expensive gift for 8yo boy - ideas?

[Anonymous]

No sports stuff she said he’s a nerd

[Anonymous]

Does he like audiobooks? What about a yoto player and a bunch of yoto cards? My nearly 8yo likes his and uses it regularly- but i appreciate that not every 7-8yo wants to sit and listen to Wind In the Willows or Treasure Island for hours and hours

[Anonymous]

A good bike?

[Anonymous]

Telescope? Binoculars? Tickets for everyone to go to a play and out for a meal?

[Anonymous]

Let them get him whatever they want. Tell him to say wow and thank them profusely. Then if it's something he doesn't want, tell him you can return it and you'll give him $100 to spend on whatever he wants and the rest will go into his college fund.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grandparents want to give him a big gift (they first wanted to give him $800 cash which we were a hard no to). They don't want to give him an experience and they would never feel like a $40 gift (no matter how much it was exactly what he wanted) was enough.

So I need to give them some big ticket item ($100+) ideas that also won't take up a lot of space. I'm thinking about Lego Spike which he would like but I doubt we will get enough use of out it once the initial excitement wore off. He has a new bike already, has an ipad, we aren't doing video games yet (and he hasn't asked for any), he's fairly academic / analytical and wouldn't care at all about something like a signed baseball.

Ideas? It really just needs to be something that will meet the grandparents ego needs and be generally liked versus being something truly worth the high pricepoint.

My youngest kid got a lego robotics kit at 8 and got a ton of use of it.

Other expensive things my kids have gotten a lot of use out of:

Driveway basketball hoop

Swimming pool membership (I know, it's an experience)

Musical instrument

Bike (but you say he has one)

Woodworking tools (You can spend as much as you want, and these are things he'll have and use for a life time)

Camping gear

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about a digital camera (and maybe photography lessons)? Or a telescope?

My in-laws just got my 9-year-old an Apple watch, and that was a huge hit. But you might not be ready for that yet!

What are his interests? Can you maybe suggest a bundle of related gifts? telescope/microscope/chemistry set (if willing to supervise)/fossils/etc, with membership to MD Science Center, magazine subscription, tshirt, etc.

[Anonymous]

Op you sound so petty toward your in laws. It’s kind and generous that they want to do this for your kid. The fact that they are not physically up for great wolf means they aren’t likely in great shape so maybe just appreciate them while you have them. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

This! https://www.amazon.com/ARRMA-KRATON-Monster-Spektrum-ARA8608V5T2/dp/B08MX15C9W/ref=asc_df_B08MX15C9W?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80676776183540&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276306612277&th=1

Mic drop!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This! https://www.amazon.com/ARRMA-KRATON-Monster-Spektrum-ARA8608V5T2/dp/B08MX15C9W/ref=asc_df_B08MX15C9W?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80676776183540&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276306612277&th=1

Mic drop!

They make versions for younger kids too.

[Anonymous]

Just take the $800 and set limits- use it on experiences- camps, clinics, maybe a splurgey item, my boys would want jerseys and sports equipments

[Anonymous]

A guitar?

...no, wait I take that back.

How about a nice Pet Rock?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grandparents want to give him a big gift (they first wanted to give him $800 cash which we were a hard no to). They don't want to give him an experience and they would never feel like a $40 gift (no matter how much it was exactly what he wanted) was enough.

So I need to give them some big ticket item ($100+) ideas that also won't take up a lot of space. I'm thinking about Lego Spike which he would like but I doubt we will get enough use of out it once the initial excitement wore off. He has a new bike already, has an ipad, we aren't doing video games yet (and he hasn't asked for any), he's fairly academic / analytical and wouldn't care at all about something like a signed baseball.

Ideas? It really just needs to be something that will meet the grandparents ego needs and be generally liked versus being something truly worth the high pricepoint.

Get him one of his favorite things for up to $100 so there is WOW factor while opening the gift. The remaining $700 can go toward 529.

[Anonymous]

Something you can return after they leave.

[Anonymous]

A small toy and tuition for a class or camp. Say that you really can't afford the class unless grandparent helps

Grandparent is a narcissist. Don't let them win.