Christmas presents

www.waterstones.com/campaign/ladybird-books-for-grown-ups
(Other booksellers e.g. Amazon are available)

These plus "I spy for Grown Ups " books make excellent presents for those hard-to-buy-for men!

As our family expanding...we are struggling financially to give each member of the family a decent present. So we decided to have a "secret santa" system with a budget, in our case, £60. I am the "chief of elves " and pulls out a name of who is he/she buying for. I then tell the person (the secret santa) but not the person receiving it. Everyone then have to email/tell me what are their wish list within the budget, which I then forward it to appropriate "santa/elf". This way we get a good present that we like and not 10 different little presents that will end up sitting on the shelf. The best thing of all you only spend £60. Of course There is nothing to stop you from giving your own spouse and/or children additional present. We have been doing it this way for 3 years now and everyone is happy! I recommend you to try it! It is fun watching and listening to the family trying to guess who's their secret santa is! And I am the only one that know!grin

I agree with everyone who says Don't buy for the adults. My suggestion is that you contact them, phone or face to face, and suggest that you don't buy each other a present: the other person might be relieved.
One of the most successful presents I got for my 5 year old granddaughter was a pair of sparkly high heels, size 4 (not my size) in a charity shop.
Good luck.

As usual, GN comes up trumps. There are some great ideas on this thread. The Works has super books and craft things for bargain prices. Also lovely and varied calendar, diary and pen sets.

I've found mugs with recipes for, respectively, a cake and muffins for two of the GSs to make in the microwave. Fake tattoos can be good stocking fillers for youngsters who will have great fun adorning themselves - and probably you - on Christmas morning.

Charity shops! Some great "as new" bargains, including books. My family are happy with anything from charity shops - and friends don't know!

Our family gets bigger so we are having a secret santa for adults with a limit of £20 and a wish list from each one. When it was suggested everyone leapt on the idea. Often just takes someone to do this and rest of family are relieved. Just buy for the DGC who are all under 5. Ask parents what to get. One DD asked for money towards two toddler beds. Do have a DD and DGD in Oz so send money or use an Aussie shop. John Lewis will deliver for £10. It's more about being together xx

I buy some gifts from Christmas Fairs such as new good brand toiletris or an unusual mug that is right for that person. Go when it opens and be prepared to buy quickly. If you hesitate someone else picks it up! Have had many a bargain for my family

For small gc I have bought a portable microphone as she loves singing,a gardening set as 5 yr oldasked for one. Also bought leggings and top in Marks. All these were under£20.
For an11 yr old boy I bought 'soft' pjs (asked for) and supplemented with a big box of chocs.
Also got personalised floor cushions for curling up watching films at home.
And a fleecy blanket to wrap up on cold evenings.
Hope this is helpful.

I forgot to say most supermarkets do itune voucher cards.
Great for teenagers.
Amazon do kindle vouchers.

When we were truly poverty-stricken back in 1981 we had the best ever family Christmas - everyone mucked in and made a course for Christmas lunch, which we hosted. 2 GGPs, GM, Parents and 2 kids - 7 and 5. And everyone, including the kids, made decorations, cards and gifts for every other family member. No-one apenr more than £10 in total each, which was easily affordable.

The Activity Superstore has various experiences for both adults and children and quite often have special offers. The vouchers last for 12 months. I'm making "cookie in a jar" for some children this year, have done it in previous years and always well received,

Watermeadow, I think your budget of £20 per person - particularly the adults - is extremely generous. Well done. One of my gifts, where practicable, is 'IOU one lunch. Date and venue to be arranged in due course'. This has the multiple advantage of eeking out the outlay, a treat to look forward to, and the opportunity to meet up with the individual(s) personally. I know many nice venues where a lovely lunch can be had for far less than £20. One tip......put an EXPIRY date on your offer and stick to it. Amazing how this keeps the process tidy. Certainly works for me! Good luck and hope you have a lovely festive season yourself.

Most of mine want money to get what they want I just buy for little ones

How about doing something crafty? - knit cuddly toys for the small ones, make candles or do some glass painting or make scarves/hats for older ones and then if there's anything left over in your budget, buy vouchers for the kids. Beginners craft kits are cheap and could lead to a new hobby for you.

Tesco's have Champagne at £9 a bottle at the moment.
Vouchers are brilliant as you can combine them with money at the sales and get 'bang for your buck'.
Books.
Woolly bobble hats and scarves. Gloves.
Nightwear.
Nice chocolate.
Handcream.

When I worked in M&S a lady told me she buys a £10 voucher so the adults can have a "dine in for two' special meal with a bottle of wine in Jan when they are hard up. She offers to have the children on a sleepover that night so makes the gift a real treat for the Mums and Dads. Very thoughtful gift, and only £10 for two.

I usually have a theme for Christmas pressants for the adults across the diffrent families. Some examples are dressing gowns, next year slippers.
In a plastic dustbin - something practical, something silly and something sweet.
Coffee and biscuits - coffee mugs and tin of biscuits.
Chocolate note/coins and wallet/purse.

I only buy for the grandchildren. The children pool their resources to buy for their parents and I add a small amount to that. Easier since they are at least lower teens. This came about when we realized we were all wasitng several hundred pounds on stuff nobody really wanted.
If I know one of the kids wants a bigger present (the other coin of having teenagers around...) we pitch in with the parents to make it happen. Takes a bit of talking to eachother but it makes for nicer presents...

We do similar to Tanith. We will be 14 adults and 4 under 9s. We have a circle of guys and a circle of girls. Like Tanith we have a limit of £50 and each provide a wish list. We limit the children's presents to £20. So each individual spends £ 90. Or a couple £140 as children's presents go from the couple. We agree not to exchange presents for those family members not with us. ( we always buy for birthdays) Obviously we have a few friends to buy for but always agree not to spend too much.

Chocolates always go down well, especially novelty ones. I bought a chocolate chess set this year and a chocolate champagne bottle, for a man this year. Dressing up outfits for younger grandchildren, and for ladies, anything in the cosmetic line. Teenagers might prefer a money gift. Men, I think, are the hardest to cater for. Think of their hobbies . . . do they like music? CDs?

I don't buy for adults at all, even if they will be here on the day. People as so well off now they don't need what I can afford.

I have also moved on to experiences now, in that I pay for kids to go and see the latest blockbuster kids film or for my GD a trip to a swish Santa. The memories of those things last longer than a cheap present. Helps the parents out too as it is an expensive time for them.

Teenagers like cash and everyone loves the sales.

Baileys! ( Don't buy Baikeys , it's awful!)

watermeadow
For men: films on dvd, music cd's, aftershave and toiletries, bottle of something, Baikeys, whisky, brandy , port, chocolate (men like it too!) shirt or tie,socks.
For women: any amount of toiletries to choose from, perfume, fun slippers,costume jewellery, silver ear rings,scarves, pretty ones or woolly ones.Gloves/hats, chocs,fancy tights, perfumed candles.
For children: boxes of Lego, fun bubble bath, pyjamas, slippers/slippersocks, jigsaw puzzles, games for Wii or computer ( many are under £20) books, colouring or craft items,or anything a bit novel and interesting.?

We don't buy presents for adults, way too difficult. Three family members have a birthday in the seven days before Christmas and they get presents then.
Children are sorted from their Amazon and Smiggle wish lists.