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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

birthday present for a 13 yr old boy ...

46 replies

Countingthegreyhairs · 14/07/2008 09:29

Good morning

Wd very much appreciate your advice about what to buy for my nephew's 13th birthday. I'm stumped. In recent years, I've bought him clothes, books about aeroplanes and astronomy, and some strange technical add-on bits for his computer ...

Desperate for some new ideas please ...date is looming ...and he's the only teenage boy I know so a bit out of the loop ...

A million thanks

OP posts:
Cod · 14/07/2008 09:29

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Sawyer64 · 14/07/2008 09:34

He probably owns a Games Console,find out which one and buy him accessories he hasn't got or a game.

I'm sure his parents will know which game he's after,or if he hasn't bought one for a while,what type he likes ie. Driving/Football/Adventure/Sport or War games etc. get the latest one out.

You'll be his favourite Aunt!!

Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 14/07/2008 09:42

Thanks for your replies

ah yes ... suspected that might be the answer Cod ... he's a real tight-wad actually ... bungs any money he receives in a savings account and then studies his statements with unhealthy glee ...

will try and get more info about the games console thanks Sawyer64 ... although I think he has quite a few ... I think I bought him a flight simulator thing a couple of years back ...'tis a foreign land to me all this ...

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Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 14/07/2008 10:09

Any other ideas pls? Anyone ....???

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Cod · 14/07/2008 10:10

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AMumInScotland · 14/07/2008 10:11

£££ or vouchers, or ask his parents for exact details of what he'd like. They're so variable at this age, and have such definite ideas of what they like and dislike that it's a real struggle. Even if you know what he's into, he's probably already got lots of it so you risk duplication. Sorry!

Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 14/07/2008 10:13

Brilliant! He's not in to sport but really like the Shuffle idea. Don't know why I didn't think of it, got one for Christmas myself this year ....

Thanks Cod.

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Cod · 14/07/2008 10:14

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Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 14/07/2008 10:15

x posts A Mum in Scotland!

Was going to try and surprise them this year but I think I will run the ideas past his mother (now I have some thanks to responses here!!)

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mumblechum · 14/07/2008 11:59

If he's into gaming I'd get him a giftcard from Game, as he can't put that in his bank a/c.

windygalestoday · 14/07/2008 12:04

a watch
magazine subscription
wallet
funky top
game stuff
aftershave

dont imo buy ipoints you can download stuff from limewire and transfer to an ipod.

Goober · 14/07/2008 12:08

Aftershave,
Lynx stuff,
T shirt,
A game,
I-tunes voucher,
Voucher for Burton/Woolies/Top Shop,
Cash,
Cider!

Goober · 14/07/2008 12:11

Top-up voucher for mobile,
Remote-control car, or helicopter,
A massive kite,
More cider!

Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 14/07/2008 12:51

Thanks for the ideas everyone ...I'll investigate all of these with his ma ....although I might not mention the cider

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Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 14/07/2008 12:51

Actually I was just looking at those remote control indoor helicopters. Do you think his mother will hate me?

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Goober · 14/07/2008 14:46

No. We have 2 and they are really good, safe fun. Do it.

MorocconOil · 14/07/2008 14:49

We got my nephew one of those helicopters last year. He really liked it, and my sister was pleased it got him off the computer!

scaryteacher · 14/07/2008 15:35

My ds is rapidly approaching 13 and loves to get Amazon vouchers as then he can chose between books, cds, dvds, games and so on. You can get either paper vouchers or online ones. If the voucher is for £15+ then he won't have to pay postage either.

Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 14/07/2008 18:04

Sorry - I was ditracted by work for a moment

Oh great - thanks Goober and mimizan - there's a screen time/computer ishoo at his place too so might just settle on that one ...

Didn't know about Amazon vouchers Scaryteacher so appreciate that idea v. much - thanks. If not for birthday, then definitely for Christmas ....

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Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 14/07/2008 18:17

oops 'distracted' even ....

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LongtimeinBrussels · 15/07/2008 00:02

As well as Amazon vouchers, there are also play.com vouchers. Postage is free even outside of the UK (I see you live in mainland Europe so maybe your nephew does as well?) so he wouldn't be wasting any of the money on the postage. They also have brilliant sales.

I apologise for the following hijack. Scaryteacher, I think we have more in common than just living in Brussels. I was born in Portsmouth and lived there (apart from uni) until I came here in 1985. Once the children are back to school, maybe we'll do that coffee in Tervuren?

Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 15/07/2008 08:24

thanks LongtimeinBrussels - much appreciated - my nephew is UK-based but will definitely check out Play.com. Never heard of it so thanks for the tip.

I am now going to be organised for quite a few birthdays and Christmases to come

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scaryteacher · 15/07/2008 10:34

This reply has been deleted

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scaryteacher · 15/07/2008 10:38

Counting...there is also a website called Audible.co.uk that does audiobooks that can be directly downloaded onto itunes, and thence to ipod/mp3 player etc. They do vouchers as well I think. ds has a subscription with them and gets two books a month; he is currently working through the entire Star Wars canon, any Terry Pratchett that he doesn't have in paperback, and various Dr Who novels as well. Keeps him quiet in the car, and makes a nice change from the Linkin Park stuff that keeps blaring out from under the headphones!

Original poster
Countingthegreyhairs · 15/07/2008 11:33

That's Brilliant Scary - totally ignorant about all this sort of thing - so gold star tips like this v. much appreciated

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