17yo boy gift ideas

[petitchou]

My parent's 17yo godson will be staying with us for Christmas and I'd like to have something under the tree for him to open Christmas morning.  I know he likes basketball and doesn't like reading but not much else.  I have a 4yo and 18 month old and have no idea what to get a teenager!  Any ideas?

[HollyBearsMom]

Oh my gosh- 17 year old boys (and girls) ran the gamut. Gamers, sports enthusiast, musical interests, etc

Sounds like you know very little about him so unfortunately something easily used (ie: gift card to the local mall, or a place like Amazon.com) or something easily returnable/exchangeable. If he owns and Ipod an itunes gifts card could be good. None of this very "personal" but could be appreciated.

Are his folks still around-can you call them for ideas?

Can you find out more about basketball interest?  Is it playing the sport? watching it? both?  College or Professional? Does he have a favorite team? Does he own a gaming system?  if you can narrow it down that could point your towards:

• hoodie/tshirt/hat of his favorite team
• ESPN sports almanac (even non reader like these)
• basketball video game (Wii, xbox, etc)

Then there is the whole budget issue.  How much do you have spend?

[skimmilf]

yes on the itunes card, or sweat shirt or hat of whatever team he's into.

also, find out what movie theaters are in his hometown and buy him a gift card to the movies. Can't go wrong there.

[petitchou]

I talked to his step-grandmother (close friend of my mom's) - he likes puzzles - not jigsaw but brain teaser type puzzles that he can manipulate.  I think I'll look for something like that.  Any recommendations?

His mom is pretty much out of the picture and his dad is married to my mom's friend's daughter.  (follow that? ) I haven't spent too much time with him and he doesn't talk a lot so it's hard to know what he really likes.  His stepmom doesn't think we should get him anything because he doesn't care but I know he does. They have two younger children of their own and they have little patience with him and I think he gets the short end of the stick sometimes.

[HollyBearsMom]

My neice (19) is a big puzzler person and loves a good old fashioned rubiks cube.  Lots of versions out there.  She also loves Suduko.

Another thought is a tangram puzzle, they are very cool! I have seen versions in lots of places-Brookstones, Sears even Spencer Gifts. Bet you could find online too.

Also I think "ThinkFun" has an adult version of the Rush Hour game.

BTW, you are really sweet to be thinking of him!

[Smidge]

A gift card to a game shop would be cool.  We have a locally owned one in the mall here :)

Why would someone say he doesn't care about Christmas?  How sad :(

[pianojazzgirl]

Thinkfun and Smartgames have tons of fun one-person puzzle games.  Any half-way decent game store should have a selection of games by those companies.  Or you could order from amazon!