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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What can I make for Christmas?

211 replies

yesiamyesiamokaycallmeback · 02/11/2020 19:12

I don't want to buy anything for Christmas except for secondhand books and soap from an easy shop which I love.

I want to make presents for my family and children this year. But I have no idea what I can make for a main present

I so far have
-knitted hats/ scarves/ mittens
-christmas cookies

thats it. thats all I can think of.
what can I make thats sustainable (ish)
I have a printer so was thinking of making some Harry Potter bbbeans and maybe a magic wand each for the kids but it seems pretty lame for Xmas.

the kids have tons of toys. I don't know what to do. I don't want to buy toys they don't want just because I think they should have more to open.

any idea? anyone else doing a more simple Xmas?

kids are 3 5 and 7 so a range of ages.
adult gift ideas too please
God help me

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
CrochetBug · 04/11/2020 10:13

I agree totally with the the last few posters. OP has said money is tight, not that they don't have any. Money is tight here too. No way will I be asking schools for a referral to charity to fund Christmas. If I can't afford it then they won't get it. And everyone knows dc all for inappropriate things for Christmas. DS1 wants a DeLorean or a Tesla. He won't get one Hmm. DS2 wants the slightly less pricey Lego Hogwarts castle. That's a no too.
They will however get things I know they will enjoy, some are homemade because I make good quality things which I know people like.

Noideawottodo · 04/11/2020 10:18

I know some people really enjoy making things, and that a few others enjoy getting them as gifts.

It just seems sad to be ignoring what the dcs want and spending equal amounts of money on craft stuff to make things.

At least give them one or two small shop bought things that they really want!

itsbeen84years · 04/11/2020 10:31

@Hiccupiscal

God, I came onto this thread, thinking, how lovely and prehaps I can get some inspiration too - was not prepared for how horrible some posters have been about handmade/homemade items, and so judgemental of OP.

Not everyone can afford presents, not only that but op has stated her children understand some about consumerism and plastic, the environment ect. I am another person who historically has had to buy items second hand, and I have been fine with that, as op rightfully said, by the following Xmas most things are hardly even touched.
I spoke to my Dc the other day about clearing out the toys he doesnt play with so santa had room for new.
These will go on shpock for cheap, or to charity when they reopen.

When I think back to my childhood, I dont remember most of the things I got for Christmas. I mostly remember getting an orange in my stocking, a sparkly box in shape of an Xmas tree one year, and my Nokia 3210 in my teenage years.

What I do remember is Xmas Dinner, being with family, opening gifts in bed with my mum, the excitement of Xmas eve etc etc.

Poster who say that op is being unkind and because of the abnormal year weve all had she should be buying her children loads of plastic tat, your gifts shop brought gifts will not make up for anything the kids have been through, which most of the time, I think we are more affected than they are.

Also to add, for one birthday my mum gave me a tile, with stuck on jigsaw puzzles and ribbons to hang. I loved it and still have it.
My father and I sewed a Teddy bear together once, I love it and still have it. These are real gifts, even if not appreciated at the time (and sounds like op kids would appreciate) chances are, they will when they are older and realise what thier mother was doing.

As for adults, even if you're not keen on the handmade gift, it should at least be appreciated for all the time, love and thought that went into it, and if you really can't stand it, please ask the giver just for charity donation in the future.

I dont get any handmade gifts, and I would be touched beyond words if I did.

Op, dont let anyone make you feel guilty for your choices. Happy crafting!

That's great but not everyone's experience. I don't remember a single Christmas of getting anything I asked for or was interested in. It was always stuff my mum had been creative with. I would have preferred second hand stuff.

Christmas was a disappointment to me as a child and I used to make stuff up to other kids when they showed me their new toys. I would try to get my child at least one item they actually thought of.

Camomila · 04/11/2020 10:44

For the seven year old who wants technology...do you have an old digital camera or ipod in a drawer?

(I wouldn't give a 7 year old a phone either).

