cheap but fun Christmas presents

Toiletries, seeds for gardeners, calendars, gloves, socks, books from The Works?

A pretty mug with, inside, a couple of portions of hot chocolate powder sealed in a bag and a similar small bag of marshmallows. Wrap it all in cellophane tied with a bow.

After typing the above, I decided to have a look for ideas on Pinterest - look what I found:

www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/gift-in-a-jar-ideas

oh wow!!!!! Job done!!!!

Kirsty did something in a jar the other night in her programme; some foodstuff I think...but she then added a tea light. Now, I have a cupboard where I keep candles and it the wax gives out a very strong smell. So I thought the food/candle thing was a bit bad [it might not have been food but bath bombs or something, in which case they would have smelt horrid too. Did anyone else see it?

I bought some of these, after seeing them on TV. They were delivered quickly too. I chose the veg clock kit, magic trick, Christmas dinner flavoured sweets and a tiny musical box.
inamatchbox.com/

Shysal,those look lovely little stocking fillers, wish I`d seen them sooner!

Signed off too quickly. I`ve bought a few cheap stocking fillers from www.wish.com but they take 2 to 3 weeks to deliver, so too late for Christmas now.

Poundland has some surprising and excellent value items.

Also the Swedish (?) chain Tiger have some original and inexpensive things.

The Martin Lewis Moneyfacts Website last week mentioned that, with a code it gave you, you could get a photo mug for £3 and a personalised calendar down from £17.99 to just £6. I ordered both of them and they are brilliant and a real bargain.

If you have time you could bake/cook some presents and just buy a pretty Kilner type jar to put them in - they have some in the pound shops. Cookies, fudge, cinder toffee are all easy to make and look lovely packed into clear jars with a ribbon bow

I usually have loads of home made marmalade, jams and pickles, made throughout the year. Cranberry marmalade is particulalry pretty and delicious for this time of year.

i have also made tote bags out of calico with a pretty applique, ditto for calico aprons.

i also make cookies in a jar, shortbread and various others bits and pieces. -Sadly- Happily, DD is doing the same thing and -stealing- taking my ideas... so I have to be more inventive

Get thee to a charity shop! I've found some great bargains over the years.

I agree with hatoum44. Mind you, I am in and out of charity shops every week of the year, so I find lots of quirky things. Today I saw a hand knitted childrens sweater. It was red with snowflakes across the chest. Totally gorgeous and brand new. It wouldn't fit any child I know, but how could anyone give it away?

Oo grand, could I get recipe for Cranberry marmalade

When I was a child (from a seriously poor family) we used to make voucher books for each other, containing vouchers for things that cost nothing, but are often quite welcome - things like an evening's babysitting, the washing up done, a dinner cooked, the dog walked for the day - you get the idea.

These could then be redeemed throughout the year by the recipient whenever he or she felt in need of whatever it was. The ones I used to find most useful were those from my older sister, offering to do my school homework for a day - I'd save those for when I didn't have a clue how to do it myself

Also agree with hatoumi44.
My elder daughter has already suggested that we buy all our presents
from charity shops this year.
Yesterday I bought (for myself) a double CD of operatic arias recorded at a concert at Verona Opera Festival in memory of Beniamino Gigli.
It cost me all of 50p! and seems to be in excellent condition!