Is it a bit strange to ask for food for Christmas presents?

[Confusedcookie]

I don't mean this to sound braggy but it's just to give context - We're very lucky that at Christmas my parents, DHs parents and my Nan will usually give us or spend on us between £50-100. Now we aren't skint at all but we are quite frugal and like to save money when we can, so this got me thinking. Would it be strange to use say the £100 present to buy half a lamb for the freezer?
Then the other money for a milk man subscription for a year for milk (obviously) and eggs, or maybe ask for things like nice herbal teas and fresh coffee?
I know I'd be more than happy to give that to a friend or family member as a present but then as I say I'm quite frugal so it makes sense to me but I'm wonder if others wouldn't see it as a "proper" present, especially as I say we aren't struggling with money.
Just to add - they'll ask what we would like for Christmas so it's not as if they'd normally buy a surprise and I'd be upsetting them by asking for something specific instead.
Yabu - Christmas is a time to buy treats!
Yanbu - it makes sense!

Why can't you just accept their cash gift and buy your own lamb and milk? You aren't obligated to spend the money on treats. You could just add it to your savings account, that's also fine.

I know I’d much rather have my food shopping paid for than yet more stuff in my house.

Well in the abstract I think it’s sensible and can’t pinpoint anything wrong with it, but honestly if family asked me to buy them milk or meat for Christmas I’d assume they were financially really struggling and worrying about the grocery bills.

Is there maybe something you’d like that seems more like a treat? Eg the posh herbal teas and coffee I think would feel more like a normal gift, like a small indulgence for you to enjoy through the year.

If that's what you would like rather than stuff then ask. I'd be happy to give that.

More glamorous foodstuffs would be welcomed in my house - something that I wouldn't buy myself but would love to receive.

I've asked for food and drink before to try to reduce clutter. I got some lovely wine, cheese and chocolate. Definitely made January more enjoyable.

My SIL and I are getting elderly. We both have plenty of "stuff", so a lot of our presents are food and drink.

I think something like half a lamb is a lovely present if you have freezer room, I might think about that for my son actually he would love it !

it needs to be luxury foods anything else doesn’t feel right it is a present when all said and done

i always make my brothers and sil’s a hamper of Christmas cake and pudding with jars of homemade chutney and jams. Done this for the last 25 or so years every now and then I suggest something different but they always say no they look forward to it. My eldest brother always gives me a food hamper from marks and Spencer which has nice treats in, the others are always nice wines sweets etc.

Do you not gift back to them a similar value?

Just take the money and sort yourself out with Lamb and milk, I would just give my kids money if they asked for a milk delivery subscription. Saying that I do give my mum supermarket vouchers for Christmas because she never wants anything and wont spend money on decent food, she isn't struggling just stingy.

We’re seeing a trend in people wanting to reduce the amount of “stuff” they own/buy/circulate. I think very hard about buying anyone a thing that they’ll have to keep forever (or will exist forever) because I don’t want that from other people. I’d much prefer to buy and receive something that can be used.
I’d be very pleased if I were asked to buy someone a leg of lamb.

Ah sorry I misread, yes it is fine to use Christmas money on whatever you want buy your lamb

Yes just accept the money, and spend it on food if that’s what you want to do with it.

They tend to want to give "something" rather than the cash.

Yeah we do. My family always want a surprise and DH's like to have a meal paid for.

I always ask for “consumables” if people ask what I would like for Birthday or Christmas, never for money.
That way, I normally end up with chocolates, wine and toiletries that last for at least the first half of the next year, and people feel good about having “treated” me.
I would feel weird about asking for money as an adult, although my DC often do!

I think it's a great idea. A milk subscription is no different to a book, flower or craft subscription, which is available now.

Same here, I have asked for consumables only the last few years. I get well stocked in lovely hand cream, wine, chutneys etc.For by birthday last year the only thing I could think that that I wanted was some lovely olive oil so DH bought me 2 beautiful bottles that have been amazing drizzled over bread and salads this summer.

i would love to receive half a lamb for Christmas!

Why not ask for a voucher for M&S or similar and dress it up by saying you’ll treat yourself to new pants or whatever. Nobody wants to basically just pay for a Tesco shop or stuff that’s your weekly bills. They want to treat you.

That said. Just stop doing gifts for adults. It’s so much less stressful

To me half a lamb is definitely luxury, sadly I don’t have the freezer space for it, I’d be very happy to buy that as a Christmas present. Milk subscription less so, that’s not luxurious, and I agree that gifts, once you are past the early adult stage where you often need very practical things, need to have a touch of luxury about them.

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking for something you need and won't be wasted. As it's saving you money, it has more 'real' value than a random gift.

My parents always give me vouchers for M&S that I spend in the food hall. I make them a Christmas hamper with nice quality jams, chutneys and other treats they'll like.

I started the hampers a long time ago. It felt like I was buying presents for the sake of it and some things never saw the light of day. Now I do the hamper and a few less presents.

I've asked for food before. The truffle and pecorino nuts in waitrose are a proper treat that I can rarely justify as part of a normal food shop.

I always get the £££ shampoo I like for Xmas too. I don't need more stuff.

We gave BIL and SIL a cheese hamper last year. They loved it and have asked for the same again.

We gave BIL and SIL a cheese hamper last year. They loved it and have asked for the same again.

We gave BIL and SIL a cheese hamper last year. They loved it and have asked for the same again.

We gave BIL and SIL a cheese hamper last year. They loved it and have asked for the same again.