gifts that help financially

[Blue2014]

My mum is struggling a little with money as she is on a low wage.
I have enough to offer to her but she will not accept money from her "little girl". I'm thinking of using Xmas for us as a family to buy her gifts that would save her money over the course of the year (so present one is a kindle fully loaded with books)

Any other ideas?

Vouchers for her hairdressers?
Vouchers for her favourite coffee shop/restaurant?
Theatre vouchers?
Supermarket vouchers so that they can be used for either clothes or necessities?
Lovely idea for you to have and vouchers can be dressed up as 'treats' at Christmas you are a lovely daughter x

Nice shower gels, shampoos etc, so she doesn't have to buy her own through the year? You could package them nicely, or even do the equivalent of the much-loathed "nappy cakes" - ie make them into something. If she likes a certain magazine, could you but her a subscription so she doesn't have to miss out through not having money?

A hamper full of non perishable and special or festive food she can spread out over the year. I'm thinking tins of biscuits, bottles of wine, Dundee cake in a tin, speciality teas, jams, chocolates etc.

That sounds like a lovely idea. I think toiletries is the best idea, due to the long shelf like.

Thanks everyone - excellent ideas I'll use them all. Anymore that my siblings could use?

Oh heated throw! Genius! Thanks

I used to do the same for my Mum and Dad when they were struggling money wise.

One year I did them a massive food hamper,special bits for Christmas,mince pies,Christmas pudding,Christmas cake,sweets,nice biscuits,crackers for cheese,sauces,gravy,stuffing mix,nuts,dates,some alcohol,I also did them a fresh and frozen one as well so things like different cheeses,sliced meats,bacon,sausages,butter,fresh custard,brandy butter,dips,salad bits,a ham,turkey,sausage meat,frozen party foods,frozen vegetables I also stuck in enough regular food that it would cover them for a whole month,tinned soups and beans,spaghetti,packets of pasta and rice,jars of sauce,tinned vegetables,tinned tuna,mince,a whole chicken,a joint of pork and a joint of beef,Pies,burgers,chops,pork loins,steaks,Battered Cod,salmon.I bought them every thing food wise except for milk and bread so they'd have enough food for breakfast,lunch,dinner and snacks to take them through from Christmas Day until the end of January.

They loved it and my Mum cried,they didn't know I was doing it for them but I had told them not to worry about food for Christmas day and boxing day so I knew they wouldn't have been worrying and trying to stretch the little money they did have to be able to celebrate Christmas day food wise.

I also did them a toiletries hamper each from our DC,in with my Mum's I put in some of her favorite perfume,make-up and some tights(she wore tights every single day)some nice bath and shower bits,deodrant and body sprays.In with my Dad's I put his favorite aftershave,some decent razors and shaving foam,bath and shower bits,deodrant and some after shave balm.

It ended up really helping them out,with the money it had saved them for that month it helped them get back on track.

If they don't have much storage space or your not sure what foods ect to get them you could always get them some supermarket stamps or load up a supermarket card with some money.

I did the same once for my brother at Christmas time when they'd all got made redundant right near Christmas,I wrapped gifts for all of they're 7DC and wrapped a small gift each for my brother and SIL and the rest I stuck on a supermarket card to help tide them over.

Thanks so much, that's really helpful

Something like one of those fruit and veg boxes to be delivered each week? You can get meat ones, too.

A surprise Ocado (or other) delivery including all the things suggested above might be easier than putting a hamper together.

Does your mother commute to work? Transport takes up a huge portion of income if there isn't much to go round. Could you buy her a season ticket or a voucher to be spent on petrol?

Decent quality coats and shoes are hard to buy on a tight budget. As are woollen tights and warm, long lasting knitwear.

Not something you can wrap but boilers quite like to break down around now - though I don't know how you might word a promise to pay for a replacement if it's suddenly necessary.

Gift Cards for shops like Sainsburies, M&S, Other supermarkets
I know my Mum likes a mag subsciption - there are always Tesco points for that too if you are stretching your own budget
Timer plugs - sounds a bit strange but helps turn things off when not needed etc
Good socks or slipper socks to keep feet warm.
We have a log fire and a delivery of logs is always welcome!!!
Bottle of fav tipple? Case of Wine?

Sometimes its about treats rather than basics.

We're broke. A good friend of ours rocked up last Christmas with about 12 shopping bags full of food. Food, wine, beer, coffee, tea, biscuits, all sorts really. Full on Christmas dinner, veg, pototaes etc.

Could not have been happier if I had tried.

Made up for the lack of presents under the tree to be able to open the fridge and cupboards and see them full!

I'd do them an online shop and just get it delivered!

An iPod filled with music?

Coat and boots? Both expensive.

Fabulous duvet, duvet cover and pillow?

Hamper of toiletries that will last months.

With big ticket items I simply lay it on the line for my mum 'I want to pay for a new fitted kitchen'.

Going back to the supermarket delivery thing - you could sign up for a year of deliveries to her. That could possibly remove a huge amount of background worry.

Alternatively, paying for passports to be updated and planning a holiday with her would also be stupendous.

Do they have a slow cooker? My mum is skint and I bought her one a few years ago. Saves money as she can cook cheap cuts without having to have the cooker on lots. Every couple of weeks I buy her a few lbs of stewing meat that was 'reduced' and take it up with veg from my fridge I won't use. I also cook a bit too much for us when I do something that freezes well. Portion it up in those takeaway containers and take a bag full up when 'my freezer is full and I want to do a big shop".

I also buy leggings and stuff I know she will wear, wash them a few times then pass them on as I decide I don't like them.

Toiletries are a good money saver as pp have said. And also stuff like washing powder/coffee and fabric conditioner I sometimes buy my mum and say it's on a really good offer.

It's tough seeing parents struggle when you know that you can help. My sister leaves random £20 notes for my mum to 'find' in the flat and my auntie does what I do with regards to meals and 'bargains' she has seen.

Thanks everyone - you're all amazing

Good Luck Blue I bet your Mum will really love and appreciate what ever you buy her

A dry soon (Lakeland) we love ours as don't have room for tumble dryer and really cheap to run, means I don't have to put heating on just to dry clother.

Make sure she knows about kindle daily and monthly deals and www.ereaderiq.Co.UK for her kindle.

You tell it what books you want and it emails you when they drop in price. Even new and popular books can be had for 99p if you are patient.

Brilliant - thanks

agree on sainsburies or m and s vouchers, I get these and use them for food, esp in m and s with the food reductions they go a long way, and sainsburies with there excellent TU clothing and better choice...

I feel secure knowing I have a gift card there which I can buy food with should I need too.

at least with supermarket vouchers she also retains choice doesnt she....

This is such a lovely thread. Things like this are what Christmas is all about

I came on to say hamper too but many people beat me to it. My mum does me a hamper and as well as Christmassy things it also has things like pasta and rice and jam. I don't need it financially but she has done it since I was a student (when it was v welcome) and it's now a tradition.

Also how about a prepaid Starbucks or similar card so they can enjoy a coffee out now and again.

Or a stationary pack including a dozen nice generic birthday cards and stamps and some pens and notebooks.