No money - help!

[99percentchocolate]

Due to a few unexpected bills and generally being very short on money anyway, we don't have a huge amount to spend.
Everyone is now sorted except for me. DP has asked me what I want but there genuinely isn't really. He still wants to get me something though so I'm looking for suggestions please. As cheap as possible!
So far I've got American candy (Poundland or B&M), and red tinted Vaseline.
What else can I ask for?
I like make up, reading, Harry Potter, crap dad jokes and novelty crap that is meant to be funny, and candles.
We live near a major city and have Amazon prime.

A £10 boots voucher? A selection of books - charity shops can do recent/read once books.

Trying to keep the max budget to about £10 if possible.
Charity shops are a good idea, they have some great stuff in there

Ps thank you!

If you like reading then just tell him some books you can download from Amazon? I don't want or need athg, so won't be getting athg. Same for DH. ( we do buy stuff for each other during the year, as and when inspiration hits). Just have a fun day

Just insist you don't need anything?

Neither DH or I will have anything to open on Christmas day, we haven't for years. We have plenty of money, so it isn't that. We just don't see it as being about us- it's about the kids.

We will be doing lovely things on Christmas day- opening a couple of presents certainly wouldn't make any difference to how enjoyable it is.

What are your plans for Christmas day? Spend the tenner on petrol to go for a really nice walk somewhere.

I've insisted that he shouldn't get me anything at all but he wants to and is worried that our very sensitive 4 year old will get upset if everyone else has presents and not mummy. Which is probably true to be fair.
Have been looking at MUA and MUR on Superdrug and I think I could maybe persuade him to get me a few bits on there for quite cheap.

How about some cards with IOUs in them- things for you to read out that DP will take you to/ do for you in the coming year for you to 'cash in' later.

Free at the time, but DC will see you 'have' something?

Ooh that's a good idea! I could get the kids to plant some ideas in his head free massage

Glossers or mrsglossandthegoss recommended make up revolution a brand I had not heard of. Cheap and cheerful and a kind of urban decay rip off. I got brow shaper and pomade, liquid eyeliner, highlighter and a free eyeshadow palette all £11.00. Good of you want to try something new

The MUA 'undress your skin' highlighter's are lovely, I've got one and use it all the time, it's only £3 and well worth it. The MUR rose gold cased lipsticks are lovely too.

Are you near a Primark? They have loads of Harry Potter themed stuff, cheap bits like socks, slippers, mugs, coasters etc, all around £3- £5. Plus some lovely smelling candles.

I love MUA , malbeit a primark pyjamas top? Bundle ofor paperbacks from charity shop, and glossy magazine you would enjoy but not usually buy, a can of body spray (perfume to a small child) sorry for typos, a glass or 2 down 😊

Is there a concert or anything later in the year you want to go to? Do could make you some tickets to open and then buy the actual tickets later on.

Your 4 year old wouldn't know if they were real or not.

ask dh to suggest to dd she makes something special for you?loads of ideas on the internet! dd made me a make up brush holder from a pringle tube and a ton of glitter one year!

If he's worried about your 4 year old seeing you not have anything (and you genuinely don't need anything) you could also just wrap something you already have, like a top you've not worn for ages, or some kitchenware your child won't have seen etc. Saves buying something for the sake of it, if the budget really is £10

How about the four year old helping him to make some fudge or chocolate cornflake cakes, and decorating a box together for these confectionary creations to be presented in? Making you a special card? Poundland do photograph frames - they could choose a photo of the three of you yo go in it.

You have no money and folk are suggesting concert tickets and something to download from Amazon! Seriously? FFS.

When you have no money, love and gestures are all you have left. Think about it. Think creatively.

OP, seriously, look around you, what do you have? Dairy Milk, Rice Krispies, a pan, a bowl, a square-ish tin and some greaseproof paper, plus a bit of string or ribbon? I think you have the makings of a cracking Christmas present there. Made with love!

Check out moneysavingexpert - a lot of good ideas on there for a fiver.

Breakfast in bed on Xmas morning!

Breakfast in bed is a great idea! He can involve your child and it is a genuine treat for you!

I third the suggestion for breakfast in bed, but direct your DP to make a krispie traybake wrapped up in whatever you have going and you have a wonderful present full of love, and that's a wonderful thing to have, plus the other half of the bake can also be wrapped up and given to grandparents, aunties, uncles etc. Look, it's the thought that counts.

B&M do plain wooden star and heart tree decorations for £1 - I've bought a few and let the kids decorate one side, then glued a photo of them all together to the other side - a really personal gift for their grandparents to open and it only cost £1 plus felt tip/paint/a photo per present. Would DH do something similar with DD?

Do not waste money on something you don't need if you are very short of cash. Me and dh will not get each other a present this year, it doesn't matter, don't want present anyway . If you want your 4yo to think you have a present, wrap something you already have.

BTW, I know you're telling your DP what to do, but sometimes you have to direct your DP in order to make your children happy. Believe me, the traybake will go down well if you're anything like me.