Holiday gifts for nieces and nephews
October 14, 2021 10:46 AM Subscribe
I asked this question two years ago. I am once again asking for your suggestions for five identical gifts I can get for these kiddos, ages 10-14.
Ideal budget is $20-$30. I've given up on cherished or long-lasting, and have lowered the bar. It just has to be decent. I live on the other side of the country and cannot gift experiences. I give cash for birthdays. Thank you!
Ideal budget is $20-$30. I've given up on cherished or long-lasting, and have lowered the bar. It just has to be decent. I live on the other side of the country and cannot gift experiences. I give cash for birthdays. Thank you!
Someone recently asked about the oldest thing that you could own, and one of the suggestions (similar to mezzanayne above) was old roman coins. That is something that would be virtually identical yet unique, and extremely noteworthy. There are options within your budget, too.
posted by China Grover at 12:01 PM on October 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by China Grover at 12:01 PM on October 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
How many of these kids are in the same household? Would you be open to getting some games, with different ones for kids in the same household? For example, Codenames (original or duet) is always golden and around or under $20 depending on the retailer.
The Genius series of playing cards are fun and around $10. Again, there are different decks, so you can get different ones for multiple sibling households.
I've gotten mp3 players (still in new packaging even) from shopgoodwill.com and plan to load them up with songs for my niblings.
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:17 PM on October 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
The Genius series of playing cards are fun and around $10. Again, there are different decks, so you can get different ones for multiple sibling households.
I've gotten mp3 players (still in new packaging even) from shopgoodwill.com and plan to load them up with songs for my niblings.
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:17 PM on October 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
Oh and jigsaw puzzles (same brand) also might be a fun way to do matching but not identical gifts. I like Cobble Hill (example, discounted at Sierra.com).
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:19 PM on October 14, 2021
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:19 PM on October 14, 2021
Popin Japanese Candy kits are fun, they cost $15-20 each, take about 30 mins and you make your own candy gummies in cute little shapes.
Bubble Gum Kits are fun too.
KiwiCrate Maker Crates have lifestyle crafts that older kids will enjoy. They have several other products for ages over 10 that might be a fit, too.
Universal Yums is great - a subscription box of candy from different countries. Range of prices.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:26 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
Bubble Gum Kits are fun too.
KiwiCrate Maker Crates have lifestyle crafts that older kids will enjoy. They have several other products for ages over 10 that might be a fit, too.
Universal Yums is great - a subscription box of candy from different countries. Range of prices.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:26 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
You could give everyone 2 pairs of socks: 1 good quality pair of nice fun socks and 1 pair of socks with your face on it. (Or their own face, or your dog's face, or a picture of an old timey relative.)
posted by vunder at 12:52 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by vunder at 12:52 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
Studio Roof has a lot of cool stuff under $30.
posted by neushoorn at 12:56 PM on October 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by neushoorn at 12:56 PM on October 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
Solar printmaking kits. There are also 97,000 Bubble Tea Kits on Etsy but I don't know anything about Bubble Tea so you'd have to narrow down the options yourself.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:17 PM on October 14, 2021
posted by DarlingBri at 1:17 PM on October 14, 2021
Euro coins. Each country has a different design but they're all worth the same. Greece features a tetradrachm; Italy Leonardo da Vinci's callisthenic man; Finland a pair of swans; etc. I drilled a hole in the Greek €1 for my Hellenophilic Gdaughter so it would do for a keyfob. You may be able to customize to fit each recipient. King Carlos of Spain for the ever so slightly boring one . . .
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:24 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:24 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
My twenty year old is obsessed with Hydro Flasks- which is just a reusable water bottle- some of them are pricey, but this one is $29.95. They keep what ever is in it either hot or cold. She has gifted them to her friends and keeps telling me I need one too.
There are a bunch of great sites that do Holiday lists- here is Kottke's from 2019 that lists some of the best one's including ones from The Kids Should see this, as well as from Purdue's Engineering website.
New York Magazine has a website called The Strategist, and it is basically lists of things to buy- here is their "best gifts for 12 year olds". You would most likely find other lists that might have things on them.
Finally, Museum Gift shops have lots of great things- I especially like NYC Moma's.
posted by momochan at 1:59 PM on October 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
There are a bunch of great sites that do Holiday lists- here is Kottke's from 2019 that lists some of the best one's including ones from The Kids Should see this, as well as from Purdue's Engineering website.
New York Magazine has a website called The Strategist, and it is basically lists of things to buy- here is their "best gifts for 12 year olds". You would most likely find other lists that might have things on them.
Finally, Museum Gift shops have lots of great things- I especially like NYC Moma's.
posted by momochan at 1:59 PM on October 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
I'm in my mid-40s and I still have, and use, the tiny swiss army knife I was given by my dad when I was about 12.
posted by burntflowers at 2:11 PM on October 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by burntflowers at 2:11 PM on October 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
Kids where I live are always getting each other Japanese character items like chopsticks, pencil pouches and so forth. I'm having trouble creating links right now but a search for "Gudetama chopsticks" brought up lots of sources for those and other items that are at least semi-trendy. If you have a Sanrio shop nearby you can get them there-- and probably some advice about which are most popular with each age group-- but you can also get them at Target, Barnes & Noble and of course online.
posted by BibiRose at 8:09 PM on October 14, 2021
posted by BibiRose at 8:09 PM on October 14, 2021
T-shirts from where you live. Think touristy stuff or local college gear. They are great conversation starters. Plus, who doesn't wear a t-shirt at some point in their life?
