The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: VSS on June 27, 2012, 06:51:48 pm
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My lad will be 15 next week and I have NO idea what to get him for his birthday.
He is giving me no ideas at all as to what he would like. He says he has everything he needs and would just like something nice.
Any ideas?
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something to do with cars and learning to drive.
a track day?
that or a night out at hooters!!
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whats he like doing
does he have a particular hobby you could get something for?
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I think your boy is a credit to both of you. Doesn't he play an instrument of some sort, how about a new one. Or maybe a tractor driving day. I'm sure there will be lots of ideas.
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A paint balling party for him and his friends? Or do you have to be older to do that? ???
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you can paint ball at 15 at most sites!!!
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A really special pocket knife/swiss army knife?
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toolset or a kit bogie or a kit something that goes...a project
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Some really cool jeans (I know, I thought jeans were jeans and my son doesnt give a monkeys what he wears, but my sister bought some skinny low rise levis from TK MAX for his birthday and they are SOOOO cool - he looks really stylish) - even if hes not that into clothes...15 might be an age where you might enjoy some great threads for some occasion or another :eyelashes: .
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My 13 year old had a trailer for his lawn tractor for his last birthday and for Christmas had money from everyone and bought an old stock trailer that he is restoring.
Difficult if they like to be outdoors and are not into play stations and all that.
A neighbour bought him wood, nails and a book about making bird nest boxes and quite often he has tools of one kind or another.
Thought the pen knife idea was a good one .
Is he sporty? ......
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Yep, need more info.
What does he like doing? How does he spend his spare time?
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Well VSS.
If I was 15 i'd want 2 things. a condom and ahhhhh! ;D
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OK, he plays the fiddle well, folk music mostly. He is into chickens and ducks, but already has lots of books, and bits and bobs, general outside stuff, has lots of tools already and is a voracious reader. Can read virtually anything now. Doesn't need to be teenage - can deal with adult so long as it's not too graphic.
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If he reads a lot, a Kindle. I absolutely love mine, as do Rosemary, my dad, brother, uncle Tom cobbley...
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Another breed of chicken or duck ??? . Or some other poultry ...... quail ???
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If he reads a lot, a Kindle. I absolutely love mine, as do Rosemary, my dad, brother, uncle Tom cobbley...
Hmmm, that's an idea - something I would never have thought of. Will see what the OH thinks of that - loads of free downloads to make it more tempting.
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Sounds like a plan - and if you let the rest of the family know, other people can then buy him eBooks......
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The Kindle's great. I thought it was just another gadget (which I suppose it is) but when Dan got his, I kept pinching it. Now I have my own and I love it - it's so transportable.
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Must be getting tired, I read '' is he sporty'' as '' is he spotty''
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A 17 year old girl.... :innocent:
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Oh dear. Oh doesn't like that idea. Says the boy spends too much time staring at a screen already, although I think that is abit unfair.
Any other ideas? If he can't come up with a better one.... :innocent:
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OK, he plays the fiddle well, folk music mostly. He is into chickens and ducks, but already has lots of books, and bits and bobs, general outside stuff, has lots of tools already and is a voracious reader. Can read virtually anything now. Doesn't need to be teenage - can deal with adult so long as it's not too graphic.
If he is into poultry/ducks....How about an incubator for hatching eggs, tons on ebay at reasonable prices and he could hatch out some rare breeds... but I suppose a broody hen would do too !
Country sports?.. shooting?.. A day handling a shotgun under adult supervision of course.
A gift voucher for a flight in a microlight, its fantastic.... lots of ideas out there.
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Ooo, harsh. ;) At least it's likely to be educational staring at a Kindle.
Some other ideas: a metal detector; a decent toolbox and/or belt (with one or two quality tools); a nightschool course in something interesting at your local adult ed venue (if there are any left?); a day volunteering (your local CVS will be able to help with this - http://www.csv.org.uk/ (http://www.csv.org.uk/%29;) ); Kiva - http://www.kiva.org/ (http://www.kiva.org/)
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There are so many beautiful scenes and moments in smallholding - why not get him his own camera - a good one and maybe a 2 hour session with someone to get the most out of it, not just the man in the shop or the info leaflet - he can document things from his own perspective, a diary, a short film - could lead to something bigger eventually - wish I'd taken more pics of things in my life - kids, me before I had kids, great things I see almost every day on our smallholding - so much scope in photography - perhaps photographing others playing music in a way which suits the music/musician - if he likes folk music he probably likes landscapes etc. I teach design and drawing and it's so important for students to think about how they feel about what's around them, find a voice...
