I have one child, every one else has several

[YourHandInMyHand]

and it's costing me a fortune! Ive decided to get everyone a book and a chocolate santa/reindeer. Is this really stingy of me? I'm a single mum and xmas is starting to become a struggle rather than a nice time.

I've got 4 & my dsis buys them stocking-type presents which they love! Inflatable animals, bath stuff, whatever she finds that is bargainous on eBay or Amazon that year. A couple of pounds per pressie. She has no kids, and little money. She likes to buy them something, and I appreciate her thought, doesn't matter what she buys! A choc Santa alone would have a rapturous reception from my kids!

Cheap piggy bank, filled with chocolate coins and 50p

I love that idea Nerf.

Thank you. Have been forever in the position of thinking cheap, festive, useful, desirable

Ooh nerf I think that is next year's present theme sorted - I love it! :-)

Book and chocolate is great! I have already started doing the buy multiple packs from the Book People and split them thing.

The Works also do a 10 for £10 kids books offer (and you can normally hunt out a free delivery code) - but the drawbacks to that are that their website is super-rubbish, you have to spend ages trawling through the awful books to get at the few good (obviously remaindered) ones and their customer service is shocking so don't expect to be able to return or exchange any that get squashed in transit....they don't respond to emails! But I have got some great kids picture books and DVDs from there very cheap indeed.

One or two books for a pound plus a selection box or chocs is great for kids - always welcome and never ends up as plastic tat on the floor!

Other cheap Xmas presents I have done include Christmas decorations and choc coins, or getting nice kids' mugs (in packs, from supermarkets or from eBay) and adding chocolate coins or hot chocolate tubs or sachets. I've got some plain mugs from IKEA for pence and am going to get DD to help decorate them with Christmassy designs (or child's name). I much prefer small thoughtful presents for DC rather than showy things!

I was also going to recommend the works - I got 10 Julia Donaldson books for £10, then there was 20% off and free delivery. Dd's little friends presents done!

Book and choc is perfect for kids. Places like Tiger do amazing stocking filler gifts for a few quid. If there are multiple kids in one family you could buy a few stocking fillers, send them in a bag and say it's a lucky dip - fun!

I am lucky to have a The Works shop nearby, they have some fab bargains. Glad I started thread feel better about my offerings now. [Smile]