Gifts for orphaned nephews first christmas without parents

[Nidan2Sandan]

My sister died early this year, very suddenly. The boys Dad committed suicide in 2020.

They are 18 and 22.

Usually I dont buy for nieces and nephews, frankly because I have a butt tonne of them and it would send me bankrupt.

Nephews are now independently wealthy due to various payouts, significantly more so than we are. (They have both received in excess of £100k each) They never buy gifts for anyone else in the family, and we would never expect them to.

However, with no Mum and Dad to buy them gifts they would have nothing bought for them if myself and my mum/sister dont get them anything (their Dads side of the family cut them off after their Dad died) but money is EXTREMELY tight for us all.

So, any suggestions on what to buy them? They're your typical young men, interests are gaming PCs, younger one is learning to drive and recently bought himself a car. They dont have hobbies, dont like to go out, no cinema, pubs etc. Dont drink.

My budget is no more than £15 each 😔

Don't assume they are bothered.
A lot of people really aren't bothered about Xmas presents for the sake of it

If rather company & Xmas dinner than any presents

I'd see if you can club together with your mum and sister and get them a few things.

Stocking wise I would look at some cheap but practical things. I bought my brother a key ring with a screwdriver, torch, Allen key etc on it for about £6 from Amazon last year he was really pleased with it.

If your older nephew isn't massively social and not wanting to spend Christmas Day with you all why don't you offer to send his plate back with his brother so he doesn't miss out on the roast . Or even invite him over on another day for a quieter meal?

I'm sorry you lost your sister.

What a lovely thought.

Rather than gifts (they are a hard age to cater for!) , could you invite them over for a home cooked (special?) meal. The gift of your time and love are free and they may well appreciate it.

And it may be good for your too. You've been through it and need to look after you as well

I'm so sorry for my clumsily worded post.

I meant your thought of presents for them, of course.

It's lovely you're thinking of all this so early. I like the stocking idea too.
I agree photos could be great. You can print photo books very cheaply - there are always 50% off sales and discount codes. Would they have older photos of their mum, from your childhood etc? Even a couple of printed photos could be very meaningful, perhaps with a message/memory of the time the photo was taken? That plus a few token stocking bits (Xmas socks, favourite snacks or chocolates) would be really nice I think.

Also think PP above with offer to drop off a plated roast to the quieter nephew is really thoughtful.

Finally, I'm really sorry OP for the loss of your sister. x

I'm so sorry you have lost your sister.

Can you bake? Nothing says love, family and Christmas more than home baking. I would buy a couple of cheap, festive cake tins (these are inexpensive and nice) and fill them to the brim with homemade cake, cookies, mince pies etc. If you get in the habit of doing your baking when your oven is already on it won't cost too much in terms of energy prices, so just your time and the cost of the ingredients.

If you get them to give the tins back before next Christmas it could become a new family tradition.

I agree. Anything they need or want they can probably buy except family love and care. Where are they going for Christmas lunch? Being included will be worth more to them than anything else.

A sock subscription maybe are lots on the market. Sockgeeks.co.uk sockinabox and are £8 per month or 20 3 months

Ah, I'm sorry for your loss op.

I wouldn't even attempt to try and make it 'the same' - Christmas will be hard and there will be no masking the lack of gifts if they used to get a pile of stuff from mum. It's the new normal and they'll be bound to feel it, even if you clubbed together with family.

I agree that a photo book would be lovely. I'd spend time collecting every single photo you can of them with their parents, them growing up, any shots of their parents growing up and then do a really lovely photo book so they have all their memories in one place.

I’m very sorry for your losses, OP.

They can afford to purchase what they want so I’d go for the “care” that PPs mentioned. Bake a cake for them, buy some M&S food including the mini pizzas and pasta salads if that’s what they like. Maybe take them out for breakfast or lunch the day before your sister and her brood descend, even if it’s just to McDonalds.

You sound like a very nice family.

Might they enjoy being part of a family Secret Santa for adults? Then you could maybe up the budget a bit - OK they’d only get the one present but they’d feel included and also have to buy for someone else too and it’s the connection you want, not the £100 headphones really.

For the one who bought a car, my brother loves the car air fresheners that are boxing gloves. I got some as a joke from Poundland years and years ago and now I have to keep rebuying them for about 8 times the price. I don’t totally understand it.

A dressing gown? Hoodie? Nice pyjamas? Slippers? if they like gaming and staying in they may appreciate something cosy in the winter

Cushion or blanket with family photos on it.
hamper
stuff to pimp out car
a rose or plant/ tree for them to nurture and grow for mum
cake or cookie subscription
gamer mag subscription
one of those mens bracelets or necklaces that look like rope/thread thing.with mums or all birthstones

That's not a bad idea, they are both proper live in pyjamas/slouchy clothes all day type of people.