Camomila · 04/11/2020 10:46

(But I would let him know before hand before hand he is not getting one)

You can say the elves don't make technology/Father Christmas wouldnt bring something your parents don't agree with etc.

caperplips · 04/11/2020 11:19

I don't think anyone here has said that the kids should have 'ALL the toys' or be showered with 'plastic tat' as some posters are saying. But I do find it a but weird that the OP firstly said she wanted an eco, sustainable Christmas and that her (very young) kids understood this and were on board with the idea.

She did not come across as a proficient crafter as she was asking how to make all the things she said she wanted to make.

She then backtracked and said it was due to financial constraints so then people responded to that with suggestions. Turns out the dc were not entirely on board with twig wands after all and had actually asked for toys / tech so the story was shifting a lot.

I think most people have suggested to the OP that perhaps instead of wasting time and money on buying craft materials for the rest of the wider family that it might be better to just concentrate on the DC this year.

Most people suggested buying the dc a toy from their wish list or that they might enjoy and to make the rest if the OP if possible.

I grew up in the 70's and money was tight as the country I lived in was in the depths of a recession and my parents did give me some santa presents that had been homemade (not usually by them but within the family) I had a rag humpty dumpty that I liked. But they also always got me a couple of toys from the shop in a box and very exciting. Not usually anything huge but I remember a Sindy doll one year and some clothes for her. I ADORED her, far more than the humpty dumpty tbh. I still have her. I also got a Monchichi monkey which was the love of my life at the time and I slept with him for years. I also still have him too.

Anyway, I don't think giving the children a gift that they want is spoiling them and there are some strange attitudes on this thread.

Good luck OP whatever you decide and I hope your dc have a lovely Christmas.

Brefugee · 04/11/2020 11:27

can you sew? I'm making bunting (because it makes me happy) for my house.

Also I've made a few of these zippered box pouches, they're a bit tricky at first but they're straightforward and it gets easier. You can adjust the sizes quite easily.

a beanbag frog?

Hiccupiscal · 04/11/2020 11:34

I must add, as I was writing, I dont think I mentioned- I do think that a gift DC have asked for, or something close to their interests, isn't unreasonable.

This is the first year I have spent a considerable amount on my DC, on a brand new toy, that he fell in love with when he saw it on a trip in a gift shop. Hes 7, it was age appropriate, and according to the reviews I have read, good quality, encourages imagination in children - I am quite excited for him to receive it for Christmas, but this is the first year he has had something "brand new"

I do think there's some balance between toys & homemade, that can be achieved by buying second hand, picking age appropriate gifts etc...

But using a strange year as a reason to buy gifts, rather than make....and quite honestly so many people being judgemental about op, when she was asking what she could do, not for opinions, is quite uncalled for.

Brefugee · 04/11/2020 11:35

sorry, am reading through the thread slowly,

OP here's a way of making a book cover, it might help? You can buy story books featuring your child's name - but you could easily write your own (just steal an existing story and change the details...)

Sustainable Christmas sounds brilliant. We're doing it, (although my DCs are much older)

as for pp who said we need Christmas and all the plastic tat that comes with it - no. We have never really gone in for plastic tat, and the things that we did get were 2nd hand usually, or used for many years then donated.

caperplips · 04/11/2020 11:42

I don't think anyone was suggesting a Christmas full of plastic tat at all. Most people suggested a combination of crafted and second-hand, recycled, asking around family and friends in case people had older tech no longer needed - in order to try to match the presents with what the dc wanted / wish for...

WouldBeGood · 04/11/2020 12:41

@caperplips that's funny. I was reminiscing at the week d about my best ever present which was Sindy! I then got clothes for her and a little machine that played her song- What will Sindy do next, what will Sindy do!”

caperplips · 04/11/2020 12:46

@WouldBeGood I loved mu Sindy so much and for a good few years after I would ask for outfits for her for my birthday / Christmas presents. I was always losing one of her shoes though!

My mother made some clothes for her and they were grand but I always, always coveted the actual real clothes. I remember there was some sort of book / catalogue with all the outfits and accessories in it and I used to literally pore over it and spent many many happy hours imagining all the things my Sindy could do if she only had the airhostess outfit, or the ball gown etc
Happy memories!

1FootInTheRave · 04/11/2020 12:50

I quite like crafted gifts. Mainly consumable as I hate clutter.

