Ok, my Aunt passed away unexpectedly on Thanksgiving day (anuerysm), leaving 3 young boys and a disabled husband behind. We are doing what we can to help them through this and we want to make sure that they have plenty this Christmas as they are going through enough as it is. The kids are 5, 7 & 12. I was close to my aunt, but do to physical distance I have not had much of a chance to know the boys very well. The oldest is her husbands by his first marriage but they had full custody of him and he called her mom. She was his mom in every way that mattered. He is the one I am having the most difficulty buying for. Any suggestions? We have his clothes covered, but we are looking for fun stuff. My other aunt and uncle are getting them a xbox for Christmas, so I thought about a gift card for one of the gaming stores, but I am looking for other ideas too. Thanks.
I got him a Game Stop gift card and a few other items (clothes, stocking, etc). For my Aunt's husband, her parents and the 3 remaining siblings (she was the baby and only 2 years older than me) I got an ornament from Snapfish that I had her picture put on, it is star shaped and beautiful. I already have one for myself that I ordered first because I had not ordered one of these from them previously. I love them and I think they will make a great memento for everyone. Thanks everyone for your ideas and I wish that I could do more for them, but I can't give them what they want.
Gift Cards are always great! This allows him to get what he chooses and be happy with it.
Gaming Store
I-Tunes (if he has Ipod)
Movie Theater
If he is getting an xbox, then how about the kinect attachment? It's about $150, doesn't need controllers and come with a game pack and lots of fun demos, so if it's in your budget, it would probably love it, so would the younger kids.
Skateboard, basketball... what is he into?
You all sound like a very generous family.
Hi! Is he 12 or 14? Do you know if he already has any activities that he is interested in? Does he play any sports? That might help when you shop for presents. I think the gift card is a great idea since he will be getting an xbox! :) The xbox plays DVD's, too, so if you know what kind of movies he likes - you might get him a movie, too.
I am so sorry for your loss & for your family's loss. I know that the holidays are the hardest. It is very kind of you to do what you can to help with the children, especially during the holiday season.
Hi A.,
My son just turned 12 this past week and he and all his friends are very into video games, cell phones, music and recording themselves being silly.
It is fun to watch the video with them. If he is into reading you could do books or bookstore gift cards as well (or a Kindle) Also, extra controllers for the XBox since they will always want someone to play with when friends and family are over.
Best Wishes!
those remote control helicopters look pretty cool. Say 14+
If he likes sports get him either:
Madden 11/football
FIFA/soccer
NHL 11/hockey
They have basketball and baseball ones too. You can also give him a gift card to Gamestop to use as well...but this way he will have something to play with right away.
Do you have any ski resorts near by? Would a gift certificate for skiing or snowboarding lessons interest him? I took my stepsons skiing for the first time when they were 8 and 9 - signed them up for some lessons first, and then we all went together. They loved it!
I would definitely do a GC to a gaming store or to Best Buy if there is one close. You can also do a GC to a cool place near him like bowling, skating, movie theater, laser tag, etc You can google things to do in their area. A nice book for a child to read about when their mother passes away. You can go on Amazon or maybe some other moms can give you ideas on a book for him to make him feel closer to his passed mom. Very sweet of you to take care of them.
I got my son a pay as you go phone which was good for me....to keep up with him. He had that for quite some time until we got him added to our plan last year. They don't look any different than some of the regular cell phones.....my son is 20 as of two days ago, so I am uncertain of what 12 yr olds like these days myself....see if you can find outl what his interests are like art, music, sports, etc. Music is always good.....like a cd with some sort of player.....If I think of anything else, I will add later......good luck.
how about i-tones, remote control car-truck.video gift card, etc god bless, R..
All the answers are great to give him fun things and get his mind off the major family trauma. I think that's great, but also allow for some sadness and remembrance of the mom. It's healthy to grieve. I would find an excellent picture of the two of them (or even just an excellent one of her) and frame it nicely for him. Maybe find something of hers he might like. Maybe take him aside and share some of the mom's thoughts with him... "She said she was so proud of you when (insert story), but boy did you drive her nuts with (insert pet peeve!)" It doesn't have to be all good! Again, I don't think the family should sit down and cry all day- not at all- but I know my friends that have been through major deaths like this kind of feel resentful when everyone is always trying to cheer them up and not talk about the person during birthdays/holidays/anniversaries of their deaths. Maybe the whole family can, at some point, sit down and share favorite memories or something else to honor the mom. THEN, they can move on and not feel guilty for having fun with all their great toys! Just sayin'!
Hello, I am just throwing this in because someone said the xbox said the xbox plays DVD's which they do, but it is easier to use the xbox remote for it which you can get at walmart. If you buy the kinecct (sp) for it , you will have to buy special games for it. So maybe you can buy just 1 game for that. Good Luck, you should like a great family!
