Christmas is coming - I know, I know! How can it be?!
But it is. If we want to give mindful, clutter free gifts over Christmas now is the time to start preparing to avoid finding ourselves at the last minute, panicking about what to give who feeling forced to buy gifts that don't quite align with our values for the sake of giving
SOMETHING. (Sound familiar?)
I thought I would do a short series of "10 ideas for clutter-free gifts" suitable for various demographics as we edge closer to the Christmas season. To have a slow and clutter free Christmas where we consume mindfully requires a little planning, and gentle conversations around values and goals to ensure everyone be on the same boat, or at least in the same ocean.
I thought I would starting with "10 ideas for mindful, clutter-free gifts for teen boys" as I feel this age group is often under represented. tween/teen boys are going through an really important transition. No longer are they little children, but yet they are not quite an adult either. It is a really difficult time for them to navigate, as expectations upon them begin to shift. In cultures of the past a young teenage boy would be beginning to go through various rites of passage as they started the transition to manhood. Slowly they would be given more responsibility, and they would be taken off with male elders to be taught how to become a responsible adult male within their village. Today we see a lot about toxic masculinity and I think that it starts predominantly within the early teenage bracket. Therefor it is of upmost important we create opportunities, whilst being mindful of our own family values for our tweens/teens to explore who they are whilst feeling loved, safe and free from judgment. To allow them to learn about the next stage of being a kind, honest, respectful young man. The kind of man their partners will be proud to bring home to their family (if they so choose) and for who stands up for what is right and good in this world.
Teenage boys, particularity younger teens may be able to identify what they are interested in, but will often need a little support to problem solve and to pursue it. They may need reassurance to follow what they love if their interests are a little different from their mates. They may need unhelpful and toxic attitudes towards their interests to be broken down so that they can have the courage to press on with what they love.
So below I have complied a list of gift ideas which I think are respectful, flexible and embracing of this transitional age.
1. Books
I love giving books, interesting books. Think a beautiful coffee table book with stunning pictures on a topic they love. Cricket? Football? Art? Cooking? Music? Photography? Wildlife? Surfing? Travel? Literature? Lets inspire and challenge our boys to help them find role models within their field of interests and help them to follow their dreams and passions in a way that recognizes that they are growing up.
Will loves Ed Sheeran, and photography - this book is about both and he has read it several times. It inspires him to peruse his guitar lessons again, and as a budding photographer.
2. Money towards lessons/experience
This one always comes up in these kinds of lists, for a reason. Its a great idea. Take swimming for example, to put my three children through swimming lessons it cost me hundreds of dollars per term. It is a privilege to be able to pursue sports and out of school activities and one I know puts strain on families purse strings all over the place.
Have a discussion with your teen in advance about what hobbies they would like to take part in that year, don't be afraid to discuss the financial cost of it. Finances are a part of life and a healthy relationship with money starts young. Then discuss in that some people this year would like to give money towards the special lessons, and what that is going to look like on Christmas morning. Its about managing expectations.
3. Gear for the lessons.
Think bathers, goggles, cricket gear, footy boots, basketball shoes, dance equipment etc. Most extra curricular activities require "stuff" of some form or another each season. Children tend to grow like mushrooms, or they might like to explore an entirely new hobby. This kind of gear is going to be required anyway, so we may as well kill two birds with one stone and make a present out of it.
4. Camping gear.
Do you have a boy that loves to camp? Camping is a great family holiday, and it doesn't have to be expensive if its kept simple. Camping or even just day hikes are great for helping our kids develop a love for nature, so that as they grow into adults they will have a desire to protect and care for our planet embedded in them. Some ideas that come to mind are:
*A swag
*good quality sleeping bag
*pocket knife/whittling set.
*torch/head lamp
*good quality hiking boots
*enamel cup/bowl/plate set in a cotton bag with cutlery
*day pack (comfortable backpack)
*Bear Grylls/David Attenborough/other famous scientist or adventurer depending on the childs interests. There are some great stories out there. Books to inspire adventure.
*Trangia metho stove (this will grow with them.)
