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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Help me give a friend a good christmas

42 replies

NameChangeToAvoidBeingFound · 28/11/2018 05:02

So one of my flatmates at uni has abusive/neglectful parents growing up and she knows she isn't going to get anything from them for Christmas from them so I've spoken to our other flatmates and we're going to send her a Christmas care package/box/hamper and I need some ideas.

So far we have:
A key ring from her favourite show (She needs one because she is always losing her things),
Book of writing prompts,
Fancy Chocolate,
Lush Bath Bomb or bubble bar,
Fluffy Socks,
Fancy Coca set,
Poster,
Homemade cake
and a Card.

Anything else anyone can suggest?

OP posts:
NameChangeToAvoidBeingFound · 28/11/2018 05:32

Bump

OP posts:
Pixel99 · 28/11/2018 06:18

What a lovely gesture OP. Some more smellies. Fun pen to go with the writing prompts, scarf, nail varnish (bubble wrapped so it doesn't smash and ruin everything though - I'm a very practical / sensible person? Flowers for you and your flatmates for being such good friends.

RJnomore1 · 28/11/2018 06:20

A book or magazine to relax in the bath with
Mini bottle of whatever she drinks

bastardkitty · 28/11/2018 06:22

A coca set? To help her get through it? The hamper is a lovely idea. Maybe send a photo of you all having a good time together.

seastargirl · 28/11/2018 06:24

How about a USB with video messages on from all of you, or letters from each of you, I know you'll be in touch with her during the day, but it might be nice to have something she can keep going over if she's feeling low. Maybe a candle and a funny book too.

user1471468104 · 28/11/2018 06:35

That’s a lovely idea 😊
Ideas-face mask,body butter,dvd and popcorn,nice biscuits,hot chocolate set,
Hot water bottle,fleecy blanket.
Hope that helps.

Alanamackree · 28/11/2018 06:38

Chocolate coins or a foil wrapped chocolate Santa.

Ricekrispie22 · 28/11/2018 06:53

Lip balm
Magazine
2019 diary/calendar
Photo frame
Mug
Scented candle
Nice writing pens and a notebook
Nail varnish

ShotsFired · 28/11/2018 06:56

Just to double check - does she actually like baths with 'stuff' in?

(said as someone whose own family spent years buying me bath stuff despite living with me and knowing I only ever had showers)

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 28/11/2018 06:59

What a lovely idea.
It would be helpful to know a bit more about your friend.
As in, what sort of things does she like? Does she have hobbies? Does she like going to the cinema for example?

NameChangeToAvoidBeingFound · 28/11/2018 07:35

@ShotsFired not sure, about that. Thats why I was thinking more along the lines of a bubble bar or something.

@UserThenLotsOfNumbers She watches a lot of TV, she studies film, makes films, likes cycling, horse riding, plays the violin and ukulele, loves chocolate and soft/fluffy things. She likes writing short stories, not a fan of cooking or baking. She quite likes singing. She likes pampering/de-stress activities because she has real issues with anxiety.

OP posts:
ShotsFired · 28/11/2018 07:39

I'd avoid it then. Bubble bar (is that like soap?) sounds a bit odd too.

Maybe swap it for an adult colouring book or even a voucher for somewhere like Wiggle (or horsey equivalent) where she can put it towards some bike stuff (don't buy it for her as she'll have preferred brands and styles). Or a sub to a headspace-like app or downloads to help with anxiety?

ShotsFired · 28/11/2018 07:51

In fact I'd steer clear of Lush altogether.

If you don't love them, then you probably loathe them.

(They also have some dubious ethical/moral issues too)

Howmanysleepstilchristmas · 28/11/2018 07:54

Maybe a face mask and travel size body scrub? A couple of fun presents/ things to do (adult colouring as suggested, smart games iq puzzle, small cuddly toy- I had a similar flat mate and did her a stocking. She really appreciated getting all the stuff she didn’t as a child, even down to the satsuma and chocolate coins). Maybe a book too and new riding/ cycling gloves. Selection box.

Howmanysleepstilchristmas · 28/11/2018 07:55

One of those tiles to find lost keys?

NameChangeToAvoidBeingFound · 28/11/2018 07:55

I don't think she'd like a sub to an anti-anxiety app, feels a bit patronising. I know she doesn't like colouring and she's more of a casual cycler and horse rider. She cycles because it's the quickest way around campus and she took up riding because it was offered. I know she likes 'fancy' bath/shower stuff so that's what I'm looking at at the moment. I know she likes her sleep so maybe something like an eye mask or lavender scented something to put under her pillow?

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AwkwardAsAllGetout · 28/11/2018 07:57

Does she actually want to go home for Christmas? My family are a bit shit and the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me is to take me into their home and welcome me as family at Christmas. I felt very awkward accepting the offer as I wasn’t sure it was genuine, but it was so lovely to spend the day surrounded by truly warm and happy people.

exorcisingarrrgggghti · 28/11/2018 07:57

Mini Christmas cake, Christmas biscuits, mince pies?

Atalune · 28/11/2018 07:58

This works pillow spray

Just a question, what is she doing over the festive period? Is she on her own?

exorcisingarrrgggghti · 28/11/2018 07:59

Tiny soft toy, hot water bottle with fluffy cover?

IdblowJonSnow · 28/11/2018 08:02

Great present ideas. Can she not come and have Xmas with you or any of your friends? Or are u close enough geographically to meet up at any point? That would have been the best for me when my family were a bit shit. Better now thankfully. You sound like a great mate.

scrappydappydoo · 28/11/2018 08:04

Lovely idea- what about a mini fake Christmas tree, battery lights, decorations and a packet of paper chains and a usb of Christmas songs/movies.

GoldenCurls · 28/11/2018 08:08

If she likes fancy bath/shower stuff, maybe shell out the extra (I know you’re at uni so only if financially possible) and treat her to something really luxurious from Neom or Molton Brown?

Some really nice smelling salts could be an idea if she suffers with anxiety.

Are there are books she’d like?

Also second other posters’ suggestions about meeting up with her over the Christmas period if that’s possible for any of you. What lovely friends you are.

Fueledwithfairydustandgin · 28/11/2018 08:09

Maybe some riding gloves, polos for the horse she rides, heatholder socks. Hope valley saddlery always have fantastic offers in their sale section.

NameChangeToAvoidBeingFound · 28/11/2018 08:09

I have offered for her to come stay with my family as have all of our other housemates, I worried that coming from a small, quiet and restrained southern family that my large, loud and boisterous northern one who are freely affectionate and tactile would be too much, lots of unpredictable noise and touching can be a bit much, but she wants to go home and see her older brother and sister. From what I can gather her brother is the golden child, and she's the scapegoat, but her brother adores her. She isn't that close to her sister.

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