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

alanamyles

This year my circumstances have changed drastically - now a single mum with a new home to somehow furnish, I've found myself incredibly tight for money to spend on Christmas gifts. I've whittled down my gifts list to my children and close family only, and am sure everyone understands that I truly can't spend a lot.

To save money in every way possible, I've made great use of Freecycle/Freegle, and have become addicted to scouring for freebies, vouchers and the like.

Things like the £5 Debenhams voucher, the Pictureka game in last Sunday's Express and the like have enabled me to get some freebie gifts already. I've started crafting (mostly using materials I already have), intend to make food gifts, and have even sourced a tree from Freecycle (which the kids and I will decorate with things we make ourselves).

But I'm wondering how far I could really go with this, and whether I'd be seen as an absolute scrooge most of my gifts are freebies/handmade/vastly reduced?

For example, my daughter's bike was stolen (from right in front of our house!) earlier this year. Replacing with a new one is very much out of my budget, but this is the one and only thing she's asked for. Would it be bad to try and source one from Freecycle? Also I'm making a gift-set for my mum, but wonder if it would be more appropriate to supplement it with something "shop bought" instead of relying on what I make/get for free?

Saving even more money like this would leave some cash spare for other things, such as taking the kids to the cinema ad a christmas treat (and actually buy popcorn instead of relying on free preview tickets and sneaking in home-made snacks); petrol for the car so the kids and I can visit family, and the like.

A couple of years ago, my aunt suggested we all opt to give gifts only to the children - which I thought was a wonderful idea - but unfortunately not everyone saw it that way, insisting on giving something and expecting at least a token in return, and it's certainly not become a tradition.

Personally, I'd prefer not to give "thoughtless" tokens, and spend time sourcing well-considered gifts.

But what is the general consensus here? Is it okay to give well considered gifts which have been sourced as freebies/cost very little/made at no cost? My children have been wonderfully understanding, but I'm not so sure how to try to explain to certain family members so any insights would be much appreciated =]

AnnaBeth

I think it depends what the gifts are. I'd stay clear of freebies that were popular e.g. advertised in large paper and lots of people got them.
Homemade again depends on what it is if your good at making things then it can be better than shop bought. I would love to make more gifts but don't put time aside to do it. I've had a few homemade gifts in the past that were horrible with the handmade part being the only good part, mouldy homemade chutney is not nice. So if good quality control go for it. Sorry I'm probably sounding dead fussy but mould is not a nice surprise in homemade chutney!
Good luck, I think buying for fewer people is the best way, we all end up with too much crap, so i appreciate a few thoughtful gifts but en mass for the sake of it always seems like a waste to me.

GillM

alanamyles wrote: »

For example, my daughter's bike was stolen (from right in front of our house!) earlier this year. Replacing with a new one is very much out of my budget, but this is the one and only thing she's asked for. Would it be bad to try and source one from Freecycle?

Does your daughter specifically expect a new one? When I was growing up (and I'm only 53, not 93!) lots of toys were second-hand, especially big things like bikes. In fact, I don't think I ever actually had a new bike! As long as it is clean and shiny (my dad would always repaint things if necessary) you may even be able to get a better one than you could ever had afforded new anyway. It always amazes me what people give away or sell very cheaply!

ailuro2

I'd see what you could get on freegle / freecycle for her, you might get something that's nearly new, or one that could be spray painted her favourite colour.

Christmas for adults is not about the price of the gifts they have been bought, but about the thought that went into them and the love attached to them.

Something sentimental that had no cash cost should always be treasured over an expensive cashmere jumper that doesn't fit, surely?;)

hot.chick

I think it's fine, 2nd hand, vintage, re-gifted, or freebies passed on.

If people don't understand that times are hard then thats thier look out to be honest... don't skint youself to buy people presents.

Tulip09

I would have no problem recieving home made gifts from adults & children. I have recieved/given cookies,knitting/ chocolates/ handmade soaps (wrapping given free from a local florist) my children have also painted 'modern art pictures' that we colour cordinated to peoples rooms and bought a few cheap frames or canvases.

