To be thinking of nice but cheaper ideas for Christmas

[Chocolateoo]

Usually I wouldn't be using this word in july! But due to no overtime we are going to struggle to spend as much on Christmas, so we have agreed to get bits weekly. We have quite a few kids/birthdays to buy for.... We want to get the kids a nice thoughtful gift around £10-£12. Then perhaps top it up with selection boxes. Usually we would spend £20-£25. So I'm wondering what ideas you have for the following people and ages. It doesn't have to be a toy. But something that is still nice for them to open...

Two six year old Nieces.

One eight year old niece.

A 2 year old nephew

A 14 year old nephew.

A two year olds birthday

Followed by two sets of grandparents

Sisters birthday Christmas Eve(40s)
Mums birthday (boxing day!)

My son's 3 Christmas week too.

I've also got two young children of my own who will get more ofcourse!

I really can't think how to spend less. Any ideas for any of the following please suggest.

You may be better posting this on the Christmas board, they also have a bargain thread running so you may be able to spot some good gifts on there!

Wow that’s a lot of people to buy for!!

Could you suggest a family
Secret Santa with one present for a bit higher budget?

Books. Look at the Children's Books board for ideas. Books2door is great for box sets of books.

I have neices and nephews similar ages to yours OP ..Studio is your friend! They do personalised pyjamas and dressing gowns and onsies for next to nothing.Kids always love pjs to snuggle in and they have many different styles and charachters to choose from.Could solve all your problems in a stroke for less than 7 or 8 quid each! No extra either for names putting on..hope this helps a bit. They also do swimming kits and bags personalised too well worth a look!

Report your post OP and move to the Christmas topic. Plenty of good ideas on there.

Thanks all! I will look at the Christmas board! I didn't know there was one lol!!

All good ideas on here. I'm going to write the suggestions down and start searching for offers and things. I did think about pyjamas! They are usually a nice gift sent they. Perhaps I could get them a little mug for hot chocolate too. That would be around a tenner......

Oh also I get from Costco or the book people sets of 12 books for £8 and split them into 4 presents... obviously they have to be unrelated and not a box set!

@OverTheRainbow88
Is that a UK site? Also a good idea thanks!

Art supplies for the young ones.
14 yo that may or may not work for. I would find out his hobbies.
Grandparents framed photos of the grandkids. If you are crafty, something family tree related could also work and if it’s diy could fit your budget.

Books for 2 year old, voucher for 14 year old, brain box games for the rest of them.

Is the loccitane sale still on for your mum and ds? Or Pandora?

www.thebookpeople.co.uk/

Ah looks like they aren’t doing online anymore!! But other places would do cheaper sets of books! I used to get the classics one like 3 little pigs, Goldilocks etc and think about which would suit who and split!

@OverTheRainbow88
The works night be good actually for books. What would you say a six year old would read? The ones with pictures and a little story still?

Thanks everyone all good ideas.

I'm not very crafty but the picture frame idea is a good one! I think I'll do something like that for the kids grandparents x

My 6 year old loves the Galt craft/jewellery making sets off Amazon, you can get some really nice ones for under £10.

Getting someone a glasses cleaning cloth with pictures of the kids.

Six year olds are usually starting on short chapter books. Check with the parents to see what they like though, they can be very different.

Yankee candle have a good sale at the moment, maybe good for sister or mum

Gelli baff (£4.99) was a huge hit with 6 yr olds in our family.

The 14 yr old requested this (currently £4.99 in Curries and more everywhere else) for her birthday and was thrilled: www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/phones-broadband-and-sat-nav/mobile-phones-and-accessories/mobile-accessories/pny-4-in-1-clip-on-smartphone-lens-kit-10183451-pdt.html

A couple of years ago we agreed that all Christmas presents for adults should either be either home made, upcycled, or bought from a charity shop. Far more fun and inventive ( both to give and receive) than stuff ordered online.

  Gifts included home made  sweets,  packets of saved seed,  upcycled vintage tools,  second hand books,   vintage linen  shirt,    silk scarf, sewn items etc.

Ban on birthday/Christmas presents for adults. Much much cheaper way to do things.

Get them to write a letter with wish list of things to Santa. Sometimes children want inexpensive things you may not have thought about.

Same as Atalune we ban adult presents , although always give to grandparents ,large extended family and works well to simplify and keep it fun

Ooh with the books also check they don’t have ‘not for individual sale’ written on each book!! Major giveaway!!!

Gifts for grandparents:
get each child to take turns in giving a picture they have drawn of grandparents with family. Then give each grandparent one big gift from all of the adults.

The adults can put money together to purchase each child a more expensive gift, then each of you can give them something cheap & fun