Free Christmas Ideas

[ChristmasMad1]

So as the title suggests looking for free / very little money ideas as Christmas presents? Got a lot of people to buy for with little money as ideas. No DIY or baking (can't do that!!) 😂

Who do you want to buy for?

Now is a good time to suggest child only presents or secret santa.

Handmade vouchers? Have a friend who does this for us annually. Things like a coffee date, a babysitting evening, her taking the kids to the playground for an hour, a cocktail/pint, an afternoon of her company etc.

I think we've 'cashed in' maybe 3 vouchers 😂 but I always appreciate the thought/effort she's put in!!

Lots of places have a second hand book shelf, where you can pick up a book for a few pence.
There will not always be the ' right' book, so start early - some are brand new.
Take a look on the adult stocking thread - some very unusual, interesting gifts for under £5.
When you say very little money - an idea, please? Would a bottle of wine, or some bubble bath be out of your range?

What's "very little" money? Selection boxes for kids, scratchcards stuck to a mini wine for adults?

I think the best solution would be to announce that you’re not doing presents this year, or offer to arrange a secret Santa with a £5 limit. Christmas is supposed to be wonderful and enjoyable, not full of pressure and worry.

But if you feel that you can’t do that, then I’d go for selection boxes or bubble bath for the kids, or if you have any who enjoy painting or crafting, HobbyCraft bits start from 99p. Get yourself on The Works site, they’ve got lots of stuff on their clearance page and are doing ten children’s books for £10 if you have a few to buy for. No postage if you collect from store. Have a look at Pound Fun. Some bits are a bit rubbish, but they have a couple of things that they give away free or for 1p. I’ve had a Star Wars blind bag and an LOL dolls head band for a penny each.

For adults, (who really should know better than to make you feel like you have to buy for them) I’d go for a £1 scratch card or lottery ticket, or a photo in a charity shop frame. Either one of you together, or one of their children or someone who means something to them. You can have them enlarged quite cheaply, or even find a newsagent that does colour photocopying and enlarge it on there. Other than that, get hunting for charity shop bargains.

Are you green fingered? There are things you can plant now that will be ready to give by Christmas if you have friends or relatives who would appreciate a plant.

Hi thanks for all the suggestions! Should have clarified that the budget it like £5 each range from 1 year old to 80 year old! Any suggestion would be appreciated (trying not to buy tat)

Great ideas! Any suggestions ?

I'd look for a suitable paperback for everyone, that should be achievable on that budget. A well thought out book is a lovely present.

My husband did something similar for his team last year. It was a penguins classic book, a lottery ticket, a tea bag in a sachet and a bar of chocolate. It seemed to be well received. (Well they aren’t going to say it wasn’t I guess).

I've ordered some paper whites from here https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-paperwhite-inbal-for-forcing It will be the first time I'll have tried it, so I won't offer you any technical advice, but there's lots online. I think you can also get crocuses, amaryllis and hyacinths to flower.

If you have any suitable houseplants you could try propagating from them. I recently took some cuttings from my mini monstera plant and they've already shot roots out. Wrong time of year, but we'll see...

Disclaimer - I am no expert on gardening, so maybe post in the gardening forum for advice if you decide to try this!

Boho moon from the Christmas bargain pages might work?

Claires.com has 5 items for £10 at the moment with some quite big items included.

@ChristmasMad1 don’t discard charity shops. They’ve been saving their best stock to put out for Christmas and are starting to put stuff out now. Loads of stuff is unused or can pass as new.

Hi Terry 👋🏼🤪

I've been buying stuff in load of charity shops great scores!

Vinted has lots of home items at low prices. Many new.

I love the random teacups and saucers in charity shops. They’d make a beautiful present for someone and useful too.

I find most things my older relatives like are fairly low in price but have enormous value to them - warm socks, favourite chocolate bar or sweets, nice soap or shower gel, body cream, soft flannel, nail polish.

Books are a lovely idea for the readers. Gardening gloves, seeds, knee pads etc for gardeners.

A Christmas bauble.

Selection box or tub of Celebrations etc.