I do feel pretty sorry for the 7 year old (I also have a 7yo ds) and I think he's likely to be v v disappointed.

Could you do a mix of second hand and crafted stuff? Some charity shop toys are likely to be cheaper than crafting materials anyway.

Wejustdontknow · 04/11/2020 12:52

I feel torn on this as your first post suggested your children, and son in particular, wanted a plastic free Christmas. However you have since said that it’s because money is tight and your son has actually asked for a games console, rc car and phone. I think you need to find a balance. Homemade can be lovely if you hit the target audience but a child who is asking for a games console will be hugely disappointed with a homemade wand. I have a ds of 7 also so understand it’s a tough age as they often want things they are just not old enough for.
My advice, tell all family you just don’t have the money this year so will be just doing cards and if your crafty you could do some nice homemade ones which the kids could help with. Do not buy or make anything for adults when money is tight, even homemade gifts will require some spending to get the ingredients/things needed to make. Can you figure out what your budget is for each child maybe and we could help with some suggestions, be honest, if it’s £0, £20 or £50 for each child people can then make realistic suggestions on what you could buy/make for each one based on budget and their age/likes

BiddyPop · 04/11/2020 12:54

This year, I have made nice fabric storage cubes for a few pre-teen and teen aged DCs (my own and DNieces/DNephews) which went down well - I had fabrics that would go nicely with their plans to redecorate and which were suitably grown up rather than childish.

I made some felt play food for a younger DN (and bought an M&S basket in their fun food promotion in the summer, to put them into). Things like bacon, egg, sausage, bow pasta, pears, broccoli....(and I might get time to do some tomato, cheese or other bits yet).

I have previously made crayon rolls and given those to DNs, filled with crayons and often with a colouring book as well. The same general concept works well to make a makeup brush roll for an older girl/woman, which is especially useful for any who do a fair bit of travel (in normal times).

I'm also hoping to do some zippered pouches - like pencil cases, washbags and tiny ones for coins or earbuds - for various people.

For another DN, I knitted a scarf in the colours of their (much loved) sports club. And a DAunt is getting a more refined scarf in more muted colours to match her kind of style.

DMIL is getting a knitted lap blanket (which took surprisingly little wool for the size of it, but it was a project I have been picking up and putting down for about 6 years as the rows were so long).

Another DAunt is getting a set of 6 placemats, using leftover blackout lining from a curtain project a few years ago as the backing, and a yard of cotton for the front. I have another couple of yards of different nice cotton that I could do other ones for other families, if I have enough time. And fabric napkins are another option which need less cotton and no backing.

I am cross-stitching bookmarks for a few people - and putting some stiff interlining and some cotton on the back to hide the knots etc and make them usable as bookmarks. You could easily do similar with small patterns as tree decorations and just cover the back with nice fabric.

I have knitted facecloths using cotton knitting wool, and gifted with a bar of nice soap, suitable for the recipient - which went down well. There are lots of patterns online, with individual letters, patterns such as butterflies, coffee cup, dog, skull and crossbones, sailboat, or just different types of fancy knitting stitches (most of which are just different numbers of plain and purl stitches so like ribbing but creating bobbles or waves instead). I generally knitted a short length of I-chord using the last 3 stitches as I was casting off (so cast off all but the last 3 sts, knit about 2-3" of I-chord and cast off the last 3 sts), to sew back on itself to make a hanging loop - which is not normally on the patterns but was on 1 and made sense to do generally.

Homemade food and beverages can be lovely. Limoncello is lush and there is just time to make the proper version (it needs about 8 weeks maturing time - but I have seen a 4 hour freezer version). Dishwasher vodka using skittles or toffees or similar also works well. It is sloe season, for sloe gin.

If you can find gluts of seasonal fruit or veg, you also have time to make jam or chutney yet (but chutney also needs a few weeks to mature so do that soon or let your recipient know not to eat it for a couple of weeks).

foodtoorder · 04/11/2020 13:06

You obviously know your children and how well your gifts will be received but I think they will forever remember this Christmas with disdain as they get older.
No child would be really pleased that they have been given something knocked up at home.
Maybe it's sad but it's the world we love in. I'm not suggesting your children get exactly what they want but maybe a compromise?
Homemade gifts for adults may be fine if it's candles, fudge, florentines etc
I would put a decent wager that your children will not thank you for it and
Besides that making gifts with 7 ish weeks to go sounds exhausting!

caperplips · 04/11/2020 13:22

@BiddyPop you sound very organised and your gifts sound great! I would love to be able to produce some things like that but I just haven't got the willpower to stick at it and now I think I've run out of time.

