Help - Xmas ideas for almost 13 boy.

kazd

Hi

I need some help. Looking for ideas for what to buy for an almost 13 year old boy. Have already got him a few things but still have approximately £60 - £90 left in his budget. Really want to try and come up with something that is not Xbox games or clothes. Would like to try and surprise him with something rather than have to ask him.

thanks

karren

movie night hamper?
ive popped dvd, massive bag of doritoes and some choc and wrapped in cellophane x

mee1973

I know my son loved the slingshot I bought him around that age Strictly only allowed to do it in a controlled environment though knocking coke cans off of a wall!

He also enjoyed the big trak I bought him last year... he was 18 lol

Another good present was the magcube, will find it on google.

Bella-Bubble

We've got my eldest dd a pocket money account and you get a little Visa card with it and you can completely monitor/manage spending online, we have pre-loaded it with some money so she can go and buy something in the jan sales or save it up - think she'll feel pretty grown up with that.

I you don't want to open an account to pay in every week then you can buy visa gift cards which have the same concept.

Just a thought!

Or what about booking a day out, either theme park tickets, or paintball, cinema etc.

Ravenclaw

What about some vouchers for his favourite shops, such as WHSmith or Sports Direct.

pink_princess

Our DS is that age as well, best way is to ask his friends when they are around

Our DS is in to hair styling, skateboards and Xbox live. That and videoing stupid things for youtube :eek:

karren

Bella-Bubble wrote: »

We've got my eldest dd a pocket money account and you get a little Visa card with it and you can completely monitor/manage spending online, we have pre-loaded it with some money so she can go and buy something in the jan sales or save it up - think she'll feel pretty grown up with that.

I you don't want to open an account to pay in every week then you can buy visa gift cards which have the same concept.

Just a thought!

Or what about booking a day out, either theme park tickets, or paintball, cinema etc.

hi we are looking for bank account for our teenager with same idea, what bank is that with please?

Bella-Bubble

karren wrote: »

hi we are looking for bank account for our teenager with same idea, what bank is that with please?

It's called 'pcktmny' it's a new online one - but for younger children also, it definitely suited us best but I think Barclays offer a similar one for older children too.

http://www.pktmny.com/index.php/pktmny-home

It's worth noting that it costs £5 to join and £1 a month; we have set weekly 'tasks' online for dd to do and if she completes them we pay in £5pw.

The card also has contact less technology - but I like the fact that I could limit the spending online, I can make sure she doesn't use it in some shops at all, or set a maximum limit in others.

pink_princess

karren wrote: »

hi we are looking for bank account for our teenager with same idea, what bank is that with please?

Barclays do them from age 11.

Lunar_Eclipse

My daughter is the same age.

Lego, iTunes giftcard, Rubiks cube, traditional puzzle, book, instant digital camera, canvas & paints, activities voucher (Go Ape, indoor climbing, rowing etc), Make your own comic book set, gym 'membership' (I know it sounds strange but a lot of kids here seem to do it from about the age of 11 - it's a big social thing on Friday evenings) etc.

kazd

Thank you for all your ideas!

One thing I want to pick up on is these Visa cards, there are several being bandied around at the moment but they all carry hefty charges and some also charge for cash withdrawals. My two youngest have a Halifax debit card, no charges at all and they can only spend what they have on the card, they get a monthly statement and I would say the only downside is you cannot access the account online to check balances etc until they are sixteen. However as far as I am concerned that is all part and parcel of them learning to manage their money and balance their statements.