Stuff To Get A 12 Year Old For Christmas
Okay, let's talk about the most dreaded part of Christmas: gift shopping for a 12-year-old.
It’s like trying to understand a foreign language spoken only in TikTok dances and mumbled slang. Fear not, I'm here to (hopefully) help.
First, A Public Service Announcement (My Unpopular Opinion)
Please, for the love of all that is holy, ditch the overly educational toys.
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I know, I know. Grandma wants to buy them a telescope to "spark their interest in astronomy."
But let's be real, it'll end up gathering dust in the attic next to that weird fondue set from 1987.
Experiences Over Things! (Unless The Things Are REALLY Cool)
This is the year of creating memories! Think concert tickets to see their favorite artist (even if you’ve never heard of them).
Maybe a trip to an amusement park. Or even a fancy pizza-making class. Okay, pizza is always a win.
However, if you absolutely MUST buy a physical item, let's try to be smart about it.
The "Actually Useful" Gift Guide (For The Slightly-Too-Cool-For-Toys Crowd)
First up: Wireless earbuds. These are a must. The age of wired headphones is over.
Just make sure they aren't the kind that fall out every five seconds.
Next: A portable Bluetooth speaker. Perfect for blasting music in their room (much to your dismay).
Tech That Won't Become Obsolete Next Week
A decent digital camera is an interesting choice. Not a professional DSLR, just something better than their phone's camera.
Let them explore photography! Who knows? They might become the next Ansel Adams, but for cat videos.
A smartwatch, as long as it's not too "babyish". It's got to look sleek and cool.
The "Secretly Educational" Gifts (That They Won't Suspect Are Good For Them)
A subscription box tailored to their interests is cool. Is the 12-year-old into art or science?
There is a subscription box for literally anything these days. It's like Christmas every month!
Consider a beginner's coding kit. It might sound dull, but coding is the future.
The "Guaranteed Hit (But Proceed With Caution)" Gifts
Video games. This one’s a minefield. Research is key.
Find out what their friends are playing. Don't buy them something with a Mature rating unless their parents are cool with it (and you're willing to deal with the fallout).
Gaming accessories, such as a headset, controller, or funky keyboard, are also good choices.
The "Practical (But Still Cool-ish)" Gifts
Gift cards to their favorite clothing store. Twelve-year-olds are surprisingly brand-conscious.
A new backpack that isn't covered in cartoon characters. Something stylish and functional.
High-quality art supplies if they're creative. Sketchbooks, drawing pencils, watercolors etc.
Final Thoughts (And A Gentle Warning)
Don’t be afraid to ask them (subtly!) what they want. Espionage is your friend.
Remember, the goal is to find something they'll actually use and enjoy. And hopefully, it won't end up in the dreaded "re-gifting" pile.
Good luck. You're going to need it!
