AIBU

[justhetwoofus]

Funds are very tight this year and I am thinking of going back to basics this Christmas....think homemade gifts as I have more time than money.
Thinking Sloe gin,chutneys,pickles etc.....naff or not? Any ideas of what you would like to receive? Obviously will buy gifts for children in family.

I would make fudge as personally wouldn't use preserves but love a sweet treat!

I love chutneys and woud be very happy to have a gift that I could eat and wouldn't take up space in my home afterwards! If you can make it somewhat personal (e.g. something you know the particular person likes) all the better. Much better for the environment too!

Love it. Certainly would be better than the tat I get from my parents at Christmas. Although the in laws are usually quite good.

Second the fudge idea! Martha Stweart has a great simple recipe with marshmallows (they are melted in so you don't taste them).
You could suggest forgoing all presents for adults and just get thing for the kids in the family.

Oh no. Don't ask on MN. 😂

It's not naff. It's lovely but ONLY IF you are good in making these.

I think it's a nice idea.
I'd like chilli jam or sweet chilli sauce
Lemon or lime curd
Maybe some nice biscuits
Rosemary / mint jelly
Home made christmas puds or christmas cake
Different runs for people who like bbqs eg spicy, jerk, sweet heat etc

I think the gin/chutney/pickle ideas are good. You have enough time to crack on with it too - you can infuse things like gin and vodka with favourite childhood sweets, etc, and create a personalised label. I'd really like something like that . . . . . vodka infused with an Umbongo bar or Drumstick lollies please :D

Amidst a pandemic, not everyone is going to feel overjoyed at receiving homemade food. I wouldn’t mind the idea, but don’t really eat jam or chutney; sloe gin or dishwasher vodka always welcome though.

The gin and vodka have a benefit of being self sanitising😂

There is no problem with food even during pandemic. Most is heat treated and others... Just leave them few days if nervous.

Gifts more for the giver than the receiver?

Well, you know the intended recipients.
Personally I'd love chutney, and, even more so sloe gin, but as it happens I don't really eat jam. However, something like sloe gin isnt cheap to make.
If money is tight,then why not suggest to family that presents are either for children only or to do a secret santa or whatever.

100 percent of votes say you're being reasonable!

I'd love it too. I love rum balls. I never make them, but some work friends found out how much I like them and give me rum balls every Christmas. Love them!

I'm also very partial to lemon butter / lemon curd so would love that too.

I think a thoughtful gift is really appreciated. It doesn't have to be expensive. If you know what people like, then tailor a little treat pack to them.

I'd love seeds or little plants, maybe cuttings or off shoots.
Pickled onions are always welcome as are biscuits and other pickles.

Chutneys and pickles are great but by Christmas Day most people (I'm guessing) would have had enough of them with cheese/biscuits so 'Christmassy' gifts on Christmas Day are lovely but a bit pointless by then if you know what I mean?

When I was younger I was so absolutely broke I made cookies for everyone for Christmas- I was so embarrassed and apologetic when handing them out, but people seem genuinely pleased I'd even thought of them.
I totally understand what they mean now. some of my favourite gifts have been just Christmas cards but they were handmade or with family photos attached.
Sometimes just remembering a person is an amazing gift to them

@snowstorm2012

Chutneys and pickles are great but by Christmas Day most people (I'm guessing) would have had enough of them with cheese/biscuits so 'Christmassy' gifts on Christmas Day are lovely but a bit pointless by then if you know what I mean?

They last long time. I have homemade onion and port chutney my mum made in 2014.

There is always new years eve. Or weekend eve with wine😁

I'd love to receive a really good chutney or quince jelly which isn't drowning in sugar - which just masks the taste of the actual product, I think! I'd love this as my Secret Santa Christmas gift! Shall I PM you my address OP? 🌹

I'm going to ask my sister to crochet a stardigan for me this Christmas, so completely down with the homemade gifts.
Food wise Mango Chutney, Pickled Red Cabbage and Jam are my favourite homemade gifts.
Sloe gin is also delicious and fairly simple, can pick them soon and then just add them and lots of sugar to bottles of gin.
Leave until Christmas and it is lovely with sparkling water. Also Pink!

It's a lovely great idea in theory but only if you match what each person wants, unless you keep basic as in biscuits - otherwise it is something else people end up putting in the pantry and forgetting about (unless they use it themselves)

But I am personally happy with a card or just a simple 'merry Christmas'

I would be very happy to receive that.
A large number on mumsnet immediately bin homemade food as they worry your kitchen isn't clean enough.

I like homemade stuff, but be aware that it's not as cheap to make as many think. You still need decent ingredients and lots of them if you're making chutneys and so on.

Love homemade stuff. I think that it is lovely that someone has taken the time and effort to make something just for me.

To be honest even if I didn't like the thing itself the glow I got from them caring enough to make it for me would be enough to make me happy.

I think sounds fab. How about some kind of slightly exotic/not often come across chutneys etc, look up French jam recipes? Quince jelly??!

Red currant jelly? Mint and rosemary?

Baked biscuits for cheese?

Anything you can think of.

Personally I'm going to be dusting spiders off unopened goods in my loft. And gifting ....

Do you have all the basics in stock to make all this? Jars, lids, labels, ingredients etc will all add up pretty quickly.

If you want to do it, go for it. I received some lovely homemade jam for our wedding from a colleague