Ladymuck

SteveT Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > A small swiss army knife to sharpen his pencils. > > An led torch which can generate it's own > electricity by winding it up. > > A kite. > > Take him to Launch pad in the science museum, and > call in to the shop on the way out, which has all > sorts of interesting stuff. > > A watch. > > A mouth organ if he has any musical aptitude. > > A trip to camden lock to select something from a > stall without his parents, so he can choose it for > himself. > > A thirteen year old girl would be a really cool > present. Some interesting ideas there SteveT...he has an electronic keyboard, so the mouth organ might appeal...I could ASK him! As for the kite, do kids nowadays like things like that? I know i would have liked one when I was a kid...but that was...xx years ago! As for girls, I believe he has about five on the go so far! @ everyone else who has been kind enough to assist so far: thanks so far...please keep going though...you haven't failed me yet...I'll give it another week before making my final decision. xxx edited to say: @ bonaome little baboosh thought me madder than usual when I mentioned "pretend" guitars! But thanks for the idea...any others?

sillywoman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The problem with clothes or shoes is that if he's > into what he wears, he'll want to buy it himself > not have a well meanning adult chose it for him. > If he's not that bothered, then it's not really a > great gift. My boy's lovely Godmother bought him a > fab 'cool' Tshirt for his 12th birthday last year, > he was quite :-S about it as he just doesn't see > clothes as any kind of present. It would be good > to more more info about what your boy is into > Ladymuck - could really help you then. You've made some good points...oh Gawd... I am starting to despair a bit...mainly as I am unable to help you help me...oh dear...are there not presents that would please ANY 13-year old? There MUST be, no?

Narnia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > ?25 is plenty to spend on a 13 year old kid so > don't beat yourself up over your budget LM! Oh you are sweet Narnia - you are right of course, you wise owl you. >What > does he like to do? So difficult to define as dad tends to influence what little baboosh does. Mum is less strict and seems to allow him more "freedom" but I have no contact with mum (who split up with dad - my brother - many years ago). Also I don't see little baboosh nearly often enough. It's quite sad really (for me anyway). I used to give all the children vouchers for spending at Hamleys, but I was never sure how much influence the dad had on what big baboosh, little baboosh, and baby baboosh bought, so I stopped doing that and buy an actual present instead (chosen by the forum!). It has worked so far! So, sadly, I don't really know what he likes to do. A t shirt is fine but very > safe IMO. Bit like getting socks at Christmas. > More info on his nature and I'll put on my > thinking cap......if I can find it. I have > experience of buying for a 13 year old boy but > that was 6 years ago! Still,I can look around his > room to see what's accumulating dust..... You are funny...but yes...any ideas would be appreciated...thank you Narnia

Ondine Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Or Vans - does he like Vans? I get them for about > ?22 from Amazon for my daughter Vans? As in white? Lost me! Excuse my ignorance.

Yes - unfortunately Ryedalema is spot on...it's not a very nice situation for the 3 children...such nice children too. Anyway Narnia - have you any ideas what to buy my little baboosh for his 13th birthday (?25 max:()?

Oh and thanks Ann...(forgot to say) and Ondine for link and everyone else above so far. Keep going though please...

Oh Ann - the pet sounds like SUCH a novel idea...and I would have gone for it...alas my nephew is a 50/50 child (if you'll pardon the expression) and this might cause problems...damn! So I'll have to give that one a miss...what a shame... So, so far, I'm considering a T-shirt...don't know anything about consoles and games...difficult with child being 50/50 and I don't have contact with the mother (only the father)...oh life is so complex! So any more ideas please...his birthday is on the 17th and I have to have it before then...please, please please xxxx

You are! Try again... *gives ryedalema a couple of Prozacs* Come on you lot - don't let me down - please...not having kids I have NO idea. Please keep the ideas coming...

ryedalema Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Oh dear I read this as 'want to buy a 13 year old > boy?'!! > > (Note to self - must pay attention to detail!) *passes ryedalema pair of glasses* Oh no - couldn't spare this 13-year old...he's one of my adorable nephews...my little baboosh. Anyway, now that you know I don't wish to sell him...any further ideas on a prezzie?

Ondine Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > T shirt - I have 12 yr old girl and I see her male > friends in all the snow > boarding/surfing/Animal/Bench Ts. Or there's Red > Molotov Actually, I like the idea of a T-shirt - thanks, I never thought of that. But what in the name of Homer Simpson are you on about when you talk about "all the snow boarding/surfing/Animal/Bench Ts. Or there's Red Molotov"? You may as well be speaking in Chinese to me...sorry, but I really don't have a clue what you are talking about (I don't have children myself). I'd be grateful if you could clarify? Thanks.

