Absolutely stumped for teens presents this year.

[BrieAndChilli]

none of my kids need or want anything this year. They all have things like phones, laptops, gaming consoles etc and nothing needs upgrading. So not going to go mad as not going to spend for the sake of spending but would like to get them some bits to open!!

DS1 is 19. Was doing politics at uni but taking a year out for mental health. Been applying for jobs hut nothing yet. Has ASD and not social at all, barely leaves the house. Has a nintendo switch. Doesnt care about clothes etc and does no sport except occasionally going climbing with DH. Does like maps but feel like exhausted that over the years!

DD 18. Just gone to Uni so has all the stuff for that. Likes music but no gigs coming up she is bothered about. Is doing a creative degree. Likes sewing etc. could probably get her to send links to clothes etc

DS2 16 - loved paelontology but again exhausted that over the years. Doesnt play sport. Plays PC games. Not botheredby clothes either.

Surprise hit last year for my 20 year old engineering student was this

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EjyI3Km

they have loads of different ones. He’s also a Lego fan but this was a something new for him

For the 19 year old: some sort of bonsai starter kit?

For the 18 year old: I assume she’s got a sewing machine - what about a crochet kit? Everyone that age seems to crochet.

For the 16 year old: a drone?

Other thoughts: table top games? maybe 6 Nimmt for the 16 year old, Just One for the 18 year old, Imhotep for the 19 year old? I like games well enough but my dp is a proper board gamer and a genius at picking the right games for the right people so these are games I’ve played in different groups with him.

Lego architecture sets are great
Extreme day trip/overnight UK or Europe
Oodies
Heated blankets
Money and a small gift

Ideas in no particular order - map bedspread, compass, lego dinosaur, vintage sewing machine thinking Singer 99K, do they drink coffee, if so a family coffee machine.

Experiences not things! Wrapped
up as notes alongside consumables if you feel like unwrapping is inportant. Eg “woohoo here’s a credit for a climbing session with dad” written on the side of a chocolate bar wrapped up. “Hurrah take your mates for a drink” as a card connected to a four pack of beer. Etc etc.

I've no idea either. And DS's birthday is right before Christmas and I have to think of things for the whole family 😫Apart from a compute game there's only one thing he's asked for.

I'm reluctant to buy stuff just for the sake of it but I don't know how to deal with this stage of not wanting anything either!

Another one saying experiences. Vouchers for go karting, axe throwing, escape rooms etc?

If you want 'things to.unwrap' then.nice chocolate, books, fancy playing cards or a good card game to.take back.to Uni?

Driving lessons for the older two if they don't have their licences already. A drone or gaming voucher for the younger one,aunt a voucher for an escape room?

Would any of them appreciate PTs at the gym or eg a course of Pilates or yoga classes?

Definitely consumables and experiences.
Mine like things like gig tickets and posh coffee.

Ticketmaster voucher is always a good idea.

MONEY! It's always the best present for any teen (and adult 😆)

For things to open I would go with better versions of staple products, better could be ethical, design, materials, brands. Water bottles, travel mugs, pens, socks.
Interest specific can be difficult as many kits are quite mass appeal and may not be to their taste. For your daughter I might make up a kit myself of sewing things and give that along with a voucher for fabric. Maybe a book on zero waste garments?
Not for opening but premium bonds or an amount of money each into one of the simple investment apps?

My DS20 is the same! We've gone for more practical presents, such as a plug in lamp which changes the colour of the room to help with mental health. He’s also had gifts like sand frame which you tip over and creates a different landscape picture each time. Have you got a Menkind shop near you? They’re great for random male gifts.

I got my DS an 'unlimited' pass for our local cinema for his last birthday and he has made really good use of it. Ours in an Odeon but lots of chains have similar.

I’ve bought mine perfume, small mascara/lip gloss set, Burts bees hand cream and lip balm, PJs and will buy some Percy pigs nearer time. She explicitly told me don’t go overboard and no tat 😬 her partner similar aftershave and pyjamas will get him some sweets nearer time as well. There both on wages far higher than mine and don’t really want stuff.

I agree with @Stormydog

If they don’t need/use/want stuff then just get sweets, socks, and a few quid

as a comment. My 18 year old would be really embarrassed about vouchers for things and wouldn’t use them (dunno why, but 😄🤷🏼‍♀️)

Im going to get dd24 a fancy hairdryer as it will be used but other than that just a few beauty bits

3D printer plus '3D ink'. Expensive so maybe the three of them could share.

Subscription to Audible for audio books.

Subscription to a video streaming service. There are brilliant, specialist niche and educational ones as well as the well-known mainstream ones.

Subscription to an app. There are many focused on learning and skills, mental health and wellbeing, creative hobbies etc.

I've previously had and enjoyed book subscriptions as a gift - you receive nicely wrapped up books in the post each month, there's new and used versions, and you tailor it according to interests. And I had a cheese subscription once, fancy cheese in the post for a few months! So there are all sorts of subscriptions of things you can give these days.

And if they really really don't want anything - charity gifts. E.g. sponsoring a guide dog puppy, sponsoring a cat kennel at Battersea, twinning a toilet somewhere, lots of possibilities.