Gift idea for next year

[Princess Ariel]

I’m probably a little late with this and I’m sure many of you already do this but after giving lots of rubbish presents for Christmas this year I got to thinking about better ideas for next year.
I suggested to family about gifting charitable donations such as sponsoring a dog/child or other animal but this wasn’t greatly received.
So I’ve already decided for next year I’m going to create gift boxes for everyone and just start buying little things to put in it when I’m out shopping throughout the year, hopefully this will mean I’m gifting things people need and want and also will spread the cost so I don’t have such a huge outlay at Christmastime. Does anyone else already do this?

[KarenG]

No - all the adults in our family do a big Secret Santa. Saves about 15 presents being bought, each, many of which I’m sure aren’t that well received and contribute to landfill.

[Sandra & co]

Secret Santa is a good idea, I ask people what they want and then get it. Another thing is get them all gift cards and ask them which shop they want. Even if it’s only £10 per person it’s better than buying stuff that ends up in the bin.

[Princess Ariel]

I like the secret Santa idea! Unfortunately I don’t think DH’s family would go for it.

I will put a gift card in each box too, I have an idea of the sort of things people like/need for instance BIL loves chocolate so I will put lots of chocolate and sweets in his, MIL has coeliac so will mainly put gluten free stuff in hers and FIL is relatively easily pleased so I can put a mix of stuff in his.
I’ve thought about doing boxes/hampers before but usually I just leave it too late and don’t have time so end up buying crap lol...I have done it for MIL before and she always loves it so I thought it would be a good idea to just do it for everyone next year

[Sweets]

I think it’s a great idea.

I got a hamper off my parents this year. It has lots of things in that I’ll use and I would like that I wouldn’t ordinarily go out of my way to get myself - and stuff I most certainly do. I thought it was a lovely gift.

[TGT]

Not so much for family but for friends I pick up things throughout the year - especially sales stuff, so they actually get more by Christmas...as long as I remember where I put it and what was for whom! I do have a big bag of stuff left over but I also cleared a lot...trying to cut down on bargain buying this year :-D

[JudgeJ26]

I always make my eldest daughter a pamper basket for Xmas. I fill it with items she's always using. This year it was filled with items such as baby wipes, razors, exfoliating gloves, silver shampoo and conditioner, hand creams etc. She loves them and it saves her money.
I also listen out and make a note of things my children/family say they would like/need throughout the year. My youngest daughter mentioned a banana holder to take to work and guess what she got?😂

[RachelM]

I made a hamper for my cousin this year. I had bought pjs and a calming colouring set but wanted to give her something else as she has had tough year. I made a food/toiletries/sweet hamper made with the things I know she likes. She loved it.

[MrsBC]

DD made a hamper for my dad (86) - he doesn't need anything so she bought all the foods, sweets etc that he buys regularly and he was really happy with it as nothing will be wasted.

[Mallky555]

I do hampers for our adult children that are married and buy lots of items that I know they won’t buy themselves at Xmas as they spend what they have spare on the children
Usually has a bottle of spirit and then expensive chocolates and the like they love getting them. I’ve added cinema vouchers and meal out vouchers Over the last couple of years. It helps that they all love going to the cinema though 😆