What to get my son...?

[Bluestone]

Ok, so I know this is a bit of a stupid question, as none of you know my son, but I am having MAJOR difficulties in trying to think of things to get him for Christmas.

The only thing he has an interest in are his wii, DS and Playstation, but I don't just want to get him games as it seems a bit boring - not to mention the fact I don't want to encourage him to just sit there and play them all day every day. He's 11, and doesn't really play with toys. I asked him if there were any toys he wanted and he just said (in the voice of Kevin the teenager) "I'm too old for toys". Er... I was still playing with my Cindy doll when I was 14!!

Parents who have children of this age (and older) what do you get them when they reach the age of no longer playing with toys?

[ummmm]

Money.

[RATTER15]

//I was still playing with my Cindy doll when I was 14!! //

I would have kept that bit quiet!! :-)

[flobadob]

Bluestone, check out this link http://dvice.com/archives/2010/12/11-cheap-gifts.php

[mallyh]

got my granddaughter a key board, when she was 11 she started lessons at school

[flump1]

An adventure he can share with a friend, football match, skating, paintballing, that type of day. I Tunes voucher, Boots voucher,

[magicmick]

We gave our eldest grandson money last year, then on Christmas day I over heard him saying he was going to use his Christmas money on buying extra points/lives for his games, seemed a bit of a wast to me but he is 16 so he could be spending it on worse things. Our other grandson is 11 he is getting a scooter they are all the rage round our way good luck with this bluestone :-)

[ummmm]

My son wants books. Such a nerd!!

[maggiebee]

Maybe you should give him something that will get him off his Yabbie and outdoors instead of sitting playing games on his DS or playstation. Go fly a kite with him, roller blades, a bike, take him snowboarding or skiing on an artificial slope. A paintball day can be great too. Speaking from experience of a couple of teenage grandkids!

[Bluestone]

Don't want to give money, but you've given me another good idea - vouchers.

Ratter, LOL :D

Flobadob, WOW! Those eco-spheres are amazing. Now I want one... for myself! :)

Flump, iTunes voucher is a great idea too!

Trigger, I am definitely going to go with one of yours. Encouraging him to get outside is a great idea, as he would spend all day on his games consoles if he could. I'm surprised the boy hasn't got rickets!

Thanks all. Some really good ideas there :-)

[magicmick]

I hope they are not the top shelf type ummmm:-)

[vodkancoke]

Is there a ski slope near you? You could get him some ski lessons if you want him outside.

[Bluestone]

Thanks Mick :-) Yeah, that's what my son would do with money too - spend it on DS points/games. I will get him a couple of games, but that's all he ever seems to ask for and I know my parents will give him a gift card for the local game station shop.

Ummmm, books are good - as is being a nerd! Mine loves the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid series, but he buys them with his pocket money as soon as each one comes out :)

Maggie, yeah I do actually try and get him outdoors as much as possible but I do run out of ideas of 'fun' things to do - so thank you for your suggestions. A kite is a great idea :-)

Thank you all. I have loads of great ideas now.

[mallyh]

if you live near water sailing or canoeing lessons or by the sea surfing lessons

[ummmm]

Not yet, Mick. Give it time...

[Bluestone]

V&C, there is, yes. Actually, he's asked to go there for his birthday - although he wants to do tobogganing rather than ski :)

[Bluestone]

mallyh, you wouldn't want to surf in this sea, that's for sure!! lol

[cazzz1975]

I detest vouchers as a gift, I used to get vouchers and I never used them, I would go along the same lines as triggs, skateboard, scooter, football, football shirt (if he supports a team)

[Bluestone]

Cazz, I've got a drawer full of vouchers and gift cards. I should imagine that most of them are past their use by dates.
I am going with Triggers suggestions. I am currently looking at some rollerblades, which I think he will love! :-)

[Ric.ror]

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