Practical gifts for financially struggling family?

Katgoddess

What about some gift vouchers for "George" or "TU" in a Christmas card for their local supermarket so they can "buy the children some clothes in the sales", and a couple of weeks before Christmas. If they are really struggling they will use them for food or even Christmas presents for the kids instead. You can then give them presents as usual on Christmas Day, or even a food hamper of nice biscuits/tinned ham etc.

crumblepie

I did a posh food hamper for my mum one year, as money was always tight for her. So I included things like branded/m and s crackers, pickles, cheese, ham, chocolate, cake,crisps and chutney.

The idea behind it was a christmas day tea/ boxing day leftovers hamper with things that were christmassy (and not tesco value!) My mum loved it although having to put some presents in the fridge before she opened them must have confused her for a while.

I think she would have been offended if I'd have given her bread and milk , no matter how tight money is.

gibson123

Friends of mine on low incomes, always pay in to a Christmas and Hamper club, so I would steer clear of a hamper. Buy a few bottle of their favourite booze, some chocolates, and then Asda Gift Card for the adults and money in cards for the kids. that way everyone can get what they want. If they are really struggling give the gift cards a week or two before Christmas, so that they can buy stocking fillers and other bits for the kids if they want. The booze is something they will enjoy themselves and can't go the kids. If you son't want to do the booze and chocs, give a family ticket to the cinema or a show. Or even better get two adult tickets and an IOU one nights babysitting token, so they can have a date night.

zzzLazyDaisy

Just a thought

When my nieces where young and they lived a long way away, we used to have the family over to us for an early christmas dinner the week before. We did the whole thing - christmas crackers nice meal, a glass of something nice etc. I used to put a small pressie inside each christmas cracker so everyone got something and no-one was under pressure to exchange gifts.

Then, because we were normaly going away after we'd seen them, they went home with all the left over cake, mince pies, fruit etc.

Maybe you could have them over for a nice meal and do a variation on this?

emg

I'm buying for a family with two little ones that are struggling a bit too this year (I guess there's a lot of it about sadly). Anyway, they are not struggling so much that they can't afford food, it's more that, once they've got food there isnt really much left for anything else. They make the most of free stuff and go for walks in the woods etc. but miss out on all the little extra exciting things. All the kids things like group swimming lessons and baby music time and even nursery sessions have had to stop.

I did think of practical stuff like pyjamas for the kids and maybe some nice foodie bits but also wondered about giving them something like a family ticket to the local zoo or maybe soft play vouchers (if there is such a thing). I know it wont help them financially but a free day out for all of them might be just the sort of treat they are missing. Any thoughts or alternative suggestions?

weeclick

Ive done hampers for my family for the last few years, I put more "treats" as well as essentials. tea, coffee, jams, biscuits, chocolates etc also go to Ikea and get glass jars and fill with sweets / hot choc and mallows, each kid could have their own personalised jar (I do this for my niece and nephew and they love it!) I also add things like bath stuff, fluffy socks, candles, hand or body lotion and as an extra special treat for my parents last year some cinema vouchers so they could have a free (but cheap) night out. The tickets only cost me £10 and gave them a well deserved night off which to them was priceless, offered to babysit and they had coupons for pizza hut so worked out well!