Any bargainous gifts for the hoardes of children I have to buy for?

[ZENZIZENZIZENZIC]

You know the kids of a friend or colleague kind of ones, where you're not sure what they are into and so on. Between 3-10.

There are only so many dressing gowns you can buy before it appears you have a fetish...

I get packs of picture books from thebookpeople

Be brave and suggest to the parents that you don't buy this year?
Most parents would probably be thrilled as they save and personally the fewer presents my dc have the better as far as I am concerned.
Or ask the parents for a specific thing that they want?
Or in my experience most kids (if not parents) would be happy with mini-stockings/giftbags of tat pocket money toys from Hawkins Bazaar (age appropriate of course).

Gingerbread house kit from Lidl only £5. Most children would like at least the making or the eating.

Thanks for suggestions... will look into the places suggested.

Gingerbread house is fab idea. I could mass buy them.

I don't have the gumption to be brave itsstillgood. I didn't really start it and a know one at least would be offended.

bananas.co.uk was recommended here recently. They sell all the end-of-line books from the Book People (I think). I bought 2 big boxes of books for £25 approx 30 books - some were sets that I'll split for individual presents. P&P is free when you spend £25.

I'd second that banana books are great... except they use Home Delivery Network as their couriers, who are the worst company I've ever ever encountered. If you're home 100% of the time its ok.

Keep an eye on the Argos online clearance too.

We have 'Home' delivery here for most parcels and I've found them to be fine, they'll try and leave it with a neighbour if there are any in! - much better than PF around here!