So I let slip to my parents what we were going to get for ds1 - and they've gone and bought it instead....

[LunarSea]

... so now what do we get him?

He's 7, but doesn't really 'do' toys. We were going to get him a digital camera but that's scuppered now.

He likes sciencey things (but has already got microscope, telescope, binoculars, snap-together electronics set), just about any outdoor activity (but he had new bike for his birthday, has got his own skis, hasn't outgrown his football boots yet) and his Wii and ds. Am stuck for what to get as a "main" present (sort of £40-£60-ish, but a bit of flexibility if it's a great idea). We could just get him some Wii/ds games. which is great from the avoiding clutter point of view, but they don't exactly make impressive looking parcels and if possible I'd like him to have something which looks a bit more exciting before it's opened IYSWIM.

we've got this

I will now desist from making loony suggestions

Thats unfair. My mum is the same, but she does it when it comes to my present. Told her what DH was buying me last year and lo and behold on Xmas Day they came brandishing their big present, I opened it and there it was... another foot spa. One for each foot. Isn't the first time its happened either.

A printer and a stack of photo paper is a good idea - would just need to make sure that he doesn't open it before seeing the camera though, or it wouldn't make a lot of sense!

pigleto - actually I suspect that most 7 year old boys have got bikes and football boots. ds1 bought the wii for himself with money he'd saved, plus contributions towards it from family (rather than them getting individual presents) last Christmas. Most of his other things have been bought cheaply second hand from car boot sales, using his pocket money - all of £1 a week. To me that's evidence of him actually developing a fairly good idea of how to handle money, but if to you it means he's "spoiled rotten" then so be it.

Greensleeves - lots of things he'd like on that anti-gravity.co.uk site. I've bought things from them before, must call into their shop again next time we go to York.

My friend's mum and aunt are worse than this - they go through the things she's bought for her ds and decide what they're going to take away (and pay her for) and give to her ds!! So she does all the work and they get the credit - and she has to do yet more shopping!

sunnygirl.

Go-kart

Heelies

Football goal

He isnt spoilt.... how can you say that? you dont even know the kid. If you had the money then your child would too have all those things. If he is greatful etc then just because he has lots of things allready means he is in no way spoilt.
we had far too many toys as children but we wernt spoilt. My mum taught us the importance of money and explained how she and my dad had to work hard to provide us with all the nice things. But we treated them well and they lasted us because we wernt spoilt.

I think you should have a word with the gp's and just say, "look im really sorry but I told you we were getting ds a digital camera, I said this so we wouldnt both end up getting him the same thing but you have gone and bought him one now which is unfair because it was my idea."

Why is everyone saying that Lunarsea should tell them it's unfair, she hasn't said that in her posts has she, she is trying to figure out a solution. I can't believe how ungrateful some of you sound tbh but maybe it's just me as I would never be in that situation in a month of Sundays

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I should have kept that opinion to myself. I was just shocked at how much stuff your ds has got. I have a 7 year old myself and I thought he had every toy known to man but he doesn't have half the stuff in your OP.

I'm sure your ds is a lovely boy.

My ds is after a metal detector at the moment. He loves history and mud so I may consider it. My parents have a farm and they have found loads of coins and spoons over they years so he can use it in their fields.

I can't belive people are saying he is spoilt! Agree with greensleves, being spoilt is an attitude.

Lunar - FWIW, I too have a mother who buys everything I mention I am thinking of getting - it didn't take me long to learn not to tell her!

How about a trip to the science museum and some money to spend in the shop?

If he's into outdoor stuff - how about a cheapish small tent, sleeping bag, roll mat, torch etc so he could campout in the garden??
you could divide tent into all the bits so he has loads to unwrap