£100 in the bank now for food and presents for both parents and sibling. Can I do it?

[LetterBug]

just that really. 100 pounds until January. I haven't gotten my parents anything or my DB. Or done the Christmas shopping.
Any ideas on cheap gifts but not gift sets as my family hate them read: are drowning in them

I really can't think of what they need maybe a household item?

Write an IOU for each of them that would be you spending time with them next year and they could choose ie lunch, afternoon tea etc. This to me would be priceless and shows them that you want to spend time with them rather than just buying yet another gift. I hope that helps

Get a frozen Turkey, half the price of fresh. All the supermarkets have bargain veg, get enough to do bubble and squeak on Boxing Day (with leftover meat) and get some puff pastry to make a turkey pied with the little bits stripped from the carcass, fill out with veggies. Christmas Eve around 4pm they reduce everything not sold to very cheap prices, worth a try. Charity shops are your best option for very cheap gifts

Its not a money thing. We dont do adult presents- unless the people are with us on Christmas Day

But if you need to: 3 for £5 mixed cocktails in a bag. Sainsburys have them in lovely glass bottles - wrap in tissue. These ones are £2.50 each but the bottles are gorgeous

www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/nohrlund-passion-martini-organic-vodka-cocktail-180ml

@ItsSnowJokes

We couldn't afford presents for family last year as we had just moved house and extended our mortgage and then I got made redundant out of the blue. They completely understood and this year we have made it up to them. Be honest with them. Don't get into debt or not eat for Christmas, that is not what the spirit of Christmas is about.

We've just moved too so thats why money is tight. I have said that we can't afford much but nothing is pretty harsh especially when they have bought presents for my family. Baked goods is good idea.

If you go the home cooking route, fudge is easy (carnation chocolate fudge recipe especially so), one batch can be divided into several gifts, and can be made in advance x

Would they not understand that money is tight and you just can't do it this year? We are similar due to being off with covid, Dp is the main earner and even 8 days of him on SSP is going to be a killer! I have no advice though, sorry!

@NeverDropYourMooncup

If all else fails, tell them on 23rd that you have to self isolate. That way you spend your £100 on yourself/food and you're clear to get them something reduced on 3rd January.

Ahhh this is the magic mumsnet wisdom I needed!

I like theittle hamper idea. Make biscuits and bits and put in pringles and a cake or something like that with socks or something.
I might add the bird feeder too actually, I know I would love that though not them.
They aren't readers or plant people.

We can afford to eat!!!! This is disposable money not bill money wiped me out earlier

Please don’t spend money you don’t have.
Vouchers for future ‘hoovering’ ‘gardening’ ‘ a proper cooked dinner’ etc will cost nothing to make, and you can design / paint / print them

Can you get some nice pictures printed and a couple of cheap frames from ikea or b and m?
You can always get voucher codes for Snapfish etc. The collage prints come out well. Worst case just put then in a cardboard insert.
If your mum is crafty at all then the diamond dotz pictures are great. Can get them from Amazon or the range for about a fiver

I really wouldn't want a present from a family member in this situation, I'd love a promise to do something later on together though.

I would hate it if a relative spent money they didnt have on a gift for me. I would much prefer you to have food.
Why not look at world of books if you do feel the need to buy something? I got 3 books for £7 from them.

Have you checked for boots/Tesco/nectar points? Do you get rewards with any bank account or credit cards?

Xmas dinner for under £5 on This Morning last week.
www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/clodaghs-christmas-under-gbp5-recipes

I'd be horrified if my DCs were worried about not having enough food in the fridge and were still thinking of getting me a present. Please just tell them - they should expect a gift.

give your time on paper

so write a gift of cooking a meal for 4, or washing the car, mowing the lawn and weeding the garden

making them breakfast in bed

chickpea and sweet potato curry,

find a good recipe and make up a batch

use the app - too good to go to get bargain treats

I'd be broke too if I was buying presents for my husband's grandparents.

If you are spending Christmas Day with them take a token present like a plant or a box of chocolates or a contribution to the meal such as a pudding.

aldi & lidl do wonderful chocolate bars... (hint family!!!)

Do you have a printer?

You could make the parents and grandparents a nice photo calendar of you and the children?
It's free to do and they would love it!
Here you go:
www.calendarlabs.com/photo-calendar/

I agree with other posters forget gifts, focus on food. However if you feel you need to get something get a large tin of roses or quality street £5 or 2 for £7.

My daughter (9) has written a book that we are going to print out as her Christmas present to older relatives.

Printing out a photo and putting it in a cheap frame is a simple thoughtful gift.

But honestly I would be mortified if someone was down to their last £100 and spent any of it on a gift for me!!

Buy some £1 Epsom salts and cheap ikea/hobbycraft kilner jar. Bake coookies or make peppermint creams. Hot chocolate in a jar. A £10 hamper( box wrappped in paper) with chutney, biscuits and cheese, (wax truckles £1 in Tesco's)
Good quality socks on 3for2 in fat face

Anything homemade is a wonderful gift and you can get the kids involved (if you want to), biscuits are cheap and easy to make, or fudge. If you're good at crafting, you could always make some Christmas decorations, family love these kind of gifts, the ones they can get out every year and remember that you made them.
Re-gifting is a good option too. I recently gave a friend an old popcorn making machine for her Birthday, wrapped it nicely & bought a little bag of popcorn to go with it and she was delighted. Just remember, it's always the thought that counts.

Boots 3-for-2 presents?

Do you have any Tesco vouchers you can use?

Has db got kids? If so, can you make babysitting vouchers? Ie. You’ll babysit for them? Or dog walk? Or do 10 hours ironing? Etc

I once bought porcelain pens and cheap but nice plain white Ikea plates and mugs, and my children drew on them (they drew the family we were giving it to). 20 years later and some of the plates are still very much treasured and going strong.

Some ideas if you feel you really must give a gift:
Aldi have beautiful candles for around £4, No 11 peony is especially nice
Chocolates
Socks, Primark/ home bargains for about £2.59 for fluffy ones or slipper type
Aldi have a 2 small Prosecco set for £6.99 or a panettone
What are you thinking you’d like to gift?
It’s really important you leave money for food