Posted on 12/14/2011 10:09:57 PM PST by Huntress
Dear FReepers,
Can you help me? I'm wracking my brain trying to come up with a Christmas gift for my 15-year-old nephew. He's a great kid, but he doesn't lack for material things. He's into sports, martial arts, weapons, and video games. He's also an enthusiastic reader. Does anyone have any ideas for a unique gift that might appeal to him. I'm looking to spend around $50. If you've got any suggestions for books, I'm always on the lookout for those. But I typically buy him books whenever I come across something in my own reading I think he'd like.
Thanks.
Huntress
Everyone loves a gift card.
That’s why I put it in chat. You don’t have respond, you know.
Less than $50 unless you get him some of the paraphernalia, which is a nice idea.
A plastic model. Car, ship, plane, tank whatever he is interested in. http://www.squadron.com/
Seriously.
Actually building something is a novelty to most kids now days.
California Legal Switchblade.
it’s 2”, legal, of course he can’t wear it to school, and it must have a safety and pocket clip.
You will be the coolest Auntie EVER!
JUST REMEMBER THIS, KNIVES ARE TOOLS.
An osage orange bowstave and a drawknife...
A couple of bird-feeders, one for seed, one for suet, and then bird food to fill them up.
Raybans, aviators.
Get him a metal detector. You can find one for under $50.00
I got one when I was a young boy and I just loved it. It was the best gift I ever got.
My grandsons always liked GameStop gift cards.
If he likes to read, here are some book recommendations. They are all also available as audio books.
The Killer Angels: A Novel of the Civil War by Michael Shaara (Pulitzer Prize). This was the basis for the movie Gettysburg.
Washington’s Crossing by David Hackett Fischer (Pulitzer Prize). Washington as a General.
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow. Washington the complete story.
Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph P. Ellis (Pulitzer Prize). The men who created a nation.
Champlain’s Dream by David Hackett Fischer. Sounds dull, but it is not. Gets into Champlain’s exploration and dealing with friendly and savage Indians.
Miracle in the Andes by Nando Parrado. Fascinating account of starvation, cannibalism, and climbing mountains with no cold weather gear.
The Family that Couldn’t Sleep: A Medical Mystery by DT Max. This is about prions and mad cow disease, and the clues that came from a family where members died because they could never go to sleep. Gets heavy in spots, but fascinating.
House to House: An Epic Memoir of War by David Bellavia. The War in Iran from someone who lived through it.
I think he’d love that, but it might get me in trouble with his folks. Then again, they didn’t blink when I gave him a samurai sword last Christmas.
Now, that’s an excellent idea.
Am going to give one to both of my teenage daughters.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Since I just saw that post about the viking loot found with a metal detector, my first thought was metal detector.
If you want to spend $299 bucks, get him a parrot drone so he can spy on the neighbors..
$30 cash in his hand, a savings account with $10 in it, and a $10 tithe to God.
Then advise him to follow this pattern with all that he earns from this time on.
He will be set for life.
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