Help - we need to home make Christmas this year

[dot1]

Arrgghhhh... Found out today I haven't got the backpay I was expecting, so we're seriously poor this Christmas. We're prioritising buying stuff for ds's, but need ideas for creating presents for our parents, family etc (poor them!). So far I've thought about knitting scarves for parents and maybe bobble hats..! Possibly making some truffles/chocolate things and putting in boxes.

Has anyone got any ideas of things I can make relatively cheaply - patterns/recipes would also be good!

No ideas for making, dot, but would defo recommend a trawl round eg Matalan, they have some lovely things for about tuppence!

Chocolate Truffles
Iced Biscuits
Picture frames decorated with recent fotos of the children
Personalised Calendar with fotos of the children
handpainted mugs, egg cups, plates

Can you knit? If not, forget the hats!!

Its not too late for xmas puds - can get you a recipe if you are interested. Do you have a digital camera and a printer?

Seedlings in nice little earthenware pots-I'd be thrilled with this.

framed photos of the kids?

What about oils in posh bottles with things inside like rosemary or thyme or chillies?

They always look lovely.

Jams? Lemon curds? Chutney with nice labels?

I AM ON A ROLL!

I have been taking advantage of the 3 for 2s in Boots and buying 3 things, for example Baby Annabell and keeping one for dds and selling the other 2 making dds free or VERY cheap. Dont know if thats an option but thought I would suggest it.

Yes - was thinking along those lines too collision

I have a brilliant idea (I know, I know)

HAMPERS! Homemade hampers!

Buy cheap boxes and wrap in nice paper or cheap baskets off the market. Put in a bottle of nice oil, a jar of chutney, box of truffles and a jar of lemon curd. Wrap in cling film...big bow.

TA-DAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

fantastic idea here from fellow mumsnetter

Buy some baskets in charity shops. Then head down to Lidl. I've made some incredible hampers for a tenner and under.

Flavoured liqueurs and sugars.

LOVE the idea of seedlings!

I have a great selection of essential oils and make mixes for use as home fragrances or perfumes.

I was just about to do that charlie!

dot....where are you? I want to know what you think of our amazing ideas!!

Maybe she is busy knitting!

Pipped at the post

thing is why don't we all do this instead spending a load of cash we can't afford - probably quite fun to do too!

Hamper is a good idea esp if you can make alot of the contents yourself.

I am homemaking Christmas, I am giving away homemade mince pies and little jars of home made mincemeat. Some pickles I made earlier in the year and lemon curd.

I ahve also taken some pictures of dd to go in a frame from tk Maxx to give to grandma and a few friends.

But I like the homemade hamper idea - will give that a go.

Our xmas pressies will be mostly consisting of framed family photos and xmas puds

I like the idea of making choccies too!

can you post the homemade mincemeat recipe twinset?

DH makes rum and chocolate truffles for the restaurant as petit fours. They are very easy to do and rolled in cocoa powder.

And yummy!

My little sis was in this situation a few years ago & she bought half a dozen clip frames then personalised them for each family member.

She put in bits of poems, funny things kids say, cartoons, her own doodles/drawings, childhood memories etc.

I love my "Big Sisters Are Great" frame as it is so funny & poignant. She couldn't have made me anything better.

Awww - these are great! I was just trawling the net for a bobble hat pattern!! Yes, I can knit! We'd thought of truffles - small box each, iced biscuits and photo thingy - we've got a digital camera so any recommendations on which company to use to get photos of ds's on mugs/mouse mats would be very helpful! Will look into the chocolate moulds!

Problem is we literally have no budget... Thought we'd have about £300 but today I got my pay and only received £26. This month I have to finish paying off a £300 gas bill (old boiler) pay for the new boiler (needed because of above) and get the car taxed!! So this was a real blow today - have spent the day sobbing but am up at the moment trying to think practically!!

I'd say our budget realistically is probably £100 all in - about £70 of which will go on the boys because of our 4 year old's requests - oh yes and it's his birthday in 2 weeks' time.

Right - moan over - keep the practical and v. cheap ideas coming - and thank you...!

I collect baskets from charity shops throughout the year to use as hampers.

But you can use other things - like small totebags.

I found a small shop near our home that does monograming for a fiver. I've had some cheapo totebags monogrammed w/the recipient's initials.

You can do a Boxing Day breakfast hamper, w/goodies like homemade bagels, foot soak for after shopping, a newspaper, etc.

got hand-knitted bedsocks, and beautiful photos of my pg belly and day old son, from bf last year. best presents last year by miles.
if you can knit, you can also make i-pod covers...

ASDA sells good totebags and child-sized handbags quite inexpensively. They make GREAT makeup bags - especially when monogrammed for a fiver.