Hi,
One would think that someone would think to put sizes on the tag, and favorite colors, and personal needs as well, and of course a game of sorts. This would make this particular child's Christmas a bit more personal and a bit more complete with a little touch of personal warmth of humanism.

As a retired teacher, I agree with Krst on the small stocking full of small school supplies, be sure to put in pencils, map colors and a red & black ball point pen, most schools require these for this age group- kids of all ages never have enough school supplies, and by this time of the year they are running out of what they had for the beginning of the year. These alone would be great, but it might not be as good of a Christmas as a young boy might hope to receive. A gift card as well would be just great and he could buy something fun he might want as well as having the needed school supplies.

My daughter works at a school that is an academy for children that have been removed from their homes for some reason and are on welfare. For the most part these are high functioning children ranging from 7th grade to 12th grade graduation. They usually are transported to buy clothes and shop for personal items. So gift cards are appreciated because they are able to use it anyway they like. The idea of Walmart or Target or even Best Buy is good because they have everything from electronics, CD,s, DVD's, books and clothes. If you have a store of similar nature - they would appreciate it.

Something to open you can buy some socks of a famous brand - or maybe an inexpensive wallet with the card in it.

Not sure how much you are supposed to spend.

I would go with a gift card from WalMart or Target. While I would love a gift card from a bookstore, it might not be as appealing to a teenage boy. He would get a much larger choice of items at a variety store.

I think a gift card to a Walmart, Kmart etc. Would get more bang for his buck.

Parent of teens here.

I have no idea of your community, options for shopping, local entertainment and activities, transportation etc.

My son would love any of the following:
Mall gift card, this is better than a card to a specific store.

Gift certificates for 2 to go to the movies, go carting, paint balling, mini gold/driving range, you get the idea. Two gift certs, so he can take a friend and have more fun.

Book store card only if it was to a big box store that sells much more than just books. My son is a nerd and would love books, but his reading is far advances than most kids. His best friend would be upset to get a bookstore gift card, as he has real difficulty reading and he would feel bad to get a book for Christmas.

We used air miles to buy expensive electronics (MP3 players), it was not money out of our pocket and very much appreciated.

If you have transit locally a bus pass would be a nice extra.

Please, please do not buy the kid socks, or necessities. The idea is to give him a gift, not something he needs to go to school or clothing. Unless you are making up a stocking, but make sure there is a gift that is not a necessity.

Thank you for thinking of a child in need and making his Christmas special.

I worked for a NFP last winter and we gave 3 families Christmas gift cards. All got bus passes as well as the gift cards, so they could get to and from the stores. One family was given a taxi pass, as there were mobility issues and no way they could get shopping home on the bus.

I like buying from sears,k-mart because they are the same company.Sears employies get their jobs back when they return from service duty and while there gone they still get insurance for the family. This is so that there is no hardship on the spouce and kids at home.I f they have vacation coming while there gone the family gets it in pay so they dont lose out on time and money coming to them. Since kmart bought sears a few years back you get rewards points at each store so it really builds up.I bought an exercise machine and i got the rewards on my kmart card. Just a little info for those who didnt know.

Well, here is my two cent's worth: Having taught middle and high school Sunday school for years, I think that a stocking with candy and school supplies is a nice touch. I think that a quilt or a fleece blanket would be very nice. Guys like handmade items, too. It makes them feel special to know that someone who doesn't even know them would make something just for them.

Being of the male gender, I feel I must speak up on this matter. First, I commend you to take on this task of helping a person of less fortune. I don't like to think of people being needy, as we are all needy in some form or fashion. When I was that age, over 20 years ago, to receive electronics was unheard of in are family. We weren't poor by no means, but did not have an abundance of cash either. But when we did receive some electronic gizmo was really exciting. We always received clothes: socks, thermo undies, shirts, jeans, etc. Anyways, I belong to a group that buys gift cards for gay teens that either have been thrown out or left home. Ruth Ellis center tells us that the kids enjoy the gift cards as they can go and buy what they want. We also supply them with some of the essentials: toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant, socks, undies, etc. And then we also buy them turkeys for thanksgiving and hams for Christmas.

To make a long story short, a gift card to a well known store, some of the essentials, and a card wishing them a merry Christmas. I would get it all from the same store and include a gift receipt so if they did not like the socks, gloves, or scarf, they would be able to exchange it and that is why I would include a card letting them know that a return would be acceptable.

Although I try to avoid Walmart, a gift card is a good idea, but impersonal. Some children struggle with reading so a book might be a huge frustration for a young teenager---instead he might enjoy some music.
I would suggest some shampoo with conditioner and shower gel (3 in 1 combination). My teenager loves this! Maybe a new backpack, gloves and a "cool" hat---one with those braid things hanging down. Love the candy bar idea. He would LOVE one of those fleece blankets that you tie all ends on... Notice that you are in a cold area. These are all things that my 16 year old has loved over the holidays.