People and Presents!

bluestarrz

Moneysavingmumofone/Sugar Spun - Will definitely use idea about voka read about the toffee one on the other threads however with them not liking sweet things can't do the toffee one. Would aniseed twists work? I know my dad likes these, Mint humbugs? Have raspberries and pears in freezer can they be used too? Bottles I've not seen anywhere so will need to maybe order online- if anyone knows where?
Pink Champagne for the sister is a MUST! great idea, or at least sparkling wine will get this too put away too!
The fudge I want to really practice with first so might give it a go this weekend if I can as have heard stories of burning fudge, not setting etc and I don't have a sugar thermometer so I'd be guessing really
Love idea of marzipan fruits - is it a block of marzipan, take piece off add colouring then shape? I need everything simplified! Lol! How far in advance can these be done? Just they sound lil bit fiddly...

Thanks for all ideas guys am really chuffed! Just have to factor time in to do the all!

rosalie-lavender

On the ginger theme, I am making my Mum a ginger hamper this year, She is diabetic so I can't go overboard on chocolate or biscuits. I have found some ginger shower gel and also some ginger and lime washing up liquid to go in it. They both came from Tesco's. Tesco's also had a good range of ginger beer the last time I looked so some of that will be going in too.

stardrops42

bluestarrz wrote: »

Mum (budget £20-£30)- notoriously difficult to buy for, all past offerings of expensive face creams/ perfume/ beauty vouchers/ bath sets have been met by same glazed look and mumbled thanks
Not that she doesn't appreciate the sentiment just that she'd prefer something else (picture the 3 wise men - my sister, broher and I- shunned by baby Jesus "Thanks for the myrr, frankincense and gold but I'd rather have sterling silver, Charlie body spray and some chewing gum :rolleyes:)
She is definitely a secret rock chick but not confident enough to wear the gear etc so am totally stuck on her gift - maybe some form of chewing gum/mint pack but that's not really substanial enough...

Dad- also difficult but got a bit of leway here! He is a large man and doesn't shop for clothes very often so have managed to get a New Zealand rugby top for £5 in JJB sale and soft wool knitted jumper in BHS sale also a fiver in XXL so happy with that

My mam and dad are also really hard to buy for so last year all my sisters/brothers and I (6 of us)all chipped in and I made an extra special pot of gold for them. It was a lovely ceramic pale gold shallow bowl with loads of goodies in it with £20 notes sticking out here and there with scratch cards and lottery tickets all wrapped beautifully with the "pot of gold" poem attached:D They loved it! My mam burst into tears and said she had never had such a thoughtful gift and my dad was thrilled with it:DThey were still enjoying checking the lottery tickets on new years day and they won a few pounds on the scratch cards:T They told everyone they met about it:D

moneysavingmumofone

rosalie-lavender do you have a 99p store near you? They sell patsy palmers products, shampoo etc that are ginger scented.

budget_2

OK well you all look pretty organised,I have no Idea what to buy who, I have difficult MIL, 2 teenagers 1 boy 17 and 1 girl 15, My OH is 50 next week as usual he has no idea, the only one i can rely on is my nieces Book token,

Have got the Boxes though to put bits in

bluestarrz

Budget - do you have any info on each of them? Maybe we could suggest ideas?

*Paris*

Hello all, I'm not planning to buy anything yet, but I've got a budget and some ideas....


Boyfriend - t-shirt
- graphic novel
- jelly beans

Mum - silver necklace from Next
vegetarian cookbook

Brother - polo-shirt
- bottle of booze
- book

Sister - silver bracelet
- nail varnish
- book

Sister - dvd
- bottle of wine
- slipper socks

Dad - foodie hamper

I'm planning to spend a maximum of £25 per person, and I have 3 close friends that I'd like to buy gifts for, I'll probably spend £10 - £15 on them.

I can't wait to start shopping!

bluestarrz

Wasn't sure if there was a hamper pic thread for 2009 so thought I would put these here!

Here is a Christmas mug set that I've put together,

unwrapped



wrapped




the breakdown is:

Christmas mug, coaster and tin - £1.50 (reduced in my local instore just now)
tissue paper - 1 in each tin from pack of 12 from pondland so about 8p
cellophane from a 5m roll for £5 I think it was maybe 50p or less?
ribbon - came with cellophane
2 packs mini maltesers bought in multipack on offer in ASDA for £1 so about 20p
candycane pack of 12 sainsbury's £1 so again about 8p

Total: £2.36 Hurray!

Thinking will give one to mate and one to sister who I was going to buy a mug for anyway!!

Galaxy hamper



including

3 Galaxy bars - £2.69
8 ripples - £2.00
2 Galaxy misteltoe kisses - £1
Minstrels tube - £1
Mini galaxy, galaxy caramel and galaxy truffle - from tin of Celebrations maybe 50p?
tissue paper - 8p
basket -£1.12 instore

Total -£8.39 - more expensive than your average selection box but much better coz DS won't eat the nut or fruit ones or dark chocolate and looks good I think:D
Will cellpohane it up later once I get a gold pullbow and I want to make a nice tag for it with the Galaxy symbol! - I don't work for Galaxy honest just DS loooves it so much!!

Pot of Gold

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(Only have one of these to do I think because I'm making my sister a pot o pink with raspberry ruffles, turkish delight etc)

it has in it:

Gold coins 49p B&Ms
Gold quality street from a tin - maybe 75p worth?
Jar is a coffee jar so free

Total; £1.24 - for that price I might do some more

Want to make a snazzy little label and find some nice ribbon for it and will also make him a home decorated chocolate slab!

Hoping to put together a milky way basket, milky bar basket and the pot o pink, once I find a suitable pot/container and hope to draw/make some decent labels!

What do you guys think?

Claire_Bear

bluestarzz, there is a recipe for microwave fudge on this board somewhere, looks really simple and no need for a sugar thermometer etc.

Rosalie-lavender, If you have an Aldi store near you they had a range of ginger shampoos, conditioners and shower gels I think it was for about 99p per bottle.

babymoo

I am loving this thread and it has given me so so many good ideas so thank you all of you. I LOVE christmas and have bought a few gifts already when I have seen a bargain. I love trying to do something individual and the idea of pot of pink and pot of gold is wonderful, I'll defo be having a go.

I have to buy for ..

Mum - Doesn't do much but is obsessed with Bad Taste Bears and at the moment likes her puzzle games on NDS

Dad - Again doesnt do much but is a movie fanatic and is easily pleased with a movie

Stepmum - Loves fairies. Have bought her a calender for 99p so far

Stepdad - Also very into his movies and DIY

Brother (21) - Likes whisky, working out, gaming

Step brother (17) - Likes his games

Stepsister (15) - Anything pink and girlyfied.

DP - Loves cars, going out and doing just about anything, jack daniels, boddingtons, ebay.

MIL - Into crafts, tapestry, cross stitch and gardening

FIL - Really unsure of tbh .. into bikes and cars I think

BIL - Into his music

SIL - Anything pink and girliefied

Grandma - Loves her computer and the internet. Have bought her a calendar 99p and a photobook from Jessops of our holiday in May which of course was free :j

Grandad - The most annoying man on the planet to buy for. He does nothing apart from walking and chasing our family tree.

I also have lots of fairly good friends who I would like to give a lil bit of something to even if its very little Any ideas would be marvellous.

Thanks for this thread I love it,. ...Roll on XMAS :T