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...

If you haven't got the energy to be creative, how about organising a 'Secret Santa' instead? We started doing this in my family a few years ago, as it all started getting a bit silly. Now we just put everyone's name in a hat and pick one name, so you buy one present and receive one present. A budget is set beforehand. We don't include the children, by the way. And I should add that I really appreciate home-made presents, and we did these a few years ago when we were broke. Truffles and fudge, as I recall.

Whereabouts are you Habbibu? Bet there are some near you (unless you're outside UK). You could try checking the forum on sloebiz as people often post about their local picking sites. We use the Chilterns round Princes Risborough.

Oh and - if you make fudge etc I agree that it is essential you don't skimp on amount. Also have a look on internet for some nice presentation ideas. A friend last year got a plain Christmas bauble and using glue/glitter, wrote the recipient's names on. This was the "tag". Looked lovely and the recipients kept the bauble to hang on the tree.

Another idea - how about buying each friend a beautiful glass/decorated Christmas bauble? This is nice as they will obviously be brought out year after year No need to spend more than £10 on one (which yes is a lot for one bauble BUT it's so special/individual the cost justifies it. Plus after all it is only £10 actual spend).

Ooh and another cooking idea - get this flash of inspiration!! Gingerbread SNOWMEN!! Ice them white and decorate with jelly tots/currants!!!! How cute...

I'm in Fife - will look on link, thanks. The Internet truly is a place of wonders!

Ooh - just seen recipes for blackberry gin - our garden is a bramble-fest right now, so that really might be a good option. I have stacks of frozen blackberries.

home made stuff is gorgeous. a hamper for the foodies you know, a nice chutney with some fudge - not expensive but lovely to recieve.

if you go onto lakeland they have pretty clear bags for sweeties and delights.

if you have children you could do home made chocolate lollipops

Bet bramble gin would be great. I tried a friend's raspberry gin last year - also lovely.

Sloe gin a very beautiful ruby colour though and tastes like the nicest cough syrup you've ever had.

homemade/handmade pressies great so personal i used to give flavoured olive oils and tablet

I had sloe gin ages ago - homemade, and yes, gorgeous. But I do have shedloads of brambles to use (garden is an old railway cutting!). Have also thought - flavoured oils, like chilli, basil, rosemary? Hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, in nicely painted pots would make lovely presents, but it's prob the wrong time of year to be starting that.

x-posts, sm!

Freecycle...always see people giving away new things. If you have present to buy for new mum slings are really cheap to make. Personally, I'd love a parcel of homemade yummies. Mustard is very cheap to make, as is marmalade?

just spend a fiver per person. You can get pretty things very cheap. Look for a load of wittily approproiate knock-down books on amazon.

Probably save you money and a lot of time.

mustard and marmalade easy to make, tell me more!i have jam making gene

Habbibu - if you have loads of blackberries then the jam idea is fantastic as he most expensive ingrediant is the fruit. Yum, home-made blackberry jam...

hmm. Will climb the bank tomorrow when dd's asleep and do an epic harvest. This could be fun!

or blackberry chutney for those with more of a savoury tooth.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2643/spicy-blackberry-chutney

I'm so glad you think it's a good idea! Lots of fantastic hints and tips here, will look into them. I agree with whoever said about making the jewellery and it looking a bit childish though, I'm not 100% convinced I could pull it off (especially as it would have to be low maintenance - am not a welder!) so I like the idea of buying from supermarkets and repackaging.

I have a similar problem with cookies actually, try as I might they always look like DS1 might've made them. Fudge is probably much more sensible...

Cookies are meant to look rough round the edges (and in the middle)... Like your idea, DD - reminds me of morningpaper's dd's artworks that people were begging for on here!

I think homemade gifts are lovely. Personally I would just do childrens gifts and not adults.

I also saw a course advertised last year at Neals Yard to do with eco gift wrapping. Obviously I didn't manage to get my arse in gear, but wondering if anyone else saw it? They had some really good ideas and I wish I'd been able to go...

No not at all! I made sloe gin and they really appreciated it! I also made star shaped almond biscuits with icing and hundreds and thousands and individually wrapped them in tissue with a home made card. Most people are just please you thought of them. The only person who didn't like it was my MIL!!

that reminds me it'll be sloe time, home made chutney is another good one, we forage and make it with apples and wot not..

you can also make soaps quite easily