*Compass
*Fishing gear
5. Good quality camera
Teens are growing up, they should be capable of caring for their belongings. A good quality camera is a great gift, it teaches them to observe and to look for interesting shots. It can be a great tool for getting them out in nature, asking questions about the things they discover. It is a gift that can grow with them and it has the bonus of technology without the internet or computer games. They can learn how to edit and crop photos which is a useful skill for teens and adults alike. If your child would like to share their photography with friends and family, perhaps you could create an album specifically for this on your Facebook page you can use together. This way you can monitor their online activity, but they get to share their hobby.
6. Writing gear/art supplies
We often think of this kind of thing for girls, but man it up. Boys can enjoy writing and art too. Typo sell some cool leather look journals and stationary that can appeal to boys. Get a kit of quality water colour pencils, a small set of brushes and pair it with a cool graphic magazines/book and a "how to draw" book they can follow along with. Create an experience for them, allow them to explore other facets of their personality in a way which is age appropriate and respects the stage they are in.
7. Gardening gear
Got a kid that loves gardening? Set them up with a seed starter kit. Challenge them that if they can grow the seedlings that you will buy them off of them, decide on varieties together. Something they love and that is useful for your garden. Think herbs and veggies, the bonus here is that there is an opportunity for ongoing supply. Encourage them to sell them to friends and family. Challenge them to start their own little business. In my experience boys usually like a decent reason for doing something. They are often motivated by an outcome, so its about framing it in a way which resonates with them.
8. Supplies to build something/tools
Teen boys are actually pretty capable beings if given the responsibility. Does your kid want to build something? A fort? A go cart? Do you need something simple built like a gumboot stand, or a few small boxes to make as cool shelves on the wall? Is your kid interested in how stuff is made? Encourage it. Begin to set them up with decent tools and a tool box and buy the materials needed for a small project that interest them. Pintrest is full of ideas. You may just end up with a carpenter or architect on your hands later.
9. Clothes.
Boys are often beginning to develop their own identity at this age. Lets help them carve out their own style. They may be pretty relaxed about most things they wear but you can guarantee they are noticing brands and who has them and who doesn't, and they are likely feeling the pressure. Even if they don't really talk about it. I'm not a fan of brands for the sake of brands as a rule, but I also recognize that many of us lean towards our own favorite particular items. I for example, love Birkenstock shoes. I don't generally buy 'brand' name clothing for my kids. Its expensive, and not necessarily produced in a more ethical or sustainable manner just because of the higher price tag. The reality is that feeling accepted can be important as teens navigate growing up. I manage this by buying mostly non-branded plain items, but I do splash out on a cap, ($20-$30) sneakers and a perhaps a hoodie or something similar. Nike is a main stream sporting brand which has worked really hard to improve the ethics and their accountability along their supply chain in recent years and I'm sure there are other brands out there too.
10. Cash
I know there is a feeling among some people that they don't like to give cash. But frankly I think it is an excellent option. It allows kids to save towards one big item they will treasure, rather then mindless gift giving for the sake of gift giving. My kids love getting money, they all have things they are saving for. This teaches discipline, planning and patience. As well as financial responsibility. They are all winners in my book. the bonus is that you know its a gift which is not going to be tossed aside.
Well, there you have it, my top 10 ideas for mindful, clutter-free gifts for teen boys. I have tired to include smaller gifts, as well as some larger items which could be bought in collaboration with extended family members. Of course there are a ton of other things out there, but for me these ideas tick the box for mindfulness, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and low clutter whilst embracing this tender period of self exploration.
Helpful links and online distributors:
Dragonfly Toys sell an excellent round nosed children's whittling knife which can be helpful for the younger tween, which my boys use and love. Still super sharp, but less stabby. Otherwise camping shops have a great range of pocket tools.
Diggers sell all kinds of fantastic gardening gear and are a well respected company.
Typo is a sub branch of cotton on, have a scroll through their stationary as they have a great range of gear aimed at boys. I'm quite partial to items like
this and
this.
JB Hi-Fi We recently purchased
Will's new camera from JB Hi-Fi after
lots of online research. Their pricing was the best we could find, and they price match.
Book Depository is a great online book shop, where I usually head too.
(I am not affiliated with these companies in anyway shape or form, these are just companies I have used and continue to use as I am pleased with their products and service.)
If you have any other great ideas for mindful, clutter free gifts for teen boys, let us know in the comments!
Much love,
Emma
xx
