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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

What to buy for the sisters and the cousins and the aunts?

14 replies

IntheSnowySnowyMountains · 04/12/2022 23:47

We are in the habit of exchanging gifts with these slightly distant (in relationship and physical distance) relatives. Every year I leave it till the last minute and tear my hair out! I don't have much other family to buy for except DH so it's not really a financial problem. But looking at £20/30 ish pp or 40/50 per couple, maybe a bit more.

Totally stressed and in a lot of pain, and trying to organise a new boiler... help me!

Aunts (early 60s) are not too hard, they like things like jewellery and scarves but I feel I've bought a lot of them.

Then two families with adults in their 30s - I don't know the guys well so try to buy joint gifts. Often get houses bits they might not buy themselves. From them we've had a glass teapot and tea, bath bombs, seeds and pots, candles, books, food, nice lantern.

Two boys, 5 & 3 , a girl of 3 and a 3-month old baby boy. I don't have kids so am really bad at kids!

Couple of years ago I bought all the adults tea related gifts (nice mugs/travel mugs and posh tea) - sadly too soon to repeat! Did a hamper last year but they end up quite pricey.

Oh and they need to be ordered online and shipped to Australia! (Aus has no tax-free gift allowance, so I tend to order from Amazon or local companies).

Thank you!

OP posts:
Doidontimmm · 05/12/2022 07:21

Nice Christmas decoration each?

Alexandernevermind · 05/12/2022 07:26

That's bonkers and such a waste of money! I used to send overseas relative's kids amazon vouchers. Would it help if everyone did an Amazon wish list this year?

IntheSnowySnowyMountains · 06/12/2022 23:30

Thank you @Doidontimmm, nice idea!

I agree @Alexandernevermind but I feel stuck on the treadmill now! It must be the same for them - lots of family abroad. We've always gone for surprise presents so I'm not sure whether the wish list idea would go down like a lead balloon...

I am actually thinking of sending flowers or plants and something small for the kids. We got flowers last year and I really enjoyed them.

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 06/12/2022 23:38

The littlies would probably like a Lego or Playmobil toy. My daughter always loved the Playmobil dustcart.
For the baby, board books.
I would actually look into stopping gifts for the adults! But if it is too late, maybe flowers as you suggest. Or alcohol. Or a board game.

ThaliaLuxurySpa · 07/12/2022 07:28

www.bookdepository.com/

Free worldwide delivery on all books.

"From 1 July 2018, as a result of changes to Australian tax legislation, Book Depository now collects and remits GST (Goods and Sales Tax) on all books with a customs value of A$1000 or less that are shipped to Australia. All prices displayed on Book Depository's website are inclusive of the local Tax and free delivery".
So no hidden extras.

(Last posting date for Australia is 7th December, so get your orders done by midnight!)

IntheSnowySnowyMountains · 07/12/2022 16:31

Thank you @Leeds2 yes the older ones do like Lego, though I never know what they've got already! A little Lego fire truck bought in the supermarket kept the oldest entertained on a visit to us a few years ago. Will check out the dustcart.

@ThaliaLuxurySpa thanks for the tip about book depository, off for a look now. Just remembered I've bought calendars there too...

OP posts:
BlackForestCake · 07/12/2022 21:30

Are there only a few, or do you reckon them up by dozens?

17caterpillars1mouse · 07/12/2022 21:52

For the 5 and two 3 year olds I would go with a playdough set each. You can get a nice one for under £20. Hairdresser sets, the dentist set or any food themed ones have been popular here.

For the baby I would buy a musical instrument set or a really nice rain maker. They often state 12+ on the packaging but from my experience they get used from much earlier.

17caterpillars1mouse · 07/12/2022 21:55

Or one of these sensory bottles for the baby. I've brought them as gifts for similar aged babies before and the parents have found the great for keeping baby (and older siblings) entertained when out in coffee shops etc. The panda one is lovely

yesbebe.co.uk/search?options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=Sensory+bottle&type=product,article,page,collection

merryhouse · 07/12/2022 22:01

A pinafore, obviously.

merryhouse · 07/12/2022 22:02

(I'd not RTFT... <high-fives square-dances@BlackForestCake >)

TwoBlueFish · 07/12/2022 22:02

I’ve just ordered by brother and sister in law a spice gift box and a recipe book.

leafinthewind · 07/12/2022 22:06

merryhouse · 07/12/2022 22:01

A pinafore, obviously.

Yep, I'm with merryhouse. A pinafore. Clearly.

Saw a fab all male HMS Pinafore earlier this year. Possibly the gayest thing I've ever seen!

arcprintindia · 08/12/2022 10:55

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