I have a 12 year old brother-in-law (my husband's youngest brother). His Christmas wish list consisted of Video games, game consoles, an iPod (yeah, right) and a video game chair (???)
He spends all his time in his room playing video games. I know I'm not his Mom, but I just really have an issue with contributing to his couch-potatoedness.
I called my mother-in-law to ask if there was anything else I could get him and she said "gift cards to Blockbuster or Hastings so he can rent some video games" ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!
Does anyone have ideas for a gift that he (as a 12 year old boy) would like and has nothing to do with video games!!??
His birthday is a few days before Christmas so I have to come up with 2 gifts - or a really nice big gift.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
What about the new "Electronic Banking Monopoly"? It's a game and we all know of or have played Monopoly but this one comes with a "credit card " and scanner. There's no paper money and it's not a "video game". Monopoly has some educational qualities and it just might bring him out of his room and together with the family!
not sure if he's too old for this, but "The Dangerous Book for Boys"
Binoculars, good for sporting event and nature. Microscope, we had a good time looking at snowflakes last years. A recommend a board game called Ticket to Ride, high quality, easy to learn, not too long and fun to play, -may need to find it online. Fish tank. Digital Camera or video camera. Air soft guns, we don't have any but they are popular and will get him off the coach. If he is into soccer, an offical team jersey, or if he bikes a biking shirt.
My son is 11 and is now almost impossible to shop for. But what he really loves to get are the amex or visa gift cards. They give him buying power w/o tying you down to a gift card from a specific store. You can pick then up from your local bank.
I don't know how much you are looking to spend, but maybe a Wii since he likes video games but he wouldn't just be sitting their either. I'm getting one for my nephew. He's just one of those kids thats more indoor than outdoor and he doesn't have a lot of eye hand coordination (he still can't ride a bike and he is 9). I thought this might help him a little with it since its all interactive and they are moving not just sitting their pushing buttons. Getting him the sporting games so he can play baseball, bowl, golf, dancing, skiing...anything that has his body moving. Hope it helps!
We got a Wii last May and our daughter loves the sports package. We did end up buying extra hand held pieces so more people can play. Her friends love it and my hubby and I go play with her as well. The sport package is not an on your butt game. It is very active. The day after I play it is not unusual to be sore from bowling, boxing, golf, baseball, and tennis.
They are pricey and hard to find.
Susan
I have to second The Dangerous Book For Boys!by Conn and Hal Igulden (not sure of the spelling, actually). My husband brought home an Advanced Reading Copy from work several months ago and it's awesome! All the things boys should know; and if yours is a video-game head, he could definitely use this! :)
This may not be exactly what you are looking for since it has to do with a gift card or money but we got money puzzles for the boys in our family this year. At least they have to work for it!
http://www.seriouspuzzles.com/moneypuz.html?gclid=CKrRiMW...
You could always do a gift card to a clothing store or restaurant instead of one that can be used for video games??
Actually, depending on the games, video games can be good in many areas - hand/ye coordination being one.......gift card to the local movie theater or eating estabishment or perhaps tickets to a sporting event that he and your hubby can attend together..........good luck in your decision....
My son is 11 and he's also one who just loves video games. I just asked him "what else" is there for a kid his age with similar interests and he mentioned the Laser Battle board game looks cool and Havoc Heli Laser Battle Set. This might help I hope.
How abut an itunes gift card ? As long as he has any MP3 player(not an ipod exclusively) he can use it.
A weight bench? My son loves his even more than his Nintendo.
