What to get? plz tell me

[madwaller]

I am in dire need of suggestions on what Santa can get my 12 year old son. Here's how our Santa usually does things, each child gets one 'big' gift (usually no more than $100) and a few smaller priced items. Usually they give me some sort of idea, well this year he will not tell me nothing, other than "it doesn't matter cause you won't get what I want" And I reply, true cause I can't afford a motorcycle or a laptop, so tell me something reasonable, then he responds by shrugging his shoulders. UGH!
Here's a little background on him:
He is 12 and will turn 13 in March, he is somewhat mature for his age.
He already has the Xbox, Playstation, Playstation2, PSP. The only one he really plays with is the PSP.
He already has an mp3 player, that he barely uses.
He is into WWE wrestling (and already has the games for all the systems)
He has a four wheeler. (he got new tires for it last year from Santa)
He is NOT into sports or really anything outdoors other than his ATV.
He spends his time mostly playing Runescape on the internet when I am not online. We can't share a connection cuz we're in the country.
He doesn't like to read.

I guess he is at that funky age, where he is too young for some stuff, but too old for others, plus he has poor parents that can't afford "his" wants.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Please keep in mind that Santa has to buy for 2 other smaller children, so going overboard price wise is not an option.

Thank you.

[joyofsix]

Wish I could help, but my 14yo is the same. Says he doesn't really want anything so don't bother. Um, ok! Does he like movies? Maybe an upgrade at Runescape. I think that's what the 14yo may finally get. Give him some cash and let him figure it out. Also a strong possibility here. I think the ages between 10 and 15 are hard for gift giving. Not babies and not grown.

[Patty A]

How about a V-beat guitar, 49 dollars.
http://shopping.msn.com/specs/latest...ll-in-3d-space

A camera,

a papasan chair to plug his i-pod in to, a video game chair http://www.gamechairquest.com/ (all different prices!)

Radio controlled cars or planes

Telescope

This website has a ton of neat ideas for boys, check it out.
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/cat...ges-11-13.html

Hope these help spark and idea for you!

[Dancing Lotus]

I haven no idea what 12 yr old boys like but a telescope sounds neat

[Jskell911]

My 12 yr old DS was tough this year as well! He is a video game fiend, so we got him some games. He has always wanted to learn Japanese (yeah weird), so we got him My Japanese Tutor for the Nintendo DS. We also got him the DVD of the concert tour we took him to this summer.

Does he like a certain music group? You can usually get tapestries for their wall on Amazon or Ebay.

Movies for the PSP can be rather inexpensive, if he is into movies. Or does he have the Microphone for the PSP yet?

[nvmommyx6]

Our children are 7, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 20 so I feel your pain!!!
Our Santa usually gets them all a little thing or 2 and then ONE BIG whole family gift for everyone!!
This year it is a Wii with a bunch of accessories (If I can finish pulling it off!) And they each will be receiving a "Bath Basket" with all kinds of bath accessories they need from Santa as well! We were unable to hide one of the "BIG" gifts for everyone from them as 12 midnight to hide a freakin go cart is not really all that possible!! So, they got that one early!

But, 12 is a hard age, they are into things for about 5 minutes! Hey, what about some redeco for his room???? That is what some of the kids here are getting, paints and such to redeco their room and the choice of which parent they want to spend the day decoing with!!!! Not hard on the wallet and fun for the parents and the kids!!

[Rebookie]

Money.. that way he can get what he wants...

Maybe a couple smaller things for him to "open".

[madwaller]

I went to the website the poster suggested and I purchased him the Triops Dlx kit...... seems interesting and he does like science-type stuff. Also got a good deal on a gift for his brother and sister too.

Love the ideas and help, so please keep the suggestions coming.

[Jerseygirl]

what about a gaming magazine? magazine subscriptions are generally viewed differently than books.

[Neeley]

Our 13 year old son plays Runescape as a paid member so we renew his Runescape subscription as one of his gifts each year ($60).

[LuvMyHubby]

Wow, please don't take offense to my statement but my gosh he is already a very blessed young man in the material needs department. I think that Santa has been very good to him through the years.

My DD now 22, had one gaming system growing up ..the original nintendo and that was it. I just didn't as a general rule buy stuff like that and I don't do it for the neices/newphew. She bought her own cell phone and pays the bills.

I think that a telescope is a fabulous idea. Good luck in your search.

[madwaller]

I think this needs clarifying as I don't buy these items myself as we are not financially able.
The 4 wheeler - my father won it on a Fire Dept Fund Raising Event and gave his old one to my son.
The Xbox - my son bought with his own money after saving for almost 2 years.
The playstation - bought by his grannies as a group effort by all of them.
The PSP - bought at flea market for $60.
My son is not spoiled by no stretch of the imagination. The only reason I mentioned those items were to give ideas as to what he already has.

Wow, please don't take offense to my statement but my gosh he is already a very blessed young man in the material needs department. I think that Santa has been very good to him through the years.

My DD now 22, had one gaming system growing up ..the original nintendo and that was it. I just didn't as a general rule buy stuff like that and I don't do it for the neices/newphew. She bought her own cell phone and pays the bills.

I think that a telescope is a fabulous idea. Good luck in your search.

[LuvMyHubby]

LOL, grandparents are great for that kind of stuff.

Honestly other than games or maybe science stuff. I am guessing it is the dirtbike or motor cycle he most covets.

[madhen]

My sister always suggests I give her son a GameStop (or other such store) gift card. One year, I gave him a McDonald's gift card, and he actually really liked that.

Not a major gift, but as a supplemental present, I typically buy calendars with each person's obsession featured. My nephew is into cars, so I got him a concept car calendar last Christmas. Seriously, they sometimes spend a lot more time with the stocking stuffers than with the big-ticket stuff.

Also a big hit with my male extended family is the "MythBusters" series. Available on DVD.

If he doesn't play with most of his gaming systems, maybe you can work out a compromise with him that if he sells them, you will match the price (or make up the difference, or add $100, or whatever works for you financially) and he can use the proceeds to get his laptop. You can get a decent laptop for under $700, and I suspect now is a prime time to sell used gaming equipment for top dollar!

[Michelle68]

My sister always suggests I give her son a GameStop (or other such store) gift card. One year, I gave him a McDonald's gift card, and he actually really liked that.

I second Madhen's suggestion regarding gift cards. Especially from Game Stop. My DS sounds a lot like yours-- he's also 12 going on 13 and somewhat mature for his age. Lately, he and his friends have really gotten into those Nerf guns with the foam type darts. They're always doing battle with them. My DS asked for a Nerf gun this year and I know that even the more expensive of these toys are around $30 dollars or so. ( The one DS is getting from Santa was only about $19.)