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?

@Artistbythewater yes actually.

I wouldn’t expect them to eat something they dont like. But yes I’d expect them to be really appreciative of the thought and effort.

Im not talking about lying. Not the least because if you never say that you dint like truffle, you’ll get them every time. Which isn’t helpful (that’s with family of course. What’s the point of telling an acquaintance that is unlikely to give you something for Christmas again?)

But being grateful of the effort made? All the time yes.

Why wouldn’t you?

They're your friends, imagine boot on the other foot, how bad would you feel if you thought your friend was worried about gifting you something they could afford. They'll be grateful for a gift from you, whatever it is.

I find etsy a saviour, something personalised, not too expensive, pick a subject matter she likes and get something with her name on it

I’ve not read the full thread admittedly. When I was in a similar situation to you, I found a photo of my friend’s (now deceased) pet on my camera reel. I printed it and put it in a frame. It was a huge hit.

I am not sure how much effort is made, that’s why. My sister in law buys me the same candle every year from her supermarket, which is delivered to her door after a few clicks. It smells like horses piss.
Am I supposed to be grateful she clicked on it for 10 seconds once a year? And hey presto. She reuses a gift bag job done. I always say thank you - how lovely of you to remember us. But, will I use it? No. Will it be in a charity shop soon enough? Absolutely. Do you think she gives a damn? Absolutely she doesn’t! And I love her for that, and couldn’t care less. It’s become a standing joke between us all.

I love this gift if all else fails, it will raise a laugh! Never fails and you definitely don’t need to spend a fortune to make an impression..

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1266657262/2-x-cat-pss-christmas-funny-novelty-wine?click_key=0848981db8343bb9ec78c45be768021ab140538f:1266657262&click_sum=67fa312a&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cat+piss&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&sts=1&content_source=42e1c4eed18008d0ea7878294b3be0be2e798967%253A1266657262

These also went down an absolute storm

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1587372662/custom-face-socks-with-picture?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=joke+present&ref=sc_gallery-1-1&pro=1&bes=1&plkey=54b37fd56b9803ad7507b66a54d47abcf1ad4119%3A1587372662

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1311111688/personalised-gift-bag-banter-bag?click_key=eed02cb7fc4e199fbd688c852696f5e93b392b68%3A1311111688&click_sum=002bcae5&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=joke+present&ref=sr_gallery-1-9&organic_search_click=1&bes=1&local_signal_search=1&content_source=89deec515938d42849c6f1537a1bb1b0d85e4b12%253A1311111688

@Artistbythewater surely you know that any home made stuff will have taken time and therefore effort?
Even if you dont like it.

Also think we have very different tastes and a very different sense of humour...

I don’t think any of those are going to help the OP tbh.

Or maybe no sense of humour..

Not if like me you make batches of jam and the wine is bottled in France and the apple presser does the job in the autumn for juice etc. it is just one of many. Realistically the home made gift is one of many.

My daughter embroiders beautifully and makes her gifts, they are very precious to all of us but not many people can do this to a standard that can be worn or used in public.

The fact you already have all of that doesn’t negate the effort one would put into preparing something so that it would be ok for both the gift and the effort to be dismissed.
Thats the whole point of my original comment. To appreciate the thought and effort.

But you are assuming thought and effort but it may not exist…

Also are you telling me that the standard of your dd embroidery wasn’t up to scratch you wouldn’t appreciate her gift? Despite the hours and the effort?
And you’d tell her too (if I understand your previous posts well)?

Why are you assuming there is no effort made on a home made gift?

Can you give an example maybe

I just did.
Batch cooking and prepping.
You can’t expect anyone to be grateful for something they don’t like, so a considered gift that is given or made with the recipient in mind is probably the way forward. Not generic pickles and jams. That’s is my view.

I don't know if I'm barmy for saying this - £60 is an incredibly expensive gift!!!

Homemade gifts all the way. In my opinion, time spent making a unique gift will always trump an expensive gift, even if the handmade gift is a bit crap.

Is this post a joke?? £65?!

Well obviously not. There is a smaller one for £28 that I did point out…

It really doesn’t, like genuinely. It doesn’t.

Could you go for something really thoughtful (a lovely picture of them you have printed and put in a nice frame) or something fun - great Board game that you can play together. Stuff you have made?

Something that shows thought and consideration and by passes money. When we moved into our new house which we love someone found a very old photo of our house and put it into a photo frame which sprinkles, what looks like snow when you shake it. It’s the one of the nicest presents and probably cost £8-10.

Books are a good I've

This has been the best suggestion by far.

Lots of good ideas here , but also what about a beautiful Christmas decoration each they can treasure ( can go with homemade hamper etc )

One year, when we still did presents for everyone, I bought my aunt & uncle a local picture from a local artist - they loved it and have bought more from the same artist too.

Struggling this year with ideas though