Inexpensive Christmas - we're doing 'a book and a bar of chocolate' or equivalent and I need some ideas for the chocolate bits

[GleamingHeels]

Hiya! All adults, youngest 23 oldest 89... I have persuaded everyone to do 'a book and a bar of chocolate' so that's about £15-20 per person, but it just has to be something of equivalent cost, so it could be a scarf and a mascara or whatever.

I have all the book ideas sorted, but am working through the chocolate-equivalent ideas. I have seeds for the people who would like them, any ideas for for the non-gardeners?

Why didn't you just say to spend between £15 and £20? Book and a bar of chocolate or equivalent seems a bit convoluted.

TBH I think these sorts of presents end up being recycled - anyway it could be a voucher for a cafe?

Really like this idea!

Bath bombs (I love the Lush ones), face masks, book mark... are things I would like.

Because my family found a monetary limit difficult, I did try, but when it was a tenner on a book and a fiver on other stuff, it got easier. I think they liked the suggestion/example and could see how to embrace it

So it's just a present for £15-20?

Cafe voucher is a good idea, I got a Costa voucher one year and loved it!
Mini wine (75cl)?
Or, just stick with chocolate? Also very appreciated!

I am surprised, but maybe your family don't like a carefully chosen item for a tenner with a fiver's worth of seeds or equivalent. We're all different, but a voucher for a cafe seems ephemeral to me and wouldn't give you a basil crop in the Spring

I bought this chocolate coal for an older relative, think they will find it amusing

https://thebritishcrafthouse.co.uk/product/lumps-of-coal-chocolate-covered-honeycomb/?utmsource=Google+Shopping&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=tbch-google&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-JacBhC0ARIsAIxybyNFAYi0bWJ9UiGpKy6oAxtP7aOVp6rrPuAVO2iSP7POZRl3aW5F7lQaAn9REALwwwcB

It is, but two small presents, one around a tenner and one around a fiver, I don't care, but my sister likes there to be things to open on the day

I am thinking to go to Hotel Chocolat an hour away for the chocolate, but cafe vouchers would be harder, it's all remote bits of Scotland

Might buy some for me!

Amazon have got some nice Prosecco or Gin humbugs in a jar. Lindor selection box or normal box of Lindors. Tin of Christmas coffee.

How about a mug with some sachets of hot chocolate in it?

One of the Guardian columnists- Annalisa Barbieri does a column called Notes on Chocolate (I think). There might be some nice ideas on there.

Would the personalised Cadbury chocolate bars work? www.cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk/personalised-cadbury-products.html

Or something from an indi chocolate maker ( or what about a soap maker if you don’t have to have chocolate)
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GlasgowSoapCompany

Hair scrunchie, box of biscuits, gardening gloves, tonic water, bamboo socks, or small hobby item (I’d quite like a couple of fabric ‘fat quarters’ and a random sewing pattern, or a sketchbook).

Or hair tonic, scent samples, drawing pencils, running socks, teeny Christmas cake?

M&S are doing a box of Percy Pig Whips for £5.00. They look really nice and come in a nice box. I have bought some for teacher gifts and DP. They also have some nice looking bars of chocolate also for £5.00.

www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/books-and-chocolate-the-2022-edition/

Amaryllis in a pot?

Set of fine liner pens in different colours like these for about £10 uni-ball Eye Designer UB-157D Liquid Ink Rollerball Pens - Pack of 8 amzn.eu/d/7L5yZbi

A little vase from M&S for £7.50 www.marksandspencer.com/small-ridged-vase/p/hbp60539873?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Chocolates from charbonnel et walker, or Godiva (the bars are cheaper), or the M&S champagne truffles in a round box for £6 are amazing and as nice as hotel chocolat for half the price

For novelty, the box of five chocolate mushrooms in M &s for £4 are really loveky and luxurious, the chocolate honks that are in a similar box for £4 are really lovely too

I like this idea although I can see where the issues are. Many people I know tend to buy seedling etc rather than growing from seed so consider that.

I would love to receive a book and would love things like quirky teabags, a nice facemask (cosmetic rather than covid protection), nice chocolate, something like bacon jam or something I can eat on toast while reading my book, hair bobbles . Or else a nice Christmas tree decoration. I got a present of a beautiful one years ago. I hang it off my mirror during the year and then the tree during Christmas. A friend of me bought it for me and it was not expensive (well less than your budget) but perfect for me.

Garnier sheet masks are great, you could do a little bundle if you need to spend more than £3

the M&s womens bobble hat for £12.50 is really cute, and part of the 3 for 2 offer. As are their warm leather gloves at £19.50 each

Bath bombs in lush are a must for me but I only like gently scented ones like the butterbear or twilight, I leave the strongly scented or coloured ones to the DC

a reusable shopping bag that folds down so it fits in a handbag?

A Christmas decoration would be perfect