Newly Adopted 12 Year Old from the Ukraine....

You may want to get him a computer "game" called, "The Rosetta Stone". It is an excellent program for learning English, and yet it is fun for the kids. It may help his parents too, as far as understanding him. Most of the schools have this program too. It may be one of the best gifts you could give him. Good Luck!

My inilaws adopted two girls and they did not speak english and i know they watched lots of movies good luck J. M

What about something to do with sports? Maybe a scooter(around $20) or maybe a sled or snowboard. I would suggest ice skates(you can get near new ones at play it again sports) but you said you didn't know his size. Try to think of winter type things. My daughter(11) does use her bike and scooter all year when the sidewalks are clear. Or maybe even a board game that deals with American money or English. It could be both fun and educational. There are teacher stores that sell these kind of games. Lakeshore Learning is on Hall Road near the Van Dyke expressway(next to Party City) and Holcomb's Knowplace is on the corner of Hall and Schoenherr(by DSW).

Hi J.,
Congrats to the new family member! I think I would do something very personal and make him a scrap book of sorts with pictures of his new family. Include everyone that you can with their names clearly labeled so that he can get to know and feel more comfortable with all of the new faces that he will be meeting. Good luck! L. B.

Get a plastic box and make it into a art supply box for him. Stuff like crayons, markers, colored paper, flash cards with numbers/letters, special boy pencils. You can control how much you spend. He will enjoy the freedom to create something and my also open up more to the parents with what he draws.

I too highly encourage you to go for those art supplies. You can control the cost, but more importantly, since your new nephew doesn't speak english it will be difficult for him to express his feelings. Art is a wonderful way for him and his new family to communicate with one another, but also a way for him to express himself when he may be feeling that no one understands him!
Best of luck to you.

J.,
I know that you don't want to get a "boring" card, but you could get a different type. A lot of kids have heard of the stores in malls, etc... Maybe you could get him a card for American Eagle or Aero or Barnes and Noble until you can get to know him a little bit. Or you could get a VISA gift card. You are right it is hard without knowing him; but, at the same time a specialty card might say to him that you took that time to think about him, which is what it sounds like you want. I know that when I gave my teenage cousin those cards, she liked it better than when I gave her a Wal-Mart card.
B.

Have you thought about an assortment of art supplies. You can go to Michael's, Meijers or Target and they have a lot of things that you can get. With open ended items such as paper, glue, paint, crayons, markers, scissors, popcycle sticks, etc. He can be creative and you don't have to worry about duplicates.

Get him something fun! I think if he had something fun to do at home that would help him feel more comfortable quicker. So video games,race track sets, whatever else 12 year old like.

Pick one of the Detroit sports teams and deck him out in it. Like the Red Wings. Or the soccer team, as Europeans are more familiar with soccer.
But it's a guy thing, and it would make him feel a part of his new home and everything that goes with it. Sports cap, jersey, jacket, puck. Or a baseball mitt, jersey, cap. Or a football and jersey. It'll also get him ready for taking part in sports in school. Which one, in other words. Give him a choice.

What about maybe a model car or airplane. If ou get onet that is not too difficult (but not too babyish either) then he and his dad or mom could do it together. It would be hands on, so not too much of a onaguage barrier, plus some great bonding time! A remote control car might be fun as well.

Or what about a book on local or state landmarks. He could use it to keep track of where he has gone or wants to visit.

Another idea might be one of those maps that you fit the different state quarters in. It would be an ongoing project for him.

Good luck and congrats on the new family member!

not sure your price range but a DS or gameboy or simialr would be great - dont nee to speak english for that! THey sell them used at Gamestop and maybe EB. You could probably pick one up with a couple games for well under $50 or near to that! Wrap it up real pretty - or IF you are thinking a little more you can get a refurbished ipod for 79 from apple . com with full warranty new ear buds and fresh apple box - my kids never know :)