Christmas thoughts already...

Klug

Hi all
sorry to bring up the Christmas topic when we haven't had summer hols yet! Been thinking that if I'm to save money and plan ahead, I need to do it right now as the other side of the hols is too late to fit it all in.
Problem I have is that I need to 'buy expensive gifts' for certain members of my husbands family (always had to, always will, think it's to do with proving that he's doing ok, pride etc.!). Does anyone have any ideas of things I could make that would look 'bought' please? I can knit and sew well, but hubby says these things always look homemade and are unacceptable. I know its a tall order but any ideas appreciated.
Many thanks in advance

Pink.

Hi Klug,

These threads from the special occasions board may help:

handmade gifts for christmas and celebrations 2011

Lets get started for Christmas 2011

New, New Thirfty Gifty for Christmas and All Ocassions 2011..Santas Challenge...

Christmas Crafting Ideas by Flyingpig - Its Good To Share.

I'll leave your thread on Old Style for a while to see if you can get some more ideas then I'll move it over to the Special Occasions board to see ifyou can get more replies.

Pink

Willow92

Klug wrote: »

Hi all
sorry to bring up the Christmas topic when we haven't had summer hols yet! Been thinking that if I'm to save money and plan ahead, I need to do it right now as the other side of the hols is too late to fit it all in.
Problem I have is that I need to 'buy expensive gifts' for certain members of my husbands family (always had to, always will, think it's to do with proving that he's doing ok, pride etc.!). Does anyone have any ideas of things I could make that would look 'bought' please? I can knit and sew well, but hubby says these things always look homemade and are unacceptable. I know its a tall order but any ideas appreciated.
Many thanks in advance

Sounds a bit snobby if they don't accept homemade items. I'd be delighted to get homemade gifts! Sorry this was a useless post, just wanted a little rant.

You could make some infused oils in posh bottles or something?

mum2one

---

Gardeners hamper

hand cream
nail brush
kneeling mat (Wilkinsons)
gardening gloves (Poundland)
A 5 year gardening diary (Wilkinsons)
A "world's best gardener" mug (Wilkinsons)
gardening tools with a fancy flowery design (Poundland)
gardener's soap (Wikinsons


pamper hamper

Ideas for relaxation/pamper hampers:

box of chocolates or homemade chocolates or truffles etc
mini bottle of wine and a wine glass
A cheap dvd
nail varnish
bubble bath
Snowman soup or hot chocolate sachet
nail file
hair turban (Poundland have these)
a book
a face mask sachet
How about making a cd
fleecey blanket
candles

----
Home made coffee hamper

Get a nice pair of mugs
then make a selection of the coffees


COFFEE MOCHA

Fill tub/jar with Equal parts of instant Coffee and Unsweetend Cocoa Powder and coffee creamer (such as coffee mate or ownbrand)

CAFE VIENNA

Fill Jar/ Tub with Coffee and add a pinch of Cinnamon

SWISS MOCHA

Fill jar, tub with equal parts of coffee, drinking chocolate and coffee creamer

CAFE VIENNA MIX

4 spoons Coffe
1 spoon Cocoa
Pinch of Cinamon

Keep doing this until Jar/ tub is full

CAFE Au Lait

Equal Parts Coffee & creamer

---

More Hamper Ideas

A girly hamper - hair turban, bath bits, chocolate, wine, make up, etc

A food hamper - homemade cakes, buscuits, chutneys, sauces

A pamper hamper - a blanket, candles, mini bottle of wine and a glass, a girly dvd, a book

A gardening themed one - gardening gloves (pound shops sell these), a kneeling mat, a gardening themed mug, gardener's soap, a nail brush, gardening seeds

An alcohol one - mini alcohol bottles most supermarkets do 4 small bottles for £5. two glasses, a wine or cocktail book

A movie themed one - a dvd, popcorn, pick and mix

Drink + choc mug – mug, sachet hot chocolate, sachet cappicuno mix, mini whisk, couple of mini bars of chocolate, - wrap in cello

Whisk u Merry Xmas – Large Whisk, fill the bottom with chocolates, toffees etc, wrap the whisk in cello wrap

Ladies gardening hamper – hand cream, nail brush, kneeling mat, garden gloves, garden mug, garden tools – fancy designs

A girly hamper – hair turban, face mask, toe seperators, nail file, tea light candles, nail varnish,

Car hamper – Steering wheel cover, bucket, sponge, shammy, carwash, windscreen cover

Mini pamper set- colour scheme, shower squidee, sponge, flannel, bubblebath, showergel,

Mini food package – Mini jars jam (Morrisons 4 for £1), small box posh tea bags, shortbread biscuits (buy multi pack and split between people), add a mug, put it on a small tray

Kitchen goodies – mini scales, teatowel, oven glove, fancy rubber gloves (kim and aggie gloves – posh style £1.00 shop)

Drinks Tray
Christmas tray, small cafeteria pot £1.00 poundland (boxed) they also do a matching teapot (again £1.00) add a small packet fresh coffee, some fresh tea, a couple of teatowels and 2 mugs.

Molly41

I am also thinking about Christmas too. I did a super shop at Tesc0 yesterday, saved 70 pounds and stocked up on lots of bits that have been stashed away for xmas hampers :eek::eek::eek:

rosie383

Thank you so much OP for putting this thread here so that I notice it. As a Muslim, I would never think of looking at the Christmas gifts threads, but I do have to buy presents for Eid etc. This has given me lots of great ideas and is now bookmarked for future ref.

mummyroysof3

i have already bought 2 bits to put away for my youngest lol i guess we lucky we dont have to buy expensive gifts in our family but its a long list of who we do buy for so it soon adds up if i dont keep an eye on my buying

happy35

i tend to look at things to buy all year, i buy discount perfume sets etc and put them away and also look in the duty free for any offers or perfume that is cheaper than in the shops.

If i buy the M&S meal deal am not a wine drinker so save the wine to give away as a present

I usually fly out of th EU so can buy spirits in the duty free 2 for £16 last year so get a couple to use as presents

my family would not appreciate a home made gift either

I then save from when I get back from my hols until Christmas from August -November pay packets buying as I go if I see anything

[Deleted User]

I start to stock up on small gifts just after the Christmas boom is over and have a box in which I stash things towards Christmas.Often I will see perhaps a nice photo frame in a CS and will get that as a small present for neighbours ect. I keep a good look out for the smellies stuff in Wilkinsons after shave, bath /shower stuff ect for my grandsons .I have been putting a pound a day away since January and don't miss it so that will help when it gets near to the time.

System

op give your hubby a budget and tell him to get the gifts !

Kimitatsu

If you can sew well, how about making a patchwork quilt or knitting a throw? Such items are very "in vogue" at the moment and cost a fortune in the shops. A friend of mine makes them and put a little label on the back so everyone knows it is hand made, and I have to be honest they are gorgeous! You can pick up the material fairly cheaply (she recycles a lot from car boots/charity shops etc) and then it is just your time.

Personally I would LOVE to get given something like that!