<p>My sons are so hard to buy for. The oldest will be going away to college next fall. Any ideas?</p>
<p>How much is your budget?</p>
<p>For a stocking stuffer kind of gift, if your sons have iPods or iPhones, check out the cases made by [url=<a href=“http://www.switcheasy.com/]SwitchEasy[/url”>http://www.switcheasy.com/]SwitchEasy[/url</a>]. They’re colorful, fun, protective, and cheap compared to other products on the market! They ship quickly, too. I’ve bought two cases for my iPhone from them, and I have been completely satisfied.</p>
<p>My cousin, who is 16, begs me to buy him video games whenever we go to the mall together, so I usually get him one of those for Christmas. </p>
<p>Once people get to a certain age, I think it’s sort of easier to just ask them what they want. For my cousin’s birthday this year, he asked for some clothes from Hollister. I never would have gone there for him, never would have thought to, and was slightly opposed to getting them even after he asked, but it’s helpful to know. It might be more of a surprise to get someone a gift card instead of something from a list, but gift cards, though a very “safe” option, seem pretty impersonal. I usually give my parents a big enough list of what I’d like that they can still surprise me. They just pick and choose which books or clothes they’d like to get me.</p>
<p>Last year, I gave my guys a Visa gift card each (as well as the usual stocking stuffers, etc). They were thrilled. They got to charge stuff online on their own.</p>
<p>Has your son been admitted to his college of choice? I bought my son a t-shirt from the college bookstore last Christmas.</p>
<p>Bose noise cancellation headphones, great for noisy dorm room.</p>
<p>If he doesn’t have them, some sturdy pieces of luggage, including a 20 inch rolling bag and an oversized duffel.</p>
<p>The best present I got for our son his freshman year was a decent sized monitor for use with his laptop when he was in his dorm room. He later bought a keyboard. You could give that to the college-bound son.</p>
<p>On the other hand, was gave S3 the monitor and keyboard with docking station and he never used it. Sent it back home in the original packing materials. He was the kind to nerve bothered with the set up and to be sitting in one place with the computer. Figure out what yours may want before sinking a lot into it, unless you cloud use it, too. .</p>
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<p>I want the BuckyBalls at ThinkGeek!!</p>
<p>Boys are NEVER too old for Lego. Two years ago my two sons (19 and 17 at the time) told me late on Christmas night that it didn’t feel like Christmas because it was the first Christmas they could remember that nobody got Lego. So last year I got them each a small set for their stocking. They played Lego all day.</p>
<p>Our son had a very significant EC (which actually is his career and was his major in college). It seemed that many of our gifts were related to that particular interest. In addition, we always gave our kids gift cards to a book store…and we all went the day after Christmas (I know…nuts…but we did) to pick out books or CDs. One year, we gave DS his IPod. One year, he got his laptop (combo birthday/Christmas gift). Each year we give our kids one Christmas ornament (they both have a nice collection now). New PJs every year too…and we toss the old ones. Warm slippers. Carry-on luggage bag (everyone should have one of those these days as checking baggage is getting mighty costly when one flies). ITunes cards. Money…good old fashioned money…is always well received.</p>
<p>One year we did cash. (I have girls but boys must like cash, too.) Instead of an envelope under the tree, we did an Amazing Race themed hunt. They got their first clue under the tree and then had to race around the house solving clues and performing tasks to get to the final location containing the cash. It was hilarious.</p>
<p>Keep 'em coming! All great ideas … thank you.</p>
<p>Details, emgamac!</p>
<p>We use ThinkGeek and ComputerGear alot. My younger son is easy he loves hats (he now has a fedora, a top hat, a homberg and an Indiana Jones type hat.) I’ve gotten him some funky ties (he has to wear them for concerts) and he generally likes dressing up. He likes getting t-shirts and necklace pendants from his favorite rock band as well. He generally likes getting CDs. He gets silly boxers.</p>
<p>Older son is impossible. He eats toast at home, but never used the toaster we gave him for his kitchen last year. The only thing he seems to enjoy is comic books or very specific computer stuff that he has to ask for.</p>
<p>My H spent a lot of time on the internet to find riddles they could solve to get their next clue. At one point they had to do each others make-up and yes it was hysterical. We were going to make them drive over to Grandma’s to get a clue but figured they wouldn’t obey the speed limits didn’t want to risk a Merry Xmas ticket. There was an activity dressing up the dogs. The last clue lead them each to their favorite book, where the cash was neatly tucked. They actually helped each other, which was unusual. With all of our planning though, we forgot to video it. Otherwise, it would be on YouTube.</p>
<p>Oldfort, I have been looking at the Bose noise cancellation headphones for my son to use when he goes to college next year. However, I have researched and have seen some mixed reviews on some of the models. The QC 15 seems to get the best reviews for noise cancellation and comfort. Do you have any opinions?</p>