[VSS]

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.

[jaykay]

Sounds like a plan - and if you let the rest of the family know, other people can then buy him eBooks......

[Rosemary]

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.

[Moleskins]

Must be getting tired, I read '' is he sporty'' as '' is he spotty''

[tizaala]

A 17 year old girl....

[VSS]

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....

[jonkil]

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.

[Dan]

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/ ); Kiva - http://www.kiva.org/

[goosepimple]

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...

[NormandyMary]

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.

[SteveHants]

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?

[bloomer]

sharp things or projectile weapons generally appeal to most 15 year old boys...

[Bill the brew]

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!!

[deepinthewoods]

maybe its cos im a bit closer to 15 in age than most here but a track day would have made my LIFE at 15!!!

[kaz]

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.