Drama Llama Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 We have a tradition of buying some gifts we think my middle son might like for Christmas and donating them. In the past we've done whatever is the latest Harry Potter lego set, but my 13 year old has informed me that his brother has outgrown Harry Potter. I'm not sure I agree, but I'm not going to tell him he doesn't know what his brother would like. But it begs the question of what he would like? So, what do very geeky 14 year old boys like, that are also things that a charity might appreciate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate-chip chooky Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 @Drama Llama I think of your sweet sweet boy often. He is always loved ❤️ 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted November 22, 2023 Author Share Posted November 22, 2023 1 minute ago, chocolate-chip chooky said: @Drama Llama I think of your sweet sweet boy often. He is always loved ❤️ Thank you! He is very loved. That is why he needs a Christmas present. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 That is very sweet. Hugs to you! Some ideas of things I bought my nephews when they were 14ish: Race car lego sets or Marvel lego sets drone or model rocket Dr. Who or Mario Cart themed tees or other items Another idea: a 3D printing pen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianthus Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 Lego architecture set? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 a raspberry pi geeky t-shirts that are punny D&D books STEAM giftcards new earbuds board games 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 https://www.crunchlabs.com/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=678261650634&tw_campaign=20699217525&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6vaqBhCbARIsACF9M6lQX0JTrSkSihIa3yUWePoGRdjghaBwbczuKBNeUoZExYV1l1uNVh8aAlGPEALw_wcB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) No ideas on gift ideas, but we have a charity here that collects the wish lists (3 wishes/kid I think) of the kids currently in the foster system and uses SignUpGenius for folks to sign up to bring them to various locations - marked with the number of the recipient. This is this year's list. So maybe there is something in your area where it might be an option for a charity that could use the gifts? https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4BAFAF23A1FC1-45147797-christmas Edited November 22, 2023 by Bambam 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 Fancy Dungeons and Dragons stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 (edited) Enamel fandom pins manga Official video game art book sticker paper (diy) video game fancy dice Edited November 23, 2023 by alisoncooks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 My nephew enjoyed kits like this. There are lots available, including working clocks, locomotive engines, and other things with moving parts. https://www.mindware.orientaltrading.com/gearjits-carnival-marble-coaster-a2-14094682.fltr?categoryId=554289 https://www.mindware.orientaltrading.com/gearjits-pendulum-clock-a2-13939292.fltr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeLovePassion Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 Star Wars Lego DND books and/or mini figures to paint Unique Tshirts Technoblade merch (a YouTuber who passed, it was his screenname. He had I believe sarcoma and his family still sells his stuff and donates to research in his memory) lots of middle schoolers at my last school had his stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted November 23, 2023 Author Share Posted November 23, 2023 2 hours ago, Bambam said: No ideas on gift ideas, but we have a charity here that collects the wish lists (3 wishes/kid I think) of the kids currently in the foster system and uses SignUpGenius for folks to sign up to bring them to various locations - marked with the number of the recipient. This is this year's list. So maybe there is something in your area where it might be an option for a charity that could use the gifts? https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4BAFAF23A1FC1-45147797-christmas I have charities I can donate to. I just need to pick what. He was a unique little boy. It's interesting to think about what kind of teen he would be. I think if it was just me, I'd buy 10 year old gifts forever, but his brother is very convinced he's growing up in heaven and his tastes are changing. Who knows? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 12 minutes ago, Drama Llama said: I have charities I can donate to. I just need to pick what. He was a unique little boy. It's interesting to think about what kind of teen he would be. I think if it was just me, I'd buy 10 year old gifts forever, but his brother is very convinced he's growing up in heaven and his tastes are changing. Who knows? I think it is sweet that he thinks of his brother that way. It's not something I've ever thought of before. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate-chip chooky Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 4 hours ago, Drama Llama said: Thank you! He is very loved. That is why he needs a Christmas present. Any ideas? Something from here perhaps: https://www.snorgtees.com/collections/math And maybe something like Harry Potter fan art? You can get things like wall art on Redbubble or Etsy. There's something about fan art that I find really powerful. I guess it's the fact that someone else loves the niche interest so much to go to that effort. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisdomandtreasures Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 Dominion expansion sets. Brandon Sanderson books. