Struggling with ideas for DC

[IsTheOffDutyDoneYet]

Starting to panic a little bit at the thought of Christmas. I’m not always the most prepared but usually manage to muddle through, however this year we’ve bought a house so money is much tighter, even though DH and I are working a ridiculous number of hours. We have 3 DC - DD15, DD12 and DS10. They’ve not really asked for anything in particular, and with them being older I find it difficult to buy what looks like an ok amount as everything is just so expensive. They understand we’ve moved and this is going to impact on money, but I really want to still make it special if I can.

Does anyone have any ideas they can share, even just for fillers please?

I always ask mine for a list, so start there.
A new dressing gown, and fluffy PJ’s and socks always go down well in our house, and look bulky.
My teen DD really liked her surprise Ugg slippers last year, but they weren’t cheap! She always asks for Ariana Grande perfume, and there’s a new one out this year.
Other than that I’m no help, and struggling myself.

Your 10 year old might still appreciate the Smyths catalogue. My 11 year old asked for a boxing training set, I imagine that will be quite big. Hard as it is though I'd not waste money buying stuff for the sake of bulk.
Board games that you can all play - trivial pursuit family is really popular in our house.
Books? My ds11 loves percy jackson and there are loads of them.

This sounds very much like us too. They hate it when I ask what they'd like as they never know themselves (last year DD (now 15) wanted bamboo socks and DS (now 12) a notebook)

I always get them a book, some lego, a game and a chocolate orange.

I've got DD a mirrored mini fridge, lego flowers, a new dressing gown, some new colouring pens (she likes the twinmarkers in BnM) and a charm for her pandora bracelet (she was eyeing up the 'O' pendant so I might get her that for her birthday in February)

I find it harder buying for DS - I'm thinking about getting him the meta quest, but it's an expensive gamble considering her hasn't asked for it.

Firstly try not to panic and set a realistic budget.

DD 12 had three friends staying last night and they were all talking about Christmas. I was happy to notice not one mentioned anything £££ and seemed very excited by the following:
Fluffy pyjamas /Oodie (from primark etc)
Byoma skincare (currently on offer at boots)
Herd mentality
Fluffy socks
Bath bombs
Costa/Starbucks vouchers
Cosy knitwear
Make up
Body sprays
Perfume

Bigger items mentioned:
Sports equipment
Sports clothes
Nike and New balance trainers
Theatre tickets (remember teens don’t expect the best seats)

Hobby related stuff? Or T-shirts, bags, accessories with hobby related design. Nice stationary. Bath bombs, make up bags and make up stuff. Cinema card, Tickets.

My dds are similar ages to yours (15 and 11) I have got quite a few gifts from vinted. (Set up alerts on items you are looking for)

I got book sets they wanted to read (dd1 various manga, dd2 heartstopper novels). Figures they collect, switch/playstation game each, board game each all at a fraction of the RRP price.

Large squishmallow for their rooms - they love to lean on them when gaming or use as pillows. (The entertainer had a fantastic deal a while back on these!)

I used temu and shein for stocking fillers - pin badges, tshirt & hoodie each (demon slayer for eldest, Taylor swift for the youngest!), beads & jewellery making for youngest, marker pens for my eldest. Fun book marks, kawaii style stationery for school, keyring for their keys, themed dobble (hello kitty & demon slayer), earrings/ stretchy choker necklaces, fluffy socks.

I got some body sprays from superdrug deals, some beauty face masks from primark and fake nails (for youngest) and nail varnish and stickers for eldest (stickers from shein). Lip balms and hand cream each too.

I used to get a lush bath bomb but will give them a voucher each as they go half price after Christmas so they can get double the amount plus they love it in there! Will probably get them each a Costa voucher too as they love a latte or hot chocolate when out with friends!

They will get a box of pop tarts each, individual boba kit, bag of percy pigs, chocolate orange, toffifee, Toblerone and a giant chocolate coin each in their stockings.

Join the bargain thread, loads of deals and ideas there!

If they haven't got an oodie type hoodie that's a must! mine live in theirs! I got some actual oodie seconds from ebay as shared on the bargain thread (2 for £26), they've come and are fantastic quality, so heavy and warm, just had the tags cut off and will need a freshen up as slightly chemical smell. I will wash when they are at school and hang in my room. Or primark had loads of theirs reduced this week if you can get instore.