Need Gift Ideas

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Need Gift Ideas
8
Thu, 12-08-2005 - 10:59am

Ok, I ususally am far more organized, but this year, I am stumped for Christmas gift ideas for my boys. They aren't helping either. On the 15th (nothing like the last minute) is when I get paid again, and I'm GOIN' SHOPPING. We already bought my youngest (12) a small stereo for his room (he wants an iPod, but he rarely even listens to the radio....so we are compromising) so a 'big-ish' gift for him is already taken care of. I bought a shower radio (woo hoo $5 on the after T-day sales) for both of them so they can listen in the shower---oh and each got an Iowa State football t-shirt (I dont know if they like Iowa or not, but that is where my family is, and they had the shirts in Des Moines at a mall.......)and those Nike 'shoe bags'. Ok so far, I have 2 stocking stuffer gifts, a cheap shower radio to share and a stereo for the youngest.

WHAT DO I GET FOR TEENAGE BOYS................they aren't too much into games (the youngest is somewhat, so that is an idea for another small gift) the oldest has an MP3 player (got it for his b-day). I'm on a tight budget---so nothing like laptops or anything would work (not that we'd let them have computers in their rooms anyway)

So anyway, I'm stuck. I'm trying desperately not to go the gift card route.......it seems so impersonal for my own boys...........argghhh.

I am looking for awesome, creative, inexpensive ideas that will WOW them on Christmas. Any ideas?

Shels

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
In reply to: shels2003
Thu, 12-08-2005 - 11:36am

I'm kind of in the same boat, Shels, so I'm afraid I don't have any brilliant suggestions to make. Maybe some one else will? They only thing I can think of is maybe some gift certificates for the movie theatre? Or for your clothes hound older DS, a really cool name brand article of clothing?

We too, already have the 'big' from Santa gifts covered -- an iPod for DD and a small videocam for DS. (He's my wacky, creative kid. This summer, he wrote a screenplay called "Night of the Living Bread" and wants to go to production with slices of bread, breadsticks, bagels, etc.) Both the iPod and camera were similarly priced.

We are planning a 'snow trip' for the week after Christmas (for my desert born and raised offspring it will be a novel experience) so any other gifts will most likely be cold weather clothing.

That's probably enough, to say the least. My kids are QUITE indulged on a daily basis and want for not.

Well, good luck! Sorry I wasn't more help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
In reply to: shels2003
Thu, 12-08-2005 - 11:57am

I know, my kids don't want for anything either. I was reading my own post wanting 'awesome' ideas and imagining the crushed look on their faces when they would get a note saying I'd donated the amount I'd spend on their gifts to a shelter or something. Pretty awesome, right? But I somehow don't think they'd appreciate the gesture. Why is it that the things we TRY SO VERY HARD to instill in our kids doesn't 'take' til they are adults?

A funny side story----you may have picked up on many of my posts lamenting money---it is usually tight...well when they were little it was even tighter----my neighbor braved the cold midwestern evening one night and took my son and his sons to the downtown 'living windows' display (where live actors/dancers are in the windows of our downtown shops depicting holiday scenes). I sent $10 with Tanner so he could pick up a hot chocolate or hot cider or something.........he came back empty handed---he'd put the entire $10 in the salvation army bucket. It was so cute.............My youngest STILL loves to put money in the salvation army buckets.............maybe they'll understand someday that even though things may be tight, and they are not swimming in $100 abercrombie jeans, that they are warm, safe, fed and most of all LOVED. They have everything any kid could possibly need or want.........and they need to SHARE the wealth so to speak......even if it just the change in their pockets...........SOMEONE else and SOMEONE else putting change in the buckets will buy enormous amounts of food, clothing and gifts for those who don't have what we do. But enough of my bandwagon about my kids and charity. To be honest, right about now (Christmas time) they are only thinking about what THEY will be getting............sad but true, and I'm hoping typical of the age. I know I was all about 'me' at 15.

Right now, I'm NOT envious of your snow trip...........we are getting snow as we speak...although not much---but they are calling for freezing rain later which is truly dangerous-----and I want to be able to pick up my puppy tonight too......so my DH may be taking off of work to appease his nervous nelly wife!! I'd much rather be in the desert!!!

Shels

Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
In reply to: shels2003
Thu, 12-08-2005 - 2:53pm

For ds13, he's big into XBox and DS and GameCube, so I guess that kind of stuff doesn't help - he wanted tshirts with that kind of stuff too - anything your guys are in that have tshirts or hoodies that have logos or whatever?

Otherwise we got him a bike lock; he never had one (only tools around the neighborhood but now wants to branch out) - got him a new good bike seat recently too - one that can let him use the bike long distances without causing discomfort. Got him a fleece robe as he always steals mine (lovely with purple flowers! LOL - his is brown/cream plaid). Got him an iTunes gift card. Got him some pants he wanted. Got him a magazine subscription (could you look into one of those? Something they like but never had a subscription for?). That's about it! (Things aren't the 'loosest' here; dh has a job for about 7 weeks but no prospects beyond that contract, so we're being careful!)

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2003
In reply to: shels2003
Thu, 12-08-2005 - 7:47pm

iPod download gift card
Movie tickets

My 17 yr old only wants money and Best Buy gift cards, but I can never forget to put a pkg of Animal Crackers in his stocking (he would never forgive me). He also likes a specific cologne and deodorant. I thought about giving him a 'month off' coupon from taking out the trash LOL


Carrie

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
In reply to: shels2003
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 8:56am
why are you against the gift card idea? my son (19) LOVES to get a gift card to his fav book store, or to an office depot type store. its a gift ----but it gives them the freedom to choose the specific gift.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
In reply to: shels2003
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 9:10am

<<>>

Because gift cards come with guilt. I know I am subject to this as a parent.

Gift cards are used in two situations:

1. When you truly want to give a thoughtful caring gift but are genuinely stumped (as in shels case), so you give the recipient flexibility in choosing something they will like.

2. When you need a quick easy slam dunk deal because you "need" to get so-and-so something.

We (I should say "I") don't wan't to be thought of as the latter...

D

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
In reply to: shels2003
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 9:24am

You got it, Daddioe......I don't want to feel like I don't have a clue what to get my own son..........I've asked him to go to his favorite store (American Eagle) and go to the online 'wish list' area and make me a wish list to start with. Then I can maybe incorporate those ideas at other stores too--once I can figure out what he likes.

I'm not against gift cards to a point, but almost his entire Christmas on gift cards? Nah---it feels like a cop-out to me.

I'm really excited about shopping---we already know we want to purchase his favorite cologne (amazing, from Abercrombie....) and a Nike Football (remember, brands are super important to him.....) and some additional Nike socks (so all the people watching him play ball can see the SWOOSH---it's quite important you know), but that still doesn't give me the big 'wow' of something really important or wanted......but I'll keep looking and prodding for info from him.

I'd actually like to go to St. Louis (not terribly far from us) where the shopping is a little more versatile and selection is greater----our community is beginning to get more stores, but they are smaller and I'm assuming smaller in inventory as well. Don't know if I'll make it or not, but we'll see.

shels

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2005
In reply to: shels2003
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 9:39am

I saw a really cute gift card from somewhere, I think Target, that said, "Because you have better taste than I do". I think of it that way when I give someone cash or a giftcard.

Michelle