My oldest is turning 13 on Monday and I still have not idea what to get him. We are not having the party until that weekend, so I still have time. I really need help with this one. I am so out of ideas.
Gift cards!!! They aren't as personal but they make it easier at that age. Something else I've done around that age is given them a certain amount they can spend and then take only that child shopping and make a day of it. With 4 kiddos, this made it a treat as I rarely would get out without all of them. Another idea is a gift basket from the $1 store. My older kiddos are grown but still like this. My oldest dd did them several times for my now 14 yr old and also for me. She tries to make them with a theme in mind or goes off a color scheme.
My son will be 12 and I am getting a Wii game and he still likes Star war legos (but I think after age 12 that might be to little?? books? but I agree gift cards to his favorite store would be good.
Now we do have starwars legos for our ps2. My son likes it still. He is not as mature at most 13yr old I should add. Here is what he has asked for, but I just don't know if I can afford them right now. DS system with games OR PSP system OR Ipod
Do you have an amusement park near you that is still open on weekends? Tickets to go there, a book on the physics of rollercoasters and a wallet full of money to buy some stuff at the park might be something he'd like. Maybe a man's weekend with his dad going fishing or ________ to celebrate his graduation into the teenage years? Maybe a pet he could care for, as he is so responsible, now.=) For my son's last birthday my Mom bought him a flying lesson--the cockpit is a lot like a driver's ed car--there are 2 sets of controls, so you don't have to worry (so much) about your son flying intro a cliff.=) Very memorable! And, it really counts towards his license as you just have to have a certian number of lessons and flight hours. There are a ton of expensive lessons, classes and camps that are too expensive to participate in, for us, on a take it for granted level--but very memorable presents (and you don't have to clean them up 20 times a day)
If he was a little younger, I would have recommended The Dangerous Book for Boys. If you don't already have it, what about The Living Planet or Life in the Undergrowth? My boys were fascinated.
I like the flying lesson idea too. The EAA has a program called Young Eagles where local pilots will take youngsters up in their plane free of charge. Our youngest got to take off and fly around with the pilot sitting beside him.
Check out the Apple Store's refurbished Ipods...I bought one for my dd for Christmas refurbished and it's great, much cheaper too. It comes packaged just like brand new ones and has a warranty also.