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusyMom5 Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 I think this is a very sweet way to look at things. Have you scene Popdarts? Wallet, cool hat, 🕶 , pocket watch or wrist watch, board game or card game- got mine Superfight after reading about it here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 My geeky son absolutely adored Legos at 14 and at 26 he still adores Legos. And a pastor at our church who is 40 still adores Legos and geeks out with my 26 year old over them. Some people never move past that love of them no matter the age. But I certainly wouldn't want to argue with your son's vision of his big brother so my next suggestion would be drones, video games, European board games, anything star wars, Escape room style games. Chronicles of crime is another my geeky children really like. However, it's a board game that requires access to cell phone so I don't know if it's the best game for donation as you wouldn't know if the recipient is set up for that (even though I know most kids do). 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyroo Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 My very geeky 14 year old is very much into D&D, Nerf guns, Puzzle Magazines, and puzzley games like this. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VickiMNE Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 My sons really enjoyed Hanayama Puzzles. There are many levels, so I started out with a range. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted November 23, 2023 Author Share Posted November 23, 2023 8 hours ago, cjzimmer1 said: My geeky son absolutely adored Legos at 14 and at 26 he still adores Legos. And a pastor at our church who is 40 still adores Legos and geeks out with my 26 year old over them. Some people never move past that love of them no matter the age. But I certainly wouldn't want to argue with your son's vision of his big brother so my next suggestion would be drones, video games, European board games, anything star wars, Escape room style games. Chronicles of crime is another my geeky children really like. However, it's a board game that requires access to cell phone so I don't know if it's the best game for donation as you wouldn't know if the recipient is set up for that (even though I know most kids do). He’s not saying he’s outgrown legos, just that he’s outgrown Harry Potter. I suggested Star Wars legos and got told that he (my middle child) is the kind of geek that likes Star Trek not Star Wars. Which resonates as probably true for some reason. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted November 23, 2023 Author Share Posted November 23, 2023 8 hours ago, wendyroo said: My very geeky 14 year old is very much into D&D, Nerf guns, Puzzle Magazines, and puzzley games like this. Oh, I like that game for his cousin! I will put that on my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 Do you have a Box Lunch? It's not as geeky as ThinkGeek, but the 13 yr old might get some ideas there. We did something similar for many years for Brian, and transitioned to a more generic toy donation after he got too old for toys (he'd be 22 Jan 1). It helped focus the grief info something happy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 Star Trek: Light-and-Sound Tricorder (RP Minis) https://a.co/d/jfRPSAD Limited-time deal: Speks Geode Sphere Magnetic Fidget Toy for Adults | Quiet Adult Sensory Toy for Stress Relief & Anxiety, Office Desk ADHD Tool, Stocking Stuffer & Top Gadget Gift Idea | Aqua, 12-Piece Set https://a.co/d/iqFKN5Z What the geeky kid in my life wants: ZipString - Wonderment Awaits with Shark Tank - Featured String Rope Launcher Loop Fidget Toy, Defying Gravity to Boost Your Imagination - The Ideal Gift for Kids,Luscious Lime https://a.co/d/0SKNJfV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted November 23, 2023 Author Share Posted November 23, 2023 10 minutes ago, Dmmetler said: Do you have a Box Lunch? It's not as geeky as ThinkGeek, but the 13 yr old might get some ideas there. We did something similar for many years for Brian, and transitioned to a more generic toy donation after he got too old for toys (he'd be 22 Jan 1). It helped focus the grief info something happy. It does help. My guy would be too old for Toys for Tots, which is hard to believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 A Rasberry Pi. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amiesmom Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 My geeky teens are into D&D. Last year they got some of the D&D guidebooks, sometimes Amazon has them in their by 2 get one free sale. They also got dice, apparently you can never have enough fancy dice sets. Also D&D themed shirts are easy to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Mouse Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 (edited) I just want to say that my DD28 has yet to out grow Harry Potter, and my DS21 still likes Lego sets although he now prefers the model cars or architectural sets rather than “playing with” sets my suggestion would be a video game system such as a Nintendo Switch. Edited November 23, 2023 by City Mouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 My geeky son was never into the licensed character Lego sets (other than Lego movie), but likes technic sets and sets with cool cars (he's not a car guy, he just likes the building of Lego cars). Maybe a board or card game? Castle Panic, Unstable Unicorns, Star Realms, Forbidden Island, Doom on You, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 My geeky one got a calculator with a digital notepad attached. Dungeons and Dragons stuff Wood trick kits build all sorts of things that run out of wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryHanson Posted November 25, 2023 Share Posted November 25, 2023 Thanks for the ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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