Skint but desperately want to thank friends with a gift

[Onedaystronger]

I am mid divorce and really struggling financially. My wonderful friends have gone above and beyond this year in helping me deal with the fall out of H leaving out of the blue, and the ensuing chaos and divorce.

I initially totally crumbled and between then they have helped and supported me and I'm beginning to come out of the other side.

I need to cut back on gifts because of my financial situation but I feel I really want to do something for these friends as a thank you, and to let them know how grateful I am to have them.

We've usually bought each other gifts costing various amounts of I guess around £25. But I just can't afford much this year.

They don't all know each other so secret Santa isn't really an option.

I'm not very artistic unfortunately and feel wobbly about my cooking and hosting skills (this year seems to have shattered my confidence in so many ways) so I'm not sure about something homemade or having a get together . Plus I realise that lots of people dislike that kind of thing.

Has anyone got any thoughts or ideas?

I could go with a card and write a thank you message inside, but it all feels a bit awkward and cringey somehow.

Thanks Mumsnet.

Make some jam or chutney? Or biscuits or fudge. They are really simple to put together and don’t require much in the way of cooking skills.

Do they have kids that you could offer to babysit? or maybe an offer of cooking a meal for them so they dont have to cook themselves that evening?

Can you offer them some help e.g. babysitting for a night, or help in the garden, or look after their dog or something? Make a pretty voucher!

A card and message is lovely though - a thank you card rather than a Christmas one I would guess

@user1483387154 snap, sorry, was typing as you posted and missed yours.

A genuine message in a card is lovely, people understand that money is tight and most adults don't want or need more 'stuff' in their lives. An offer to babysit or to have DC over for a sleepover would be appreciated I'm sure. Or some other 'service' .. dog walking/ironing ?

Have each of them over for lunch? afternoon tea? Dinner? and in your invite say that it’s a drop in the ocean for what all try have done for you - and you want to show them how much you love and appreciate them

Don't underestimate the power of a nice card and heartfelt message. Do this instead of breaking your back sorting gifts, sounds like your friends will understand.

I would bite my friend's hands off if they offered baby or dog sitting! I also have a lovely memory of a pal finding out my fave cake secretly and making it for me. That was so thoughtful.

Otherwise second the heartfelt card. Everyone knows budgets are tight right now, so no one should be disappointed at not getting gifts. You sound like a lovely friend to have.

Dog or babySitting/gardening/a hand to clear out the loft/

I agree a heartfelt card or letter that tells them how much their friendship has meant to you is priceless. Don't underestimate how much they will appreciate that.

I would get a hyacinth bowl that will brighten up January after all of the Christmas decorations have come down (an outdoor one if they have hayfever). Can get for under £10 and tie with a ribbon.

Make vouchers for certain activities. A voucher for babysitting or helping with the garden, cleaning out the attic… or driving to the airport or whatever it is that your friends might need you for but are reluctant to ask.

Honestly - I agree with some pp. a heartfelt message of thanks is often better than a present. If you choose a nice and specific car for each person and add personal words, so much the better.

My initial thought was to make useful vouchers too. That and a card with heartfelt words.

You could do a 'cake in a jar' thing where you get a nice glass jar, fill it up with ingredients to make a cake/biscuits/cookies/brownies. Make it all layered and pretty. Finish with a nice bow and a note of appreciation :) maybe even a cringey quote long the lines of 'good friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life' or something like that 😆

Like this for example!

Chocolate Brownie Mix in a Jar | BBC Good Food

A card and then if you can some bulbs in a pot, so lovely to watch something grow that someone has given. Could do hyacinths. Or some daffodils.

Card and heartfelt message definitely. You could buy a personalised Christmas tree bauble if you want an inexpensive gift, I saw that mentioned on another thread and thought it was a lovely idea.