REALLY SORRY - A Chrismas thread

[KellyB]

Well this year my sister & I have agreed that for the babes we are going to buy for each other in the sales. We've done this before but for the whole family it's a great way to save money why pay a premium when in a couple of days it could be half the price....this will be more difficult when the babes are old though lol

[LBR]

I will make my father gluten-free cookies or cake. I'll probably crochet something for my mother. I will take them helium balloons from the dollar store, and probably make them Christmas cards.

I'll send a few cards, emails, and bake some cookies for neighbors.

I might make a lap robe/blanket or two to give to a nursing home.

Depending on where my SO is for his work, I'll make him cookies, or crochet him something. If I can find him clothes at a thrift store that he can make good use of, I"ll save them to give him.

[mrsflibble]

Soph will be getting a new set of play pans for her home-made kitchen.
my aunts and uncles will be getting gift packs of crochet cotton cloths, natural/hand made cosmetics etc and a pretty basket.
My mum no idea yet, probably same as my aunts and uncles.

[linzibean]

I'll be making baskets with home made stuff in - cakes, preserves, pickles, knitted disclothes, tea cosies, that kind of thing for the foodie basket

Also hand made soap with knitted facecloths, knitted stoles or hats, hand sewn bags (I'm making a guitar shaped one for my sister).

I'm also making random Christmas decorations for our house, which this year has a Doctor Who theme - maybe not very traditionally Christmassy, but we're not very traditional people ;)

[StripyPixieSocks]

I have been considering a 'no-buy' Christmas, not that we buy alot anyway and I have always made my own decorations for years and years and of course I make all my own gift cards!

I know I can make my Mom some Sterling Silver Jewellery she has been after a set from me for ages anyway and I just need to get around to making it.

My Dad is Diabetic so cookies are out and he hasn't got a sweet tooth tbh so he's difficult because if he wants something he just goes and buys it

My OH's parents are difficult to make for too

... ARRGGHH!

If anyone has any suggestions I'd be very, very grateful

[eccentric_emma]

I love the idea of a buy nothing christmas. would save on many faux pas as well. but also i would be glad of the time not spent shopping, wrapping and panicking to go and do other stuff like help my mum out at her church, and go on the lantern procession they have in the town and maybe spend my money on freshly roasted chesnuts and mulled wine instead!

Actually my husband and I were discussing this the other day, mainly as a saving money gesture as we want to do a bit of travelling next year, so I definitely think we will go for it.

[Big Al]

I know it is only just September, but to be honest I am one of those sad sorts who buys it all early. Well actually this year I am making alot of the gifts I give so an early start is essential !

I was wondering what sort of homemade items people recommend as gifts?

And also whether anyone as considered a 'buy nothing christmas'?

http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/

I especially like the idea of a catalogue that contains things you already have.

http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/catalogue/index.html

My girls have opted for an animal adoption this year...it will cost me £10, but it will be going to charity. And the boys don't 'get' christmas yet so I can pretty much get away with anything there just need to persuade my Mother not to buy them silly amounts of 'bits' this year..4 X lots of toys = too muh stuff for our little house!

A big sorry to all those who think Christmas is geting earlier every year - I did warn you in the thread title!!

We used to sell pheonix trading cards and the christmas pack arrived in the last week of august so we could hit the august bank holiday fairs so don't worry about being early. I saw one resteraunt with a santa in the window in JUNE ..... their excuse was that it was to take christmas dinner bookings....


As for christmas pressies... we have had a really bad few years this last 4 years so it has litterally been a book or a cd for chrimbo but this year we are going to enjoy it. Still not extravagant and within budget but I reckon the whole christmas shebang, presents, food the lot for 3 of us will be about £400....... all paid for in cash and not on cards etc.... well the banks won't give us them anyway,lol. then back to frugallity for the year,lol.

