There are a lot of younger boys in my life (my little bro is 13, my dp's little bros are 14 and 9) and ALL they ever want are video games for gifts. I really struggle with this, because I completely disagree with amount of time they spend playing video games and I don't necessarily want to support it. Aside from that, they're expensive!!!! Dp's bros are a little bit easier because they'll play a game for awhile, but my bro is insane. He always has the latest and greatest up to date video games for his xbox 360, and the games are about $50 or $60 each!!! I have tried getting him other things for his birthday and nothing is a hit. One year I even bought him a guitar in hopes that he'd have a new hobby aside from being a video game zombie. Does anyone else deal with this? I don't know how to be frugal with someone that will only be satisfied with a $60 video game that he's going to beat within a matter of days...
I don't spend that much on any one gift for anyone else. If I buy him something else, I might as well not buy him anything honestly. It's not that he's necessarily ungrateful, I just know that it wont be a memorable gift.
Clothes. I buy my nephew clothes. I am right there with you on not supporting unhealthy habits. Like you, I don't want to waste my money, though. A cool sweatshirt is always a hit. A couple of years ago when we were living in Germany I bought him a Manchester United Football (Soccer) jersey that was a HUGE hit. I had Ruud Van Nistelrooy's name put on the back (he was/is the captain of the team). It was the best gift I could have given. So... clothing or sports jerseys are my vote.
We have often given gift certificates at our price limit (usually $20) that I'm sure are combined to buy a game.
We have 3 teenage boys that we buy for (nephews). This year, one is getting a hat, one a cool keychain (he's 16), and one a gift certificate (he's headed to bootcamp in January, so I'm not sure he needs more "stuff").
My boys like hoodies or shirts with their school logos. They aren't cheap, but you might be able to purchase them if they have a school store. They also tend to like practical things like a cool bedside lamp. I saw one at Wal-Mart yesterday which looks like a saltwater tank and fish swimming which I know one of my boys will like for his bedside table.
For less than a video game, you could purchase movie passes. We have an indoor water park and a go cart track. You could purchase a pass to something like that and set up a date to take all three boys at once as part of the gift.
My son would even like something like a bunch of coupons for getting his hair cut. He wants it a certain way and we don't always get him to the barber shop as quickly as he would like. He could just ride his bike and get it done whenever he wants. Hmmm. Guess I found another gift.
If you don't want to purchase a video game, I wouldn't worry about having the super hit gift. I also wouldn't try and get them interested in a new activity. I know when I got those mix in a jar gifts it irritated me because I don't like to bake. They weren't a gift with me in mind. If I couldn't think of anything else, I'd do a gift certificate for whatever amount I felt was appropriate and I'd let it go.
Originally Posted by oldgirl,newtricks
...I know when I got those mix in a jar gifts it irritated me because I don't like to bake. They weren't a gift with me in mind.....
: That's what I'm giving all my children's teachers for Christmas! (Hey, it's easy and quick to make, and I already have everything on hand that I need...)
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