What are you getting your teens for Christmas?

[hookedonchoc]

Hi MNers,

I'm hoping for inspiration to help me come up with something which will make my jaded and cynical grouch bundle of joy crack a smile. What will be making it worth your teens' while to get out of bed on Christmas morning? Yes I know I've left it a bit late, what can I say, I'm rubbish!

Well DS1 (140 and DS2 (11) are getting a PS4 between them.

Other than that he will get the usual bits of

Smellies
Book
Calendar
Football
T Shirt
Chocolates
Sweets
Belt
DVD

What does your teen want?

Ds1 (16)
Beats Pill ( dr dre speaker thing )
2 pairs of trainers he wanted
007 aftershave he wanted
Can't remember what else it was all wrapped last month

Ds2 (13) a laptop

DS (17) wants a laminator, for his textile art. DD (15) wants a soldering kit , for RM. He also wants a subscription to the Economist, she wants National Geographic, they have each got a book, novelty memory sticks, socks, new PJs, chocs, a DVD and money for clothes.

Thanks for all the ideas so far, there are some lucky boys and girls out there! PS4 eh? My ds2 would love an XboxOne but a bit pricey for us, and ds1 explicitly does not want it. Some interesting choices there dottygamekeeper, your children sound very mature.

My oldest is easy as he's just turned 17 so is getting driving lessons and car insurance as combined birthday & Christmas. It's my younger one, who'll be 14 in January.

He isn't into anything really except Minecraft and watching Minecraft-related videos on YouTube. He's getting a phone from his grandparents, had a laptop last year and is getting some games and dvds from other relatives. I'd normally spend about £50-80 each for Xmas and birthday and with both coming up fast I'm a bit stumped. The only thing I know he'd love is a tablet - but with a laptop already and an android smartphone coming, I think that would be overkill. Hm...

Is he interested in clothes?

A drumkit, new iPhone, a snowboard and boots and a guita amp. Not all for the same teenager, I hasten to add!

Decent laptop speakers and minecraft related merchandise for him? My boys are getting money, as they want to buy new processors and motherboards for their pcs.

My ds requested a starcraft bag from zavvi and my dd wanted a food steamer. Job done

I am giving up my never used dining room to give them a room they can chill out in and use computers/do homework. I've cleared all my clutter out and bought them giant bean bags (very cheaply on ebay), DH and I have bought a new TV for ourselves from Argos so they will have the old one in there, rigged up to the Wii we got years ago and the dvd player. Plus I saw a lovely table football set up on local swap shop so I got that too. Hopefully that will be fun enough for them and I can have my lounge and lovely new TV all to myself

Have you heard about the idea of giving 'time instead of stuff'?

I will give DS14 (among other things) a day of help to work on his hut and he can be the boss (he so wants to be the boss sometimes).

Dd1 (14) waterproof country/riding boots, Puffa gilet, pony stuff, body shop smellies, phone case, kipling pencil case, French manicure set, funky socks, zip earphones

New rucksacks (2 of my dc)
Money for more driving lessons / test
Books they've asked for
Traditional smellies and socks and gold coins

My DS is 17 but working and earning well so can effectively buy what he wants but we have got him:-

a much loved toy that he wanted when he was 7 lol (it might be worth money one day) just wanted to see his face lol
Water Speakers
Svd's
Shower stuff
Xbox game
Skydiver!

Not sure if there is any inspiration there lol xx

Thanks for your suggestions, everybody! Paika, I like the idea of giving time instead of stuff, but I think I would need to prepare him for the idea well in advance. I can just imagine his face if I presented him with the gift of "Time" on Christmas morning!

I think I will opt for giving him a few smaller items this year. As he is getting a phone from his grandad he doesn't need another big ticket item from us. I like Madlizzy's idea of Minecraft merchandise, I have found some t-shirts online so will see if I can get one in time.

DD1 is 15yo. She is getting the last Professor Layton DS game and a Pokémon DS game. A book, Happiness and Cyanide. A stocking of sweets and chocolate and an orange a yearly joke she never eats it

From my mum DD1 is getting Ralph Lauren 2.

DD1 would also like a penny board she is not getting one, it will be a 5 minute wonder. I've told her she has to learn how to ride her bf's one first

My dc have already had theirs (we go abroad at Christmas so have an early Christmas at home to avoid too much carting).

Dd (17) got a 3-year railcard, and two DVD's (a musical and the last Poirot); ds (13) got a subscription to a football magazine, a CD and a DVD (Torchwood).

Dd 15.
Jack Wills coat thankfully cheap with codes.
Wonder Woman t shirts and onesie
skirt from new look
knitted hoody from new look
Xmas jumper
body shop smellies
make up bag with a few bits in
pants socks gloves etc
French films on dvd

Dh is supposed to be getting a few ps3 games as well.

Dd12.
Half of neelook 915 collection.
ticket to see Taylor Swift
socks. pants.smellies. etc
dvd pitch perfect and lilo anf stitch as requested.
and maybe a ps3 game

DD19 who is at uni lots of little pressies:

Apart from a stocking stuffed with little bits and bobs:

Jeans
Jumper
Make-up
Body-Shop goodies
Converse
Light up makeup mirror (NO7 currently in Boots reduced from £49.99 to £15.99 )
Rucksack
Underwear
New table top fridge for her uni room

and a few other things I cant remember!!

I've struggled this year as neither wanted much. In fact when I asked for a list DS2 just put "World Peace".
I also try to equalise the amount spent and number of parcels. Doesn't always work if one gets something extra special. This year I've spent around £100 each.
Some of the things not mentioned by others;

Unusual map posters
A gadget charger (charges phone, iPod etc on long journeys)
X box live subscription
Onsie
Dressing gown
CDs
Their body weight in chocolate.
Calendar