<p>Our church is participating in a project to provide gifts for families in need. Since no one wants to take the tags for teenaged boys, I am trying to put together some gift ideas. I have a few ideas, but could use more suggestions. My son at that age only wanted video games and books. I was thinking maybe a boxed set of Hobbit/LOTR paperbacks since the Hobbit movie is coming out soon. These gifts are sorted by age group, and the parents pick what they think their children would like. Any ideas?</p>
<p>local sports team jerseys or tees, anything nike or under armor, soccer ball, basketball</p>
<p>Ldavis has the idea! They are very into “brands” and also the balls (even nerf balls). Those new Nike socks that come up above the ankles are very hot in our area.</p>
<p>My boys would not consider books to be “gifts” even though their mom loves to read. Maybe a store giftcard to a bookstore so they can choose their own would be better? Don’t want to give them a book they’ve read already.</p>
<p>Gift cards to Sports Authority since, whether athletic or not, everyone needs shoes.
How much are you expected to spend per child ?</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions! As I am a Browns fan living in Pittsburgh, it had not occurred to me to buy Steelers stuff, but that would probably go over well. Maybe I could bring myself to buy Penguins gear instead! Gift cards are a possibility; we were asked to keep the amounts around $25, so each child could get about 3 different gifts.</p>
<p>I asked my 15-year old son and he said that if cannot get gift cards (to GameStop) or video games, then the guys would be interested in a perfume. He said something from Aeropostole would be cool (or from any other store teenage boys shop). These run around $20.</p>
<p>Gift cards to Target/Sports Authority…discount movie passes…</p>
<p>-iTunes gift cards
-Razor sole skate [Gift</a> Idea: Razor Sole Skate - Blue](<a href=“http://www.gifts.com/search/product/razor-sole-skate-blue?prodID=328119]Gift”>http://www.gifts.com/search/product/razor-sole-skate-blue?prodID=328119)
-good earbuds
-mini speaker or iHome [Gift</a> Idea: Go-Anywhere Mini Speaker, Orange](<a href=“http://www.gifts.com/search/product/go-anywhere-mini-speaker-orange?prodID=549569]Gift”>http://www.gifts.com/search/product/go-anywhere-mini-speaker-orange?prodID=549569)
[Gift</a> Idea: Halogen iPod Desk Lamp](<a href=“http://www.gifts.com/search/product/halogen-ipod-desk-lamp?prodID=418728]Gift”>http://www.gifts.com/search/product/halogen-ipod-desk-lamp?prodID=418728)</p>
<p>Game stop/sports authority/amazon.com gift cards</p>
<p>My 13 year old son gave me his Christmas gift last night. Some of the things he asked for are specific to him, but there are some things that might be more universal:</p>
<p>Gamestop gift card
Hat (he likes all kinds of hats, but I think a baseball cap for a local sports team might be popular)
Remote control car (the only “toy” he wants).</p>
<p>He’d also like silly Tshirts, a skateboard, or a cheap MP3 player.</p>
<p>Perfume/fragrances/colognes may not be a good idea since a lot of folks are allergic to them.</p>
<p>Some stores sell small travel kit grooming sets that might work as a practical present. I remember reading of families who had to choose among gas to get to work, food and grooming items such as toothpaste & toothbrushes.</p>
<p>Thanks! That Razor Sole Skate thing looks interesting!</p>
<p>The professional/college sports team hats are popular. I think the store I’ve gone to is called Lids. It may not be allowed, but one of my sons still played with Nerf guns at 13. I heard from someone that lighted/glow in the footballs, and maybe frisbees, are popular too.</p>
<p>Have one of the elusive teen-boy-beasts myself. Here are some things he’s mentioned in the past:</p>
<p>Chipotle gift card
Over the ear headphones
Gift card to “cool” stores…H&M, Amer Eagle, Gap, Vans
Cool beanie cap with ear muffs…which doesn’t sound all that “cool” to me, but whatever!
Target gift card
Hacky Sack
Small (tiny really) R/C helocopter from Brookstone was a HUGE hit with every male in our household last Christmas. 29.99 [Gift</a> Ideas, Smart Solutions, Unique Gifts for Him & Her at Brookstone](<a href=“http://www.brookstone.com/mini-remote-control-rc-helicopters?bkiid=SubCategory_Games___Toys_Electronic_Toys_Remote_Control_Helicopters|SubCategoryWidget|627067p&catId=]Gift”>http://www.brookstone.com/mini-remote-control-rc-helicopters?bkiid=SubCategory_Games___Toys_Electronic_Toys_Remote_Control_Helicopters|SubCategoryWidget|627067p&catId=)</p>
<p>Good luck and GOD BLESS YOU!</p>
<p>t shirts from Threadless
books (Alex Cross, James Patterson, John Bellairs, Stephen King, or trivia) not every boy likes sports
Geeky toys like yo-yos, science kits, puzzles, paddleballs (thinkgeek.com has awesome things)
Sled. Seriously.
over the door basketball (nerf).
