Jump to content

Menu

Christmas ideas for tween boys


mommyx4
 Share

Recommended Posts

Can we start discussing Christmas?  Is it too early?

 

I have twin 12(almost 13) year old boys and need to start planning.

 

I need some ideas!

 

They love airsoft wars, so we figured we will buy them new guns.

 The could probably use a new bike, so we may consider that as well(their birthday is 1 week before Christmas, so I'm trying to think for both)

 

No video game things.  They do have a Wii, but don't play that often.

 

They are really into clothes all of a sudden, so I'm sure we will buy them new clothes.

 

Any other ideas?

 

Games?

 

Stocking stuffers?

 

What are you getting your boys?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm in a similar boat.  What is on the idea list so far is Perplexus Warp since he has all the other Perplexus mazes, a card game, Skip Bo, and an adult size sleeping bag.  I'm sure I'll find another game or two since my tween is into games. 

 

I'm also looking for a very soft hoodie or sweatshirt.

 

Stocking stuffer ideas: Silly string, magnetic thinking putty, nail clippers (they keep getting lost so each child is getting one!), deodorant, tic tacs, and favorite gum. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archery stuff

My eldest has an RC 10 car, which is very much a "big kid" remote control car.  They are a little delicate because they go so fast.  Parts are replaceable though, so that's a good thing.  Pricey but fun, and still a toy, iykwim.

Bluetooth speaker or dock of some type

He likes electronics and tinkering, so little kits (like Velleman ones similar to this: http://www.parts-express.com/velleman-3d-christmas-tree-kit--320-166?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla ) are fun for him.  One year he got a little kit from Radio Shack with a soldering iron and so forth.

He wants a new hat, but has particular requirements, so I need him to give me guidance

Books

Audiobooks

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We LOVE our Zombie curve bow things like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CKY6SJ6/ref=pd_aw_sims_19?pi=SL500_SR115%2C115&refRID=1YYA7ZYZAQ7SBFZ47S22

 

The Wal-Mart one ($30) is actually better because the arrows light up. We play after dark (I have a pink bow) and it's HYSTERICAL fun. We prefer the non suction cup arrows as they fly better. They do hurt if you get hit, and we REQUIRE eye protection (two things tweens love). Racquetball goggles work well and usually have a strap so they don't fall off. My kids are 12 and 13 and we use them daily. I like them much more than airsoft! :-)

 

ETA - I also require frequent arrow hunts, since they do stray and are costly. That's another reason night games rock - it's hard to lose arrows then.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For stocking stuffers, my 12 year old DS is getting FOOD.    We were on vacation in October and he saw two stores in the shopping district that sold only "jerky" products - so he's getting things like elk jerky, alligator jerky, rainbow trout jerky, etc.    He absolutely loves any snack-type food that he doesn't have to share. :)    I also found a specialty candy store and got him some "toxic waste" sour candies.    The little container even looks like a trash can.   

 

We exchange names on one side of the family for cousins to give gifts to each other.    One year a nephew, who was probably about 12 or 13 at the time, wanted only money.    The aunt providing the gift taped the requested amount of cash to a box of ready-to-eat bacon, and it was his favorite gift that Christmas.

 

DS's "big" gift from DH & I this year will likely be a fish tank and stand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On my boys' wishlist at the moment... books, board games, Arduino and programming books, a subscription to Make, and some more Nerf guns. Oh, and Skylanders Trap Team, which will be a huge waste of money and which they'll beat after playing intensively for like a week, but which will definitely get the grandparent who gives it the biggest happy cry, I'm sure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

rolls of duct tape.

 

 

 

This.  Already bought and in the closet.

 

I think he'll get his own email account.  And we may give in and give him MineCraft as it is something he really, really wants, even though we really don't want to do video games. 

 

Beyond that I am really, really stumped.  I saw a thing in a magazine that attaches to your car's sun visor, basically making it work for people shorter than average adults. He is always complaining about how it doesn't come down far enough and the sun is in his eyes.  Also one of those extention things that attaches to your phone.  Makes taking selfies, especially group one easier, sort of making your arm much longer. 

 

He's getting a hat that has built in lights (Lowe's near the checkout $16), calendar, a couple books.  Possibly a hiking backpack for scouts, but that's more because I can't think of anything else to get him. If I can think of some other stuff we'll just wait and buy that in the spring when he needs it for scouts.  It's just not really a christmas gift type thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My son loves his Loot Crate. It's a box of geeky stuff each month. October had a zombie theme. He got a shirt that looked like white kittens up close and a skull at a distance. One month was space stuff and there was a tribble. A baby Groot was in one. There's usually a t-shirt. It's definitely "stuff" but kids love getting it each month.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In my son's school hacky sack is a crazy right now for some reason, so I'm getting him one, but it's gonna be personalized :) He really loves Star Wars, so he's gonna get one that looks like yoda:

customfootbag1.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Slacklines are great for a variety of ages, just make sure you get one with a guideline.

 

Archery stuff

 

a sword along with classes on how to use it and the history behind the broadsword is a possibility. (we took one weekend course as a family.)

 

Slingshot

 

His own chair and ottoman

 

Computer programming books or courses

 

Robotics books or courses (he has said he'd like the 4H curriculum next)

 

Those are some of the ideas we're tossing around anyway.

 

Stocking stuffers here are candy, a book, a t-shirt of some sort, and some small thing like new ear buds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My son loves his Loot Crate. It's a box of geeky stuff each month. October had a zombie theme. He got a shirt that looked like white kittens up close and a skull at a distance. One month was space stuff and there was a tribble. A baby Groot was in one. There's usually a t-shirt. It's definitely "stuff" but kids love getting it each month.

Thank you so much for posting this! I think my 10 year old boy will love it and as a bonus, what he doesn't want, my 16 year old daughter will want! I'm going to tell my mom and sister they should go in on this for his Christmas present!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...