Birthday pressies ona tight budget - help!

Spendaholic_Chick

Two of my ex neighbours who I still see regularly and am very close to (my son calls them grandma and aunty- they're really like family) hit the big 7-0 in the next couple of weeks. I really would like to get them something really special but not blow the budget - any ideas?

They're both retired - one likes reading and holidays abroad, the other is a homebird who likes cooking and entertaining. I get stumped at the best of times, but with these big birthdays I'm at a complete loss

(Hope it's ok to post this here!)

stressed.mum

Would yr son be able to help make presents? My kids made a hama bead coaster from their Gt Grandma when she was 80 and she loved it - very simple design with 80 in the middle. Also how about a "pamper" basket We did them at christmas, used freebies, nice but cheap toiletries split up and fleece blankets fro older reletives - they loved them maybe themed for their likes. A book, home made bookmarks, cup and saucer for tea when relaxing with book maybe homemade biscuits?

HTH

stressed

newmum1

you may get more responses by duplicating it to the special occassion board where they have loads of ideas. i was thinking perhaps a book for the one by her fav author and for the other poss something like some sort of cooking set. stressed mum has some real good ideas.

Dazi

Right..I have an idea...it wont cost a lot, just time!

My nearly-step-daughter got confirmed last year and at the time I was unemployed and OH was off work sick and only getting SSP so things were tight, we were told what her mum was buying her this and that (expensive jewelelry etc )and knew we couldnt compete.

I got one of those deep picture frames, was a quid from poundland and made a cross and put a background etc in it, used pc to find background pic and put something personal on it, like the date and who it was from plus a quotation, she loved it and has now has it on the wall at her house!

You could do something like this, for the one that likes reading and holidays maybe pic of deckchair with book beside it or something like that, get pic from internet and use those sticky things to make it stand out, print out background of desert island or beach. For the other one pic of cake or something like that with background of dining table all set up nice. The web is such a good place to pinch pics lol

You could put a special message on the background or let your son write something on it.

Something like this is very personal and means a lot to the person receiving it cos they know that you have thought about them when making it.

I know I would rather receive something that had been made with feeling rather than getting a flashy pressie that cost you too much!

If you need any help with ideas for it just pm me.

nzmegs

I recently took up knitting and have discovered I am not too bad at it. I bought some mohair wool off ebay for about £7 including deilvery and am knitting up some lovely soft scarves. They are really nice and will only cost me about £2 each once finished.
If you can knit and don't mind spending the time then wool can be cheap if you shop around.
Good luck.

Seaxwyn

HI there

My parents are in their 70s and old-fashioned types not into modern gadgets at all, but they have really enjoyed some presents my kids bought for them.

My DD gave my mum some of that 'scoubidou' string a couple of years ago, and she loved it. And my DS gave my dad a 20Q toy, which he thinks is fantastic and takes everywhere with him to show off to his 70+ mates.

If your friends are like my parents, they might enjoy a glimpse into the world of a modern child.

I appreciate this is not as DFW as making things of course!

Sea78

Hi

Have you any tesco or nectar points? You could get them a relevant mag subscription - good food, gardening etc.

Sea xx

mookybargirl

Not sure what age your son is but you could buy a couple of those paint your own mugs. I saw them recently in asda for a couple of pounds and your son could paint on a nice message "my aunty (name)" with 90 and some stars on it or something. You could fill with some choccies - maybe some quality street or something. Even wrap in some nice wrapping from the florist or some coloured tissue paper and tie a bow at the top.

Spendaholic_Chick

thanks guys - some great ideas here :-)

Spendaholic_Chick

Just thought I'd let you know - got a couple of great bargains today for the pressies! Home Bargains were selling paint-them-yourself glass clocks for £2!! They supply the glass, the card, the paint and brushes and templates. Gonna get my son to do them - he's decided to use part of the template but paint a '70' and possibly their names in the middle! :money:

Still need to get them somehting from me, but no matter what I get, it won't match up to those (I hope!) so it doesn't have to be much! :j

Sea78

That sounds like a great idea!

Except I'm really bad and actually when first reading your post thought it said glass....something else:whistle::o