Tell me about 11 yr old boys

[Misbijoux]

Okay, I know the subject title sounds creepy. But... My oldest son is 11 yrs old, and I really need some ideas on what to get him for Christmas. He has gotten so hard to shop for. This year, he asked for a WWE PS game, and a bean bag (I'm guessing to kick back and play his video games on). That's it. That's all. I keep bugging him, and asking him what else he wants, but he insists that is all. But I'd really like to get him more. I am getting him clothes, and other small things, but I want to get him more stuff he'd enjoy. He loves wrestling, sports, reading, writing and video games. He's a smart kid, and too mature for his age. I hate to get him more games than he already has. What other things do 11 yr old boys who like? Oh, get this...he asked me if that for Christmas he could get an account on DV, and if I would pretend he was 15, . I don't think so. He and my 5 yr old (I have four children) are my dreamers. He's been lucid dreaming for over a year now, and comes on here with me, and browses around. He said "I don't want anything for Christmas if you pretend I'm 15," lol! I'm glad I monitor his internet use. Anyway, I could sure use some ideas. I'd hate to just get him a bean bag and a video game for Christmas...

[Clairity]

Misbijoux, I don't have any ideas on what an 11 year old boy would like (aside from video games) unless of course he'd like to learn to play an instrument. I got my son a couple of guitars one year and he loved them. Your son sounds like a great kid and I thinks it's wonderful that he's a LDer already! .

[archdreamer]

Cash? It's the near-perfect gift, because the recipient is sure to end up with something they want. Ideally, you would take him up on the 15 deal. Respect is a valuable thing, even more so for someone who is eleven.

[Man of Steel]

Does he have a good set of encyclopedias? At his age, that was my favorite pastime; reading encyclopedias. Taught me a lot. What about a Swiss Army Knife? I got my first at age 12, best present I ever got. Just a tip, though: kids don't much like getting clothes as gifts. At least, I never did. Even a BooksaMillion or Barnes & Noble's (or Borders) gift card might be the ticket. Hope this was of some help!

[CoLd BlooDed]

(Referring to cash suggestion) Dude, he's 11, think for a second. 11 year olds don't go shopping. Buy him some books? Stephen King? I read my first Stephen King novel when I was 11. An instrument, as mentioned, would be great as well - nothing like starting early, especially if he's a smart motivated individual he can always teach himself. Oh, and get him socks. Lots of fuckin' socks.

[Pastro]

Something for his playstation maybe[accesories etc], maybe a two tickets[one for you, one for him] to a sporting event he likes? Free Passes to the movie theatre?

[archdreamer]

(Referring to cash suggestion) Dude, he's 11, think for a second. 11 year olds don't go shopping. They don't? All of them?

[Brandon Heat]

Instruments (Most kids will not regret it when they are shredding ridiculously) Gift Cards to a Video Game Store. Books, always a good buy I never liked them when I was younger though wish I did some reading now. Money is always nice. Put a bit aside and take him shopping after Christmas when all the sales are going on and see if he wants to pick out something would be the ideal solution.

[Bayside]

(Referring to cash suggestion) Dude, he's 11, think for a second. 11 year olds don't go shopping. True, but it is good to take an 11 year old shopping after, and then they can pick out what they like. Also, like everyone said, a guitar/other instrument would be great. I would've been thrilled if I got a guitar at age 11, although I don't know if I would have had the patience for it at the time. Depends on what kind of kid he is, if he has the tenacity for it. Books may or may not be a good idea. I remember when I got books as a kid, I'd never give them a second glance, I didn't enjoy reading. But, if he does enjoy reading, then that's a good idea. Kids don't usually give a crap about clothes, especially guys, not at least until around high school or part way through junior high maybe. Personally, I loved getting music CD's, movies, or games around that age. I have always been really into electronics though. An iPod or MP3 player of some sorts would be amazing if he doesn't already have one, that is, if he's the kind of kid who takes care of his stuff and won't just lose it in a week. A box of chocolates is always good, it's one of the things my grandparents got me every year. Maybe I'm weird, but I always enjoy getting a new deodorant stick as well, and some Axe body wash or something because it smells so great. He's at that age now where he should be showering every day or so, and should start wearing deodorant if he doesn't already. Plus it just feels good to get your first deodorant stick, you feel all grown up the first time. If he likes sports and stuff, he might enjoy either a registration into a sport, or a sports club, or a fighting style club like Tae-Kwon-Do or something. This is something you'd have to find out in advance, I know I would've been scared shitless if someone got that for me, there's no way I would've wanted to do it back then. I got a fake dartboard one year, it was just a little magnetic dartboard, I thought that was pretty fricking cool at the time, all my friends were pretty impressed. I got an air hockey table several years back, and I absolutely loved it, but those can be costly. I'm out of ideas for now, if I think of more I'll be back.... Good luck.

