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.

Honestly sack it off, do a secret Santa. Why out yourself through stress to but stuff you can't afford.

Family Secret Santa is a real lifesaver imo. Saves time and money and everyone has a gift.
There are also planty of DIY options, like cooking something or making printable family calendars with photos of each of you or even handmade soap or candles if you are crafty. There could also be Christmas video greeting cards instead of store bought ones.

Just be honest with your family, I would hate to think of people struggling to give gifts, we stopped all presents for over 18s years ago ... huge relief all round, we can stilll meet up, have a nice meal, enjoy each other's company but without the pressure of finding something 'original', budget friendly and that someone actiosaly wants.

I say this every year, I manage a charity shop and in January we are inundated with unwanted Christmas presents ....

Don't think you have to buy gifts for them to be successful. Some of the best received presents I have given have been free or cost very little.

Obviously pre covid, a makeover booked for a teenager, cost £0. A framed copy of my parents' wedding invitation, cost of one frame.

Do you have photos you could put in frames? The uncles might appreciate a picture of your children, particularly if you have one with the uncle in.

You can get photos printed on to fridge magnets / key rings etc www.snapfish.co.uk/photo-gifts

Depending on where you and your family live things from different ethnic grocers. My brother is in Cornwall, no Indian shops there, but I'm in Wolverhampton so I often send spices and food he can't get.

You might not be able to make things but are any of your recipients interested in making things? A pattern for a knitted scarf (get one from the internet for free) and the yarn to make it or other craft 'tools'.

@FoolShapeHeart how do I sign up for the subscription server? I'm a Vip member but can't seem to see how to do it

Absolutely ragwort. The first year we stopped presents for adults i just couldn't believe the reduction in stress. I was a little bit disappointed in not having presents myself

@clpsmum I was sent an email with a code on, I'll see if I can find it...

@clpsmum it was from Sept & finished a couple of days ago 🙁 sorry x

@FoolShapeHeart no probs thanks anyway

I'd love a throw OP, slippers/slipper socks always seem appreciated at Christmas too. I think most of us love cosy things.

I love a PP's idea of house plants, you've got time to build up from very small seedlings/ cuttings abs you can keep an eye out for cheap plant pots the kids could decorate?

Homemade fudge is always good too (there are some insanely easy recipes which are foolproof abs don't need all the temperate monitoring)

.

Throws are lovely.

Some other budget ideas

Lovely bar soap (TK Maxx has really nice Italian ones that come in beautiful boxes)
Socks
Chocolates (Aldi)
Gluhwein with a mug
Christmas bauble
Scarf (Primark has lovely ones)
A cheap photo frame with a picture of them with a family member or DC
Coasters (TK Maxx)
Scented candle (TK Maxx)
Handkerchief (I know it’s old fashioned, but I love them)
Costume jewelry brooch that matches with winter coat for the ladies
Handcream
Biscuits in tin
Helleborus in a lovely white or red pot
Small handbag mirror
Jigsaw puzzle

Tea in a nice tin or buy some lovely Christmas tins and fill them with home made fudge or cookies
A hair clip
Tie from TK Maxx

www.museumselection.co.uk/all-gifts/?price=2%2D8

I love this webshop and all these gifts are lovely and max £8 each

I love those Wilko waffle throws - they're huge. You could add a cheap box of chocs or cheap mug/ hot choc if you wanted to make it more 'substantial'.

You've said you can't afford the extra money for gifts though. So tell everyone you're not doing presents this year. Tell them why. Tell them now while there is plenty of notice then there's no issue. If family want to buy for the children then that's fine but literally do not buy any gifts!! An £8 throw is still £8 when you can't afford it!

My mum has taken it one further this year for our family by suggesting secret Santa but with a £20 max budget and only from charity shops/second hand which I love her for but I know it def won't be everyone's cup of tea.

DP's family have always had a rule of max £20 per family on a family present - which is usually really lovely food like a pile of chocolate bars, cheese, fancy sauces or a family game. It's almost a shame cos I love thinking about what presents to buy people but is a massive relief for the budget!

Seems such a shame to spend the time, money and effort trying to find cheap gifts for the sake of it. I really would echo the others who've suggested either dropping Christmas presents altogether, doing secret santa or kids only. Honestly, I would be surprised if most people aren't relieved if you suggest it.

Can't help but wonder how many of the presents suggested will end up in the back of a cupboard before making their way to a charity shop or even landfill.

@gamesconsoler

I love those Wilko waffle throws - they're huge. You could add a cheap box of chocs or cheap mug/ hot choc if you wanted to make it more 'substantial'.

I agree! I've been buying them for years! Love them! Ordered some last night (for me and - gift) but have been refunded as now out of stock 😏😏

Thank you everyone 💕 secret Santa is a great idea but unsure if it'll work as we may not be all in the same place at once (can it still work?!). I'm appalling at home crafts and baking. My baking usually tastes okay but often looks like absolute poop 😅

@coronabeer

Seems such a shame to spend the time, money and effort trying to find cheap gifts for the sake of it. I really would echo the others who've suggested either dropping Christmas presents altogether, doing secret santa or kids only. Honestly, I would be surprised if most people aren't relieved if you suggest it.

Can't help but wonder how many of the presents suggested will end up in the back of a cupboard before making their way to a charity shop or even landfill.

Thank you. I try not to buy gifts that have little use. So far I've bought my mum a £3 calendar - she loves calendars and I buy her one every year. My stepdad I've bought some pjs in the sale as he'll likely need new ones for a hospital procedure in the new year.. probably get them chocolates to share too. My mum doesn't buy me much at all so I don't spend much on her... she buys for the kids and I bought for my siblings big they are grown up now... not sure what to do!

I've actually realised I've got some boots pointed saved up. So I've managed to get my siblings 3 gifts in the 3 for 2 with click and collect so no delivery cost. May buy some chocolates to go with.. they are teens and early twenties so hopefully will appreciate it.

My gran I've bought a scarf, again in the sale.

Unsure on the rest yet!

I may spend a little more on mil and her husband only because she is very generous herself throughout the year! Thinking maybe a hamper!

Would you be disappointed if you got a throw?
Honestly, yes I would. I'd think someone had lost their mind if they bought me a throw . Particularly so for the younger ones I think.

Check out the sales at Lisa Angel for nice bits of jewellery that are really reasonable, similarly Buckleys have great offers and some Amazon sellers do lovely silver jewellery. You will get something nice for less than £10. Agree with books, especially if they have an interest or hobby. You can pick up hardback books really cheaply on Amazon - maybe cookery, photography etc. Check out The Drop Store for deals on multi buys on gin, rum and vodka if anyone drinks. Hearst do bargain deals on 6 month magazine subscriptions, often less than a tenner with free beauty boxes. Boots have sone great deals on tenner Tuesdays theyve had some great Sleek make up sets recently. The Spicery have 30% off their curry legends kits atm and if you use a referral thread you will get more £££ off. And as pp have said definitely check in to the bargain threads here for offers, there's great deals being posted all the time

Seems such a shame to spend the time, money and effort trying to find cheap gifts for the sake of it
I disagree. I think its fun trying to find something friends and family will love within a budget. Obviously not any old tat, but with some thoughtfulness and effort you can find lovely gifts that aren't expensive or are great offers. But then I do love present buying.

@Karleeb30

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 👀

I would definitely not want one and it would likely go straight to the charity shop.

Maybe I'm in the minority. I would absolutely
Love a throw compared to some other things I've been bought over the years. Can't get enough of the winter warmies here - and socks. If anyone asks what I want - irs always socks! Can't get enough 😅