We're skint. Reckon if we made presents this year our friends would hate us?

[bohemianbint]

This is the first year I've been totally without income as have become a SAHM (had DC2 5 weeks ago and can't afford to work, childcare too expensive) and so we're living on a tight budget now.

We've been discussing Christmas and how to afford it as I'm determined we won't get into debt to pay for it. So looks like we either set a budget of around a tenner per person, or try to get a bit creative and make presents instead.

Thing is, not sure what. Was thinking could make some cookies and put them in a decorated jar, or make jewellery for female friends/relatives. But whilst I'm sure people ought to appreciate the effort, they may just think we're cheap bastards and never speak to us again.

Any thoughts? Obviously I don't have time to get knitting scarves or what have you...

Ebay

Nope. I am the same and planning to make fudge with dd, wrap it in selophane and a ribbon and get dd to write a tag on it,

I'd love home-made presents! Cookies wrapped in coloured cellophane and ribbon would be lovely - you could go all fancy and make biscotti. There's a nice website where a woman made granola as a present - looks fab. Hang on...

I'd love a hand amde gift. I doubt you'll be hte only ones doing that this year.

some lovin' from the oven!

a tenner is plenty, btw.

In fact - fab idea - may do it myself.

i'm watching this thread for inspiration! also skint here!!

i would love it. Going to be doing it myself, shows thought and that someone hasnt just gone for 3 for 2 in Boots

here. I love this blog

lots of ideas here

I would like a homemade present. Fudge/biscuits...YUM!

I would much prefer a box of these wrapped up fancy than a box of smellies from Boots.

www.deliaonline.com/recipes/home-made-chocolate-truffles,796,RC.html

It wouldn't bother me. I was really glad when a rather skint close friend suggested we give up exchanging Christmas gifts. I would rather she had a bit more to spend on her children.

If they are really friends then they would know money is tight at the moment and appreciate the effort.

Think hand-made presents sound lovely, what about jam or lemon curd as it keeps longer than cookies! Or you could trawl the charity shops, I picked up to Nigella Lawson cookbooks in mint condition for a 1/3 of the price.

cookies and fusge are a great idea - I'd be happy. They'd be pretty poor friends if they dropped you after a pile of delicious fudgewas presented tothem. If you're going to do home made (and I think tablet type fudge is the best if you can find recipe) then be geberous - ie big pile of it (as its pretty cheap and nicely wrapped. Don't skip!

Also jams fiarly easy but need a bit more organisingto sterlaise stuf - for those of a savory bent onion marmalade with a nice piece of cheese and some biscuits.

fudge, chocolate truffles, cake, fruit preserved in alcohol (though poss not cheap enough!), biscuits, biscotti, jam, home-made harissa (DH would love this!), scarves...

Go on make something. My fave present from last year was a jar of 'hedgerow jam' that my friend had made. Was totally delish, and all the tastier for the effort she had gone to picking blackberries etc and making the jam.

Oh thanks nobodys fool I have been looking for that!

No need to thank me just send a huge box of them this way!

Do it do it!

You've inspired me mate - have just texted sis and suggested the same thing

Making stuff is nice.

Would help if you are good at sewing.

For the girls, could you make something like say, a hot water bottle cover out of some fake fur - you could then could embroider their name on a felt tag tied round the neck with some ribbon? There are basic patterns on the internet.

Also on this theme is making a stocking with the persons name on then filling with say, chocolate money.

Or what about a photo in a really nice frame (you can spend the £10 on a big fancy silver frame and get the photos from Photobox for around 60p each)

One of my favourite pressies was a photo-mug from a friend, of us on a lovely day out. She filled it with my fav sweets

Don't make jewellery as often it costs as much to buy the beads etc plus if you're not used to doing it, it can turn out childish. Instead, buy pretty necklaces/bracelets etc from places like Matalan or Tesco BUT wrap it beautifully in nice tissue and velvet bags etc. People really won't know where you got it from.

Places like Ethel Austin (don't laugh) sometimes do boxed sets of quite good brand names ie Calvin Klein and Revlon. I have seen kids stuff in there too ie Barbies/Bratz.

I made sloe gin as pressies last year. Still have to buy the gin of course but the cheapo stuff is fine. Although did feel a bit rolling up to Sainsbury's till with DS, three bottles of "Basics" gin and some nappies...

would you consider not buying any presents at all? present amnesty? even cheaper and less hassle

Sloe gin is a great idea, but I'd have to find sloes...

make cakes, fudge(my sister inlaw makes fantastic fudge with booze in, nigella recipie-its lush!), or cheap fizzy stuff from lidl's, and home made truffles. lush lush lush...........