[LBR]

Regarding those who don't appreciate home made presents: I don't make presents for those who think store-bought is superior. I have since weeded those folks out of my gift giving. I used to just keep a pile under the vanity table, things I'd find on sale, or presents I'd been given. I'd collect little things all year, or over the years. Then, I'd have presents as needed.

If the relationship warrants the effort, I've occasionally sat someone down and spelled out what I value along these line, as graciously and clearly as I could. I ask the person what store bought symbolizes. If the person really valued new and store-bought, "fancy" over simple and homemade, I ended up giving them pretty Advent calendars and store-bought miscellany. Thank God, we're mostly over that.

I did buy my father one of those tactical, blinding flashlights for his birthday this year. They're also good for looking into crawl spaces and at electrical boxes. Don't know how much longer my parents will be around, and I like to give them things they'd never buy themselves. I baked him gluten-free cookies and got the helium balloons, bought him sunflowers on my mother's behalf. And, that quiet little voice, said, "Just buy him a fancy present, too." It meant a lot to him. I'm glad I did it. They really appreciate it when I go the extra bit and do something special. They don't need anything, just cheery little things and small amounts of healthy treats now and then. The extra effort, or the occasional splurge touches them very much. I appreciate it when others do that for me, too.

My brother, sister, and I decided to not trade Christmas gifts. It's been a big relief to all of us. We just give presents to the children and the grandparents.

[StripyPixieSocks]

With the store bought V's hand-crafted things most of my family know how much I charge for hand-crafted things anyway so really appreciate it when I gift them with something I made.

I have also done things like (mostly for birthdays though) decorated a room in my parents house for them, we did one recently for my Dad as he had been meaning to turn the box room in his house into an office for a long time but never got around to doing it.

Myself and OH don't gift each other we just spend time together over a nice meal or go out somewhere special together...

IMHO people seem to have lost the whole idea of Christmas (or Yule if you are like me) and seem to think it's all about the expensive gifts... so sad!

[mrsflibble]

I got 7 balls of REALLY expensive variagated wool today for £60p a ball! I am so happy 'cos it'll look fabulous in a queen anne's lace crochet scarf (or 7)!!!

[barefootlinzi]

i am definatly going to try to make lots of pressies this year. we need to save the pennies and i like crafting! i will make a few simple lap quilts for my grandparents, weave a few baskets and put hommade jam, pickles etc in them. imay even havea go at crocheting and make things like that. anyone got any ideas for funky, cheap, easy pressies for my female teenage cousins?

[Fifer182]

I plan to make up wee gift parcels this year with little sugary treats ( dentists beware!!). I love making little sweeties and cakes and having 'felt' around family and friends opinions earlier this year.. they all agree it's a great idea ( they're always asking me to make them tablet and other such delights anyway). Now I'm collecting suitable boxes and such. On a more savoury note, I thought i might add some wee pickles & chutneys as well.

[StripyPixieSocks]

Anyone got any make-them-yourself ideas for a 60 year old man (my Dad )

He's Diabetic and doesn't like sweet things anyway
He doesn't drink much (very odd glass of wine)
He's not into gardening 'products' like hand cleaner or smellies in general etc
... and if he wants something he will go out and buy it!

He likes gardening and bird watching but has binoculars an RSPB membership and if you ask him what he wants he says "Oh don't bother with me spend the money on yourself"

[mrsflibble]

I do the same thing as LBR cos i do have relatives who dont understand the "thing" about home made gifts. AND my brothers have both asked for cash, but they'd both like the cash in a little box so they still have something to unwrap

[witch way]

I've done hampers the last couple of years, with pickles, jams, cheese, etc., and my family have now all accepted that I'm a bit weird anyway. You should have seen their faces when they got recycled Christmas cards with a quote in from the Grinch about the meaning of Christmas This year I'm making knitted socks because I bought myself a spinning wheel. Last year they nearly all bought a bottle of wine for everybody else. The tree looked really disappointing with loads of bottle bags underneath, so if they do it again this year that's it, theyre getting home made wine - that'll teach em.