Alternatively, Starbucks gift cards. The difference in interests between 10 yo and 14 yo is significant, not to mention boys vs. girls. It will be tricky to get something material that all the kids will appreciate. Starbucks is a treat, so a $25 Starbucks gift card is like 5 treats! How sweet is that!? If Starbucks isn't your thing, think along those lines: coffee shop, ice cream, movies. I know you want to give gifts, but I think with these ages, gift cards will be more universally appreciated. I know as a grown-up, Starbucks gift cards are basically my favorite gift...
posted by DEiBnL13 at 8:40 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
Alternatively, Starbucks gift cards. The difference in interests between 10 yo and 14 yo is significant, not to mention boys vs. girls. It will be tricky to get something material that all the kids will appreciate. Starbucks is a treat, so a $25 Starbucks gift card is like 5 treats! How sweet is that!? If Starbucks isn't your thing, think along those lines: coffee shop, ice cream, movies. I know you want to give gifts, but I think with these ages, gift cards will be more universally appreciated. I know as a grown-up, Starbucks gift cards are basically my favorite gift...
posted by DEiBnL13 at 8:40 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
They are at a great age to learn to juggle, play harmonica, play hackysack, do Origami. Maybe you could get them to fold 1000 cranes. Or, look for age-appropriate books on identifying birds, trees, flowers.
I haven't looked at these for a while, the divide is pretty gendered, but
The Dangerous Book for Boys
The Double Dangerous Book for Boys
Ultimate Survival Guide for Kids
The Double-Daring Book for Girls
The Daring Book for Girls
The Boys' Book Of Survival (How To Survive Anything, Anywhere)
I'd have loved any of these as a kid.
posted by theora55 at 10:07 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
I haven't looked at these for a while, the divide is pretty gendered, but
The Dangerous Book for Boys
The Double Dangerous Book for Boys
Ultimate Survival Guide for Kids
The Double-Daring Book for Girls
The Daring Book for Girls
The Boys' Book Of Survival (How To Survive Anything, Anywhere)
I'd have loved any of these as a kid.
posted by theora55 at 10:07 PM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
Hiking ten essentials kit.
Most items can fit on a spiral wrist keychain. This makes tiny objects easier to keep track of (no losing a compass in the bushes or the backpack).
Keep in mind that some of these objects might be considered inappropriate for younger children, or require training for use by a responsible adult. Practice before needing an item in an emergency.
A sturdy spiral keychain and some split rings.
Swiss Army knife, nail clippers, whistle, watch.
Hiker's ball compass (replace from time to time as water evaporates).
Small BIC lighter or a match case with waterproof matches.
Small LED flashlight, pepper spray.
Other items, some for city hikes, some for front country hikes:
Headlamp, small first aid kit, soft collapsible bottle plus water treatment tabs or filter for wild water sources.
Bug spray, sunscreen and lip balm. Extra clothes for weather (extra dry socks, rain jacket).
Small backpacking tarp and cordage, a small bookbag to carry supplies for short hikes.
If on a day hike, instruction on how to dig a cat hole and the Leave No Trace principles of hiking. Also, Ziploc bags and toilet paper, wet wipes.
A list of appropriate snacks for adventuring. Always include extra drinking water.
A guide to local hiking and biking trails. This can include city parks, zoos, community gardens, anyplace that a child can go out and enjoy nature.
Perhaps a regular correspondence: Here's another photo of nathaole hiking at an inner-city nature trail, getting in a few good laps at the outdoor mall, or enjoying the local playground swing during the daily stroll through the neighborhood.
posted by TrishaU at 10:07 PM on October 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
Most items can fit on a spiral wrist keychain. This makes tiny objects easier to keep track of (no losing a compass in the bushes or the backpack).
Keep in mind that some of these objects might be considered inappropriate for younger children, or require training for use by a responsible adult. Practice before needing an item in an emergency.
A sturdy spiral keychain and some split rings.
Swiss Army knife, nail clippers, whistle, watch.
Hiker's ball compass (replace from time to time as water evaporates).
Small BIC lighter or a match case with waterproof matches.
Small LED flashlight, pepper spray.
Other items, some for city hikes, some for front country hikes:
Headlamp, small first aid kit, soft collapsible bottle plus water treatment tabs or filter for wild water sources.
Bug spray, sunscreen and lip balm. Extra clothes for weather (extra dry socks, rain jacket).
Small backpacking tarp and cordage, a small bookbag to carry supplies for short hikes.
If on a day hike, instruction on how to dig a cat hole and the Leave No Trace principles of hiking. Also, Ziploc bags and toilet paper, wet wipes.
A list of appropriate snacks for adventuring. Always include extra drinking water.
A guide to local hiking and biking trails. This can include city parks, zoos, community gardens, anyplace that a child can go out and enjoy nature.
Perhaps a regular correspondence: Here's another photo of nathaole hiking at an inner-city nature trail, getting in a few good laps at the outdoor mall, or enjoying the local playground swing during the daily stroll through the neighborhood.
posted by TrishaU at 10:07 PM on October 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
Also, rubber band shooters and lots of rubber bands, and potato guns are really fun and very low risk.
posted by theora55 at 10:17 PM on October 14, 2021
posted by theora55 at 10:17 PM on October 14, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mezzanayne at 11:46 AM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]