HAL9000 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Imagine going into Sainsbury's and insisting on > opening every tin and bottle before purchasing in > case one doesn't like the flavour or the contents > have gone off? Actually, you've just reminded me of something. I know a little old lady who regularly goes into Supermarkets such as Tescos, Sainsbury's, Morrisons etc. (she's not fussy!) and walks up and down the fruit aisle tasting all the grapes, plums, peaches, strawberries - you name it (as, I said, she's not fussy!) until she's effectively eaten the equivalent of a large dessert. She then turns to leave, but not before looking directly at the CCTV cameras and putting on a face which expresses great distaste in her mouth. I have warned her that she may get arrested for such behaviour as this constitutes theft. However, she merely laughs in my face and retorts: "what they gonna do to an old lady like me eh?". Priceless!

HAL9000 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Imagine going into Sainsbury's and insisting on > opening every tin and bottle before purchasing in > case one doesn't like the flavour or the contents > have gone off? WHY, OH WHY do you always make me laugh HAL9000! I am quite certain you didn't intend to be funny here at all. But I can see the expression on your face...and then I laugh!! ha ha ha

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I remember being completely outfoxed by our > friendly stationery Nazi once (wouldn't a > stationary Nazi have been more intriguing?). > > I was trying to buy a pen, and I asked if I could > check it was working before I made the purchase. > He said no, I had to buy it first. > > Somewhat taken aback, I asked him if he was taking > the piss. He was more concerned about my choice of > language than the fact that he was taking the > piss. > > This tactical red herring left me so confused that > I left the shop without the pen, feeling that it > was me that had made the fatal transgression. This amusing little anecdote made me smile - but, I suspect, for the wrong reasons. Huguenot, somehow I simply cannot imagine you ever being "outfoxed" in this way. I wish I'd been there as you left the shop scratching your head!:))

They would, wouldn't they DJKQ. It would make far more sense to target funds at that stage of the learning process rather than later on when the education gap has perhaps widened to such a degree that, to expect a child to fully catch up at that later stage, would prove unrealistic. The more I think about it, increasing parental engagement in the education of their young has to be one way to level the playing field before those children enter the state education system. The more these children are nurtured and encouraged to develop, the more their confidence and their motivation to do well are likely to increase. Thus the greater the likelihood of them feeling a part of society (because society will be more accepting of them) as opposed to experiencing social alienation from an early age which, I suspect might be partly responsible for some of the disruptive behaviour seen in class once school starts. The crucial role which education plays in determining an individual?s position in the employment market and therefore life in general, means that it is probably a false economy to scrimp on producing well educated children. Countries should, therefore aim for all its citizens to develop to their full potential, so that they become as productive and as fully integrated into society as it is possible to be.

Well, I'm an utter peasant when it comes to certain possessions (they just don't interest me). However, - somewhat perversely, friends (and one member of my family) very generously insist on buying me ludicrously expensive gifts such as Royal Doulton place mats, a Swarovski snowman, a gold bracelet, sapphire earings, Mont Blanc fountain pen, a pearl necklace, luxury lingerie...you name it. I keep suggesting to them that they not bother I have no use for such items and that, if anything, I would much rather have a box of (Hotel Chocolat - no less) choccies - or if they really want to spoil me - a Manchester United T-shirt. But they take no notice, so I do end up selling the stuff and spending the resultant cash on ballet tickets or down the pub. So, I say FLOG and buy/do something useful (to you) with the dosh! Anyone interested in buying some pearls?:))

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rjyf4pXKRoM/SM3EARnkPfI/AAAAAAAAAJY/MY6jCaNn92k/s320/old_lady.gif

daizie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Its a long way to go for a bit of icecream > especially with sensitive teeth. It isn't just a bit of ice-cream...(*salivates*) Can you park > outside? Yes...and you can sit outside too...we did today...it was fab... and do they let you sample each one > first? I'm sure Mrs. Scoop could accommodate... PS: I have sensitive teeth too

Hey, I was there too (with another ED-effer) licking away at the coconut...and yes...lick it and weep! Tears of edible joy!

Well that's most gracious of you Lady Katie...and I thank you for the tip... *sends Boot Boy to Harrods for round plates*

realising I'm not the only nutter on the EDF

engaging in "mad" conversations on the EDF!

ha ha No, I haven't obtained a replacement as yet...I was wondering if that dishy chauffeur of yours might want to double up as Butler though? Could you spare him a couple of hours a day?

ha ha ha... Yes, but that's ALL he did...hover... FAT lot of good that!

Oh Lordy Lordy! I think that one got wiped out in the last Forum Clean-up...but I'll have a look. LOL!!! Are you all humouring me or WHAT!!! *now doubled up in pain laughing so much* PS: it doesn't take much to "grip" you Daizie:-S Almost as bad as talking to oneself. *passes daizie therapist's no.*

womanofdulwich Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > how much did you get for the mats?? ( sorry I cant > help myself ) *bursts out laughing* For the sheer cheek of it, I shall tell you!;-) ?10 You've got more front than...