Are these gifts OK?

[Mouseinfestedhovel]

I am low and funds this year and I’ve recently gone back to work after being on maternity leave.

I have the following people to buy for:

Friend 1 (30) - £15 just eat gift voucher
Friend 2 (29) - £15 just eat gift voucher
Dad (61) - Photo on slate of DD
Mum (61) - Photo on slate of DD
Sister (36) - £15 Amazon voucher
Brother (32) - £15 Amazon voucher

Friend 1 is single, friend 2 lives with a partner but they do get a lot of takeaways so I know they’ll be used. I’m stuck as to what alternative to get my parents. They are trying to sell their house so they won’t want “stuff” and dote on DD. Food gifts are a bit meh with them.

With my sister and brother, I’ve asked what they want and they don’t know so I’m thinking just a voucher so they can get what they want.

I’m wary of buying more “stuff” because of the planet and I want to get things that’ll actually be used but written down it looks a bit boring.

DH will sort his own family out and I know what I’ll get him. I’ve already got DD (8 months) sorted pretty much.

Is this OK or do I need to think out the box more?

I’d rather not do presents but that isn’t an option. I don’t know if I’m just biased because I’ve got literally no room in my house so I don’t want to be given stuff either!

Personally I’d be delighted to get vouchers that I will actually use rather than stuff I’ll have to find a home for.

If you are low on funds then maybe you could suggest that 2019 is the year to stop exchanging gifts. You say this isn't an option. Why not?

Use the money for something that you need/would like and your family/friends can do likewise.

I would be devastated to receive a gift voucher from a friend when I knew that they were low on funds.

Photo on slate is quite a bespoke gift?

Just stop giving to friends and siblings

They all sound fine :) just another idea within the same budget as the just eat vouchers - Red Letter Days do a voucher for a three course meal for 2 with a glass of wine at Prezzo for £30, but you can get £15 off at the moment with the code DEAL15. If you choose an evoucher then there's no postage cost. You know best which they'd prefer though :)

Thanks all.

That does sound good @Spam88 I’ll take a look.

For those asking why can’t I just say “no exchanging presents this year”. I tried that before with friend 1 & 2 and I still ended up getting stuff as friend 1 really likes buying presents.

With my family, there’s no way they’d be happy with not exchanging presents. Even if I just say to something for DD only. They are very set in their ways and very boring. They kicked off last year as I refused to go to theirs last during the Christmas period due to various reasons so I hosted them on NYD. They don’t like change.

They also insist on having their presents from us on Christmas Day if we go away for Christmas instead of just waiting...

I forgot to mention that my siblings nice have ASD so it wouldn’t feel right to not get them a gift

If you told your friends to cut out buying gifts then let that be the end of it. Sod them if they continue to buy gifts. You have told them you don't want to. You shouldn't feel obliged to do it just because they like buying gifts. I'd send them a text now saying 'I am no longer partaking in gift exchange so please don't buy me anything for Christmas'. As regards family your brother and sister are old enough to cope without a gift from you. Send the same text to them. And then just buy a gift for your niece. Perhaps the family ould go out for lunch over Christmas instead of everyone buying a present and spend some quality time together.

I think vouchers are excellent. I know people say they are impersonal but so much better than getting random tat. I didn't know Just Eat did them - I'll be getting that for my friends. The gift of takeaway. What more could you want? Amazon is also great - everything on there.

I understand the not buying is not an option OP. I have to buy for a ridiculous amount of people - I've looked at the list to try and cut down and I just can't do it.

May have misread about your sibling and asd - thought it was a niece. If you must buy for them then the Amazon voucher is good idea.

I understand the not buying is not an option OP. I have to buy for a ridiculous amount of people - I've looked at the list to try and cut down and I just can't do it.

I can't understand this concept that you 'have to' buy for lots of people. Nobody has a gun to your head.

Thanks @Drum2018. It sounds like I’m making excuses but I tried the lunch thing last year and my mum was not having any of it!

@Greyhound22 - I was worried that it would
be impersonal but at least I know they get take out often so it will get used.

I would like to receive these things so I was also worried I was projecting.

I’ve tried cutting down before but no luck either although I don’t have that many to buy for to be fair. It’s just this Christmas and next Christmas (as I’m pregnant again whoops) that will be more stringent

Sorry I don’t know where the rogue “nice” came from in my post! Stupid autocorrect.

Both my brother and sister have ASD and so it wouldn’t feel right to not get a gift but I have told them I’m low on funds. Both have more money than I do so they are OK with it.

Why are you buying two of the same thing for your mum and dad. Just get the one. Firebox do car air fresheners with your choice of face on. Useful and cute.

Friends vouchers are fine if that what’s they’ll use. Personally I’d get them something token though. You can get Christmas tree baubles in fast food and drinks varieties. Bit more personal and half the price.

Siblings often get vouchers or gift cards round these parts.Easier fir everyone.

So you told your friends that you wanted to stop exchanging gifts and they carried on and bought you something anyway. Well, that was very kind of them but it doesn't mean that you need to buy them something.

Where are you getting the Just Eat vouchers from please? I've looked for these loads of times and it was my understanding that they don't do them?

@itllneverfitinthecar - I know but then I feel awkward and like an asshole if I don’t reciprocate.

@squirrelblanket - giftcards.just-eat.co.uk/

@Leflic - your right so I’ll change what I get them. It’ll be a joint present for them anyway but no more than £25

Thank you! I have looked for these so often for my hard to buy for brother in law but they didn't do them. I'm sorted now!

Ooh good call with the Just Eat voucher link. We don’t get delivery here but it might just be perfect for my more urbane friends!