AIBU to buy my family.....

[livingonaprayer1986]

....99p store christmas presents this year because I'm so broke?
Or is it best to not give anything or a box of chocolates each?
Normally each year me and my husband by our family (nephews neices, brothers, sisters etc) a present worth around £20 each. I expect some of you read my other 2 threads and can see we are majorly broke.
So would you be "ok" excepting chocolate or 99p store preasent as a christmas gift or would you be offended?
We have made everyone aware of our current financial situation - but its still embarrassing :(

No, yanbu. I hope you find some surprisingly nice things in the pound shop. Xmas choclates, smelly candles, gadgety things for men, etc. The children will probably be easier. Good luck! You sound very sweet. I wouldn't buy for the adults at all in your circumstances.

cheap flowerpots and packets of seeds - herbs for the adults, sunflowers for the kids.

shortbread doesn't cost that much to make: butter, flour, sugar, and they can all be value brands. Poundland also had some very nice small Christmas cake tins, if you could stretch to £2 per person?

I got my friend a Tom Hiddleston calender for 99p. She was well impressed.

Oh OP, I've been here. If people are aware of your situation, I'd get a cheap selection box or toy each for the kids and a card for the adults. It's what I did and honestly, everyone understood. A friend this year has bought DD some gifts despite knowing I can't afford to buy her 2 DCs (one of whom is my god son) anything until at least January. I've been told not to be daft and not to buy a thing if I'm struggling. People who deserve gifts from you really would rather you didn't spend anything on them when you're not managing to make ends meet. .

It's fine. Tbh what would me up the most when my bro was on JSA was the 'soz, I'm broke' with a cigarette hanging out of his gob when he didn't but Xmas presents for anyone (and didn't seem sincere about being sorry). A box of choc from poundland would have been gratefully received.

Ooh, peppermibt cremes are also really easy and cheap to make x

Even if you can get hold of some mesh and ribbon and make up little bags filled with chocs from a selection box like what they give at weddings

My 99p store does lovely sticker book sets for kids I bought my dd a few when she was ill and they kept her entertained for ages and they do silver and gold pens which I loved as a kid for drawing

You could give a card to the adults with a lottery scratch card in, I have done this and even if they're not winners, the potential is there

My local home bargains were selling star wars activity annual for 39p, RRP £5.99. Maybe worth a look if you have one local to you?

If only everyone limited their spending in the same way! This idea of forking out huge sums for people at Christmas is getting out of hand.
I'd be delighted to receive an inexpensive gift costing less than £1. I think it's lovely of you to go ahead and try to get a little present for everyone in spite of your difficulties. They'll be very touched I'm sure.
I sincerely hope 2015 is a better year for you, Living.

By the way, I was once given a Christmas present by the mum of one of my pupils many years ago, in Glasgow. The other children usually gave chocolates or hankies etc. (I didn't really want presents, but they liked to do it.) But this family were really in dire straits, and the present was a gorgeous little hand-sewn pouch to put a pair of nail scissors in. She'd sewn it herself from a bit of material cut from an old flowered dress. I was very touched, and forty years later, I still have that little pouch with my sewing scissors in it. I think of that woman and her son Daniel every time I do my sewing.

Little things can mean such a lot.

If I knew a relative was in your situation, I would insist on no presents tbh. I'm sure your family would rather you didn't spend on them when you're in a time of need yourself.

I agree that it's fine. Let everyone know in advance that you are broke and doing token gifts and that you don't expect much in return. Mad others have said, you can actually get some really nice bits-books, nail varnish etc. Then wrap them thoughtfully, add a tag with a special message to each person. If you would to do more, you could also make biscuits, iced with person's name or make fudge as an additional gift.

I've found a few things for even less than 99p on market stalls, I'm lucky enough to live in a town with a good indoor market - is there one near you? Little scented coloured soaps, pretty notebooks, spectacles repair kits, a tiny packet of wildflower seeds etc, I was quite impressed.

my stepdad is in a care home and not expected to see another christmas. i went to see my mum today ,and she was worrying that she hadnt sorted presents or anything yet - i just kept saying to her, concentrate on DSD, we really dont need anything x

I would a million percent prefer to get nothing than someone get in debt to get me something. Happy Christmas OP.

I did something similar one year. I bought cheap T shirts and embroidered on them. Everyone just appreciated the effort I'd made.

A book, sweets or a fancy handbag pen (from the works) would be great to me - also our £ shop do branded make up individually wrapped in cellophane bags

I was thinking along the lines of other posters... in fact, I just distributed gifts to 28 recipients for less than £1 each.

For my DD's classmates (8) we made "cookie mix in a jar", and for DD's teachers and therapists (she has extensive SNs and attends a SS) and DD's teachers (he is 16 and has a few he wants to say "thank you" to) we made shortbread and fudge.

It may be cliche, but I get more of a rise out of a gift that is made than one that is purchased.