Christmas with teens is so different than it is when little one are running around.

Do I dare say I like it even better?

I had so much fun shopping for my 17 year old son this year.

My biggest struggle was choosing to stop after I had purchased my 12 gifts of Christmas.

If you're looking for gift ideas for a 17 year old boy in your life, here is what my son is receiving for Christmas this year!

Please keep in mind that I shop clearance and sales all year long, so by no means did I pay full price for anything on this list.

My rule of thumb is that I don't purchase anything unless it's more than 50% OFF, except for very specific things that never go on sale with that much of a discount (LEGO).

Many of you know that I give 12 Gifts of Christmas to each of my children every season.

Each gift is from a different category to provide a wide variety of items to open.

The only other items my kids receive are:

"Santa" Gift (This is unwrapped and on display next to their stockings on Christmas morning.)
Christmas Eve Book with Chocolate (Icelandic Tradition that helps a ton with anxiety on Christmas Eve)
New Ornament for Memory Tree
Stocking Stuffers (Included in another post)

Here is the list of what Dinomite is receiving for Christmas this year!

Gift Ideas for a 17 Year Old Boy

Outdoor Screen for Projector with Speakers

Friends are everything right now to Dinomite.

This outdoor screen projector with speakers provides more opportunities for fun times (outside of the house) where no one has to worry about being excluded.

One of Dinomite's favorite things to do is watch movies with his friends.

He received a projector last Christmas and loves it! Dinomite often watches football games on the wall in his bedroom.

Now he has so many more options to enjoy!

Scuba Diving Lessons & Basic Certification

Dinomite's largest gift this year is the experience of lessons to receive his scuba diving license!

He has been working towards this goal for quite some time.

First he learned to swim well.

Then he became a certified life guard through the American Red Cross (Mom's prerequisite to scuba diving lessons).

Now he competes on the local club swim team to build his strength and endurance.

I'm so excited to give him this experience, which is schedule for later this winter.

I love that this is a gift I am able to pay for in installments.

If you have a child interested in scuba diving, look up local listings to find a place that works for you!

Sports Attire

Dinomite is a HUGE sports fan.

His favorite teams include:

NFL San Francisco 49ers
NHL San Jose Sharks
NBA Golden State Warriors
MLB San Francisco Giants
College Michigan Wolverines

Each year I try to add to his sports attire collection, focusing on a specific team.

Dinomite loves wearing sports attire to celebrate his favorite teams.

He's found it to be a great way to engage and strike up a conversation with others.

This year Dinomite is receiving more hockey themed attire, especially after enjoying his first live NHL game while we were on vacation.

Backpack Cooler with Containers and Water Bottle

Dinomite is so busy during the week! It's rare that he's home on a weeknight for dinner, let alone anything else.

Due to all the exercise Dinomite receives with swimming and more, he struggles to eat enough food and maintain his weight. Right now he's eating 3500 to 4000 calories a day.

A large backpack cooler with containers and another water bottle is a must for him!

This way he can pack up ALL of his diet-friendly food for the afternoon and evening, or when traveling to meets and scuba diving lessons on the weekends.

Dinomite had the watch that's highlighted above a few years back and LOVED it. He wore it until the band started coming apart due to just how much he was wearing it and accidentally putting it through the wash.

Since that time he's continued to ask for the same watch again.

I'm excited to give it to him again.

Dinomite has found a watch to be so helpful in places where he doesn't bring his cell phone, like practices etc.

Batman Arkham Trilogy for Nintendo Switch and SanDisk 128 GB Card

Dinomite has always been a HUGE Batman fan!

When I asked what video game he wanted this year, this was it!

Apparently it's a pretty big deal.

Since Dinomite was running low on Nintendo Switch storage, I've included an SD card to ensure playing goes smoothly.

Bathrobe

Dinomite had a bathrobe years ago and loved it, until he grew out of it.

When he saw this bathrobe, he HAD to have it.

We live in very old farm house that becomes quite cold in the winter.

A bathrobe adds an extra level of heat and comfort while relaxing.

Of course, Dinomite chose a sports team themed bathrobe. Lol.

Football Cards

Dinomite is a huge collector of football cards. I believe he has thousands. There are very specific cards he looks for at this point.

I can always depend on his wish list to include what seems like very random packs of cards, but to him, they're important additions to his collection.

This year's football cards are from before he was born, which I find quite comical.

He is so excited about the possibility of receiving them.

DUNE LEGO Set

Dinomite is very passionate about the Dune Series. He has read all of the books and prequels.

We already own both Dune movies, that he saw in theaters.

When Dinomite saw the LEGO Ornithopter set, he HAD to have it.

I can't wait to see his face when he opens this gift!

Fish Tank Filter and Accessories

Dinomite has had a fish tank for a couple years now, but it's been struggling. No matter what we do, the inside of the tank is green.

We've tried multiple things to help the tank along. My final idea has been to try a new filter.

I went to PetSmart, explaining all the issues we've been having. They recommended a Biomax filter and accessories.

Apparently it's an incredible filter that does amazing things. Here's hoping it does the trick!

Update: Dinomite's old filter broke just this week, so he received this gift early. I can now say, this filter is AMAZING and is doing wonders for his tank!

The Illiad and The Odyssey

Dinomite absolutely loves history.

As we've studied ancient civilizations through the American Revolution, he has pointed out a few books he'd like to read.

Two of these books were The Illiad and The Odyssey.

I can't help but give the books as a pair.

Besides being a huge history lover, Dinomite loves reading classic literature, so this gift fits the bill in both categories.

Fast & Furious 8 Movie Collection

Dinomite has always loved cars. It's no wonder he loves the Fast & Furious Series.

We have the newer movies, but not the first eight.

Our home is located in the middle of nowhere in the mountains, where there is no Wi-Fi, so we still enjoy DVDs and Blu-ray disks.

It will be so much fun watching them all in order instead of piecing story lines together when we catch one of the movies half way through on cable. Lol.

Santa Gift: Workout Bench with Kettle Bell and Dumbbells

Dinomite struggles with hypermobility to the point that he can dislocate his shoulders on a regular basis if he doesn't work out enough. Thankfully Dinomite loves to strength train!

He has asked for a workout bench to add to our at-home gym as well as the next level of free weights he needs to step things up to the next level.

Dinomite prefers dumbbells and kettle bells over bench pressing because of his joint struggles.

Smaller weights with more repetitions is always safest for him.

If you're looking for another strength training gift for a teenage boy in your life, Dinomite loves the book: The Men's Health Big Book of Exercises. He uses it on a regular basis.

There are so many choices and workout options!