present help - friend has delivered expensive gifts!

[Purplehonesty]

My friend has delivered her gifts to us early - one each for the children and then one for dh and I.
I can see clearly what it is - a very expensive item (it's in bubble wrap) and candle set.

I have only bought token gifts for her sons. Basically bice gift boxes with lots of wee bits in them. Sweets, toy, craft stuff etc.

We don't usually buy for adults and I have hardly any budget left.

Am struggling to think what I can get for them in return which
A looks great
B doesn't cost much!

Help! Would a nicely decorated Xmas cake be good? I could do that myself. Argh

[DonkeyOaty]

Yes a cake would be perfect.

[clarabellap]

Yes to the cake and even though I don't like xmas cake I would still be thrilled somebody had taken time to make me one and plenty other people in family would eat it :)

[Purplehonesty]

Great! Cake it is then.

Thanks!

[superbfairywren]

A cake is a fab idea if you can bake! I think your presents show imagination, you don't need to spend loads to give really great thoughtful presents.

[NeededANameChangeAnyway]

I second cake! Although are you sure they like fruit cake?

[Purplehonesty]

I don't know if they like fruit cake, no. But I was thinking if they have visitors they can hand it out.

Left it too late to make one from scratch so I thought I'd go to m&s and get a cake then ice it and go to town.

[Geepee71]

Was going to suggest Hotel Chocolate chocs, but I'd love an iced Christmas cake! Yum.

[imsorryiasked]

How about some home made fudge or truffles or honeycomb?

[duckbilled]

Yes to the Christmas cake

[Tiredoftiredness]

Can recommend this if you prefer to make your own cake - like Christmas cake but doesn't mind being eaten straight away. It's dead quick and delish! www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1160/simmerandstir-christmas-cake

[PunkAssMoFo]

Chocolate panatone or other Italian Christmas cake. Usually come beautifully wrapped & can be used to make bread & butter pudding after Christmas if they don't get used.

[zipzap]

If you have access to a Costco they sell the big tins of pannetone etc that sell in John Lewis for about £20 for about a fiver so it always looks like a very extravagant present!

[janaus]

Anything home made would be a lovely personal present. Best present I received was from my daughter in laws mother, shortbread in star shapes, different sizes, layered up to look like a xmas tree, some green and white icing drizzled over it. Looked so lovely on a lovely xmas plate and cellopaned up.

[Purplehonesty]

Panetone and shortbread Christmas trees sound appealing!
I've to make gifts for lots of other people this year so am taking note!
Thanks

[Purplehonesty]

I am rubbish at fudge/truffles etc.
I would like a good very tasty recipe tho if anyone has an easy one?
The only things I can do are
Sew
Decorate cakes
Make one type of biscuit(!)
Bargain hunt on eBay ;)