My MIL is an artist and mostly gives gifts she has made. She is incredibly talented at knitting, crochet and sewing as well as painting (her own medium) and I love her gifts. We have many of the them over the years but they are things that are beautiful and you would buy in a craft shop (she supplies some shops near where she lives)

No-one else in either of our families makes gifts and we don't exchange gifts with friends

yesiamyesiamokaycallmeback · 04/11/2020 13:32

@Hiccupiscal I was going to abandon this thread because it was making me embarrassed.
yes my kids are so into the planet.we grow our own food already so giving them some seeds for their patch (and a sign Shock) will be well received

attitudes are changing around plastic crap and consumerism. I don't want greedy children. they will have what they are given. end of.

OP posts:
crochetmonkey74 · 04/11/2020 13:35

I think they will forever remember this Christmas with disdain as they get older

Good Lord- they are loved children- I don't think OP has ever suggested that every year will be this, or that all this years presents will be homemade- some posters here are acting like kids will hold you hostage unless they have their lists entirely filled.
The kid is 7. He'll be led by the adults

yesiamyesiamokaycallmeback · 04/11/2020 13:46

my 3 year old (after being pressed) has only asked for dinner for Christmas.
also breakfast.
whoop!

OP posts:
SollaSollew · 04/11/2020 13:49

I can't really add anything to the ideas because I'm not in any way crafty but just to say this is a lovely idea.

When I was 7 my mum was a single parent and lived with my gran and we didn't have much money. That year for Christmas they made my sister and I ballet tutu style dresses. Mine was pink and my sister's was yellow and they stuck hundreds of tiny gold stars in the layers of tulle underskirts. Until she died my Gran would sometimes mention that she'd found a little star and when we cleared out her house afterwards we found a couple.

It is still my favourite present ever and is the epitome of what Christmas means for me.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 04/11/2020 13:53

Can I make a suggestion that you start a new thread in the ethical living section? You might get more genuine ideas instead of people saying you are ruining your children’s lives etc etc.

MrsMcTats · 04/11/2020 14:30

OP overall I think the idea of a couple of homemade gifts is lovely. Your DC are still young enough to appreciate it. As usual with these discussions it seems people can only think in extremes - either a house full of plastic tat or a pile of homemade scarfs. Surely a balance is the best solution? I think it's a bit much to say any child who has a wish granted for Christmas is 'greedy.' After the year they've had I think it would be nice for them to receive 1 thing they've wished for, or at least connected in some way - whether second hand, charity shop, old item from a family member etc. If your whole Christmas is done in a sustainable way, 1 'bit of tat' as people want to call it, really isn't bad.

crochetmonkey74 · 04/11/2020 14:30

@SollaSollew

I can't really add anything to the ideas because I'm not in any way crafty but just to say this is a lovely idea.

When I was 7 my mum was a single parent and lived with my gran and we didn't have much money. That year for Christmas they made my sister and I ballet tutu style dresses. Mine was pink and my sister's was yellow and they stuck hundreds of tiny gold stars in the layers of tulle underskirts. Until she died my Gran would sometimes mention that she'd found a little star and when we cleared out her house afterwards we found a couple.

It is still my favourite present ever and is the epitome of what Christmas means for me.

Aww love this

My sister and I have a similar memory- our favourite ever present (A set of dolls and clothes) were bought form my Mum from the school jumble sale - cleaned up second hall dolls and knitted clothes. We had lots of other nice presents through the years and it was a family joke that the one we remembered most fondly cost my mum about 50p!

Noideawottodo · 04/11/2020 14:37

I bought dd a job lot of second hand Barbie clothes once when she was ill. She always says it was her best ever present.

Mind you, if I'd knitted them she wouldn't have been so appreciative!

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