making-kits/brick-building-sets-for-adults/?sz=48&start=48

Thanks all I am making a list of the suggestions!

I could easily spend a fortune on that wicked uncle site!

I do have monopoloy as son is a big fan.

I do things like unusual snacks, an unusual shower gel (one year it was chocolate smell!) . I know it’s a mumsnet hatred but once a year I get the Temu app and order a few fun little bits from there. It’s my only vice, promise! The Camera Obscura shop is really good if you are anywhere near Edinburgh. Magic 8 balls are fun! Also does your son have Posca pens? They’re great, pricey for a stocking but could fill a gap.

Oh and another idea I’ve written down not yet purchased -
might get one for all 3 kids as they can do it together, grow your own Bonsai tree

Acrylic markers are great and reasonable from Amazon…

Shower speaker was a big hit last year

If you look up comic book theme crafts and art you might find some suitable things. I have young DC but bought some cool comic book design, drawing and craft things for that age group last year for a local appeal.

If he likes Eugy, we found ours liked these kits https://buildyourownkits.com/

Thank you, some more great ideas!

The build your own kits look good - he likes feathers from wallace and gromit so that can go on the list!

He does like arts and crafts but we find a lot of stuff is aimed at girls

How about some proper art things then. Sketch book, paints, sketching pencils.

I'm worried you haven't started to address this early enough before Dec 25th.

That's why I am asking now!

Does he have any hobbies or interests OP? My DS has never been difficult to buy for but his hobbies do lend themselves quite well to stocking fillers!

General ideas that we’ve done…
Bath bombs
Aftershave/body spray
Hair gel/coloured hair gel
Fun wash bag
Fidget pen
Magnetic stones
Multitool pen
Torch
Gloves
Beanie hat
Snood
Slipper socks
Thermal socks/welly warmers
Card holder wallet
Belt
Cross body bag
Gaming bits such as thumb grips/controller covers
Card games or small puzzle
Small LEGO set
Magic trick
Poster
Fun mug
Extendable marshmallow fork (personalised)
Mug cake mix
Stroopwaffles
Book
Stationery - nice pen or mechanical pencil/highlighters
Metallic outline pens
Power bank
Multi USB plug

Thanks for the further suggestions.
No he doesn't really have any hobbies. He isn't into sports and will happy play on Minecraft all day if I let him.

Joke book
LED beanie hat
Card game - my DS had UNO flip last year
3D puzzle maze
Comic
Craft knife
Brush markers/paint pens
Heat change mug
Mug cake kit
Doorbell for his room!

we try to balance the following and me DH do this for each other but we get one each.

something to :
read
use
do
wear
eat
drink

Japanese snack box!!
msgnetic globe / solar system
lava lamp / rechargeable lamp
mine craft gifts
Jaffa cake in in a metre tube
key ring - lego
torch - some cool ones avaible
gourmet chocolate or sweet (adult ones)
Phone case / charger/ stand / power bank
s’mores kit
Book nook kit
Fact book/ Guinness wr
Survival book
hat/ scarf/
stretch or goo toy
Hot chocolate kit
Ameircan sodas.

My son was about to turn 13 in January and was quite grown up as he has two older sisters so I'm not going to suggest the things he got for grooming etc that your sons already said are too old but he liked the following -

Guinness world record annual gaming edition I think you can get specific Minecraft annuals
Ripley believe it or not annual
Cleaning gel putty for gaming keyboard
100 shapes magnet fidget spinner
Lightening reaction shock game
Speaker for the shower