Present ideas for 12 year old boy

[annie0000]

Struggling with what to get my son for his 12th birthday. His only suggestion is "something for my computer" which is not that helpful!! We have probably spoilt him over the years so he already has a lot of stuff. In my defence, he is a very good boy - excellent report cards etc. and we could afford to buy him things. we also come from a large family that don't live close so they generally send him money which means he has been able to buy himself some large items.

He already has a decent bike, a computer/screen tv) etc, PS3, wii, DSs, a decent mobile phone, Ipod/dock and a kindle. The only thing he has mentioned was a gaming mouse but he plans to buy one with some amazon vouchers he got for christmas.

He is not yet interested in clothes/designer gear. He's a bit of a geek and likes techie stuff, games he likes are minecraft & skyrim. Not that interested in music, likes outdoor stuff (bear grylls/ray mears).

No point giving him cash as he rarely spends it so not really much of a present if you see what I mean.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions!! TIA

[tinkerbell23]

Www.iwantoneofthose.com


Gadget heaven i think?!

A usb microscope? Xx

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Ooo I have one of those Tinks. It's ace!

[annie0000]

hc - yes he is, he's a brilliant kid as is his younger brother - they are so good and make me proud and I know I've given them loads of stuff but I hope i have given them the opportunity to try everything that I and my OH never got the chance too as our parents just didn't have the money.

We are holidaying further up scotland this year and I know he'd like to try fishing and maybe sailing too so i'll see what's available. He's already been promised that he can do "go ape" for his birthday with 1 friend and dad - you need one paying adult for 2 kids so works out pretty expensive! but maybe a movie and pizza evening with a few others might be good too. :o)

[annie0000]

mojo - yes he would be in heaven! he has a pretty old pc, but he's upgraded the memory and the graphics (he just spent £80 on a graphics card!!) He will outgrow the lot soon but i don't feel like shelling out hundreds on a new pc just yet :o)

[hc4361]

I love that you are holidaying in Scotland :)
I think you more of less have a plan now - he's going to have a great time.

[annie0000]

tinks, not sure what your link was for as isn't working for me :/

Thank you all so much for all your ideas - i'll check some stuff out tomorrow when I am a bit less tired - you're all fab!!

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Just the CPU then Annie. If you get him a gaming CPU (power supply) the rest will cope better and run better. :)

[annie0000]

I know hc- sunny Aviemore this year!! kids have over 8 weeks off this year and with the price of childcare.....

1 week in Aviemore and if the weather is good then we may crack out the tent for a couple of nights somewhere.

We did the lakes last year and got lovely weather so here's hoping!!!

[tinkerbell23]

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/


Its a great site xx

[annie0000]

Im not that techie mojo - he has a dell optiplex 745 - could you recommend anything?

[annie0000]

ah, thanks tinks - sorry, thought it was something in particular you were recommending - it is a good site, i'll have a trawl through it tomorrow to see if anything catches my eye :o)

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

This is my one. My particular flavour of life-wasting internet usage eats graphics cards. This CPU has been a lifesaver.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

http://www.google.co....zBAw&ved=0CLUBEPMCMAY
At this point Mojo-Jo-Jo, I recommend posting the link. D'oh!

[annie0000]

thanks for that mojo - is that somethig you can just put in yourself like adding in a graphics card or memory?

Do you know if windows 7 is compatable? I found out that he'd mentioned that as something he wants to his friend. I remember him saying that there was something he needed a 64 bit operating system for as opposed to a 32 bit but for the life of me I can't remember what it was!!

[DTCwordfan]

paint ball outing with his mates?

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

You can fit them yourself, though I wouldn't know how. I got a friendly geek to do mine for me :)

[annie0000]

DT - don't think they are old enough to do paint balling yet but I think he would love it.

thanks mojo - I am sure I can find a geek somewhere :o)

[Canary42]

Since he just suggested "something for the computer" without bothering to specify what, I would buy a sledgehammer.

Failing that, try this site http://shop.savethechildren.org.uk/wishlist/

[annie0000]

was that meant to be a dig canary?

I have already freely admitted that I spoil my kids - OH and I were brought up in large poor families - we can afford to give our kids lots of things and experiences so we do, our choice. We are also raising responsible citizens and future taxpayers.

The boys already sponsor a child each and know that there are children who don't have what they do - they go to scouts and they help in the community. So far the communities reward to them is to bully them. Despite this, they have never missed school and work hard and I am happy to reward that - again, my choice.

[abbyw]

My brothers the same and he got an Apple Ipad, he spends a lot of time on it and loves it, just an idea, hope it helps