[Dizko]

Remote control plane

[panta-rei]

Money money money... Thats what all people love! When I was 11... I loved drawing, but thats just me!

[Mes Tarrant]

Moar video games! And I support the no-clothes-as-gifts thing. I also support cash. Go go go!!

[Basilisk]

I completely agree with Bayside as far as the sports part goes. If he is really into wrestling you can introduce him to martial arts or sign him up for wrestling at his school. I don't know what the wrestling age is. But if he's not old enough for school wrestling check out Judo or Jujitsu these are both japanese wrestling martial arts, Jujitsu just also introduces some punching and kicking, and there shouldn't be an age limit, some kids start judo at 5 or 6. They will go through things at a slow pace at first so theres no need to worry about him being hurt. I've enjoyed martial arts for years still no big injuries.

[AirRick101]

Moar video games! And I support the no-clothes-as-gifts thing. I also support cash. Go go go!! Adopt me. Misbijoux, I'm pretty sure boys are vocal about all they want. But awww, sounds like you want to give him more than he thinks he deserves!!

[nitsuJ]

You could get him what he asks for, then the clothes and stuff that you want to get him so he can have, then you could just give him some money to buy his own stuff, or take him somewhere and let him pick some stuff out.

[Misbijoux]

Thank you all for the suggestions! I guess we'll do a couple more video games and some money. I did love the encyclopedia idea Man of Steel suggested. My son would love something like that, but I think I'll leave that for his birthday. Again, thanks everyone. I really was stumped. Last year, he had a huge list, and it made it so much easier.

[deepsleep]

get the kid a pellet/bb gun, Buy him some targets and he'll be occupied for a while ;D you can get them at places like Walmart,K-mart,Target,Sports authority,Dicks sporting goods, or a outdoor sports place..

[Niddiboy]

look at his games collection, if there are any first person shooters in there, get him Gears of war 2, or call of duty 5.. or if your a cool mum, BOTH! =D My mum is asking me the saem questions and im 17 lol. I honestly have no quarrels waking up on xmas morning and seeing my xbox live subscription and 2 games sitting there by there lonesome as i honestly dont want anything else! =P

[Niddiboy]

i got 2 airsoft rifles this year for £20 each off the internet, and they are awesome SM6 and SM8.... i love em, and yes they keep me occupied when im bored! lol

[Misbijoux]

look at his games collection, if there are any first person shooters in there, get him Gears of war 2, or call of duty 5.. or if your a cool mum, BOTH! =D I just checked. The only shooting game he has is Medal of Honor, I think it's about war. It has little army dudes with rifles on the front cover. I know my husband plays it once in a blue moon. I did get him that WWE game he wanted, Madden '09 and I'll probably go look for one of those games you mentioned. I think my husband may even like them, lol.

[Niddiboy]

the call of duty is better than medal of honour, but gears, if hes scared easily dont get it for him. Its not scary as such, just a lil gruesome, but itll build character! lol

[AirRick101]

actually, I was just thinking about this.... clothes tend to get a bad rap because the parent usually gives the kid what they think is appropriate, rather than what the kid thinks is cool. but I guarantee, if you manage to give your kid clothes that he/she appreciate, you are officially the coolest parent in da world

[Misbijoux]

actually, I was just thinking about this.... clothes tend to get a bad rap because the parent usually gives the kid what they think is appropriate, rather than what the kid thinks is cool. but I guarantee, if you manage to give your kid clothes that he/she appreciate, you are officially the coolest parent in da world Oh, but I'm a cool Mom! I'm fly, I'm hip, I'm tight, whatever it's called nowadays, lol. I know what's 'in' (I think ) when it comes to clothes for the youngsters. I can't let my children run around looking like little ragamuffins.

[Carôusoul]

>>wrestling >>mature I lol'd.

[Misbijoux]

>>wrestling >>mature I lol'd. I don't get how it's funny. Just because he likes silly things like wrestling, doesn't necessarily make him immature. When I said "mature for his age", I meant you can actually hold an intelligent conversation with him, unlike a lot of other kids his age. I like watching iCarly, I guess I'm not as mature as I thought.