Presents that 'bulk out' but reduce to nothing (or very little)

Spendless

gingin - this is what we've got

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trends-UK-Ltd-National-Geographic/sim/B0017813QO/2

DS did buy a lot smaller one recently on a school trip that cost about £2.50.

I was sorting thru the xmas pressies last night and today. I have also got DD a box of sweeties that you thread into the necklaces and bracelets prior to eating. I bought this at Center parcs earlier this year.

Ste_C

jetty wrote: »

everything my kids get seem to reduce to not much once you get rid of the packaging lol

Not half. I wonder how much plastic goes to landfill at Christmas. Look at this video:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=friendsoftheearth#p/u/57/MJaI-Ohggd4

So many things also get "Gift boxed" at Christmas, like shower gel and aftershave combos. Two very small items nicely packed in a big box. Why?

jetty

Ste_C wrote: »

Not half. I wonder how much plastic goes to landfill at Christmas. Look at this video:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=friendsoftheearth#p/u/57/MJaI-Ohggd4

So many things also get "Gift boxed" at Christmas, like shower gel and aftershave combos. Two very small items nicely packed in a big box. Why?

Our collection has changed to recycling now, so i'm glad all the boxes will get recycled, but you are right, there is too much plastic in the packaging, there is just no need for it!

gingin_2

Spendless wrote: »

I was sorting thru the xmas pressies last night and today. I have also got DD a box of sweeties that you thread into the necklaces and bracelets prior to eating. I bought this at Center parcs earlier this year.

Lol, sounds like we have the same taste in pressies. Dd had the sweetie jewellery kit last year and that was a real success. Thanks for the link.

Spendless

Still on the toiletries idea. Home Bargains had 3 snowmen in a pack, bath oil, bath salts and body lotion I think, can be split. Also a 'Under The Sea' bath/shower gel in a pump spray that comes with a plastic beaker
In Tesco I've seen a microphone and a football soap on a rope in Tesco for anyone still looking for smellies for boys as well as Dalek and Transformer bubble bath and a pack in The perfume Shop which was spiderman can't remember what items other than it contained a spiderman toiletry bag, as these can also be difficult to find for older boys.

Which fetches me to my next suggestion for 'bulky' presents. If you have a child that sleeps out (relatives, friends, cubs, residential school trips etc) their own holdall, sleeping bag, 'camp' blanket are all ideas. They don't exactly reduce to nothing, but they don't have to fill the toy box/their bedroom/your living room with clutter either if you are able to store them in the attic or in a suitcase you keep on top of the wardrobe till needed.

My 9yo son is in cubs and has gone on several camps and has several items that are his rather than family owned ones. Last year I got him a wallet from a cub shop as a stocking filler as boys wallets seem to be another thing that's rarely found, purses for young girls yes- every design you could ever want- wallets for boys no Anyway I managed to find my 8yo nephew a power ranger one for £2 in an independant ex catalogue store.

Dorato

I dont have kids or anything so I dont really know whats about for kids now but I can suggest a few bits that I used to receive when I was younger:
- Pens
- Pencils
- Paper
- Paints (a little messy but fun, all the same)
- Cheap dvd (although videos then XD) (you can pick them up for 97p in Tesco )
- Selection box
- Yoyo
- Books
- New toothbrush
- Duvet set (£5 in some places eg clearance shops)
- Plastic jewellery (still hate jewellery and still receive it but oh well xD)
- Socks
- Hair stuff (brush, hair bands, gel, etc)
- Cuddly toy (esp. for girls)
- Laundry bin for their room (helped me to learn where to put the laundry xD)
- PJs
- Dressing gown
- Batteries (may sound odd but great if theres any toys that need them and you know youve not forgotten then!)
- Torch
- Clock/watch

All the things above put together would look pretty bulky, even though they dont look bulky individually.

wilf55

i gave my daughter a makeover for her bedroom for her 21st freecycle to thanks for old fashioned wardrobe which i tarted up and bed and bought her a memory foam mattress which she loves...

killed 2 birds with one stone!

cheap a room decorated in my house shes happy etc etc

wilf55

just wanted to subscribe

Spendless

I got a travel marble game in Tesco extra for 56p!! Pretty chunky box but says you put the marbles into the travel case for storage (haven't opened it and looked).

Spendless

And the ultimate. We have ordered a new PC for sometime we have only had internet access via hubby's work lap-top which isn't ideal.:cool: But due to me getting some money for some old broken jewellery, winning some money in a school drawer, a Christmas bonus for hubby and some money from relatives for Christmas we have been able to buy a new one.:j

It is going to be wrapped up with a label that says 'To All the family' and from the sources of the money that enabled us to buy it.
So huge box to open Christmas Day and will sit on the desk that has been empty for ages.:D