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Original poster

Token gift ideas

57 replies

HotAndGrumpy · 05/08/2021 14:18

I’m trying to get away from buying adults gifts, mainly middle aged/ older as it has got out of hand over the years. I’d like to move towards baking/ crafts or token gifts only.

Pleases share ideas of what you make/ buy or plan to do.

OP posts:
Lovemusic33 · 06/08/2021 13:58

Just stop gifts altogether?

A token gift is ok if it’s something that will get used or eaten? A pair of novelty socks for the men and a edible gift for the ladies is fine if you no it will get used but most token gifts probably end up in the bin. I would rather get no gift than get something that will end up in landfill.

NeedNewKnees · 06/08/2021 14:09

It really depends on the gift and the person. Macrame is very easy to do to ‘boutique’ standard, and some of my friends are big on houseplants so I did them macrame plant hangers with a house plant in. They went down very well and fitted the decor of those 3 friends. For other mates of mine, it would be a nightmare gift.

(Side rant: Macrame is a piece of piss, and how they charge that much for it in little gift shops around here is shocking. I could make that crap when I was 8. If you can tie your shoes, you can do macrame)

chesirecat99 · 06/08/2021 14:17

Some fail safe, inoffensive to most people, craft options that require little skill or talent are things like tea cup or similar nice china candles, bath salts or bath bombs, soap, forced bulbs planted up in a nice planter/bowl (keep an eye out in charity shops). Flavoured vodkas are an option for drinkers.

I look out for reduced plants in the supermarket in the run up to Christmas as extra gifts. They are often reduced to pennies. Wrapped beautifully, they look 10 x what I paid for them. If you have a slightly higher budget, 3x£5 supermarket orchids rearranged in a basket or nice container topped with florists moss look luxurious.

BikeRunSki · 06/08/2021 14:20

Some fail safe, inoffensive to most people, craft options that require little skill or talent are things like tea cup or similar nice china candles, bath salts or bath bombs, soap, forced bulbs

This just exemplifies the trickiness of token/homemade gifts. I’d like a bulb, but the rest would be straight to the next school tombola.

user1493494961 · 06/08/2021 14:28

I wouldn't bother with baking\craft gifts unless it's for Grandparents.

ByThePool2021 · 06/08/2021 14:31

OP if it’s your siblings can’t you just say you don’t have a lot of money (blame covid, everyone understands that) and you have to set a budget of £5 or £10 each and could they suggest some things they might like for that amount?
My dsis and I exchange books. We each have a wish list on Amazon that we share and can pick the book from. Then add another token such as fancy biscuits, chocolates, socks etc. It doesn’t cost a lot but is thoughtful, wanted and appropriated. You just need to talk to your family

chesirecat99 · 06/08/2021 14:34

I did say most people @BikeRunSki Grin

But at least you have a use for them rather than chucking them in the bin, even if it is giving them away. You can't do that with homemade food, wonky crocheted antimacassars, or a badly drawn picture of your house. Somebody will like them rather than nobody!

WellTidy · 06/08/2021 15:04

The most stressful Christmas in terms of gifting was when SIL suggested that we all make our Christmas gifts for each other that year. I am not at all creative, so the only thing I could think would be to cook things. I made Christmas puddings, mincemeat, chutneys, chilli jam, compote, slow gin and flavoured vodkas.

It took absolutely ages and ended up costing quite a bit too. I wasn’t organised with my jars in advance, so I had to buy them too. And Christmas fabric to make them pretty, and labels. And then I bought basket/hamper type things in tk maxx and loads of raffia to present them. Added more to the cost.

The easiest thing to make (for me) was a load of Christmas puddings. One massive bowl of mix, and then cooked them all at the same time. I did them on the hob, but if you have china basins, you can do them in the oven in a bain Marie, so less steam. And then wrap up in some Christmas fabric.

Lovemusic33 · 06/08/2021 15:07

I think plants are great gifts, a succulent is easy to care for and I would be happy to receive one.

Not too keen on handmade gifts unless again it’s something useful.

furstivetreats · 06/08/2021 15:39

I guess the other thing is whether you're bothered about what the recipient does with it. There's obviously an ethical perspective to that, and I would much rather have nothing than something for the sake of it, but leaving that aside, if you wouldn't care what I did with it then get me a Boots set and I'll pass it straight on to the food bank or women's refuge. It's a bit daft but I do understand that there might be complicated family dynamics at play here.

hiredandsqueak · 06/08/2021 20:13

I'd like a book and think there is scope for getting a book, of some description, for everyone at a reasonably low price.