Belts
Axe (my guys thought this was the height of manly cool. And at 13, it suddenly occurs to them that girls like them better when they smell good)
Movie passes
CDs (yes, they still use them)
A stack of magazines, all kinds
Graphic novels of classic books
Under Armour
Scarf and gloves are never bad
Kazoos. Honestly, my sons have more fun with these every year than is sensible.</p>
<p>I think an actual gift is better than a card. Sometimes disadvantaged youth have trouble getting to a store. Our local family services dept also asks for bus tokens, which makes sense and can cost an awful lot.</p>
<p>Be careful with gift cards for video game stores. They may or may not have the game system needed. Since parents get to pick the gifts, that helps some but I would still avoid those. I’ve worked for a Christmas Charity for years and we do something similar–teen boys the balls, clothing, wallets, razors and razor blades are always popular. Gift cards for local food places and movie theaters are also very popular. If they allow them, Nerf guns are VERY popular but many of these groups do not allow guns of any kind. The Axe gift packs are great filler gifts. You can usually find them at Walmart for a very reasonable price right now. Clothing is hard unless you know sizes but hoodies can be worn big. Under Armor is nice, but expensive. That is where t-shirts, socks, hats are nice because they get the “brand” in the price range they want. </p>
<p>Don’t be tempted to just buy a $50 sweatshirt because you can either. Chances are they will return that for something in their price range. If a family of 3 kids is getting gifts and one kid gets a $50 gift and the other 2 only get $25 it’s hard to explain that to the families.</p>
<p>One of the all time favorite gifts was a nice wallet stuffed with fast food gift cards :D.</p>
<p>I second the gift cards, the Axe sets and other toiletries and the movie tickets. A scarf with your local pro football or hockey team would be good and practical. Warm pajama pants would also be good.</p>
<p>Thanks for doing this. Our church used to do something similar and our family always chose teen boys because no one seemed to want to.</p>
<p>My little brother wants good earbud headphones ( the kind that don’t get tangled), star wars Legos, quicksilver socks, a wallet, sports t shirts. I think these can all fit the price range.</p>
<p>I don’t have much to add, but I think when you’re doing gifts for disadvantaged kids, actual gifts are better than gift cards which might be harder to use, and it’s important to have practical gifts (clothing, gloves, hats, etc.) in addition to something “fun.” Since the parents get to pick, they will know best what is needed/wanted. </p>
<p>Through the years, I always took names from the local gift tree of boys the same age as my sons. There was no price limit, but I would put together a large box filled with individually wrapped packages. The requests were usually for clothes, but I would always include extras like the latest popular cartoon underwear or pajamas, a few fun school supplies, and at least one toy/book depending on the age of the child.</p>
<p>Son’s med school sponsors several families every Christmas season and we also do the angel tree every year. We too were the recepients of the “angel tree” when the kids were younger so we were on the receiving end of the gifts.</p>
<p>What is wanted every year are warm socks, warm blankets, a nice jacket and a toy or two. If you buy a toy that requires batteries please include the batteries. Video games require a console and electricity so that is not always the best to buy. I try to stick with classic games and toys.</p>
<p>Legos for older boys work since no batteries are required and can fit into a small space and I try to include something to keep the pieces in. Instead of ballcaps with specific team logos (might offend others around them) knit warm beanies work. Thick warm socks and more generic hoodies in a larger size so they can layer. Also thermals layer well and can double as pjs. I also do backpacks (nicer more hip brands than walmart standard) bought at clearance prices after school starts and include those as well and put nice pens/pencils inside.</p>
<p>Wallets, a sturdy timex watch (my boys still wear them even with cell phones) and if a book, a classic (one that my sons enjoyed). I have done board games but generally for a little younger boys but some are aimed at the older group.</p>
<p>Hope this helps, if I remember other stuff I will update.</p>
<p>As far as sizes most of that age group don’t wear anything super tight and most will throw everything in the dryer on high and will get shrunk. Think laundrymat and coin operated washer/dryer. So big is better.</p>
<p>Kat</p>