Present ideas - can't afford much

[Moneymoneymoney1979]

Ideas for cheap/meaningful presents please. I'm absolutely broke.

1. Friend's 4 year old girl. Birthday and Christmas. We're really close. Would normally spend £100 ish but this time it'll be £20 max. Want something she'll love but she has so many toys. Loves small world toys.

1. Dad's birthday. Quite elderly but loves open water swimming and active life lifestyle. £20 max.

1. Brother's birthday. Not into very much really and hard to buy for. Max £15.

I feel awful as normally I'd spend much more but I just can't afford it. Ideas very welcome.

Does your dad have a tow float? Neoprene swim hat or neoprene bootees? A good insulated cup for when he's finished swimming?

1. books? Tesco and ?asda do children’s books as part of a deal (like 2 for £7).
2. random one, but does he have a microfibre towel? Decathlon do them. My friend had one recently at a splash pad outing and I coveted it! And/or a decent flask for a hot drink afterwards?

Can you look on eBay for 2nd hand small world toys? Or Facebook marketplace? You might find some new ones for a fraction of the price.

1. Book and chocolates. Doesn't even need to cost as much as £20. Four year olds have no idea about the value of money and won't necessarily notice/enjoy something costing £20 or 100 more than that which costs a fiver.

1. and 3. Nothing, honestly or maybe a very token alcohol or biscuits. It doesn't sound like they need anything and may not even want anything, especially if they know you're absolutely broke. If they think anything of you at all, they won't want you spending money you don't have on things they don't want or need.

Invite them to join you for a meal and just spend quality time together. More and more people are going to struggle with money over the coming months or years, plus there's the environmental aspect and what we don't need is exchange things no-one wants or needs with money we often don't have. There's plenty of other ways to show each other we care about them.

For your dad, Sho wide-neck food flask. Can take hot soup or hot coffee for after a swim. I love mine!

Or this book
www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Swimming-Hidden-Waterfalls-Britain/dp/0957157339/ref=asc_df_0957157339/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310814132050&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7161061581782904337&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006524&hvtargid=pla-524733049128&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Friend's 4 year old girl. Birthday and Christmas. We're really close. Would normally spend £100 ish but this time it'll be £20 max. Want something she'll love but she has so many toys. Loves small world toys.

I got a really cute pet in a tin from a website called cotton twist for the 4 year old in my life, she loves it.

2. Dad's birthday. Quite elderly but loves open water swimming and active life lifestyle. £20 max. a towel?

3. Brother's birthday. Not into very much really and hard to buy for. Max £15. if in doubt nice shower gel. Most people will be cutting back on luxuries like that this year

I wouldn't get something for the brother. Tell him you can't afford it and let him off the hook for getting you a gift in return.

For the Dad I think the food flask idea is a good one and they're often on 50% off.

For the 4YO wait until Aldi do their wooden toy event. They have some great role play stuff and small world, like dolls houses, at a fraction of the price of branded versions. I think it's usually early November time.

Yeah he's got those bits

Thanks for the ideas

Do you have The Works near you? Lots of little craft kits or book sets/sticker books/colouring books etc for £12 or less (for your friends DD).

Where in the country is your friend based? I have a four year old and a gift in the form of a memorable day out is one of my favourite types of gifts to receive for him. Think little petting farm, child friendly museums (like science museums), mini adventure playground/small scale theme park type places.

Good shout if they are near. Experiences are the best at that age - a teddy picnic in a park is a good one if you can stretch to that.

Does the 4 year old like art and craft? If so, for £20 you could make a nice little craft box/hamper including a big pad of paper, pack of pens, coloured card, stickers, gem stones, pipe cleaners etc. You could get sparkly bits from somewhere like Poundland / B&Ms to bulk it out. I would get decent pens though as cheap felt tips are rubbish.

Alternatively, I find 4 year olds love a backpack!

Do you mean small world play? Not necessarily the doll house type?
Then maybe Schleich figurines (expensive) or Safari LTD. If wooden figures are preferred also think of Tender Leaf Toys figures.
Kinetic Sand
Play dough
Yellow Door also has miniature caves and tree trunks.

Depending on where you live but a little day out for the little girl with a picnic or fish and chips. Maybe a selection of chocolate bits? Or a trail of some sort like finding dinosaurs or owls?

Take your DF out for lunch? Likewise with your brother?

And get their names on the next Mars Rover? It's free and you get a certificate!