A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Boy gifts

Posted: Jun 13, 2011

My daughter was invited to a birthday party for two 12-year-old boys. The moms said no gifts, but I would really like to send her with something. I have all girls so really don't know what boys like. Any suggestions on something cool for a little gift that a 12-year-old boy would like?

;

confused and amused - what the?

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm just wondering what part of no gifts do you not understand? So to heck with the parents wishes and do whatever pleases you, right? Amazing...

meow - Jackie

[ In Reply To ..]
I didn't come on here to get slammed. I was going to send a TOKEN gift, not some big elaborate thing. Sheesh....

yeah, but - AARPMom

[ In Reply To ..]
the mom said no presents, probably so the boys don't focus on the kid bringing the presents and block out all the other visitors, causing hurt feelings amongst other guests. But you can send token gifts if you wish.

Wouldn't that still be a gift? - ...

[ In Reply To ..]
No gifts means no gifts, didn't sound like confusing wording to me. Even if you just give something small, a gift is a gift, just because it didn't cost a lot of money, it doesn't count?

If your kids walk in with a "token gift" that's still a gift, in turn making all the other kids feel like crap because they didn't bring anything, making the mom mad because you didn't follow her wishes, and probably pissing the other parents off for making their kids feel bad that they have no gifts.

But hey, if it sounds like a good time to you... go for it!

I would bet that the mom just didn't want.. - people to feel obligated to bring a gift.

[ In Reply To ..]
Especially since there are two boys and going to children's birthday parties gets expensive if you do it very often. She probably didn't want people to not come, just because they could not afford a gift. I second the flashlight from below or I know that my friend's son who is that age is into the Tech Deck skate board toys. I always buy him some sort of a ramp or accessory.

Whatever the reason the mom said no gifts....sm - oldtimer

[ In Reply To ..]
her decision should be respected. DO NOT send a gift. That would be rude in my opinion. If you feel you must do something, invite the boys to an outing with your family to go swimming or for a barbecue.

I disagree. I actually think it would be rude - NOT to take a gift.

[ In Reply To ..]
Just my take on it. Clearly, everyone has a different opinion on this, but I would NEVER go to a birthday party without a gift.

First of all... - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You never go anywhere empty-handed. When I got married, I said no gifts so that people would not feel obligated. We just wanted everyone to come and have a good time, but people brought gifts and we were very thankful. I certainly was not mad that people did not follow directions. I feel it is plain good manners when invited somewhere to bring something, a bottle of wine, flowers for the hostess, dessert for the kids, whatever.

I would send my daughter with a card with a gift card for the local ice cream joint, batting cages, mini-golf, something like that for maybe 10 bucks a piece, just a token.

Good for the OP to show her daughter grace and manners in a world where they are much needed.

p.s. Don't send a bottle of wine..hee hee.

Thank you!! - Jackie

[ In Reply To ..]
I was also raised with the same values...you go somewhere, you take SOMETHING!

The party is for 2 boys from 2 different families. One of the boys has had a tragedy in his family recently and a lot of these kids will be seeing him for the first time since it happened.

Thanks to those of who who have been helpful in your replies.

I had three boys.... - Old part-timer

[ In Reply To ..]
Having had boys, I know by that age, they get really tough to buy for. (That may be why mom said "no gifts", since people ask what to get when they RSVP for a party.) Anyway, as far as a little token gift, maybe a gift card to a local movie theater? The other "fall back" gift that my sons still give each other or anybody else is a flashlight. They claim *everyone* can use a flashlight!

gift - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
If the mom said no gift, I would want to respect that. Instead, why not bring something to the party to share that everyone can enjoy that night? Call the mom and ask her.

This sniping at Jackie is ridiculous, and there's an easy compromise. - Hi there!

[ In Reply To ..]
If you want to get them a little something, do it--just wait until the party's over to quietly leave your gift for the boys. (Leave it in the car until you're ready to go home.) Simple--no "trauma" for the other kids, no justification for parental outrage and you still get to recognize their birthdays in a small way. I'd bet money that you won't be the only one to bring a present, anyway.

As for gift ideas, I had to organize our Christmas family reunion and got stuck with the same 12-year-old boy challenge. I bought one of those medium-sized "super-soaker" water guns at the drugstore, and you wouldn't believe how excited he was when he unwrapped it!

Great idea! - Old part-timer

[ In Reply To ..]
I forgot about the super-soakers. They're always a lot of fun and as they usually don't survive the summer, that's a great idea!

I might bring a pinata... - something all the kids can enjoy. NM

[ In Reply To ..]
xxx

Gifted Boys. - Carded.

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm not a mom to humans, so I'm out of my comfort zone. How about an iTunes gift card? If the boys like Subway or McDonalds, for example, you could get their gift cards. Or, get a Visa gift card; the boys can then buy whatever they choose. Whatever gift you choose, I'm sure the boys will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Carded - mthead

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a 12yo boy and an 8yo boy. The 12yo loves itunes gift cards and the 8yo loves Target, Walmart or Gamestop gift cards.

