https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 06:59:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2377635 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 22:56:19 +0000 Greentea 2377635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: I like that idea about the movies.</p> <p>I think something where he could *do* something, like a gift card for the movies or an arcade is a great idea, or even to a theme park or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2377632 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 22:51:44 +0000 Greentea 2377632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I totally agree! </p> <p>It isn't really his fault that you didn't get a thank you card, don't think I ever would have written one if my mother hadn't forced me. And it doesn't mean she is a bad parent- people have different awareness levels. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2377604 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 22:18:19 +0000 MrsSRS 2377604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How about a gift card to the movies? Or a giant box of his favorite snacks? Or a gift card to a bookstore or arcade? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2377489 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:54:30 +0000 LindsayLou 2377489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gift card or cash. Not fun I know, but think of the parents. I have a sulky, contrary 10 year old step son. It's the age. It sucks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2377483 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:51:33 +0000 deerylou 2377483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a number of young, video game obsessed nephews. I'm not against video games, but the ones on their lists are usually the violent flavor of the month. While I wouldn't be cool with my kids playing games like that at a young age, I am also not about to prove a point, via a holiday gift.</p> <p>So, we've done gift cards. They can combine them with other holiday cash and their parents can decipher what it and is not appropriate. I wouldn't stress on it, or hold the lack of enthusiasm or thanks, against him. Tweens will be tweens and manners are a learned behavior. </p> <p>If you absolutely need an alternative idea, perhaps a PS4 hoodie or cell phone case (if he has a phone). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2377467 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:38:18 +0000 Raindrop 2377467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Man I think I was probably a pretty ungrateful teenager... I don't think I ever sent out thank you notes for xmas gifts or said thank you for them unless the person giving it to me was there when I unwrapped it ... or maybe not even that. </p> <p>I would just give him a gift card or cash. I feel like there are just WAY TOO many video games out there to figure out which one is the right one for this teenager. I mean there are a lot of "hot" games but you might pick the wrong one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2377454 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:18:49 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2377454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tough age. We've been getting GCs or cash for DH's brother for a few years now (he just turned 13). He puts it towards the pricier games and things he wants. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2377437 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:02:28 +0000 erinbaderin 2377437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The kid is going through a lot of changes - I assume a divorce, and now a new stepdad - all at an age where he's also going though so many emotional/physical/hormonal changes. I'd try to cut him some slack. The fact that he didn't write you a thank you last time is really a parenting issue, no tween boy (or probably girl!) is going to think of that! I'd just get him a gift card - there's no reason to spend money on something he doesn't want just to make a point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376578 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 10:23:18 +0000 rachiecakes 2376578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gift card.<br /> I was a pretty rotten teenager. I had a tough time in school and was miserable most of the time. I wouldn't take it personally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376566 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 10:13:22 +0000 MaryM 2376566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say either a gift card, or do a whole family gift like a game night or movie night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376515 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 09:36:16 +0000 lovehoneybee 2376515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tweens are a tough age, I wouldn't take his attitude personally. My tween nephews requested Game Stop gift cards this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376506 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 09:31:44 +0000 blackbird 2376506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gift card. He's a teenager. They're all sorta like that sometimes. Yours will, too, someday :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376500 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 09:27:29 +0000 looch 2376500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about an interesting board game? There are tons of options out there now, package it up with a bunch of candy and call it family game night? I do this for my cousin that has tween boys.</p> <p>Or just go with a gift card, think about it, isn't it easier as a parent when people gift your kid things that you/kid wants or needs, versus what they think your kid wants or needs? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376498 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 09:27:22 +0000 Alivoo01 2376498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For a tween, gift card. At least you know it'll be used for something he'll like and actually use vs going to the trash/wasting your money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376489 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 09:21:32 +0000 Mamaof2 2376489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gift card to Game Stop - that's where my tween nephew likes to get video games </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376469 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 09:08:52 +0000 LuLu Mom 2376469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>GC, it's a tough age and i know that's what we would appreciate the most. I have a cousin too in a drawing and i'm getting him an Google Play GC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376464 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 09:07:24 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2376464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gift card for a video game store! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376460 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 08:59:43 +0000 Silva 2376460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd get him a gift card. Its a tough age, I'd try to let his sullenness go/chalk it up to some age appropriate developmental stuff, and hopefully in a few years he'll grow out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tween-gift-dilemma#post-2376455 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 08:56:12 +0000 ElbieKay 2376455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My cousin has a new tween stepson. We have known his wife for about two years, and they got married this summer.</p> <p>The stepson is, frankly, kind of sullen and bratty. I don't especially like him, and I don't really know him very well. Last year we got him a nice gift (a version of Risk that was themed with some video game or other that he likes) for Christmas, and we never received any thank you note or other acknowledgement.</p> <p>I just asked his stepdad for gift ideas and was told that the best thing is a gift card. My MIL said she heard he wants PS4 games, and I really hate video games.</p> <p>I am not motivated to just give this kid cash or a video game. I am struggling here because I know I am being judgmental and he is only a kid.</p> <p>What should I do?</p> <p>(We have a toddler, and I suspect they will get a gift for him, so there is an issue of reciprocity.) </p>