How about a $10 Gift Card to iTunes?

/tricia

My 11 1/2 year old isn't the normal kid..he's a nerd..he likes anything that has to do with learning something new or about what he already thinks he knows..
However he loves sports..He plays 3 himself. He'd not be very thrilled if you gave him a pro "team" item that he didn't root for though..He'd graciously say thank you and wear it when his friends couldn't see him..LOL

Did they not even give you likes or anything "general" about the kid?

Let's see things that I have put in #2's stocking last year..Shark teeth, a geode that he had to break open to find a treasure inside. ooooh he's loving yo yo's right now...candy...a miniture wooden puzzle of a dino skeleton.
He likes football and baseball cards too..

But like I said..he's not really a "normal" kid..LOL

Terri, I'm sure your son is perfectly normal! Not everyone likes the same thing, which is why this is hard. No, they didn't assign a particular kid.

I stopped on the way home and got an Eagles (football) knit cap, a handheld Tetris game, a Foam rocket that you pump to make it fly, a Pinky rubber ball, and a couple other doo-dads.

I have no idea if this kid has an iPod. If I buy gift cards, I don't know for sure that he has a way to get to the store to buy anything.

What else? I almost bought a yo-yo. Now I wish I had.

PEZ

Hi Pam...Sixers shirt huh?? I was just at the game on Sunday agaist the bulls...we lost a 20 point lead 8-(
Amy's college dance team was the half time show tehehehe!!

I would prob go with Phillies gear anyway!!

Do you have a dollar amount?

I think all kids need things to do which will encourage thought and reason. Why not stop in the Franklin Institute gift shop. They have all kinds of fun and interesting kits and books...everything from build you own rocket to neat clocks that run on potato energy.
Oh and don't forget to add some candy to the stocking-my kids love air heads as well as anything gummy!!

Cheers!
Susie

Books, a gift card to Walmart or Target, socks, scarves, even undies but fun ones. Roll some candy into the undies. Puzzles, a baseball will work too.

And it sounds like you got some good stuff already.....

My daughter is friends with a girl with an 11 year old brother. She says Nerf gun!

Candy. Hacky sack. A Go phone and minutes.

My kids loved those Klutz books that came with props. There is one for paper airplanes and one for juggling and a science one. Many of them seem geared to girls.

Those are good things Pam..Definately get a yo yo...Rubix cubes are making a come back, that's on #2's list.
I wish we had a Franklin Institute Gift Shop..LOL that's the perfect place for me to get stocking stuffers for him..
Most things I get at a little shop in the next town over..She carries all kinds of little things..she's where I got the shark teeth and geodes and wooden skeleton puzzle.

Thanks! That is very helpful. I guess kids like to use their brains more than I imagined. So far I've spent around $35 and I will get a little more.

I remember getting sharks teeth for my son. I bet it was at a store in Ocean City. Wish I had time to get to the Franklin, but the stocking is due by Friday, so no time.

I don't like to be cynical....but inner city Philadelphia? And for his name to be on the salvation Army list he has to have nothing and come from a broken home etc.
I would forget anything educational as it will likely end up direc tly in the trash...the Sixers Shirt is good as would ba a stocking cap for Sixers, flyers or whatever.
Think boxers showing above saggy jeans...and get something jazzy, think bandanna.....and think things like a gift certificate to Mc Donalds or Pizza Hut, think a "bling" necklace.
If you want to make a hit not a statement....
Linda C

Okay Linda, I agree with some of your comments..but just because he's possibly from a broken home and inner city..(we are speculating) doesn't mean that he's not got a brain..there are many kids that do NOT succumb to the life in front of them and want to be challenged...just don't have the access or oportunity..
I think that MAYBE this child might appreciate the "brain" stuff.
And my oldest (16 yr old) is not from the city, nor a broken home and sags his jeans, wears oversized sweatshirts and colorful shirts, like most kids around here..because they see it in the music videos and TV to be cool..he often has his doo rag strings hanging out of his back pocket too..he did go through a stage of bandanas that matched his clothes hangin out too. He wears his hair short and "waved" and messess with it to be perfectly "tight" all day long.

Now my 11 1/2 yr old doesn't sag his jeans, wears polos or tshirts and has nothing to do with the "thug" look my oldest trys to portray. He likes his head close to shaved, because he doesn't want to brush it. LOL

I'd cover all the bases with a bit of this and that since it is so vague.

When I asked Alice what she thought would be good to include in the stocking it inspired her to want to do something similar. I suggested that we choose a child from the tree at the mall and shop for that person. We will be given a list of needs and wants. It makes it so much easier. Oh dear, I committed to the mall, didn't I. Ugh.

Yes, when I heard inner city child I really had to struggle with stereotypes. Basketball not Hockey, etc. However, I worked for the Free Library of Philadelphia for five years and got to know kids like these, and believe me, they run the gamut of personalities. I am trying to be neutral -- a little of this and a little of that.

Me, again. Good for Alice. It really makes you feel good and it's kind of fun to go shopping for your "imaginary" child.

Our hospital sponsors "drives" like this a couple times a year. Last fall it was for a shelter for battered women and their kids (not inner city, in fact, in the wealthiest county in the state). I had a ball shopping for a backpack and school supplies. It took me back to doing it when my kids were young. I always spend waaaay too much, but what the heck. It makes me feel good and someone benefits.

Thanks for the suggestions! I did add a Sixers shirt and some disgusting candy to the mix.

Pam, my kids used to just love a game called Brain Quest, they're available by age and grade and kind of like Trivial Pursuit for kids.

I agree on socks, underwear, gloves, but add fun stuff and candy too, candy is always good, LOL.

How about magic tricks, kids always seem to like those. My great-nephew Noah loves his indoor basketball thing that sticks to the wall and uses a Nerf Ball. In fact, he likes all the Nerf stuff. I really like the Nerf slingshot, LOL.

Annie