Original poster
HotAndGrumpy · 07/08/2021 08:54

Actually, you have just given me a brilliant idea. One of the reasons why I want to move to token presents is because I am really tired of being lumbered with hosting and also buying expensive presents.

I am going to buy some of them a Christmas cookbook and hope they get the hint.

OP posts:
mam0918 · 07/08/2021 10:54

I am suprised by the number of people wanting plants.

Bar my 80+ year old grandma (who died a decade ago) I dont know ANYONE who keeps or likes houseplants, I suppose my teen DS has a cactus but that was a novelty and its certainly not anything he would require more than 1 of.

Lovemusic33 · 07/08/2021 11:05

@mam0918

I am suprised by the number of people wanting plants.

Bar my 80+ year old grandma (who died a decade ago) I dont know ANYONE who keeps or likes houseplants, I suppose my teen DS has a cactus but that was a novelty and its certainly not anything he would require more than 1 of.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t keep plants 🤔 Isn’t it quite trendy now to have house plants? My dd has succulents and cactus and I know lots of trendy people with cheese plants 🤣
Original poster
HotAndGrumpy · 07/08/2021 16:16

I do think you have to warn people in advance as it could be a bit cheeky for you to receive much more expensive gifts than you are giving out.

We don't get any gifts back, so no worries there. This is why I am trying to tone it down. I know the logical answer to this is don't buy them anything if you don't get any back, but believe me, I've tried that and there were many tears! This has been a WIP for many years. My mindset has shifted though and I am now in the "f*ck it" mentality. You are getting a token gift and if you don't like it, that's too bad.

OP posts:
coodawoodashooda · 07/08/2021 16:20

@Edmontine

Good Lord - I sincerely hope I’m not one of the middle aged recipients you’re downgrading this year. Grin I really, really wouldn’t want a Christmas filled with other people’s random bits of ‘craft’. (Even worse if made by their children.)

Token gifts are pointless. Surely there’s one recent, well reviewed, much reduced paperback book you could bulk buy and hand out?

And I’m not the only person a bit squeamish about homemade food made in kitchens I’m not intimately familiar with.

A book. (New poetry for preference.) A bottle. (Snap up every reduced price bottle of port you see.) There’s really no need for anything else.

Bah humbug!

Me neither!
Jenjenn · 07/08/2021 16:27

How about hosting instead of gifts but earlier in the month? Let's say afternoon tea 2nd Sunday of December? Might get you out of hosting christmas too as you have already done your bit Wink

Winemewhynot · 07/08/2021 16:30

What about a secret Santa so all adults get one nice gift rather than some homemade tat that will be unappreciated?

Jumpingintosummer · 07/08/2021 16:33

Hold on so they send you nothing but throw tears and tantrums if you don’t lavish them with gifts you can’t afford?!
Enough already, simply stop.

NeedNewKnees · 07/08/2021 16:37

@mam0918

I am suprised by the number of people wanting plants.

Bar my 80+ year old grandma (who died a decade ago) I dont know ANYONE who keeps or likes houseplants, I suppose my teen DS has a cactus but that was a novelty and its certainly not anything he would require more than 1 of.

House plants a very on trend, apparently. My teen daughter and her friends all have loads.
user1466167893 · 07/08/2021 16:38

I agree with others here. Best bet would be consumables, port/wine/sherry, socks, books. Look around now and in clearance bits of supermarkets. Unusual variety of things that people won't have had before. For example, for father's Day I picked up make your own sausage kits! OR suggest a secret Santa. One gift of say £50 value?

Winemewhynot · 07/08/2021 16:39

Ah you seen you don’t get anything back! Fuck that then, why are you even buying for all these people at the expense of your own DH when you get nothing in return?!

Edmontine · 07/08/2021 17:06

What!!!???Shock

Why didn’t you say in your first post that those meanies give nothing in return? And you were planning to be waist deep in flour and glue got months to satisfy their selfish greed?

Forget whatever I said before.Angry

Fuck ‘em!

Edmontine · 07/08/2021 17:06

for months. for. Hmm

AuntieMarys · 07/08/2021 17:09

You are quite mad stressing about what to give people who don't buy you anything. Just don't do it!!!!