My circumstances have also changed drastically this year and i have found that i have to be more resourceful, this year i will be buying presents for my children & mother only and all the extended family members will be recieving a homemade card and homemade chocolates/shortbread on a disposable christmas plate wrapped in clingfilm etc with a ribbon. Each child is going to write a nice memory about the person recieving it or words used from a poem that reminds them of that person.

People will realise your circumstances have changed and that things are tight, and if they are not happy: sod them!! they are not worth it.

barbiedoll

Personally, I think that home-made gifts have a special charm that you just don't get with a shop bought gift. And I'm completely sick of hearing of these families who expect everyone to spend hours trawling around the shops, spending money that they just don't have, to ensure that a house full of grown-ups can open yet another useless bit of tat that they will inevitably pass on/throw out by the end of January. :mad:

I'm sure your daughter will be just as pleased with a second-hand bike as she was with her other one. At that age, it's the whizzing around at great speed that is the thrill, not the shiny paint and high price tag.

Don't be bullied by family members who may sneer at cheap/free gifts. If they don't get into the spirit of Christmas without receiving an expensive present then that is their problem. Your problem is how to feed and clothe your family on a budget and your kids come first. If your daughter is having to settle for a second-hand gift, shame on them for expecting anything better. I hope you all enjoy your free tree, your carefully chosen presents and your night out at the cinema (and the popcorn!) And remember, you're not a "Scrooge", you're a Money Saving Expert! :T:T:T

angelsmomma

I honestly don't think its being a scrooge. I don't buy anyone except my children presents and never have done. (I don't do the Easter egg thing either) Christmas is not all about presents. I send my daughter money as she does not live locally and put in an amount for my grandaughter.

My son still lives at home (age 9) and I buy him bits all year round when on offer and use my tesco and other money off vouchers to buy his magazine subscriptions. I will also give him £100 to put in his bank account and buy whatever he wants for himself) I am trying to teach him about money management.

My ex gets him a bike and he gets a few bits from my ex's family so he has far too much really if I am honest.

Thats it really. From 1st December the shops are mad so I don't do any big shops. I get all the offers with long dates all year round and just buy fresh fruit and veg from my local co op around 8 pm in the evening when it has been reduced.

Just read through and I guess some of you will think I am a scrooge but I always have a stress free and happy Christmas and owe nothing when it comes to the new year. My son has a great time and my family just look on it as my idiosyncrasy that I can't stand shopping.

laurenjs88

No, Ive managed to get 2 picturekea. one for me and OH and the other is going to my Dad, My MIL's hammper consists of - A wicker basket i won as a vimto hamper, an andrex hot water bottle & slippers i won (facebook) some soap and glory goodies i won (facebook again) lots of make-up and body creams that either ive won, got through magazine freebies or free samples, everytime I go into the city I hit the beauty counters at HOF, Debs & Boots some promo goodies from The Mall which you got for signing up for the reward me card including a credit card box of mints, a trolley token, a lint roller (she has 3 cats!) and a small packet of tissues for your handbag! then I brought some of the recent tesco 1 for 3 on skincare, and there 3 for 2 mini gifts and 4 for £3 travel size things stuck them in a nice make-up bag and put the shower/bath stuff in a wash bag, total cost around £12 content price close to £100 BARGIN! Im so jealous I want to keep it for myself!

Wish i could so you a picture its amazing if i do say so myself, did the same last year and it was the best gift she'd ever got!

Kids have got loads of freebies, comp wins and glitches as have the rest of my family for xmas. They arent going to know so I dont think its a problem. My mum loves second hand vintagey stuff anyway so she's easy to please!

laurenjs88

also forgot to mention, when I can get the images of my digi cam, im going to be making the grandparents photo mugs of the kids for xmas there is always others to get them for a few £'s each. I also brought a box of 12 gift cards for Millies Cookies earlier this year each gift card buys you 12 cookies got this pack for £35! I think they are designed to be given to 1 person as they come wrapped up in a box but i am splitting them in between family as a small gift! Who doesnt like cookies!

Mojisola

Apart from the fact that what you're doing is very sensible and realistic, how would people know their presents were freebies or bought using money-off vouchers?