What do you buy your 14 year old son for his birthday?
Even he himself told me the other day that he has everything he wants. Yes, we have Sky TV (previous joint birthdays with brother, or some deal or other, I can't quite remember). Yes, we have an Xbox, but he only likes playing FIFA and NBA and has those, and doesn't want any other games. Yes, I've told friends and family to get iTunes cards, so won't be buying one myself. Yes, I've looked on the website of the football team he supports, and have considered mugs, calendars and the like. No, he doesn't read many books or play many board games any more (waaah). No, he doesn't even use his Nintendo DS these days. No, I'm not getting another dog.
So apart from a trip to buy trainers of some description (what is it with boys and trainers?), I am at a loss. I'm not a believer in spending money for the sake of it, but you have to mark your off-spring's birthdays.
Does anyone have any experience of slacklines? They seem to be the in thing. Could be fun?
And for those of you with a younger boy, relish the birthdays, is all I can say. Enjoy looking on Amazon and agonising over the myriad of options, all of which you know would be a hit. Enjoy diverting your trolley into the toys aisle when you're at Sainsbury's, and having to resist piling into it more and still more things you know he'd love. Enjoy going into your local toy shop for a few little extras, and finding those hidden treasures at pocket money prices: fake dog poo, key rings, wind-up figures, plastic things that have no purpose other than to light up and look interesting. Enjoy it all, because a Sky TV subscription is ruinously expensive (after that oh-so-tempting introductory offer for the first year), and you can't wrap it up and watch his face when he opens it.
Alas. The passing of time...
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Helpful suggestion there. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha ha. He was on my page too! Does he know we're not American! And don't you wish you were American if people like him are boycotting. What an idiot!
DeleteI was spammed by him too. I wonder if he just spammed expat bloggers, or people who mention America a lot?
DeleteHow about an experience day of some kind - Red Letter day or similar? Or are you near Go Ape? Pay for a session there, with a friend? A ski lesson? Paintballing? A theatre ticket?
ReplyDeleteGood ideas! Thank you.
DeleteYou should get him an experience? Go ape is fun! Or maybe go karting?
ReplyDeleteNew clothes?
An experience is a great idea. Or something for him and a handful of friends perhaps.
ReplyDeleteYes - I have no idea really about teenage boys, but an experience is a brilliant idea. Or tickets for his favourite football team or something. Good luck and let us know what you chose (after Christmas of course. Or does he not read your blog?)
ReplyDeleteMy 9 year old is like this and has been for two years already. Gah.
ReplyDeleteI would say: experiences/days out. A subscription to a magazine he might enjoy. Sports kit if he does sport - apparently you can never have too many pairs of terribly bright football boots. Cool clothes/hoodie/beanie or gift vouchers to go shopping for clothes (if he'd like that?) Tickets for a sports match. Tickets to a concert if there is a band he particularly likes. Headphones (if he likes listening to music). Does he have a laptop or kindle? Does he have any hobbies? Good luck. x
I agree with the experience suggestions - concert tickets, paintballing, ziplining, etc. Does he like the cinema? If so, gift certificates for tickets and snacks are good. Melissa's suggestions for headphones might be a good one - not the little earbuds that everyone used to have, but those giant earmuff-looking retro things that are now all the rage - #2 drooled over some when we were in Japan - but it wasn't his birthday, so no luck. ; ) My boys are both at the age now where they have very expensive taste in technology and clothes. Last year, #1 (who was interviewing for internships in the finance sector) got a gift certificate for a tailored suit. Not a very big box under the Christmas tree, but much appreciated. As my sister-in-law (mother of 3 young adults) says, "Every year, the presents get smaller and more expensive." Birthdays are even harder. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteJust catching up - my son was into slacklining for a while, with some friends. They started on an Outdoor Ed weekend from school. The Meadows is the place to go, I think. He didn't get one but they provided a lot of fun.
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