ProudGrandma Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 At what age do the Christmas gifts switch over from mostly toys to mostly non-toy gifts? AND....what non toy gifts do you give beside clothes (which we will do) and electronics (which we are trying to stay away from)?? I have a 14 year old girl and a nearly 13 year old boy. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 For our oldest (now 23, oh my goodness!), we followed along with his interests. At that age, he didn't want kid toys so much as older kid toys. He loved Make magazine and tools/supplies to build projects, tiny figurines to paint (I think his were Lord of the Rings, as the movies had just come out), intricate models. Funny t-shirts, think geek type items, funny boxers, pajama pants and slippers. Books, of course, and magazine subscriptions. I think that was about the age he asked for his last big Lego kit, too. Music and movies were good, too. There was a definite transition period, but we just followed along with his interests. By 16 or so, he really wanted clothes and other things, and we knew - because he told us. By that age, there were some DVD sets (TV shows) that he wanted, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Something for the bedroom, like a new wall hanging or bedding. You can get personalized wall hangings. I don't remember which website I used but I got one that has mine and DH's name on it with a saying that means something personal to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I've given used items as gifts to my children--music and sports equipment, books, lego, dresses for my daughters. We try to cultivate a culture of recycling and reusing; we talk about each item having a history, about the true cost of each item and how they are made. If it is an item my kids truly want, they don't care a bit that it's used. However, I wouldn't give such an ordinary item as sweat pants as a gift, even new. Unless they were in my child's favorite color, favorite brand, and somehow special in some other way. Otherwise, sweat pants are just bought and given. Sweat pants aren't really a gift unless you know for sure the recipient will be excited about them, no matter how nicely you wrap it. I feel differently about socks and pajamas--they can be fun, cozy gifts. Sweat pants? Maybe I'm not imagining them right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 We did clothes, books (interests), dvds (always a hit and still are, esp for ds film guy), weights and workout stuff, and later, things for the car (cleaning kit, battery charger, fix-a-flat can, new mats, etc.--just for the future, as it'll come up on you faster than you think!). For dd, we will do clothes, earrings, books, nail polish/bath stuff/cologne, new pillow/decorative pillows for her bed, and things specific to her interests, such as arrows (she enjoys backyard archery) and a book of piano songs. Our kids always give us a list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Mine are not yet teens, but one will be in 2 months. OH NO. thanks for reminding me! LOL He has never liked kid geared mass market toys. He has lots of hobbies that I'd consider within the realm of toy. So it didn't go from toy to non toy. It went from less expensive toys to more expensive toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Someone once told me my kids like weird gifts. (foot lockers, backpacks, foldable shovels, flint sticks). This is what they asked for so this is what I got them. If they are interested in something then I get gifts to go along with that interest. Most of the time they point out what they like\want. Other gifts at that age have been metal dector ...just prepare to have your yard dug up camera -- simple point and shot, not expensive one survival bags Nerf guns air soft guns or accessories workout stuff - weights, bands,mats, etc. DVDs remote control car board\card games books special food or candy they don't often get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Haha! My guys got little Lego kits in their stockings til they were about 16. After buying a decade's worth of Lego for Christmas, it was hard to stop! I think my older kids were 11, 12, 13 when their tastes turned to electronics. It was about then that they also started appreciating clothing as gifts. My youngest is different, she's been around the older ones long enough to have an earlier appreciation for big kid stuff; at 10 she's past toys, still likes games, asks for electronics that I'm not willing to give her yet... She's going to be a challenge this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I thought of something else: Airsoft. We didn't give any Airsoft or paintball stuff (we don't do gun toys, DH is firm on that one), but DS always asked for/and received it from his bio-mom, to use at her house. If that's something you're open to, it might work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 For my boys non-toy gifts included: comic books (we already have Calvin & Hobbes so we got them Zits or Pearls Before Swine) Wacom tablet backpack (asked for) new chair for computer desk (also asked for) fun food like Virgil's cream soda movie or music I think early teens was about when we transitioned too. Ds's are 19 and 16 this year and have both asked for socks. Granted they want particular socks, not the big pack of Hanes from wally world but still . . . socks. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Oh, one year we lived near a big amusement park and got them annual passes for Christmas. They weren't quite driving yet so dh got a pass for himself, too. That was a young-teen hit. ITunes gift cards, movie theater passes, $20 bills... Those were favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Musical instruments & accessories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 It all depends on what their current interests and hobbies are, and also, what they might need. As they get older, we'll usually get them an item of clothing that they really need -- like, new mittens, a new winter jacket, etc. A new book is always a hit. And then a hobby-type item or two, depending on what their interests are (and what we could afford, which really varied from year to year). For example, a new sleeping bag, a knitting kit, a chemistry set. We did get a couple of our kids guitars over the years. They were used guitars, but it didn't matter to them at all. They were so happy to get them! Once we got our son a sponsorship of a wolf. It was a particular interest of his at the time, and they would send him monthly updates on "his" wolf! It was during a time when they were endangered. Sometimes we'll give a new game, but that's for the whole family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Kit from a favorite soccer team Books Duck commander duck calls Tervis tumbler cups from favorite college College sweatshirt Soccer ball Gift card to favorite restaurant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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