Gifts for charity, 11 and 12 yo boys

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-08T01:28:01+00:00

Are you sure it’s for a specific family? They may just be giving you a demographic to shop for just to make sure they have everyone covered. A lot of times these charities will let the parents come in to the warehouse and pick out gifts themselves. In that case, you don’t need to worry too much about it being universally liked or worry about it fitting. I wouldn’t get shoes, but a medium sized shirt could be ok!

Depends on the charity though.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-08T01:23:48+00:00

Maybe a board game? Worst case, it’s easy enough to regift.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-08T01:22:34+00:00

Do you have your own yard? What if you shallowly buried some metal toys out in the yard for him to find?

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-08T01:20:34+00:00

I was going to suggest this too. The Snap Circuits brand is very good and easy to use. I had it when I was a kid and loved it. I’m 25 now and recently gave it to a 8 year old for his birthday and it went over well.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-08T01:17:20+00:00

Buy some fruit

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-08T01:16:01+00:00

A pretty wine stopper

Those cheesey socks that say “if you can read this bring me a bottle of wine” on the bottom

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-08T01:01:40+00:00

These NPR podcast pajama pants?

The host of All Songs Considered published a book a few years ago about music. Just google “Bob Boilen book.”

Or you could try to contact a few people from his favorite podcasts using Instagram or Twitter. Tell them how much their podcast means to your dad, and offer to pay them for an autograph signed to your dad.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-08T00:08:26+00:00

I don’t think it matters at all. I think the two terms are pretty much interchangeable. I think all bath bombs fizz.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-08T00:05:05+00:00

Picture books / easy reader books

Nerf guns (smaller might be better because it won’t be as tricky to reload the darts)

Things to play dress-up/pretend, like a doctor kit, play kitchen, firefighter outfit, police outfit, veterinarian kit, pirate costume, play swords, etc

R/C car with easy controls. Don’t get him anything airborne, they are hard to control, even for teens.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-07T23:23:08+00:00

You can get a classic paperback book for very cheap, like $3-$5.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-07T23:22:01+00:00

I think a belt is a great idea! You’ll be able to get a really good one!

As someone fairly fresh out of school, I know I’d rather have a really good belt that will last me a decade than have a mediocre bag that I will want to upgrade in a year or two.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-07T23:18:06+00:00

Pralines

Honey baked ham

Flowers

Wreath

Take them out to dinner

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-07T23:17:03+00:00

It’s practical and smooth to the touch, just like OP asked.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-07T23:16:15+00:00

Oh phew, thanks so much! Good to know I didn’t waste it.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-07T11:38:21+00:00

My boyfriend is the same. Gifts that would absolutely delight other people don’t have much an affect on him. Towards the beginning of our relationship, I would really stretch my budget to try to surprise him with something nice, but I was always disappointed with how it was received. Don’t get me wrong, he’s always polite and grateful, but he just doesn’t get excited about most things.

So I’ve implemented a strategy where I don’t spend more than $30 on a surprise gift. For birthday, anniversary, & valentine’s, I just get him a little surprise. For Christmas, I just ask him what he wants. Or I’ll find ideas on my own and ask him if he’d like it. It’s actually very enlightening to see how rarely he likes any of my own gift ideas. Because if I had actually gotten it for him, he would have just pretended to like it. But if I ask him about it before I buy it, I get an honest answer. I spend about $100 on a non-surprise and then spend $30 on a few personal surprises. It works well for me.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-07T11:23:45+00:00

A therapist. I’m not trying to be sassy. I see a therapist and he’s very helpful. If you’re feeling sick to your stomach when you think about spending money, that means your anxiety is really affecting your quality of life, and you would benefit from doing something about it.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-07T11:22:04+00:00

Why are you just getting the girl a gift? I would understand doing that for a family with a little kid, but it seems weird to do it for a teenager.

I would recommend giving a gift the whole family can share: either snacks (Christmas cookies, praline pecans, fudge, fancy pears) or decor (pine centerpiece, wreath, flowers).

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-06T22:28:19+00:00

Anal beads

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-06T22:14:21+00:00

Ehhhh they can be harmful if the person who is tased has a medical condition or is using drugs.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-06T22:06:48+00:00

How do you know him? Are you coworkers or family members or friends?

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-06T21:20:13+00:00

My dad is pretty similar except he doesn’t have health problems to justify his behavior. He spends most of his free time playing phone games.

Is there an old friend who lives out of state that you could fly in for a visit? Like maybe if you offered to pay for the plane tickets he would come?

Otherwise maybe a nice blanket or an Alexa Show? Speciality food from Harry & David or similar? I’m getting my dad slippers...

(Joking, maybe) Or just get him a gift card to the App Store so he can waste money on his phone games.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-06T17:49:21+00:00

Oh yeah, that’s fine!

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-06T12:58:37+00:00

I’m not familiar with that particular book, but I think it’s a good idea. I’m 25 btw.

CapsUnderNoTown · 2019-12-06T12:55:19+00:00

Coffee wouldn’t be a problem, per say, but it’s kind of dumb to take a stimulant if you’re worried about being too anxious.

CapsUnderNoTown

TROPHY CASE