I know it's early - but I need suggestions for my "generic" Christmas gift

[Clary]

I don't know if other people do this...

There are a number of people I like to buy a gift for but it's really just a token thank-you - neighbours, friends who take DD to Brownies etc. I get them all the same thing to save my brains!

Usually it's M&S biccies, chocs, something like that. I like to get it sorted early so I can cross it off the list. Budget about £5, no more than £10.

Anyone got anyideas for anyting different?

Tesco's have 3 for £10 on wine at the moment with some nice brands.

Debenhams have some Thorntons chocs, toffee, fudge etc and there is a 20% discount code available which makes them great prices.

Some bath bombs? I stole the idea off here last year, get some of the Christmas flavours from Lush and put in a nice bag, tie with a Christmas ribbon.

Nice jam?

Hmm like the idea of bath bombs.

Might work as token for DCs' teachers too.

Will check out Debenhams as well as 20% is good discount. Is that just online?

Lush chrsitmas pudding bath bombs look lovely, if you buy some cellophane and ribbon you could make lovely small gifts for a good price.

The debenhams code is only for online but they do usually have a 20% day instore nearer to christmas.

cost co have lovely christmassy scented candles in glass jars. about a tenner for 3 in a pack...could easily separate them and wrap them individually....

they also had nice body shop style tubs of body butters with matching lip balms...again, about a tenner for 3 of each. get some pretty bags or wrapping and all done!

i love christmas shopping!

Have a look as well at somewhere like boots that has lots of present-y stuff on 3-for-2 as well as the big supermarkets - it all seems to be out already.

If there are females, something like a little mini manicure set can be a bit different and useful. Or the kits for an amaryllis/hyacinth/crocus/daffodil for the person to plant and grow inside can be nice - can last a long time and is like getting flowers but none of the hassle of buying them and trying to keep them alive and undamaged before you give them to the recipients!

Have fun!

oooh I really like the idea of kit for growing flowers.

Where do I get that from - Boots? Supermarket?

buy some nice mugs, there are some lovely large ones in sainsburys right now, bag of sainsburys basic chocolate for 2.99, fill up the mugs with sweets, wrap in cellophane and tie with curling ribbon

we have a homestoreandmore near us, they have yankee candle 3 set for a £5 so I have bought a couple of those to split up and wrap.

Kits for growing flowers - should be able to find in just about any of the big supermarkets, Boots, M&S, garden centres...

Supermarkets, Boots and (I think) M&S are all good at the moment as they have the 3 for 2 deals going! If you can look in their catalogues or in their xmas gifts section you should definitely be able to see them.

Last year I managed to get crocus in little glass vases, amaryllis in pots, hyacinths in little tin pots and so on, none of which cost more than a fiver, especially with he 3 for 2 stuff sorted. some were from M&S others from Boots.

Good bottle of olive oil and good bottle of balsamic vinegar. Or some nice olives or chutney or something.

People tend to get swamped with chocs and feel sick of the sight of them.

mmmm.... I would love to get lovely olive oil, olives etc - but also a bottle of wine or chocs!! can't ever go wrong with them!! tesco have the big tin of Roses/Quality St for £5 at the moment.

M & S's christmassy smelly candle or pot pourri.
A verrr lovely china mug with something apt for the reciever inside, ie, for a man, socks, a tie, hanky, for a lady, hand cream, gloves, bath bomb.
Posh jam/ preserve.
A selection pack of coffee from Whittards of Chelsea.
Tin of sweets.

www.hotelchocolat.co.uk/kids-christmas-gifts-P300024/ these are cute, I'm going to get some. I also like this - www.hotelchocolat.co.uk/xmas-gift-idea-P350051/

This looks interesting.

Would go for festive twist, so perhaps Stollen or Panetonne instead of biscuits; red wine wrapped with mulled wine sachets???

(meant to say I agree with other posters that chutneys/jam/oils/vinegars/other preserves are a great idea )

Ikea have interesting things in the food shop - reindeer salami

W&H mag this month has a great article on homemade presents - toffee, Italian biscuits, chilli oil etc.