Parents - toy and gift ideas for older children and teenagers?

edinburgher

Excuse the incredibly vague question, but can anyone suggest some affordable toys/gifts that would be welcomed by older kids (say split between boys/girls aged 12-15 up to £20 or so)?

I'm looking to pick up a few items for a charity appeal and have absolutely no idea what's hot these days (I'm decades off my teenage years and our only child is 1).

Helpful suggestions appreciated, I get the impression that younger children probably do much better out of these collections than older ones

kingfisherblue

Tesco have half price toiletry gift sets at the moment. Uno is £6 in Tesco, or £6.99 in Argos. Pound shops have regular packs of cards. Stationery is often popular with girls, but maybe not so much with boys. The Works have those wooden puzzle things that you need to untangle - prices from around £2-7 I think.

The Book People have some decent books, many in sets that could be split if you wanted.

Last year, my son wanted a mug that stirred his tea (lazy lump that he is.....). I think it was £2.99 from B&M. Travel mugs might be an idea too - you could add sachets of flavoured hot chocolate.

A bit boring, but boxers, knickers, gloves, scarf. Handwarmers are quite cheap.

If you're feeling crafty, make Rudolph hot chocolate cones. Poundland have plastic cone sleeves. Half fill with hot chocolate, then top up with marshmallows and chocolate drops. Fasten with a sparkly pipecleaner. Add a red pompom nose at the point, and googly eyes half way up.

I've assumed that you mean £20 total budget, not per gift. Sorry if I have misunderstood.

edinburgher

I meant £20 per gift and by split, I just meant different ideas appreciated for boys and girls. Clear as mud, sorry!

CoffeeAndTV

Is this for those charity Christmas shoeboxes- if so I've done one this year too!

- Notepad and gel pens
- Wooly hat/scarf/gloves (New Look is good for this)
- Hair clips/ bobbles/ hairbrush
- Nail varnish
- Mini toiletries- toothbrush, body butter, lip balm

Spendless

I'm guessing this is for children in your local area that are considered in need?

I have a 13yo daughter and 16yo son. I've also got 15 yo Neice and Nephew (twins)

Earphones are always popular. They go through them at a rate of knots and they're unlikely to not have a single gadget that needs them.

Have you got any restrictions on what you can't buy?

In my daughters year they like Zoella (youtuber with a range in Boots/Superdrug), lipbalms, 'cute' stationery. Bodysprays from Hollister (watch the pricing, it's cheaper to buy several and split!)

Something that is becoming popular is a mermaid blanket. It's a snuggle blanket shaped like a mermaids tail for you to snuggle up in on the sofa. They come in various prices and qualities. I've bought my DD one today for £15, not the best quality admittedly but a nice fun thing to have.

Boys tend to be harder and I've always bought around a hobby, which will be difficult when you don't know the recipient.

I'll have another think and perhaps post some of the items that I've bought my family that would be in your price range.

Oh - Just thought, I've bought DS pot noodle gifts before, a fork that twizzled itself to stir them and a ceramic holder.

Spendless

Ok I'm back from a few hours of gift wrapping and here's an idea of what I've got.

The girls are aged 13 and 15.

The boys are aged 15 and 16.

All kids have March birthdays so are closer to the next age up,

Girls- toiletries, make up (be careful of brands - better to spend more and have less!) hair products, make up brushes.

Boys - headphones, smellies (teenage boys don't smell pleasant:p), calendar (I got a Banksy one for Nephew), cable tidies, novelty screen cleaner.

Either- American sweets

Both of my kids are having a scatter cushion for their room. In their cases it's specific to their interests, but there are plenty of slogan ones around.

You could *probably* get away with a bag for the boys. This time of year Boots do several that are filled with toileties and are on offer. Girls are pickier IME in what bag is cool or not.:cool:

This is a bit boring but might help if you're stuck- a water bottle. One of the fancier, more expensive ones. I've bought DD a roll-up one today because she liked her friends! It cost a whacking £8:eek:and I think that must be because it was on a black Friday deal because the shelf edge said £11.50.:o

Hope some of this is of help.