OK. I've got this problem...

[p_p_man]

My friends' eldest boy is 13 next Wednesday. He's dyslexic but beyond that he doesn't grasp things or comprehend things too well. This has nothing to do with his dyslexia.

He's looking forward to becoming a teenager. It's a major milestone in his life.

Up until now I've managed to get away with buying him presents which on average are for kids 2-3 years younger. But this time I really want to get him something a bit special and nearer a teenager's age group, but not beyond his capabilities. Books are out of the question as are thing like pocket knives.

His parents are wracking their brains on my behalf as well. For them they can spend the extra money and get him a DVD player with various discs. Which fits the bill perfectly.

For me though I want to spend about £20-£30 (about $30-$40 I think).

His parents suggested I ask Literoticans, which never occured to me until they mentioned it!

So, any suggestions?

 

[riff]

What does he enjoy?

 

[VanB]

How about a years subscription to Penthouse? He can enjoy the pictures

 

[lovetoread]

Go get a gift certificate to his favorite store. See if he would like clothes,video games,etc. Or even better,to your nearest electronics/video store so he can pick out his own gifts. That would make him feel more "grown up" without pointing out that he isnt like the others.

 

[p_p_man]

riff

He's good at drawing. But his parents have given him lots of things along those line in the past. He's also fairly keen on science. But I shy away from a chemistry set!

VanB Under normal circumstanes that would be ideal! But his parents would object. His dad is a non practicing Hindu (not practicing but still a Hindu)!

lovetoread Yes I'm thinking along those lines. It's just I wanted to give him something which he can open and immediately use. Although he understands about gift vouchers, more than likely it won't have the same meaning to him as something he can open and use straight away.

Anyway thanks for your suggestions.

I'm making a list as we go along...

 

[riff]

Does he have a microscope?

 

[VanB]

PP Man

In my experience then the best bet would be some sort of activity thing. I don't know how you would feel about buying him a model airplane kit - you know the sort that has a working engine in and flies around at the end of a wire.

I loved this when I was younger

 

[alltherage]

Having the difficult time he has with reading and comprehension there must be an impact on his self image. I would stick with his strengths. If he likes to drawn then I would definately try to get him a present having to do with that. It would serve two purposes. One, your getting the child something your sure he would enjoy, and second, your telling him that you think he is good at something. Thats the best kind of gift for a soon to be teenager.

 

[freescorfr]

microscopes, games, bike computers, fishing rods - you name it I've bought it. in the end p_pman there are two things about presents:

1. It's a gift from you - so it says something about you. Don't worry about what the kid thinks - it's from you to say that you are moved to giving him something as he becomes a mini-adult.

2. If you want to give him something he likes you have to ask him what he wants. If he grunts "I dunno" give him the money. The important thing is that he exercises choice.


86 years of birthday experience with my own kids - and I've listened in the end to what they say. And do they piss theselves laughing about some presents they've been given.

 

[Guest]

 

[kiwiwolf]

p_p_man... it sounds like you have a good relationship with the kid... why not take him shopping yourself. You can get him something immediately, control the amount you are spending and give him a great day out at the same time. Get him DVDs... he's getting a player and his folks are getting him discs... what about movies he wants. I'm a collector myself and love getting gift certs for discs... picking them yourself is half the fun...

 

[sch00lteacher]

Can you get your hands on American football stuff? Like a football, or a team shirt? I know it is becoming popular over there.

 

[bluespoke]

Maybe a camera?

P_P_man....... Foxy has got it! If he has artistic tendencies, what about his first camera.

It may provoke a lifetime interest in something that does not involve his weakness.

 

[EvilBrat74]

How bout binocculars!
He could use them for lots of stuff.
And i bet he will instantly love em.
They would be apropriote for his disability too!
Good luck shopping.

 

[p_p_man]

Thanks for everything folks...

It's funny how you can wrack your own brains and not come up with any idea at all and then a group effort throws up two things that I should have thought of myself.

of course

foxinsox's camera and freescorfr's mention of a fishing rod.

He's got neither and it's something he can share with others. Going fishing with others, taking photographs...

It's got to be one of those two...

Why couldn't I think of them and the other ideas myself?

My mind just wouldn't focus outwards from books and expensive things...

The trials of age!

And thanks a lot.

The other suggestions aren't wasted by any means. He's got a 10 year old brother coming up to 11 soon!

At least I'm well prepared for him...

 

[p_p_man]

My final post on this thread...

My shopping list for kids I know or I'm related to who are having birthdays during this year:

binocculars - thanks EvilBrat74

American sports gear (one 15 year old will go crazy over that) - thanks sch00lteacher

microscopes - thanks freescorfr (again) and riff

a model airplane kit (I used to love those myself) - thanks VanB. From your suggestion my mind loosened up a bit and I thought of stunt kites. You know the one with the two control wires...

All the kids I know, and I seem to know a lot of them!, just don't know how lucky they're going to be this year...

 

[SilverVeil]

Along the lines of airplanes .... I like to give kites as gifts. For kids and adults both. Not the plastic kind .... the real deal fabric kites. I gave a friend a kite 8 yrs ago, not only does he still have it and fly it....he now has a collection of them and makes his own.