What's the concensus on "freebies" as Christmas presents?

SugarSpun

alanamyles I saw a few bits of the Keep Calm and Carry On theme in Past Times

Also, Nigella's chilli jam

Rummer

I see nothing wrong at all with giving freebies and over the years we have done that and sourced pressies from charity shops and various sales. The thought is more important than the cost and people will know pennies are tight.

globetraveller

Christmas - as I get older I get more depressed seeing everyone running around in a frenzy of buying things they can't really afford to give to others who don't need/really want them. We stopped buying for all adults in our family a few years back. We each give one gift and where someone is going through a bad patch, they are told not to give at all. Concentrate on your daughter only. I often find that children are more delighted with the little stocking fillers than the big present.
I give to a charity in India every Xmas. It goes out to the slum areas and gives small gifts to as many children as possible. The delight in the faces of those children when they get a toothbrush and paste and one other thing-perhaps something to wear or a soft toy- makes you think about is really important in life.
Good luck to you- it must feel pretty daunting just now starting again but you sound a lovely person so I'll bet you manage pretty well.