Walgreens has numerous gift-card options. - Wal*Mart Gift Card Queen

[ In Reply To ..]
x

A couple of Boy Barbies - GI Joe

[ In Reply To ..]
It's fun to see the looks on the boys' (and parents') faces when they unwrap that!

Even more fun is to dress them in Girl Barbie clothes and arrange them sitting together in a little basket having a picnic.

What would be the point of that? - Dont get it

[ In Reply To ..]
If she didn't want to get a gift, she wouldn't get a gift, not just give them something bizarre to see their reaction.

Seeing their reaction IS the point - Bizarro Is My Middle Name

[ In Reply To ..]
Lighten up.

I'd never invite you again - Dont get it

[ In Reply To ..]
You don't exactly sound like a fun guest but rather like you're deliberately trying to be a jerk. It would be the last invite you get from me!

Tranny Joes? - Don't Ask, Don't Tell

[ In Reply To ..]
x

Similar Messages:

Oct 18, 2009
My husband and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in January, and we plan on having a small dinner party for about 20 people at the alumni club at the university where we met (and our youngest son is currently a student.) We don't want anyone to give us gifts because: 1. We're throwing the party ourselves, so it would be tacky to expect gifts anyway; and, 2. we really do feel blessed just as we are, don't need anything more and don't want our gue ...

Dec 14, 2009
Do you do gag gifts with your friends or family?I decided this year I'm donating $50 in each of their names to the Human Fund. The certificates just came through ...

Dec 02, 2011
Need advice. We have friends with a 10 YO and an 8 YO. This may sound silly - but I feel that our friendship has evolved to that of us going to visit them, us sending gifts for holidays, us emailing and calling them. We always get lovely thank you notes, but they live two hours away and they haven't been to our house in about five years and we haven't been to theirs in 2 years (husband refuses to go over there until they come here)! . Am I beating an old re ...

Dec 16, 2010
So first I got a fruit basket delivered today from one of my accounts. Very nice. Then I got my mail and there was a X-mas card from our next door neighbor. They are retired, in their 80s, and live in Florida for the winter. Since we live in an area that has plenty of snow, we (usually me) shovel or snowblow their sidewalk whenever needed. In the past they have always sent a X-mas card with a check for my husband for doing the snowblowing, I think usually about $50. ...

May 25, 2010
I'm out of ideas for end of year gifts for teachers. My son will be "graduating" 5th grade Thursday and he's had kind of a rough year. I'd like to get his teacher something out of the ordinary. I usually do gift cards, but anyone out there have any better, more unique ideas? I don't want to spend lots of money, maybe $20 or so...Thanks y'all! ...

May 08, 2012
I have 2 nieces who will be having their First Communion this coming weekend. A little background: Their father (my husband's brother) is an atheist. Their mother is Catholic but rarely attends church. My feeling is that she's going through this First Communion rigamarole to please her very devout Catholic family. I was raised Catholic but separated from the Church many years ago, and I guess you could say I'm agnostic. My question involves First Communion gifts. It doesn't f ...

Oct 19, 2009
At my husband's family get together last weekend, I realized that my husband's family is just too huge to keep buying individual Christmas presents (15 adults and 5 kids, not counting his dad and my parents) plus our 3 kids so I've decided to get nice containers like a hatbox and fill it with baked goods, spiced pecans and jar mixes for each family. So my questions are: What jar mixes do you like to give/receive? What baked goods do you like to give/receive? TIA ...

Oct 09, 2011
I am Catholic but going to my grand nieces who are Mormons blessing and baptism. The four month old is getting blessed and my other grand niece is getting baptized who is seven. My question is what would be the appropriate gifts to buy them or do you not give gifts for this. ...

Jun 10, 2012
Anyone have any good ideas for teachers gifts? I was thinking of gift cards, but am always so unsure of how much to put on them. My 1 son has 1 teacher and 3 assistants in his rooom throughout the week (1 full time and 2 part time helpers), so I would need to buy for all 4 of them. My little guy has 1 teacher and 1 assistant in preschool, so I would need for them too. Also my big guy has a bus driver and an assistant so I want to get them a little something as well. Any help or s ...

Sep 02, 2013
I've been invited to two friends' parties. One is Grace Adele/Scentsy and the other is 31. Has anyone heard of these or gone to one of these parties or own any of these products? I've checked out their websites and think it's pretty pricey for their stuff. Is it worth it? To me if I'm going to spend that kind of money, I'd rather save up and buy Coach. I hate to turn down invites but if I go then I feel obligated to buy and then I either overspend or feel guil ...

Dec 15, 2015
First Christmas since the divorce and I have the kids for the holidays. Ex isn't responding to my questions of what he's getting the kids for Christmas out of their list they created of requested items and blows me off when I ask him directly. He has a good job and money - so it's not as if he's lacking. Funny thing is that while married he'd want to spend like crazy on Christmas gifts for them and now we're divorced he has become Mr. Jerk in t ...