My son outgrew toys and legos and fun stuff like that two years ago. He just is not interested. It's like he became a teenager early when it comes to what he is interested in. I need an idea of a Christmas gift for him. He really has everything he needs in life. He is really into animating (he already has a drawing tablet he uses a lot), music, video games, and hanging out with friends. The only thing he tells us he wishes for is an $800 professional Wacum Cintiq drawing/animating monitor. ha! He needs a job I think. Let me know what your son wants...give me a good idea! Thanks.
Thank you everyone. A professional animators book is a GREAT idea. I ordered one. He is very passionate about animating...constantly planning what he is going to do next, working on timing, etc. I like the idea of helping him start a fund to save up for that animating monitor he wants but that will take a while. He has taken animating classes before but mostly he teaches himself by watching other animators youtube videos and going in and looking at their code or what they have done...or he watches tutorials on Youtube. He has an xbox 360 but he doesn't wish for any new games...he hasn't been into it lately. I will keep reading your responses. Thanks.
I have girls who are also outgrowing toys and all. Sad. But one wants an Ezyroller. She's wanted it quite a while. If he doesn't have one, maybe...
Our son never out grew Legos.
He's 18 now and still loves them.
At 12 I'm not sure I'd get him an $800 monitor.
Closer to college if he still has the interest, maybe then.
If drawing is his thing - technology is all good and well but there's nothing wrong with a nice set pencils, and a nice sized sketch pad.
Maybe sign him up for an art class.
Is he serious about animating (that is, really interested in learning animation as a skill, a possible career)?
This site lists three books every animator should own:
https://www.bloopanimation.com/animation-books/
So perhaps a good book (or three) about animation?
And if he's truly motivated, maybe you could start a drawing/animating monitor fund as a gift. Give him a portion of the $800, maybe a quarter of it, or whatever you feel is reasonable for his main Christmas present, and a chart with a picture of the monitor at the top and a road of sorts leading up to it. You can mark off the money as it's earned. Keep the fund in a bank account and don't let him touch it until the goal is reached. The chart could also include jobs he can do, that are outside the usual chores, and what they pay (yard work, washing the car, etc).
You can also google gifts for aspiring animators and there are lots of suggestions that pop up.
Well, mine is coming up fast on 11 and wants a laptop, so I feel your pain. He is learning to code and also plays minecraft with his friends.
Other than that, he also asked for the new Super Mario Bros game for Wii U. And he loves to read so although he didn't ask for it, I'm getting him a new book series that I think he'll like - the Pendragon series by MacHale.
Mine just turned 13 but his list is basically the same as last year with a few tweaks: A flat black plain standard issue BMX bike, original style plain black vans, red hot chili peppers t-shirts or other cool band/ Einstein /NASA T-shirts, air soft gun anything, new jeans & those trendy jogger sweats, some form of cool boots - think I'll get him some vans chukkas, a new computer monitor, a new comfy chair for his computer desk & a new baseball glove like his old old one, the one from 2seasons ago...
I'm sure I'm forgetting something...an Xbox live card I'm sure is on there too...has to be, it's almost tradition at this point!
He still doesn't have a phone, I know he's gonna need one sooner or later, he's given up asking, wasn't even on the list...last year we put in a land line for the kids, LOL, they still think we are crazy...the time is growing closer I think :)
Mine is also 12 and I can't get an idea out of him...he wants a phone...we can do that but not data, probably will use one of our old ones, load it with his games and allow talk and text but no photos or multimedia. New phone costs are crazy.
He has an Xbox 360 and so no new games or Xbox live (none of his friends have it). We had it for a while but letting him play strangers on line was un-nerving.
He really is at a loss things he wants are very expensive or not realistic.
So far he is getting a sequel to a book series he is reading, a custom embroidered watch cap with his current fav video game on it, and...uh, and...an older phone.
Good luck.
I'm right there with you. My son is 13 and I'm having a hard time figuring something out for him too.
Since your son is interested in animation, is there a class he can take online? I did a quick search and there's an animation mentor website and some other websites you might look at. Also think about experience type gifts. My son loves concerts. He also loves archery and laser tag. Or maybe a coupon for him to invite a few friends for a sleepover during Christmas break. My son recently received a 3D pen for his birthday and loves creating things with it.
Good luck. I'll be watching what others post.
Call of Duty Infinite Warfare, Call of Duty 4 Remastered, Battlefield 1, PS4 headset, Air Jordans, a new basketball, gift cards.
Am still waiting for the list.
I find it is like pulling teeth this year.
My son is 11 but here is what he is asking for: iPhone (he will get a used 6 we found online, same as how we buy our other phones), basketball shoes, a Nike basketball backpack, Star Wars Lego set, Nerf stuff, books, Kyrie Pullover, modern jogger sweat pants, a cross necklace (a good one), and some filler items.
My 9 year old is asking for the following: xBox One, games for it, a good watch, basketball shoes, Lego's, Nerf stuff, books, Bronco's jersey, and filler stuff.
All 3 of my kids will get a SonicCare this year, plus the usual ($10 gift card to their favorite store and $20 gift card to the local theater), pajama's, Bath and Body works stuff (all of the guys in my house use the Noir body wash), and candy. The big gifts across the board are Beats Solo (13 year old daughter), iphone (11), and xBox (9).
I would look for items you can maybe add on to the devices he already has.
Is there a upgraded program to buy for his drawing tablet or any add ons?
