Christmas on a budget

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.

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 …..

Aw, Sydney2012

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Give it a rest!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Thank you for all ideas. I see there is a tiger in eldon square near me. Will have a look

I’ve just blown in from doing some shopping ethel (storm Diana is ferocious here!) and also saw some very nice new gifts in Barnardos and Cancer Research shops. Lovely sparkly mittens with faux fur cuff for £2 and the matching hat was £4, notelet sets, chunky warm scarves etc. Local chemist also supports Sue Ryder and pharmacist makes lots of small craft items for sale. Little hessian sacks filled with chocs tied with string and a brown paper label, knitted Xmas stockings with chocs etc. Look around all these places - there really are bargains to be had.

Keep a look out for reduced goods, I was in M&S yesterday and they had nice china bowls with hyacinth bulbs in it reduced to £1.60. I would be happy to receive something like this. Also, as others have said some home baked goodies would be welcome, lots of people don't have time to make a nice cake for themselves.

ps the hand puppets were £3.99 each in another handicraft shop.
Mind you, they're not always in stock, it's a bit hit and miss.

I need to sell my piano but no one wants one.
Someone may want to buy it ethel, especially after the JL advert. The other alternative is perhaps to start teaching your DGD the piano yourself and buy her some easy music for her Christmas present?

Stick to the shops that sell branded goods at a discount - they may sell 'tat' as well but that can be avoided. I found some hand puppets in a £1 shop which had to be sewn but were easy for a 6 year old to do with a bit of help, then she could devise puppet shows.

If you're into knitting then perhaps some knitted soap pouches might make nice present for the adults - you could buy some really nice soaps to fill them. The soap is used in the knitted pouch and it works as an exfoliator too.
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/soap-socks.

There will be other free knitting patterns for small items which would make nice presents.

*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*

Do we have a link to this please?