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...

I think thats fine. You've got time to knit a couple of hats for children if you start now!

For families, gingerbread houses are pretty easy, if a little time-consuming, beautiful and lots of fun. I put stained-glass windows (using boiled sweets) in mine, and they're fab. Also open the lid and put in cakes, biscuits, sweets. Should make one for dd this year.

Home-made biscuits / truffles / cakes would go down very well here tbh. However I would also be quite brutal about who I bought / made for and be clear about it up front if I were you.

Ds made christmas tree decorations last year from salt dough, made star shapes, christmas tree shapes etc, decorated them with glitter put hole and some ribbon through, he gave them to his grandparents and aunties and they loved them because he had made them

Ooooh, how would you make soap?

Cat - to spend a tenner on each person, we'd have to shorten our usual present list down to about 3 people!

I posted this on that other thread someone linked to but meant to post on this one:

Something which is pretty cheap and goes down well is hyacinths. If you buy the bulbs now and plant them up, they'll be ready in time for Xmas. You can put them in ordinary plastic flower pots if you can't find anything cheap and pretty and get your DC to decorate with collage of pics cut from mags and catalogues. They go down well with grandparents as presents from the kids.

IMHO, with homemade, presentation is ALL.

A really simple tip: you can get BIG rolls of lovely shiny cellophane form florists and they make homemade stuff look much more jazzy and presentable.

I always make Christmas biscuits in shapes, esp. snowflakes because for some reason it looks much grander.

Gingerbread or stollen in a loaf tin - a clean new one - wrapped in a hemmed piece of red checked gingham and tied with ribbon or raffia.

Teacup/mug with tea mixture in muslin bag inside.

Brown paper painted by children makes good and cheap wrappings. Tie with twine/raffia.

PS If your friends hate you when they must know you are skint, who gives about them?

We made homemade presents last year and will probably do the same. Like you I can't afford to get into debt over Christmas and no one would want us too (well except our kids..)

Last year we made photo frames. I bought 3 for £1 ones at ikea and we decorated them and put in a recent photo of the kids. For non-family (a few close friends!) I made chocolate truffles and placed them in a home decorated box. Certainly no-one complained!

Stocking fillers were mostly from poundland and boot sales.

We'll probably be on our own again for Christmas this year so this also saves having to buy all those fancy extras that you don't really need. The children don't really notice!

If your friends don't like it, give them to me!

I'm adding this thread to my watch list as the ideas on here are amazing!

Homemade coconut ice or peppermint creams always go down a treat too - peppermint creams so so easy for kids to make, too. Just get some fancy cutters to make lots of different shapes

im gonna do the biscuits ides too as stocking fillers for my family members too. Is shortbread ok? Wheres the best (and by best, i mean cheapest) place to buy xmas cutters?

If any of your friends moan, say "its the thought that counts" or what my nan used to say "you never give in order to receive" (basically just cause they spent lots on you, its not to be expected the other way round").

Hope you friends are fine about it, i know i would be x

Saw a recipie in Gardeners World this month and thought of this thread as it sounds DELICIOUS and easy to make.

Chilli Jam - enough to fill 2 small kilner jars.

500g very ripe tomatos
4 garlic cloves peeled
4 large red chillis (leave the seeds in if you like your jam hot)
6-7cm of root ginger, sliced
300g golden castor sugar
2tbsp of thai fish sauce
100ml red wine vinegar

1. Blitz half the tomatos with the farlic, chillies and ginger in a food processor. Pour into a heavybased saucepan. Add the sugar, fish sauce and vinegar, then bring to the boil,stirring slowly. REduce to a simmer.

2. Dice the remaining tomoatoes finely and add them to the pn, Simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the mixture has darkened and reduced to a sticky consistency, stirring from time to time.

3. Store in a warm,dry,sterilised jars and seal while the mixture is still warm. The longer you keep this jam the hotter it will get. it will keep for about 3 months in the fridge. Delicious with cold meats or couscous.

this thread has some more ideas

Last year I made some handmade cards for my gran. I put them in a little box and she has been using them all year.

I would agree with relatives not to spend anything one another, or just have a budget of a fiver.

I think £10 per person is fine though.

I have just bought some plain white cake box's on E-bay to fill with home-made mince pies.

Will look lovely with some ribbon tied around it.

Great ideas everyone. I'm going to be making stuff for friends, but I want to make something like chocolate, fudge or something that will last for more than a few days that I won't be frantically making all in one go the day before Christmas!

The gin is a nice idea but I wouldn't have the first clue where to get the fruit from as I live in a town.

Also try to think laterally. If you have friends/family who like books - look at thebookpeople (have got wonderful cookery books really cheap from there), or the cut price bookshops on the high street. Had a friend who made chocolate truffles and choc covered fruti - mummm.....

Got a dead easy pickle receipe - apples, onion, sultanas, dates (no cooking...) that might be an idea too.

blackduck, can you explain more about the pickles? DH loves mixed pickles

7-8 jars
900g apples - peeled and cored
450g onions - quartered
450g stoned dates
450g sultanas
450g demerara sugar
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon salt
cayenne to taste
450ml white wine vinegar

chop onions, apples and dates to desired size (or paulse in food processor - not a puree!).
Put in large bowl. Add everything else. Leave for day and half - stir occassionally.
Taste, adjust seasoning. Bottle in warm sterilised jars...