cheap but fun Christmas presents

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!

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

Oo grand, could I get recipe for Cranberry marmalade

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?

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

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

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

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.

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

Poundland has some surprising and excellent value items.

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.

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

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/

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?

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

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

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