Having a boy who’s nearly a teenager, I have some experience in how difficult it is to buy for him. I’ve found, up until now, that whatever he is into at the moment whether it be Pokemon or Star Wars etc, I can’t really go wrong. But buying those themed items can sometimes be very expensive that’s why I’ve come up with a budget gift guide for teenage boys.
Video Games
Boys of all ages love their video games but they are expensive, especially the latest releases. There is a way to get them a bit cheaper though. If you buy the brand new game in the case from the gaming store you could be looking at $80 to $100 or more. Depending on your device, you can download directly from the online store onto the device for around $20.
I was looking for a brand new Playstation game for my son and to buy it new was $80 but to download directly onto the Playstation was only $19.95.
The other thing you can do is to buy your teenage boy a gift card towards from the gaming store and get them to do more chores to get more money towards the game. I know it works in theory but depending on how bad they want that game, they’ll do the chores.
Alternatively, waiting that little bit longer until the game has been around for a while it will always be cheaper.
Don’t forget about the accessories for video games. You can pick up controllers second hand quite cheaply and ‘skins’ are relatively cheap depending on what game they’re into. Chargers will also save you a packet on buying batteries and they don’t cost that much.
Phone & Tablet Accessories
By now your teenager will have either a phone, iPod or tablet of some kind. It’s the same as the girls. They’ll love their favourite characters displayed on their phone or tablet case.
Just Cause Head Phones
There are plenty of USB drives in every character imaginable. Ear phones and chargers in novelty designs are also relative cheap and the boys will love them.
Toiletries
The sooner you can get your teenage boy into using toiletries, the better. I know my son has an aversion to soap or deoderant already but getting their own special toiletry pack, soap or scrub might encourage them to use it. Having their own case to put it in when they go on camps or sleepovers is also a great idea.
Also, if your son is anything like mine, he loves doing his hair now in a spiky style so hair gels, hair wax or brushes/combs are a good budget buy.
Board Games
Boys love playing board games with their mates or the family. The old fashioned Battleship that I knew as a child is still a favourite of my son’s.
Did you know there are literally hundreds of different versions of Monopoly for example? Getting their favourite themed game of Monopoly for around $20 to $30 will be a bit hit. My son loves his Cars version.
Even some board games can be played by one player. My son often plays chess on his own and there are some really unusual chess boards available at second hand stores that could quite possibly stay with him for a lifetime.
Even a deck of cards is a great boredom buster for playing Solitaire or learning new card games with his mates or the family.
Money
Once my son started earning pocket money and receiving it for Christmas and birthday presents, he’s grown really fond of it. He’s not much of a spender so likes to save it. The more they can see their bank balance grow with an end goal in mind, like a car when they get their driver’s licence, they’ll love it. A novel money box or cash tin, with key, is also a good idea for them to keep track of it.
Gift cards to their favourite stores will also allow them to get what they like but most of them prefer hard cash.
The Great Outdoors
Soccer, basketballs or footballs of any kind are always a winner. Even good brands aren’t that expensive. Depending what sport they’re into they might like a new bat or glove but you can sometimes pick up near new second hand from online sellers.
A second hand set of golf clubs aren’t all that expensive either. He’ll love a new set of golf balls or other personalised golf accessories just for him. There are plenty of accessories available like golf tees, shot counters, ball cleaners etc.
A basketball hoop in the backyard second hand is sometimes only $20 and will give them hours of fun.
Don’t forget if he’s into fishing there is always a tackle box, new fishing line, hooks, lures, knives, scalers and plenty of other things for his fishing creel.
Swimming Equipment
Boys love to swim whether it’s at the beach or the pool. New goggles are relatively cheap, even for the better brands. His own beach towel or small microfibre towel that can be thrown into a backpack is a great idea.
There are always surfboards, boogie boards, skim boards and plenty of other bits and pieces for the beach or pool that will appeal to a teenage boy. Surfboards, in particular, are a great buy second hand.
Art Supplies
Not all boys are into crafts but my son loves to draw. His own set of artist’s pencils and drawing pad are something else to add to a gift.
There are also plenty of themed art supplies for the younger teenage boy whether that’s Star Wars related. I’m sure there’s not a boy out there who would’nt love a Star Wars themed pen in the shape of Darth Vader or Chewbacca.
Books & Magazines
Not all boys love reading but if you do find a topic that interests them, there is a book or magazine for it. My son loves Pokemon and there are books galore on the topic.
There are magazines for all types of sports including fishing, surfing, bicycles, golf, athletics, tennis or general sports.
Personal Accessories
By now your boy will be starting to develop some style (or maybe not) so his own wallet, sunglasses, watch, jewelry like necklaces or bracelets are relatively cheap if you stay away from the well known brands.
Clothes
I’m not sure about all boys but some of them love their brand names and logos. Character tshirts or tshirts with goofy sayings are pretty popular (as long as they are appropriate for their age). I just managed to pick up a tshirt with a print of the Death Star from Star Wars with a Pokemon ball printed over the top. My son is going to love his two favourite things printed on a tshirt.
Socks, jocks, boxers and new pyjamas will never go astray as they’re growing at a rate of knots.
I hope this list of budget gift ideas for boys will help you through their teenage years. (You’ll find most grown men will love a lot of these things. They never grow up do they?)
