Help need ideas for cheap decentish gifts for my children!

[Donthugmeimscared]

Hi I have three children dd 13, ds 10 and ds 8 and only about £100 to spend between all three of them. I feel crap for not having more but that's my life at the moment. Any ideas?

could you get second hand things as your money will go further then ? charitu shop, ebay, facebook srlling groups. what have they asked for ? or do they like ?

Only my middle son has asked for a Nintendo switch which is obviously not going to happen. My dd likes quirky retro clothes and youngest likes board games and things you can do with others

You can get new things, still with tags and packaging etc on eBay

I got all my kids pressies from The Works.... they are very reasonably priced and had extra 25% off last week not sure if it still is.

Great for stocking fillers.

I would go with second hand, loads of bargains to be had this time of year.

Would your son be happy with a DS? I got dd1 a 2DS with 4 games for £35 in the summer. I've since picked up a few games for a few pounds each on eBay for Christmas.

Maybe some homemade vouchers for during the year - you choose the film to watch, McDonald's for dinner, trip to library, free pass on chores, ice cream for breakfast! Whatever suits your children could be free or cheap things.

Check out local charity shops for retro clothes I buy most of my stuff from them. There's one near me where everything is £1. I got a brand new misguided dress and silver glitter cardigan to wear for my work Christmas do for £4 in total!

If you have any old games, dvds around trade them in at cex to get a few films for presents. Wrapped in a box with favourite chocolates, fizzy drink and big bag of popcorn looks lovely.

If they are into slime or science a homemade kit with all the ingredients. And printed instructions.

Same for baking wrap loads of ingredients, printed recipes (or find a cheap second hand one). Would be fairly cheap and provides lots of entertainment.

Oh toysforapound.com is great for stocking bits - I got dd some funko pop minis for £1 each, various blind bags, top trumps and some other bits from there.

My son loves funko pops I'm off to have a look now. As for the ds he has one of them.

The entertainer also had some funko pops for £6.66, i got dd the teen titans ones for her birthday. :)

Aldi had the Brainbox games in for £5.99 last week.

If your one DS likes board games, get him a copy of Ratrace off eBay - they don’t make it any more but Ratrace is a brilliant game and usually about £15 on eBay. It won’t seem ‘cheap’ as such because it’s not like you can get it new! link here

Does the £100 need to include stockings?

I would brainstorm in a spreadsheet or notepad splitting out the cost and working out how to spend it and maximise the money before you actually spend anything. That way you can make sure you don't overspend.

Secondhand/ hand me downs! Done this lots of times. Charity shops have board games puzzles etc like new, clothes are hit or miss but you can pick up branded jeans etc for very little money, eBay too but postage can be a problem. Do they all like video games, if they don't have a machine there's retro consoles with the games built in you could buy between them then a stocking each. Make up is a good option for dd13 there's places in town that have it for £1 or less an item, plus a pretty bag perhaps repurposed from an old toiletry gift you have received! Don't feel bad, don't be tempted to spend more than you can either.

Have you looked on Freecycle? We have given away loads of toys, which really were as new, over the years.

Our local toy appeal gets brand new bikes, games consoles and all sorts donated by Halfords etc so I’d have a look how you could nominate yourself just to bulk it out a bit. All presents are given to you unwrapped so they’d never know.

These are all such brilliant suggestions - love the baking ingredients all wrapped up, and the dvd and popcorn. I'm not on such a tight budget but might do that anyway! Also my kids would be absolutely fine with a few bits from the charity shop - maybe less so when they're older (they're 6&8) but if it looks new then no problem.

We always have something from gumtree or eBay at Christmas for the main present. It’s just happened that way as the things he was into you just couldn’t get anymore! This year he has a kitchen which was super cheap.

I recommend the book people, especially with the Black Friday event as they have a great selection and very cheap.

I also think the home made vouchers are a fab idea and it’s tje gift that keeps on giving - you might want valid from dates on them so they don’t try and trade in all at one!! Lol.

