Christmas presents

[Pixie dust]

I am just curious as to what you buy mindees for Christmas and do you have a budget? I normally buy the little ones a book but I struggle with the after school children. In the past I have given them a chocolate Santa as last year I had 10 older ones over the school week and it was getting expensive buying them all a gift. I want to stay away from sweets/ chocolate this year as locally there has been a big campaign about children's oral health as I live in an area which is above the average for children with tooth decay.


Just to add this year I have 4 little ones and 7 before/after school children.

[Maza]

I was thinking about this too. I only have little ones, and just 4 on my books.

In the past I have done The Works bundle books and given each child one (or The Book People when they were still around), but all of my parents do The Works quite regularly. If I was to get them a new book, they are generally about £5.99 each aren't they? I wouldn't want to spend more than that per child as it is more than my hourly fee per child. I'd love to buy them each their favourite book from my setting, but we'll see.

If I had schoolies I definitely wouldn't spend as much.

[Mouse]

I only usually have 5 or 6 to buy for and set a limit of £5 each.

I used to give them all the same thing - something like a book and selection box - but over the last few years I've tended to buy separate presents depending on what they like. Last year one child had a teddy, one had a craft set etc. I seem to get most of them from TKMaxx.

[loocyloo]

i usually give a book from the works, and wasn't going to this year, but then found a couple of nice christmas books, that i don't think i've given before! last year i also gave them all a little handmade soap ( made by a friend! ) I usually try and get a craft book or similar for schoolies.

This year I got a deal on Hexbugs for my older schoolies, and my 10 yr old schoolies are getting a mug with a hot choc sachet!

I usually try to only spend a couple of pounds if i can help it. I spend more on a birthday, and that is usually more linked to what they are interested in.

In previous years i have made the little ones a little tote or drawstring bag, or one year, i did just give them all a selection box, but that felt too impersonal. it is hard, because anything that looks worth giving, costs a decent amount ( which is reasonable ), but when we're buying 14/16 presents, it isn't really affordable.

[Dragonfly]

All adds up doesn’t it. Token present is all we really need to give but like loocyloo says unless you pay quite a bit it doesn’t look much.

I try to keep a look out for bargain gifts throughout the year and stash away but this year I haven’t been lucky.

A lot of the parents shop at Aldi so I don’t feel I should buy presents there as parent have probably picked up the bargains whilst shopping for groceries.

[Maza]

All adds up doesn’t it. Token present is all we really need to give but like loocyloo says unless you pay quite a bit it doesn’t look much.

I try to keep a look out for bargain gifts throughout the year and stash away but this year I haven’t been lucky.

A lot of the parents shop at Aldi so I don’t feel I should buy presents there as parent have probably picked up the bargains whilst shopping for groceries.

I do the same and I also haven't been lucky this year - I think we are all visiting the shops less because of covid.

[Mouse]

I do the same and I also haven't been lucky this year - I think we are all visiting the shops less because of covid.

I think that's very true. The bargains I've picked up to put away have mainly been bought online.