Cheap Christmas Presents

Margey

Hello,

I have just started a new job, but it means that I will not have enough money to get the christmas presents I want for my family. I get paid at the end of November and then again at the end of december.

I do have a little money, is there anywhere I can get my christmas presents without spending too much money?

augustsmummy

It depends what you are looking for. If you want toys at a reasonable price try Homebargains, also good for household stuff. For decrative bits try the Range.
Have you tried Argos clearence? That has saved me about £45 this year.
Are you crafty? Could you make some gifts?

moneysavingmumofone

Who do you have to buy for, what sort of things do they like/ages and how much is your budget approx? If you write a list with those details Im sure people could give you some great ideas.

Margey

Well i need to buy for my mum, step dad, sister, boyfriend, and maybe some friends! (if theyre lucky ha!) I was thinking of making some gifts, but when i told my mum she kinda poo pooed the idea. I think she's not very crafty and thinks that not many other people will be.

I was thinking about making a few sock teddies for my friends. Theyre really cute if done properly!

LolaLemon

For friends u could make favoured vodka... buy as big a bottle as u can afford, collect empty clean sauce jars (for pasta etc) add hard boiled sweets like kola cubes, Skittles etc, top up with vodka, shake every couple of days till dissolved, then pour into nice little bottles. If u do a few flavours, and get mini bottles, u can then give a little selection and tie them with pretty ribbon etc, or have ur sick monkeys holding one each as theory 'drinking buddys' lol as long as they, and u are over 18! Lol

DomRavioli

Have you got a link to the argos clearance bit?

Up_For_Grabs

I have found that you can pick up good hardback books in the Pound Shop and they also do good kids books. I bought some very good young kids games and puzzles there also the other day. They look much more expensive than the amount I paid for them.

chirpychick

I have found getting bits from freecycle and carboots very helpful.
Its amazing what freebies you can pick up. (from freebies board on here)
Also i think sometimes people cant really imagine what homemade gifts can be given but there are so many and she need not even know you made it!!
check out the hampers page too.
everyone on here has given me great inspiration.
people we dont spend much on generally are just getting chocolates this year and have to appreciate i am now out of work.
best friends little girl i got stuff from carboot
mum i got stuff from freecycle and am making a pot of gold
i made photobooks for inlaws and hubby (using the voucher code on freebies board hubbys one didnt cost me a penny)
also hunt charity shops. For someone you could get a shoe box and cover it, put in a cheap fleece blanket (3 colours in asda £2.97) mug, nice tea bags (or variety), homemade biscuits, book or dvd. That would come in under £10.
For friends look on the cheap christmas presents thread and give things like reindeer poop and santas kisses or gingerbread men with the little poems, you could get a handbag for your sister from a charity shop or make up a mini hamper of smellies i think there were offers in superdrug and m&s this week.
could you give your boyfriend an IOU? for a day out or make up a hamper for a romantic night in? candles, dvd, massage oil etc
hope this helps

Saz89

LolaLemon wrote: »

For friends u could make favoured vodka... buy as big a bottle as u can afford, collect empty clean sauce jars (for pasta etc) add hard boiled sweets like kola cubes, Skittles etc, top up with vodka, shake every couple of days till dissolved, then pour into nice little bottles. If u do a few flavours, and get mini bottles, u can then give a little selection and tie them with pretty ribbon etc, or have ur sick monkeys holding one each as theory 'drinking buddys' lol as long as they, and u are over 18! Lol

LOVE this idea, thank you:j

BOBS

DomRavioli wrote: »

Have you got a link to the argos clearance bit?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/ArgosClearance

saygoodbyetothese

Food gifts usually go down well with most people:

- home made chocolate truffles (easier to make than you might think!) and you can add things like Baileys or whisky to give them a festive kick

- home made florentines (mmm!)

- cupcakes

- cookies

- chutneys or jams

- cheesy nibble biscuits - make some in different shapes - straws, rounds. Use poppy seeds to decorate, rosemary, chilli or blue cheese to add extra flavour

- French macarons (these are 'advanced' but they look amazing)

I find that with home made gifts, presentation and attention to detail is really important - decorate with ribbons, get an old box and cover with wrapping paper, make some pretty labels and use your best handwriting!