Have you ever tried this for Christmas?

Mrs_Veg_Plot

lillibet dripping I love your idea. I have made tote bags for OH's suntys and will put a jar each of HM jam an chutney in them. I am making zip up makeup bags for my older neices which I will put some akeup removal wipes and cottonwool balls, The zips have been recycled from old pencil cases.

lillibet_dripping

Mrs_Veg_Plot wrote: »

lillibet dripping I love your idea. I have made tote bags for OH's suntys and will put a jar each of HM jam an chutney in them. I am making zip up makeup bags for my older neices which I will put some akeup removal wipes and cottonwool balls, The zips have been recycled from old pencil cases.

I'm pinching both these ideas:T I shall need a bigger family at this rate......

MrsE_2

bossymoo wrote: »

Tbh I think it's entirely reasonable to not buy for adults. Money is tight for a lot of people, and I've spoken to a few friends who are in agreement, and happy just have a get together and a good old natter and forgo the gifts. Or a secret Santa, so you are only buying for one.

For us, this year, Christmas is about time with family and some treats for the children.

Good luck with the dmp!

We only buy for children & immediate family adults (parent, soon, daughter, partner).

I'm too busy & others are too busy to be running around prior to Christmas spending my precious spare time trying to buy presents for adults!
Buying stuff none of us really want with money we can ill afford.

Christmas presents are for children, Christmas is for families & friends sharing time & laughter:D

emg

It's a great idea if it works for your family. I've seen similar done at office Secret Santa things. In my family I think the homemade presents would go down better than the lucky dip as, even if no money has been spent, time or thought going into choosing something personal is really valued. Mind you, I would be thrilled to just get a handmade stocking so maybe you have all bases covered!

babyshoes

A friend's family (she had lots of cousins) used to do a similar lucky dip for Christmas - but the twist was that everyone brought one pressie up to a certain value, and there was always a sort of unspoken competition to bring the 'worst' present (which could still be argued was a 'real' present - not stinky socks or something downright disgusting). For years the winner was a truly naff raffia elephant with a baby clinging to its tail - would have been almost cute if it had been well made... The eventual recipient would proudly display it for a year then wrap it up (cleverly to disguise the shape) and put it back the following year. I believe there were plenty of ordinary 'desirable' things too like edibles, smellies etc, but a few such things to make people want to swap to keep it interesting. There could also be strategic swaps - eg a mom gets makeup and swaps it for the elephant which has landed up with her teenage daughter, as the mom doesn't really want either but knows daughter would like the makeup.

Think it would only work with a big family with a good sense of humour - everyone went home with something, even if it was an adult male ending up with something pink and sparkly! I believe the parents did give their own kids presents, and of course they got stuff from Santa, but the extended family just did the pressie swap game.

Our extended family was never all together for Christmas as some elements didn't get on with others, so the whole period was spent visiting one side then the other in turn, and occasionally hosting an 'open day' ourselves on boxing day... Would have loved to do something like this otherwise!

trolleyrun

If you're really struggling for both ideas and cash, how about making some gift vouchers? Suggestions: X hours of gardening, babysitting, taxi service, clean house, cook a nice meal, anything you can think of that is suitable for your family members. Write (or print) with a nice pen and your best handwriting on nice paper. Decorate with whatever you want/have available.

A few years ago,I didn't have much spare money. I have a lot of aunts and uncles and I didn't want to come to Xmas celebrations empty handed. I gave all my aunts and uncles a voucher for a big hug, redeemable at any time. They loved it! Then again, I'm from a large family who doesn't care about material things and that's why it worked. Another time, they all got a voucher for a two night stay in my new place. Again, they loved it. None of them have redeemed it mind, as they're all in a different country :rotfl: I think it was the thought that made them happy

Gr33ng1ng3r

Hi Lillibet. I think homemade presents are the best sort! Unfortunately they can take time to do for everyone but the hampers / bags of homemade goodies sound great. You don't sound like you have a shortage of fabric (neither do I!!) but a couple of the best presents I ever made were "quilts" made from old jeans, backed with fleece (1 from a charity shop and one from Mr T in clearance) and held together with buttons (I have loads of those too!) and knots. Both are still much treasured and admired.

springdreams

In addition to your home made items you could do a Christmas snatch bingo raffle.

I did this for the first time with my rather large family last year, and they loved it so much we will be doing it again this year.

More info here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1175253