What's an appropriate gift for a 14-year old boy, if you are his mentor?
My 68 year old gay male friend is mentoring a 14-year old guy under the aegis of our local middle school. Everything is supervised and approved by the schools’ guidance office.
My friend has met the boy’s parents and been invited to the movies with the boy and his father. The boy is about to have a birthday.
Last year my friend gave him a $40/10 pass booklet to our little Main St. movie. The year before he bought a hoodie. What might this kid enjoy this year? (We vetoed socks.)
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A video game? A book of the sort the boy likes to read? A trip in a hot air balloon?
Well, it depends on what his interests are.
My 14 year old loves to draw and always appreciates a good sketch pad and a set of high quality pencils.
My younger son is big into video games. He always appreciates a gift card to GameStop or to the Apple apps store.
Edit: I’ll second the suggestion for books as well…
I’m glad you vetoed socks.
Does the boy like football?
Video games?
Do you think you ought to ask him what he’d prefer? Maybe there’s something he personally wants—Try asking him. (If it’s not meant as a surprise, that is.)
It depends on personal preference. He might be an artist, a photographer, etc.
A membership pass for an online game, perhaps?
@wundayatta: Wouldn’t a trip in a hot air balloon cost more than $40 plus the second fee for the accompanying adult?
@YoBob; What is Gamestop? Is the Apple apps store the place to go? That’s a good idea. I would have to walk my anachronistic computer-illiterate friend through the process. I have an Apple apps ID however. (Never mind. I found Gamestop. That looks perfect.)
The kid is being mentored because he doesn’t have too many interests.
@Luiveton: Asking is probably the most sensible idea. I will pass that on. Probably a 14— year old would prefer to get something he wants and not be surprised with socks (or gloves, say).
GameStop is a video game and entertainment software retailer. Am I right??
@gailcalled I don’t know how much hot air balloon rides cost. I just seem to remember they might be something available in your area. They probably do cost too much. But who knows? Sometimes people get excited by an idea and spend enough to have it, anyway.
Gamestop is a video game retailer.
Now that you tell me that he is being mentored due to lack of interests, I believe you have a wonderful opportunity to foster an interest in something productive. Don’t get me wrong, video games are great entertainment otherwise I wouldn’t have suggested them, but be careful that they don’t produce a situation where his only interest becomes sitting in front of the tube and blasting aliens.
Fostering an interest in reading opens up a whole world of possibilities. There are books out there about every interest one can possibly imagine. Additionally, in most places library cards are still free. How about a great age appropriate fantasy novel to go along with the video game. My kids really enjoyed the “Earagon” series as well as the “Harry Potter” books.
@YoBob: Well said. I am the go-between here but will pass on all these ideas to my friend.
I frequent the library probably several times a week; it is next to the middle school and when classes end, a huge bevy of kids do come in and hang around. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be doing much reading; a lot of texting to the person sitting next to them, using the computers and giggling in loud voices seems to be the activity du jour.
Tickets to a local amusement park
Gift certificate for video games/ a Gamestop card
A day trip to a place of his choice with his mentor
A day at a indoor racing track driving mini-race cars
Movie passes
A subscription to Playboy ;-)
Oh…if he’s into sports, tickets to a local ball game of some sort or wrestling. :-)
I never knew a boy yet who didn’t like to drive a go-cart. Is there a place nearby that has them. Maybe he could get a gift certificate for that?
Membership to a local zoo, museum or park is a favorite gift of mine to give and to receive.
W do have a near-by stock car and dragster speed raceway. http://www.lebanonvalley.com/
There is one rather pathetic ice hockey team in Albany, the aptly named Albany River Rats, who do have a loyal following.
No nearby amusement parks, wrestling, local non-school ball teams or go-carts.
How about a 40 dollar bond for college, or even cash so he can spend it going out with his friends.
iTunes or Amazon gift card?
My son used to love books like the Guinness Book of Records, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and science based books. The first options can be read quickly and a little at a time so they worked well for a young man who really didn’t want to sit and read a whole book but liked to pick through, reading a little at a time.
When we visited a large book store he could pick a book. Any book of his choice. He often chose books of this type. Perhaps your friend could team the book present with a visit to a book store and let the young man choose something that interests him?
Oh…I just remembered the perfect book for a boy this age. I got a copy for my oldest when he was around 13. It’s called The Dangerous Book for Boys . It is a lighthearted guide book for all sorts of good clean fun as well as some excellent trivia that appeals to boys.
In fact, I just pulled it off the book shelf. Here is a sample of the table of contents:
The best paper airplane in the world
Seven wonders of the ancient world
five knots every boy should know
How to build a treehouse
Rules of soccer
Fishing
Navaho code talkers
The list goes on and on…..
iTunes gift card
Fast food place gift card
Movie Theater gift card
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