Help me be the fun Auntie this Christmas!

[Sidebeforeself]

I dont always see my nieces and nephews every year for various reasons. But this year Im likely to see them all ( includes a few great nieces/nephews too!) So eight in total ranging from 16 - 2 years old.

I dont get presents for adults anymore. Sometimes they buy me some chocs etc but not set routine.

What the hell do I do? I dont want to turn up empty handed . I dont want to spend a fortune and I dont know them all well enough to choose a gift. I have to avoid food gifts because of their dietary needs.

I thought about giving money to their parents and saying ‘ buy something from me” but that feels a bit soulless and then do I just give each parent the same amount of £X per child???

Im over thinking it I know, but Im so looking forward to seeing everyone. Im finding this Christmas hard due to past bereavements so Im keen to get into the Christmas spirit.

Any suggestions? Has anyone found themselves doing something similar?

I mean if I said “ Let’s all play this game’ they’d look at me as if I was bonkers, not listen, refuse to play etc.

I cant give them selection boxes. Serious allergies for some of the kids, dietary challenges for others.

Nope sorry - see my comment re “not that sort of family”!

I really dont think anyone would appreciate that Im afraid

@GettingStuffed Thankyou ! I’ll go have a look.

OP, if you get them a game, they don't have to play it there and then. Or with each other. More something they would take home for a quieter time.

£10 gift voucher and selection box.

I’d raid Primark pyjama department (they don’t need to be corny family matching ones!)

What about arts and crafts stuff for the under 10's? The works and Hobbycraft have good selections. It looks like a big well thought out present and all children love stickers. For the teens, if girls, make up, nail polish sets , boys are more difficult but theme stuff like game of thrones, Star Wars posters might be an option.

I mean if I said “ Let’s all play this game’ they’d look at me as if I was bonkers, not listen, refuse to play etc

@Sidebeforeself - well dont tell them its a game then. Just sit them down and say, presents for everyone. First person chooses one out of the sack and then explain it as you go. It isn't really a game anyway. its more just a luck dip present and swapping presents. Maybe give the very young one some thing specific age appropriate outsdie of the santas sack.

Based on what's universally popular with children of all ages in our family, I would go with 2 big packs of fake snowballs, 1 per family. This definitely fits into the 'fun auntie' category, will be instantly playable and compatible with everyone running around. Each family can take one bag home and they come out/go away with Christmas decorations. This won't cost much so if you wanted to get something small for each of them as well, you could e.g. fluffy socks etc.

@Skate76 Ive already explained why I cant give sweets etc.

Re pyjamas - do kids really enjoy getting these?

My kids would want toys, not pjs, drinks bottles or even craft stuff, shiny new toys is where it's at.

@user0234058779 I appreciate your suggestions but this just wouldnt work for them Im afraid

Didn't know there was such a thing as fake snowballs. Sounds like fun.

Most definitely. You can get them loads of places. You need at least 40 for a decent fight, probably more for larger numbers. The favourite activity is ganging up to attack the adults so finding a good foxhole and willing collaborator for resupplies of ammunition is vital.

BTW OP do not do the snowballs if the host is particularly precious about their house, they are soft and we've never broken anything in the years we've had them,, but it does lead to much 'high spirits' so the potential is there. Probably best to check they're ok with it!

what advice are you looking for?

do you want suggestions for individual presents for 8 people you don't really know with a budget of £100?

or are you looking for suggestions for a group activity? as from what you've said it doesn't sound like these are group activity people....

I'm not sure what else there is beyond individual presents, a fun group activity or a group present?

Im looking for ideas for presents. I can up the budget .

The fake snowballs sound fun. There’s plenty of outside space. How are they different from say throwing bean bags at each other though?

They are much softer (so don't hurt) and white and fluffy. Meant for indoor rather than outdoor (maybe if it were dry it'd be ok??) or they'll get dirty. Otherwise not really I suppose, except that everyone likes a snowball fight and 'knows what to do'??

Im looking for ideas for presents. I can up the budget .

OK then you are just going to have to do it individually by gender and age and buy something that they will like (we can't suggest here unless you are going to give a full break down) or ask them/ their parents directly what they want or what they are interested in lower end budget. It's only 8 people so it's not like it will take that long.

@user0234058779 I was just asking for ideas.

I was just asking for ideas.

Don't you see that even general ideas are gender/age/person specific?

A £10 'fun' gift suggestion for a 16 year old girl is likely to be totally different for a 16 year old boy.

Honestly you are better off asking the parents for a steer as to what kind of things each of the 8 are into otherwise you will just buy tat that they aren't interested in.

I'm perplexed by this thread.

I would suggest buying a massive jigsaw for everyone to get stuck into together but I'm guessing that wouldn't work either.

@user0234058779 Okay .Thanks for your input. Sorry you are perplexed.Ive tried explaining as best I can

16 ,13 ,11 are boys
11, 10,6 4 2 girls.

2 & 4 yr old - a cuddly toy of some sort. Maybe quite big - kids are impressed by size at that age! . Kevin the carrot? Bluey? 6 yr old - perhaps an orchard game. 10 and above - primark fake oodies? Maybe not lego as isn't cheap and if don't know what they are into then can miss the mark.
Have got some smaller bits for my DS10 and DS12 for stocking bits that may provide some ideas - heat changeable mug - one star wars, one minecraft, how to draw fortnite book for one with pad and pencils, pj's, nerf guns and spare bullets, vbucks vouchers. lots of snacks / treats (but you said you are working around allergies). Also quite a few books - but would need to know their taste.
Are any of the older kids gamers? One of the most used presents my boys got last year was a pair of gaming headphones each (not wireless, but got extension cables) - think were about £20 each from smyths toys. Could check with parents if that kind of thing might be used.

Was easy when I was younger - I was quite happy with a now10 cassette and a Terry's chocolate orange!