It might also be worthwhile, if you can, to see what’s in the sales, especially for the older ones and see if they are happy to wait until Boxing Day. Even with Black Friday events, the after Christmas sales I find to be a lot cheaper. I always try and buy bits for the year ahead.

I hope you also get yourself some nice things for under the tree.

I am spending about £30 each (so a similar amount) as just can't afford more, but you know what? It can still be a great Christmas. My kids are younger, but getting books, some playmobil and one other toy each, all second hand from charity shops and ebay mostly. Some bits are still in original packing and unopened. Abe books online are good for second hand books, but just make sure to check the condition. Or book people. Work the sales and amazon and ebay.

I have DD’s so not much help with your boys I’m afraid, however budget ideas for your girl...

How about a treat night hamper, bath bomb, book/DVD new PJ’s hot chocolate with nice mug (definitely could do this around the £12-£15 marker if you stick to Poundland/B&M/EBay.

Bits for her room, Aldi had nice bedding in a bag for £9 geometric print, pink rose gold etc, B&M are also great for the sparkle rose gold accessories, arty quotes, tea tree light holders, they also have lots of girls fairy lights.

Wireless mouse/headphones on Amazon, managed to get my daughter a rose gold one on kne of their Daily deals for around £10 and keeping a lookout for the headphones...

Primark for Harry Potter things, cheap as chips but very current, house mugs, scarfs, badges...

Books, there are lots of places that have deals on the book people, The works etc however I never look past amazon and if you are not looking for anything specific always find a bargain with free delivery.

Superdrug for makeup girly bits, always seems to have things discounted and has 2 for 3 on everything at the moment, lots of girly nail varnish’s lip gloss, sparkles (my girls aren’t allowed anything too grown up) I spent around £15 the other day and got lots!! They also have loads of curling wands/tongs reduced (around £15-20)

Craft/science sets from B&M around the £5-7 marker, always find them good sack bulkers and last the entire year as we pull them out on a rainy Sunday afternoon

Squishies on EBay all 3 of mine are obsessed and they are only a couple of ££ on EBay with free delivery with lots of options, mine arrived really quick too!

For a joint present you could go down the the Alexa route the 2nd generation was reduced to £19.00 for one of Amazons daily deals, keep an eye out as it might come down again...

Movie hamper, couple of DVD’s snacks, drinks, fluffy blanket etc?

Anyway hope that helps.

Also we have bought my daughter a Fitbit on EBay, she wanted a specific one so although still 2nd hand a little more expensive however when looking there were LOADS of the older models going really cheap, lots like ours, still in the box and as new...

Also if I’m doubt bulk sacks/stockings out with chocolate and sweeties, and again you will get your money’s worth in B&M pound land etc!!

I do vouchers for the kids for throughly the year, they absolutely love them.

For vintage/quirky clothes for your daughter, there's a second hand app called Vinted that's pretty good. A site called joanie that's cool and cheap, and another called lindy bop.

I'd def buy second hand for games etc, facebook selling is always good for that stuff!

Good luck!

Wilko Lego alternative is great and do some cheap little sets.

How about getting some cheap white t shirts and a tie die kit to share? About £14 on amazon and sure you can get some t shirts from Asda or peacocks? That way they get clothes and a fun activity to do too.

My children always have second hand and are ok with it.

I love the vouches for through the year idea!! You could make a booklet and offer a monthly treat to extend the giving through the year.

AliExpress have cool little minifigures and Pokemon stuff.

The works do fab stuff for 2for £10.

Amazon 2 for £7 on books. I got some lovely Pokemon colouring books for my boys.

Good luck...it’s not easy budgeting Xmas! X

You could also get a mason jar for 50p each and fill with cookie making ingredients. It would stretch out for each of them quite cheap! X

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I would agree with the works, charity shops, gumtree ,primark,b&m,poundland,home bargins x

Also studio.co.uk.

I got my boys lovely personalised dressing gowns for £6 each and a pencil case with personalised pencils for £6 too.