Cheap but bulky presents for DCs

[piprabbit]

This Christmas we are planning on getting an Xbox for the whole family to share - so there won't be much money left for other presents plus the XBox will be under the tree instead of in their Christmas sacks by their beds. However, I really don't want to give up the traditional sacks as I know they would be disappointed and it would be hard to explain without giving the while Father Christmas game away.

So, I need some ideas for cheap, but satisfyingly bulky presents to put in their sacks. They have new fleecy dressing gowns (thank you M&S sale), which are quite bulky and I'll get a selection box for each of them. I was thinking about a large bottle of bubble bath each as well. What else can I get them that will fill up their sacks without breaking the bank or without giving the game away about the surprise under the tree.

Thank you.

NOtsure how old the kidlet's are, but if they are still on the Father Christmas train, then try coloring or puzzle books. they take up a nice tall amount of space. FC brought us those a lot, along with fruit from the kitchen.

My parents were always pretty strapped at Xmas...

Sorry - DD is 7yo and DS is 3yo.

DS would love colouring books, I could get DD a whole ream of plain paper for her creations. Thanks.

The book people online have lots of books at very good prices. Ordered my neice a
Set of 6 books for £10. You could maybe do the same and split the pack between each child? Books are bulky.

Also second the colouring book idea.

And supermarkets do great crafty bits cheaply. You didn't say how old your children are but asda especially do things like bottles of poster paint, bags of pom poms, card making sets etc for very cheap.

Play doh is still a favourite here - and you could buy 3 or 4 pots and put them in a shoe box for unwrapping.
We'll also be doing lots of book people books - they have some really great offers on at the moment.

why dont you look on the selling sites on places like Facebook and Netmums (sorry to mention those words but needs must!!). I have got a lot of stuff off of ebay this year.

In dunelm mill and the like you can get small canvases for kids to paint which are cheap.

You could make a disguise kit like another thread suggested. Fake moustache from poundland, giant glasses from poundland, fake teeth (maybe in halloween sale), clothes from charity shops, newspaper backed onto card with holes cut out, pretend bincoculars etc.

Home bargains do medical sets for quite cheap + they're quite big.

Balloons?

you can get balloon animal kits for £1, and while not very bulky, they will certainly provide distraction

Oh where from wholly?

Tesco had a small wheelie suitcase full of Playdoh for £12.50 a couple of weeks back.

A big box/bucket of craft stuff? Think I saw a Mister Maker craft box for £10.

Boots have ELC toys under their 3-for-2 offer (see website) and you can use Clubcard points and Nectar points in Tesco/Sainsbo's to buy toys (which is what I've done).

Am thinking about the 3yo!

our local pundland have some lovely books and dvds as well as some good art stuff

What about one of these?

I was tempted, but I think mine are too young (or I'm too mean to put up with a scribbled all over wendy house!)

I've seen the balloon kits - complete with pump and eyes etc in those cheapy book shops, and also in our local arts & crafts shop (nicer ones for about £3)

Tesco has a great offer on at the mo, lots of large story books for £5 each, or Boxed book and cuddly toy gift sets also £5, quite bulky.

I got DD a Dr medical play set from mazon for £6 and it's quite chunky too.

Try the home bargains website, some great toys on there for far less than in other stores, you can order online now, they bad a great magic set for about £7

tescos sometimes has board games really cheap, and so does Bentalls, if you are anywhere near one. I lurk on the grabbit board on MSE and get a lot of my xmas shopping done on there. I've found several board games for around £5.

I got mine of these each to bulk up the pile pillow buddy

I had them on 3 for 2 but I think The Range has them cheaper

Home bargains have some good toys in atm.

I always bulk present piles out with things I would have bought anyway.

New outfit
new shoes/trainers
pajamas (primark fleecy ones)
socks
underwear
slippers
new jeans/jumpers etc
smellies
toothbrush
flannel
colouring book and crayons
DVDs
CDs
chocolates/selection box
stationary
a cuddly toy

I've no Idea what they're called but one of those card pictures that are half black velour/felt stuff and half White card then you get a pkt of felt pens with them too? I loved them as a child and they take up big space! Also suitable for both ages!!

How about a football or basketball (or even a blown up beachball!), one of those Giant bubble tubes from Tesco (about £2), big tube of sweets, hula hoop, jewellery box, big craft kit, a3 drawing pad, Wilkinsons are great for paint your own craft sets - usually come in a box and are about £3.....

um what about little backpacks? i got my daughter 2, peppa pig £3 in dunnes and minnie mouse £5 B&M. earmuffs £2 primark. argos great offers on at mo. thinking of all the bargains i have seen. Book people julia donaldson 10 books for £10, winnie the pooh set £20. The works 3 for £10. These are chunky and brilliant. Asda doing little dolls from as little as £2, have lots of little things from 50p! What about wash stuff? or sweets? Did u try poundland, we were filling boxes for shoe box appeal and my aunty found a load of little bargains in poundland, barbie like dolls, skipping ropes, yoyos, craft stuff. both for boys and girls. hope this can help a little lol i tend to babble. also ebay, can get som great bargains lol i always search bnib

Wow - finally got my first chance to log on today and I'm overwhelmed with all your ideas. Thank you so much.

I did a Tesco shop today and picked up a couple of craft kits for £2.50 and a lovely grown up watercolour starter kit for £3. They had footballs for about £3 too - but I didn't think of that so will revisit them, zest01.

Now I'm going to make a shopping list from all your posts. Thanks again.

A big colouring in set. you will definitely find cheaper, but Tesco have a hello kitty one at £8 that DD2 (7) would absolutely love.

Poundstretcher/Poundland for whatever they have at the moment.

Check online or keep an eye out for cuddly toys, if you are prepared to pay £10 each you can get a mahoosive one.

Claires for jewellery in the sale. Some slightly older (but still very good) DVDs for £3 each online/in the supermarkets. I got Marmaduke for £3 in HMV and its only been in the cinema this summer, we did see it on Sky but they will watch it to death.

I love bargains!