Ds is driving me nuts....the kid wants nothing!

Aren't teenage sons awesome like that? Mine wants a huge pile of Magic cards and a $130 calculator. It's something, but it's not easy to buy (he's listing specific cards available used, not packs of cards I can just pick up.) and the calculator is just a waste of money because he has a graphing calculator but it's not TI so it's not the right brand. sigh. I guess I should be glad I have a list, right?

Our teenage grandson's list is not long by any means, but holy COW does he want expensive stuff.  A pair of shoes for $ 150 and a shirt for $ 100.  AND he's thrown in some random video games and a professional harmonica with neck thingy for good measure (and of course I added a Clairsonic for him ). Our boy definitely has some champagne tastes .  

He also collects old vinyl LPs and I was able to get him the two he really wanted (Abbey Road and Dark Side of the Moon) at very decent prices locally, so that's a couple of extras he has no inkling of.

He won't get everything on his list, and will be very happy with whatever he gets, but I had some serious sticker shock when I was looking the stuff up on-line.  

Is this for a birthday or Christmas? What a great son you have! You could always put aside money for him for later when he finds something he wants. That's what I do with my daughters. I don't see the point in buying them things they don't want just to get them something. My youngest didn't really want much so she got money. Then last year she really wanted an American girl doll. She had so much money saved, that she got the doll and accessories! She was thrilled! We were getting her an ipod for her birthday last year and she had enough money to pay the difference and get the upgrade. I much prefer to give her money and see her excitement when she buys something she really wants instead of getting her something she will never use just to get her something.

But what works for us doesn't work for everyone. But enjoy it while he is like this. I have a 15 yr. old, very smart, but thinks money grows on trees! haha!

Trying to get ideas from my kids was like pulling teeth. I had to physically put them in front of stuff to get some answers and even that was a pain! They hate going to the store, any store.

They're 12 and 14.

Why should it be monetary? It's not about how much money is spent. My kids don't remember what they received for presents, but they do remember the time we decorated gingerbread houses & got into a fun throwing "snow" (aka coconut) at each other. They remember the times we made fudge & danced to music. I think your time is priceless. Think outside the box; memories are a lifetime.

Maybe he's like my son who really really wants to be surprised on Christmas day so he doesn't like to make a "list" and tell me what he wants.  I try to get ideas or clues about things he likes in the months before Christmas, and I think about his favorite hobbies and sports teams, etc., and I go shopping.