Christmas on a budget

Do you post to wind people up or are you genuine please?

I always hankerafter someone giving me the ingredients in jar for biscuits with the recipe. I think it's a lovely idea. Look on Pinterest for recipes. I'm including homemade lavender bags in my presents. I second the works for presents.i bought a complete set of books boxed for one grand child and a james Martin cookbook fro £3 from £25 for another. I saw things I would like ( a Jane Austen colouring book if anyone is feeling generous)
Perhaps give people iou s - a knitted hat and mits by new year, a load of weeding in the spring. Something like that.

why do I never see things like that in M&S?

Why are you banging on about that old batty ?
Etheltbags posed a very simple question and I’m sure there are others working on a restricted budget.

petra Mon 26-Nov-18 21:02:57
etheltbags1
A while ago you freely admitted on GN that you posted wind up posts.
So is this one genuine or just a bit of fun for you.

Give it a rest!

Perhaps petra would like to enlighten us.

It was never my intention to upset the OP and of course many people are on a restricted budget.

If you are quoting somebody old batty please make it clear.
The normal convention on GN is this (^ ^) or you could use “. “

I think " banging on about " and " Give it a rest" have crossed a line.

I think as comments they were entirely justified in respect of Etheltbags’s feelings.

I think this thread is very useful for anyone on a restricted budget so thank you for starting it etheltbags.

Christmas has become far too commercial and I hope that thoughtful gifts which may not cost very much will become the norm for many.

Wasn't there another thread about getting into debt at Christmas?
That is not what Christmas is all about.

The main thing to remember is it is the thought that counts. It is nice and somehow comforting to think someone baked you a few biscuits or planted you up some bulbs in a tea cup. Do not over spend and leave yourself short over the year and no loved once would want that for you.

There was a similar thread on Mumsnet and I was pleased to see how many sensible Mum's advocated not spending more than they could afford and not getting into debt for one day.

Every year I have a theme for gifts. Books one year, something to eat or drink another year, something for the kitchen .... and so on. When it was boom year, I went into my local Oxfam and their book section is full of new books donated by people who have never read them. They cost a couple of pounds, absolute bargains. There is something for everybody. One year I trawled the charity shops for really pretty bowls. I filled them with Quality Street or similar sweets and wrapped the whole lot in cellophane and tied it with Christmas ribbon. It’s such fun doing things like this. I also have a drawer of lovely things I bought in the Jan sale last year ....... for a couple of pounds each. They will be coming out at Christmas.

When my husband and myself were going through difficult Financial Times I bought him a world map with a note saying I would give him the world if I could. It’s still his favourite gift and he uses it.

Aw, Sydney2012

I do like the idea of a large teacup and saucer (charity shop) planted with some bulbs, perhaps tete-a-tete daffodils
If anyone is reading this thread …..

Charity shops and cheaper shops as others have said. Not a problem. And on boxing day Boots usually do half price sale- for next year and birthdays.