Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Is sending a homemade box of Christmas goodies a naff present?

37 replies

twinsetandpearls · 30/11/2008 15:49

Because money is tight we cannot go to visit family at Christmas, I always do the Christmas cooking and i is always very popular.

I can;t afford to send individual presents to family members - which consists of 2 close friends, mum, 2 sisters and grandad. So I thought I would do up a box with some chutney I already have, Christmas cake I already have, some mincemear I already have and add in a few goodies with a card saying sorry I can't be here but my food can.

Dp thinks this is naff but I think it is quite thoughtful. DD would also love making things and wrapping them nicely which will make up for the general non event that Christmas will be.

OP posts:
Dior · 30/11/2008 15:53

Message withdrawn

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 30/11/2008 15:54

That is what I thought, he said for what it is going to cost to post we may as well buy presents and get them sent out.

OP posts:
Poledra · 30/11/2008 15:55

I think it's a great idea and very thoughtful. You could get DD to make cards to go with it too.

compo · 30/11/2008 15:55

I would love it

HappyMummyOfOne · 30/11/2008 15:55

Sounds good as sounds like you are a good cook. Any attempt I made of this would be horrendous lol.

Are they too far away to visit?

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 30/11/2008 15:56

I would send it a little early so that mum would not go to the trouble of making everything. I just think we cannot afford great gifts for that number of people so whatever we get is going to be a token gesture so I may as well do something with a bit if thought.

OP posts:
Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 30/11/2008 15:56

I would send it a little early so that mum would not go to the trouble of making everything. I just think we cannot afford great gifts for that number of people so whatever we get is going to be a token gesture so I may as well do something with a bit if thought.

OP posts:
isit · 30/11/2008 15:57

I think it sounds lovely. In fact, if I was your mum/sister it would make me cry, but in a good way.

You'll be sending a thoughtful gift of things you know they'll enjoy and being close family they won't care that it didn't cost the earth. In fact, if they know your financial situation ,they'll be pleased you didn't over stretch yourself for them

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 30/11/2008 15:58

I am a good cook otherwise it would be a naff present. It is also what I do at Christmas.

They are in Lancashire and we are in Dorset, I had hoped they would come here but mum has organised Christmas at hers and dp says we cant afford to go up

OP posts:
HeadFairy · 30/11/2008 15:58

Is the box homemade or the contents ?

It's a lovely present, I'd be thrilled to get something so thoughtful.

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 30/11/2008 15:59

They do know our financial situation, my mum has just had to bail us out actually so it would be completely non sensical to spend money on presents.

OP posts:
Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 30/11/2008 16:00

I suspect the box will be homemade too headfairy, have not thought what I will put it together in.

Isit it would make me cry but I am soft

OP posts:
HeadFairy · 30/11/2008 16:01

I was being a bit facetious, it's a lovely present, really. It's far too easy to go to the shops and spend a fortune on something, much more considerate to invest your time and effort making something. Much more heart and soul goes in to something like that.

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 30/11/2008 16:02

I know you were being facetious but you were also right

OP posts:
HeadFairy · 30/11/2008 16:04

I especially like the "we can't be there but my food can" line.

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 30/11/2008 16:14

I wondered if it was a bit arrogant saying that.

OP posts:
HappyMummyOfOne · 30/11/2008 16:19

You could make the box, just get a cardboard one and paint it and your DD can decorate it. We did this with our harvest box for school - painted it red and sponge painted leaves on it - looks nice and can be recycled after.

funnypeculiar · 30/11/2008 16:23

I hope it's not too naff, as we did it last couple of years, & will be doing so again this year
Am loving the cardboard box decorating idea - have been wondering what to put our stuff in

HeadFairy · 30/11/2008 16:32

Not at all arrogant. Sweet and poignant... It would certainly bring a tear to my eye and I'm well 'ard

bellaBuonNatalevita · 30/11/2008 16:33

I would love to receive a present like that twinset.

LoveMyGirls · 30/11/2008 16:33

I think it's a lovely idea.

How much would it cost to post? Would it cost much more in petrol to hand deliver it and have a few days with your family?

BTW I saw a lovely wicker hamper in home bargains for £3 (I think) the other day that would be fab to use.

wonderstuff · 30/11/2008 16:38

I would love it. I have spent today trialling a ginger biscuit recipe and plan to give homemade biscuits to my family. If you don't have much to spend it is silly to buy cheap naff stuff that will get thrown out quickly imo, nice food is always appriciated. Hope my family agree

NotBigJustBolshy · 30/11/2008 16:44

Sounds like a lovely present, tsap. BTW, my dh uses a super-cheap (and apparently very efficient) courier service to send parcels (he sends a lot of heavy stuff and has tried a lot of companies and this one is his current favourite). They are based in Bournemouth and are way cheaper than the post office and will get the stuff there the following day. Can get you the details if you like.

moondog · 30/11/2008 16:48

not naff at all
i'd love it meself
what is naff is boxed sets from supermarkets and places like next

Mercy · 30/11/2008 17:00

Not remotely naff, I would love it.

Years ago my grandmother would send us a hamper for Christmas some of which was homemade (jam, chutney etc) or locally produced things like clotted cream, ham.

Swipe left for the next trending thread