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If he reads a lot, a Kindle. I absolutely love mine, as do Rosemary, my dad, brother, uncle Tom cobbley...
Another vote for a Kindle. I just adore mine and dont know what I would do without it now. I read every single day and having a Kindle allows me to try authors Ive never heard of for a very small amount of money.OK, some books are not that cheap, but thousands are and it also means that my family can get me an Amazon gift voucher at pressie times and they know that I will love and appreciate it.
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I can remember my mate getting a few ewes one year when he was about that age. Thing was,.the farm already ran about 200 of them.... I believe the phrase he used later was "great, dad. I'll just stick em with the others then, shall I?"
When I was his age, if there was no 'girl' option available, I'd have liked (in no particular order): a .410, sheet music for my guitar (in his case, fiddle), stuff for rabbiting/ferreting, fishing kit, sharp things (knives etc).... Any of those things fit?
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sharp things or projectile weapons generally appeal to most 15 year old boys...
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A lasting memory, not sure what but take him to some sort of event or like some one mentioned, learn a skill to put a seed in his head for his future, maybe even day at the dogs with a meal....Memories last, things get lost, broken or eaten!!
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maybe its cos im a bit closer to 15 in age than most here :D but a track day would have made my LIFE at 15!!!
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How about his own dog so he can train it to work the sheep.He looks as if he could definately have the makings of a farmer.
How about rock climbing (indoor) or flying lessons. :-J
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Argos have loads of Experience Day's as gifts (I think they buy them via Virgin). My Dad had his 70th last month and I bought him one. Was going to go for a race track but realised he was going to be driven round, which would have sent him mad as he needs to be in the driving seat ;) But they had zorbing, falconry all sorts :)
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If he loves the farm as you say, I bet he'd adore a day's falconry :D
Is there a centre near you, that's probably the best way to do for that.
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What about a shotgun? He can spend hours blasting things around the farm rather than looking at screens! Failing that, a Kindle,,,,,,,best toy I've got at the moment! :thumbsup:
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Can't believe so many of you like kindles - I love the weight of a book, the size of the text, the quality of the paper the pages are made from, its smell, hardback or paperback - it all adds to the pleasure, you can't get that with a kindle. Call me old fashioned..
Still think you should go with the camera - there are great things you can do with photoshop etc to prolong the fun - he could have his own website, my brother teaches guitar and lute and has recently turned to photography producing fantastic images, great fun and a good parallel to music (the language is the same - composition, value, balance etc).
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15 eh?
every young man needs a wallet.... with cash in it, lots of cash! ;D
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Can't believe so many of you like kindles - I love the weight of a book, the size of the text, the quality of the paper the pages are made from, its smell, hardback or paperback - it all adds to the pleasure, you can't get that with a kindle. Call me old fashioned.
It's not an either or! The Kindle is unbeatable for convenience, especially when travelling. I'm on the seventh book of a series, the average length of which was over 700 pages, and am so glad I didn't have to lug them around over the past couple of monts. My Kindle is also full of technical reference books, most of which would weigh several pounds in paper, and it lets me have access to them wherever I am.
I still buy paper books, especially reference books, but wouldn't be without my kindle. :)
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Good idea, buy him a kipper. but not from Philadelphia, even their cheese is crap. :innocent:
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My most unforgettable birthday gift was a hot air balloon flight. :)
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Good idea, buy him a kipper. but not from Philadelphia, even their cheese is crap. :innocent:
;D ;D ;D
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One of these?...http://www.flyonthewall.uk.com/hd-infrared-wildlife-camera-dvr-with-motion-sensor-12mp-vga-16gb-invisible-ir-p-475.html (http://www.flyonthewall.uk.com/hd-infrared-wildlife-camera-dvr-with-motion-sensor-12mp-vga-16gb-invisible-ir-p-475.html)
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My friends son has just turned 15, and for the first time asked for clothes - as in the latest jeans and t shirts - so seems he has decided to take interest in his appearance now!! He is very into the x box he has, so also is grateful for new games for that, and speakers and what have you!!
He really wants an air rifle - all his mates have them - so he says. Parents are not at all keen on this idea though.
He also enjoyed a half hours go karting at a local circuit, taking a friend. I think they do driving lessons for teenagers too, on a specially designed road. Maybe something similar near you that would suit?
Near us we have an indoor ski slope, and also at the same place an indoor sky dive thingy, which is popular for birthdays!!
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gym equipment, dumbells etc or a pass for a gym.
Has his birthday been and gone? what did you get him?