Family gifts on a very tight budget! Ideas?

[Karleeb30]

Extremely tight on money this year.

We have my mum and stepdad.

Dp's mum and stepdad.

My grandmother.

We both have 3 siblings each so 6 gifts and most are quite a bit younger than us apart from dp's sister who is 30. Siblings range from late teens, early twenties to 30! We are the only ones with dc.

I have uncles who have no children. They tend to spoil mine so I like to buy something nice for them.

Budget gift ideas please?

Finding it hard whilst budgeting to buy dc stuff too. Likely that me and dp will not buy each other anything this year.

Can you make anything?
Balls of wool to make scarves are much cheaper than buying scarves.
Make gingerbread, fudge, truffles for just the price of ingredients.

For the siblings could you agree not to buy for each other this year, or agree on a lower budget, or suggest a secret santa (everyone buys for just one other person, with a spending limit)

Follow the bargains thread on here - the current one is titled something about schrodinger beanbag - there are often real bargains on there.

Check out Facebook marketplace and charity shops for bits for the kids. At this time of year a lot of people do clear outs so there might be some decent stuff around for bargain prices. I've found things brand new and sealed in charity shops for 20% of what they would have cost "brand new".

Tell adults you can’t afford gifts this year so don’t buy gifts for you, for children explain to parents that money is super tight so can they suggest a small present. Maybe colouring book with pencils/socks, etc depending on age.

If there is something specific your kids are after, use the website camelcamelcamel to track the amazon prices - you can get alerts if it drops below a certain price

@HungryHippo11

Can you make anything? Balls of wool to make scarves are much cheaper than buying scarves. Make gingerbread, fudge, truffles for just the price of ingredients.

For the siblings could you agree not to buy for each other this year, or agree on a lower budget, or suggest a secret santa (everyone buys for just one other person, with a spending limit)

Follow the bargains thread on here - the current one is titled something about schrodinger beanbag - there are often real bargains on there.

Check out Facebook marketplace and charity shops for bits for the kids. At this time of year a lot of people do clear outs so there might be some decent stuff around for bargain prices. I've found things brand new and sealed in charity shops for 20% of what they would have cost "brand new".

Thankfully. Unfortunately I am absolute pants at making anything 😅 I'll have a look around!

@HungryHippo11

If there is something specific your kids are after, use the website camelcamelcamel to track the amazon prices - you can get alerts if it drops below a certain price

Thank you. My children aren't after anything Particular. Mainly small things so I am certain we will manage that just about.

It's just I seriously need to cut down what we spend on family this year. We just don't have the extra money!

Are throws real boring gifts? We love wilko waffles throws in this house - they are usually £16 but currently £8! Would you be disappointed if you got a throw? Personally I would be delighted if I got a throw 👀

Throws are not boring - check out M&S teddy fleece throws, about £15 I’m buying Dh one for Christmas.

But seriously do a little hamper of food goodies for each of them, or suggest a family secret Santa.

Plants
Biscuit in a nice tin

Aldi is your friend. Buy from their top level food and drink range and it's still value prices. Alcohol, chocolates, nice biscuits all round.

The other option to think about is suggesting a family secret Santa where you pick names (there are websites that will randomly assign it if you put all the names in) and then each person gets one present. You can then afford to spend a bit more and still save money overall.

Throws are lovely! I like food bits I wouldn’t normally buy myself so fancy macarons or popcorn maybe? zaramama?-I think- do cool popcorn, maybe that with a dvd (charity shop) and a throw?

I’d love a waffle throw! I also agree with nice foodie bits. I’m doing similar for my mum this year. Also in Aldi I noticed they had some books for 75p the other day. I got one for my dad. M&S have got some nice food in. The jams are quite cheap & they do some Belgian truffles for £4. You could make a lovely little hamper/selection from a few of these bits.
Agree with the recommendation to check the Xmas bargains thread. It’s brilliant.

If you were my child or sibling I would be horrified if you spent any of your tight budget on me. Tell your family and use the money on the children and perhaps a festive day out with them.

I do think secret santa is the way forward here - most people will be relieved you suggested it.

Are you any good at cooking? Someone made me fudge one year and mini cookies the next year. In a little cellophane bag with a bow of paper ribbon. They were great and my kids also loved them.

its going to be a long cold winter, you can't have too many waffle throws
How about some cosy socks, or slipper boots , I picked up some lovely socks and slipper boots from M&S and Next yesterday.
I often find it easier to pick a theme so you can take advantage of offers. It's also worth doing searches on different websites, you often get discounts on first orders.
Yesterday I got three pairs of recycled cashmere fingerless gloves/wrist warmers, I've had my eye on for ages. The offers was £19 a pair. Normal price is £29. I'd never have bought them at the higher price

Going on things I would be happy to receive.

How about

a bottle of shampoo from body shop.
A reed diffuser. (Avons are reasonable).
Something from Hotel Chocolate (they do three bars for £10
£10 amazon voucher
Slipper socks
Gloves
Scarf
A bar of shampoo
A book they will like
See if Cath Kidston have a sale because I picked up several gifts there for under £10 each like hand cream sets, reusable shopping bags, compact mirror, purse.

Your throw idea is excellent
Some people like candles but not my thing.

Rex London have reusable cups for £2 each they're lovely how about one of those a jar of coffee and some home made cookies?

Don't try to fit the presents to the budget.

Reduce the number of presents and the problem is solved!!

Secret Santa or better still no gifts for adults.

I also have three siblings as does my partner. We do secret Santa in the two family groups £20/£30 limit. Saves a lot of stress and money.

What about a hamper? I've done these a few times. Cheap baskets from poundland and buy packs of bath bombs, salts, nail polish, facemask ect and share equally, I do the same for the men but with male bath stuff, coffees, chocs or chilli things anything else they're in to. They look really nice and shows you've put thought into your gift. Maybe something personalised in there of dc.

Please speak to your family. I would hate to think any of my friends/relatives were using their tight budget on me.

I’m just getting family members socks this year (they will be nice socks) mainly because I’m fed up of spending so much time looking for the perfect gift and then the gift not getting used. Socks always get used.

What sort of budget are you looking to spend? The Spicery get great reviews on the bargain threads & are currently 33% off all cookbook kits.

Hotel Chocolat are doing a new subscription box (no minimum term), with a code to reduce the first box to £10 for VIP members (free sign up).

Suggest a Secret Santa - we’ve done it for the last few years and an unexpected bonus has been saving time as well as money!

I'd love a throw as a present. (Off to look at Wilko's waffle ones.)

Primark have lovely teal, grey and mustard yellow cotton velvet cushion covers at £2.50 each. Look and feel the same to me as the ones sold for £40 at the local homewares boutique.