Too many gifts to buy...

kithkath

no way christmas is coming, i have pretty much the same list ;(

jane130

My ocal tesco has some nice gift sets reduced right now . priced from £2 -£10 i picked up a lovelly little set for a secret santa yesterday a flannel some bubble bath and some body lotion for £2

I'd try and get as much as possible on 3 for 2 at boots don't forget to collect advantage card points to use in the sales to ease the burden next year .

I have made some hot choc mug gift sets to go in my kids stockings that would work great as token gifts ( i have done one for my sister too but added a miniture of her fav tipple) I bought some nice christmas mugs for 50p each in instore , a couple of hot chocolate sachets , bought a big bg of mini marshmallows and split it between them with a little pack of biscuits( the type you get in cafes) . wrapped them in cellophane with a bow and they look great all for less than £3 i actually saw something similar in boots for £8

also if you know anyone who sells avon this months broucher has some lovelly gift sets on buy one get one half price.

I know how you feel though, I have a long list like yours and 2 sons with birthdays a week before christmas and 15th january not to mention a whole heap of importnat people birthdays in december . the key is just to start as early as possible and make sure you keep in budget for each person. I knw easier said than done.

LouBlue

essex-girl wrote: »

Hi ya

Just need some advice really re present buying, i have soooooooooooo many gifts to buy and its doing my head in, basically this is who i have to buy for and i havent even started well apart from 1 present for my son!!:

My 2 sons ages 5 and 11 weeks -
My partner
Mum
Dad
Step mum
Step dad
Partners mum
Partners bro
Partners neice
Partners nan
Partners grandad
Step nan
Step grandad
Sisters x 4
Brother
Neice x 3
Nephews x 4
3 of sons schoolfriends
My best friend

It just seems there is no way i can cut back, it costs me nearly a grand each year and thats just presents, no food or drink or bills! And now we have just had a baby we just cant afford the expense.

That is just ridiculous!!! How do people manage? I don't see why the adults can't decide amongst themselves to just buy for the children, when there are that many people to buy for. I am a great believer in spoiling someone on their birthday because it is their special day and you only have to buy for one person at a time, but Christmas just gets ridiculous and out of hand, and no-one wants to offend anyone by suggesting cutting back. Communication is key!!

Have a read of this thread for ideas of tackling this situation. Good luck!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=571250

greenpixey

If we are buying something for family members children we usually buy them a joint Christmas gift they can all use together. Like a board game. That might minimize the cost for you

DUKE

What about (apart from for your children) buying New-Year gifts instead - you'll get all sorts of bargians in the sale. Good luck!

funnyfreckle

C_J wrote: »

Last year, for my daughters' school friends, I bought a remnant of Cath Kidston floral material and made pocket-pack tissue holders and heart-shaped padded keyrings for each of them - they cost hardly anything, but you'd never have known

CJ, I love the sound of your keyrings but I'm not a great sewer! Is there a simple pattern or instructions anywhere I could follow?
Thanks

SugarSpun

I'm going to work on your list, if you don't mind...

My 2 sons ages 5 and 11 weeks - Presents for the 5 year old, nothing for the little one
My partner - presents as normal

Mum}
Dad}
Step mum}
Step dad}
Partners mum}
Partners nan}
Partners grandad} framed picture of adorable children. Yours, preferably.
Step nan}
Step grandad}


Sisters x 4 }
Brother} home made cookies or muffins in a nice box
My best friend}
Partners bro


Neice x 3}
Nephews x 4} What ages?
3 of sons schoolfriends}
Partners neice}

Girls/Boys up to 6 - craft packs made up of bits from multipacks. Crayons, paper, card, safe scissors, glue, glitter.....

Girls older - mugs with a couple of sachets of hot chocolate, some marshmallows and a pair of fluffy socks

Boys older - no idea. I know nothing about boys once they grow personalities.

vivw_2

I suggest you tell mums/dads/step mums /step dads /partner's mum/ grandparents that things are tight because of new arrival. They will understand I am sure. Tell them you are getting token presents and then give photos of kids in frame or a calender made on pc with kids/family photos for each month [easily made on a pc]. If you want your sons to give grandparents/great grandparents a present then foot or hand prints framed are a good pressie.
Brothers and sisters - how about a puzzle book and propelling pencil
What ages are the nieces and nephews

Remember its not important how much you spend but making the present suitable for the person [shows you have thought about them]

sammy11

Try this website. www.dealextreme.com Postage is free and there is pretty much something for everyone. Postage takes about 2 weeks as it comes via Hong Kong so get ordering quickly.

sethsgran

Deal extreme is a great site I have just bought tons of bits and pieces, awaiting delivery. I agree with buying a family game, we have more children than my brother and sister so I told them we didn't expect them to spend tons on ours and why not get a game for us to share. They loved this idea. Could you arrange with different groups that you will all draw a name out of a hat and buy a present for that adult only. This way everyone will get 1 nice present and you will have less hassle. If you set a budget of say £25 for adult present you could then wrap it up really nice. You could ask if all are willing to join in, not the children, and then start a new tradition. Lead the way by being imaginative for the one name you have then in years to come others will hopefully put in the effort. The children will then get their family presie.