Christmas on the 'not so expensive'

Guinea_2

Hi there

My partner and I are getting married next August and so we are saving like mad at the moment. Just so happens that Christmas is just around the corner...the shops can tell us that! Anyway, we need to do Christmas on the cheap so any ideas about presents for parents, sisters, brothers and a nephew? Bought everyone elses in the sales in January! All our family have everything they ever need but would like an idea for something 'new'.

THANKS for any suggestions!

P.S. Try and be money saving as well! Not asking for much am I(!):rotfl:

MrsTinks

Any chance you could define cheap? any interests?
or for something totally different: Oxfams donkeys

cuddlymarm

Hi

Can I ask how old the brothers and sisters and nephew are?:snow_grin

lil_me

New can include charity donations. Zoo adoptions. Those types of things.

Meal/Entertainment voucher. My parents loved it when I paid for them to go to a local castle for an evening of food and entertainment.

Hampers.

Always the 3 for 2 offers in Boots etc if you get stuck for ideas.

Saying that I've drawn the line on family gifts, I buy for my parents and my Nana and the little ones, that is all.

LydiaSophia

I was really skint last Christmas and came up with a really good idea for a present for my Mum. I had a really big old picture frame that I didn't want anymore and I have got piles of photos. So I cut up loads of photos for family and friends etc of my Mum and made a huge collage in this frame. It took ages but didn't cost me anything (except the price of some glue) and my Mum loved it. Sometimes the thought and time behind something like that is much more appreciated that a bottle of perfume or something.

Guinea_2

tine wrote:

Any chance you could define cheap? any interests?
or for something totally different: Oxfams donkeys

Well...I am looking at buying presents for my mum, dad, brother and sister for under £100. Mum and Dad is early sixties with...everything. Brother in early thirties with....everything and sister is late twenties with....yes, you guessed it....everything!

Partner = mum, dad, sister and nephew. Mum and dad the same age as mine, sister same as my brother and nephew is nine.

Thanks:p

Guinea_2

lil_me wrote:

New can include charity donations. Zoo adoptions. Those types of things.

Meal/Entertainment voucher. My parents loved it when I paid for them to go to a local castle for an evening of food and entertainment.

Hampers.

Always the 3 for 2 offers in Boots etc if you get stuck for ideas.

Saying that I've drawn the line on family gifts, I buy for my parents and my Nana and the little ones, that is all.

I was thinking of a trip down to London and getting some Harrods beer for my brother. I THINK it's £3 a bottle so maybe six or so. Is that just naff?

lessonlearned

Your family will realise that you are saving to get married and I am sure they won't be offended if you don't push the boat out too much.

Try and go for things that you know they love - what are their hobbies and interests. You could then buy little things based on a theme. For example seeds and gardening gloves, herbs and spices for a keen cook - that kind of thing.

I think homemade gifts are wonderful - people like the extra thought and care of a homemade gift - choccies, peppermint creams, homemade biscuits etc - just make the packaging really special with ribbons, holly, sequins - whatever you can find.

Photos are always appreciated - the collage idea is really good. If not make up a photo album or scrap book.

Magazine subscriptions for a special interest, vouchers for a day out.

If you are really strapped for cash you could make your own vouchers for treats - sort of "I Promise You" (cook you a meal, babysitting, head massage, clean the oven(or car), mow the lawn, do some ironing).

Good luck and have a lovely wedding.l

elsien

Brothers are hopeless, I tend to go for booze, a book/CD (boring I know, but the sort of thing he doesn't get himself very often) then couple of cheap stocking fillers that I know will make him laugh.
Calendars can be good on the home made front, either photos of family, or of places/things that mean something to the person. I'm sure I've seen a link somewhere to free software you can download to do this yourself.

growingafamily

If you fancy having a go at calendars, poundland have calendars ready for decoration/personalisation - I am doing these as gifts from ds to his grandparents (using prints from snapfish - only paid postage)

bobsa1

For my nine year old nephew I've got a set of disgusting practical jokes eg dog pooh!! mine was from amazon for £4.99 but other places will have them. As a mum in her 30's I'd like a voucher for a manicure or beauty treatment failing that the new Tana Ramsey cookery book would be nice ( can pretend we all have lives as nice as hers!)

Brother, I'd get beer or an interesting book dh likes Schotts almanac type books and I think quite a lot of men like them.

Why not arrange an evening out for your mum and dad, or a "voucher" for a trip out with you and your partner for the day, time with grown up kids is probably a lovely idea for parents.

Not sure if these are what you are looking for but good luck!