Help - what to buy rich friends with no money!

[Justsayit123]

Got great friends and have been invited to theirs for Christmas Day. However, they are likely to get us expensive gifts probably costing a few hundred each and we can’t reciprocate. Plus there is 5 of us and 3 of them. They have harrods tea bags like I buy sainsbury red label! Any suggestions of what I could buy which is nice but not costing the earth?

I actually bought my DD Newby tea which is stocked by Harrods as a bit of fun, she's really into teas and infusions and they seem to have a good range and sample boxes of different types.

Do something personalised, not too expensive but shows you care. Name a star, engraved house plaque, fun family game etc

Totally agree with an earlier poster - as someone who (used to) have money, I never wanted the equivalent of what I gave, ever, simply wanted to treat people.

They won't care, trust me. Don't worry about the cost. What are their hobbies & interests?

Do they garden? I would be ecstatic to receive a big load of tulip and hyacinth bulbs. Or Felco pruners. Or a nice garden book, even a secondhand one. Or interesting planters. Just try to ascertain if they have a colour scheme.

Nice outdoor thermometer or sun dial.

Anything vintage like a crockery vase, thoughtful book, little silver bowl, etc

Assorted nuts

Do you have any photos of them? Framed photos are always nice to receive.

One of those murder mystery or escape rooms games would be a great addition to the party; there are lots of Christmas themed ones on Amazon

Cozy heated throw

Bird feeder?

Oh yes I like the ideas of a house present, food, wine and a game to play all together!

Good suggestion

I love personalised stationery or paper goods like cocktail napkins. There are a number of vendors on Etsy.

I've also seen sites online that do personalised linen cocktail napkins in myriad colours, but a bit more pricey.

Even a nice box of notecards from a museum shop can come in handy.

Sainsbury's red label is amazing tea, pisses on their Harrods I'm sure of it.

Anyway, I would say can we do a secret Santa please or a token gift and get them a box of chocolates.

I think you repay in thought rather than value.

Do your friends have any specific interests?

In my family the present no one will now be without are a small swiss army knife and a foldable picnic blanket that rolls up to a tiny size so you can keep it in your bag (I'm not suggesting these things unless your friends are outdoorsy types but just an example of how something that might seem ridiculous to someone else is brilliant if they fit the person).

Photos are another good option or what about more local things? If they come originally from another part of the UK but things from that region to make a hamper.

If they are your friends, they are buying for you because it gives them pleasure to see you have treats. It is part of their Christmas to share something with you and not in expectation of the value back. I'd avoid the generic 'i got you a bath set because I had no idea and didn't want to think about it' type gifts but otherwise I'm sure what you choose will be fine.

@HowYouSpellingThat10

A swiss army knife is a great idea. I received one in 1983 (yes 83) and not a week goes by that I don't use it. Very handy household tool.

Can get a decent one for about 40 quid.

OP, what are the ages, etc of the household members? What is your budget?

I would say, probably don’t suggest a secret santa unless you are very close to them. You would be restricting their plans and imposing on them. It’s also a bit late to be asking people to be changing plans, when they may well already have bought gifts.

Set a challenge for them - “hi friends, this year we’re not spending excessively on gifts. We’re challenging you to only buy each other gifts from Aldi - no cheating allowed!”

I'd just get some nice biscuits and some wine.

Noooooo!

Dictating others' spending is crass.

Just accept gifts graciously. Don't obsess over cost.

This! I doubt they're anywhere near as good as Yorkshire Tea anyway 😁
I really wouldn't worry, OP. Anyone expecting you to reciprocate that sort of gift, when they know your finance wouldn't allow it, isn't a true friend.

They haven’t invited you because they want expensive presents they want your company. Explain beforehand about your concern about presents. Come to some understanding about perhaps setting a price cap. No one wants people coming who are buying things they can’t afford.

Definitely don’t try to restrict their spending. Some good suggestions for thoughtful token gifts here, just avoid the naff ones like novelty house plaques and naming a star. Flowering bulbs in a pot is something I give, and I would love to get a bare root rose.

Be honest. Ask them not to get you expensive gifts. Your could suggest a spending limit.

A thoughtful book for each if them that's really relevant to the individual, with a note handwritten on the inside thanking them for having you xmas 24.

No, that's just tacky outside of intimate family members.

The classy thing to do is to make no mention of money or cost, ever. It's not a polite topic. Just be gracious.

Can you get a book for each of them - something thoughtful they would enjoy and maybe a plant?

I'm not rich but have friends who are more skint than me and l would hate for them to feel obliged to spend money on me that they couldn't afford.

As people have suggested, make some biscuits or toffee or fudge and wrap them up nicely. Home made food items are getting rarer so bake whatever your specialty is and it will be much appreciated.

I'd go for something "fun" for the family. A funny game that you can play at Christmas. Or well thought out books that they'd enjoy. Those things are universal.

https://oneclearwinner.co.uk/product/christmas-mystery-game/t2/?wbraid=Cj8KCQiA9IC6BhCNARIuADjVMNuMqN36pWdZtuggAyTAD7rmxPxWiDybpxLFJKQuWPyJ9Lxs8uLjRHGThoCH8k&gaddsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAl4a6BhBqEiwAqvrquuD0E7Gx1OxqvovBvoXtejWoeiqfZXtI3JNCXsdpxrYfXByz4TbevBoCwd0QAvDBwE

I would get a great family game and make some food gifts

or

put together a movie night basket with popcorn and seasonings, hot chocolate and some mini liqueur bottles for the adults to add to the hot choc (like baileys and cointreau) and funny fuzzy socks etc

First off what is your budget? If it was me though and I was worried about gifts I’d just send a message to your friend explaining money is a bit tight this year would they be happy to not exchange gifts this year and just have presence over presents. Then when you go round just take a token such as wine, biscuits or offer to bring deserts as your contribution to the day. I know if my friend approached me saying things were tight I’d definitely say do not buy any gifts