[Zeitgeist]

I don't see my nephew very often and am stumped as to what to get him for the holidays. His only interest seems to be video games and I just don't want to get him one this year. He doesn't like to read, he gets frustrated easily, and doesn't (as far as I can tell) have any other hobbies other than video games. Does anyone have any creative/fun/original ideas for a Xmas gift that do not cost a fortune ($50 or less)? Thanks!

[Glory87]

This is what I'm getting my similarly-aged nephew:

Sony PIIQ headphones - they "clip" so they're perfect for active kids on bikes or whatever. Currently half off for the weekend! I'm also going to send an iTunes gift card.

[Zeitgeist]

Wow, they are pretty neat!

[Daki]

My brother is twelve and I bought him a build-it-yourself robotic arm kit for $40, but if he gets frustrated easily that's prooooobably not going to help you haha. My brother is a little scientist and very nerdy so this was great for him.

What type of video games does he play? Maybe you can get him a cool looking controller if he plays XBox or PS3. Does he talk to people online while playing? Maybe a neat headset, I just bought my cousin the PulseWave 2 headset because I didn't want to buy him a video game or gift card again this year. It had good performance reviews and it also lights up and vibrates, which I figured is cool factor gold for a 14 year old. If you wanna go that way, make sure you know what he plays on (PC uses 3.5 input or USB, XBox has it's own special connection type, and PS3 uses USB or bluetooth).

Do you know specifically what games are his favorite? A bunch of games have their own toys or apparel. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is my cousin's thing, so I've gotten him a poster before. Thinkgeek.com has some really neat stuff that a 12 year old might think is cool that isn't video game related (Like a shirt you can play guitar on).

And that's about all the help I can offer you! When I'm really stuck for presents, I just start browsing websites and hope I stumble upon the perfect gift.

Hope you find something!

[alaskanlaughter]

if he plays games that much, he's probably in his room quite a bit...i have a teenager just like that *sigh*....ive bought him things for his room that he likes - snuggly blankies, a cool 5-bulb lamp, big pillows, a gaming chair with a built in sound system, stuff like that...he even has a camouflage snuggie LOL

[theCandEs]

Well, I have an 11-year-old boy, and he loves Legos. They have some sets that are less than $50. You could try board games like Monopoly, too. Oh, and he loves that game Apples to Apples. Have you asked his parents what he likes besides video games?

[theCandEs]

You could just go with a gift card to Toys R Us. My son loves that, too!

[ddc]

Can you ask his mom or dad what they think he might like? They probably have some ideas.

[Zeitgeist]

Thank you for the suggestions!

No Dad in the pic; his mom (my sis) is in the same boat, in that his only interest seems to be video games and neither of us want to continue to feed the addiction. While gift cards are great for older teens, I kind of hesitate in giving him one for xmas. I actually wish I could afford to give him a martial arts class, as I think he'd really enjoy it.

[myhaloisintheshop]

I have four boys and 3 are around that age. My boys LOVE video games and I have found gaming chairs online for a good price. I think I got it in 2 days after I ordered...super fast!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Video-Rock...Stripe/5700307

Is there a sports team he likes? Buy him an Aeropostle hoodie and some junk food....lol ....that always works in a pinch

[suetalks]

My grandson is that age. He really likes his MP3 player a lot. Also hoodies, movies and board games.

[indiblue]

Maybe a really cool looking basketball, nerf ball/frisbee, or roller blades? Though he seems to only like video games most boys that age have at least a little interest in going outside and expending energy. Even if he hasn't demonstrated an interest now in them, something fun and easy that he can play with his friends outside could get him off the couch.

When my brother was that age I used to also buy him movie tickets. The movies were about he only thing he could do with friends not at home (with my parents waiting outside in the car ) and he LOVED not having to spend $7 ever few weeks on tickets. Sometimes I'd pare it with a $10 gift certificate to a nearby ice cream shop or something so he could go with his friends there afterward.

Good luck!