cheap christmas?

[ShellyLette]

Ladies! I'm broke as a joke. I have 6 nieces and nephews to shop for with about a $30 budget. I was thinking I would get a bag of candy to split between 5 of them, since baby emmit is too small for food. But I can get that with food stamps. I have a 1 year old, a 3 year old, 4, 5, 7 and 12 year old to buy for. Any suggestions? I'm really stressing cuz I used to be able to buy realty good gifts, I know its the thought that counts but I wanna get them something besides friggin candy :(

[ShellyLette]

I didn't go over $30! I got them all 2 or 3 gifts a piece. Still didn't get candy but ill get that when I get my fruit salad stuff for Christmas (: I feel like a good aunt again lol

[ShellyLette]

Their mommy is so gonna love the sugar rush I give my nieces and nephews (:

[Combs7]

Make each one a basket of goodies that you can get with your stamps. Go to a Dollar Tree or something similar & buy the baskets for a $1 then fill them with goodies. You could even get each a coloring book or small toy to put in from the Dollar Tree since all the other things will bought with your stamps. Then wrap them with colored cellophane & you still wouldn't be over $30.

[siley22]

Lol omg I was thinking doing the same thing w my foodstamps lol buy candy n bakee cookies :) ohhh well no money but I love to give stuff away

[hoping43]

Dollar tree is the best!!!!!!

[Des92]

Try the dollar tree.  I know most things there are cheap and what not, but some things are okay.  Remember, it's the thought that counts.  Christmas cookies do sound like a great idea, I wish someone would make me Christmas cookies haha!

[jennibowen]

make christmas cookies n wrap them nice there better than anything in a shop cos u did it urself n put ur heart into it xx

[ShellyLette]

Well ladies I went to my local general store and got all the kids 2 or 3 gifts, and bags to put them in, all under budget! They have some really cool dollar things there. Thanks again!!!

[louieforlaughs]

i knit so when i'm in need of a cheap gift i put the time into it instead of the money. this doesn't work for everyone though.
for the young ones you could make christmas tree decorations and for the elder you could make a newsboy hat or scarf, or a tree decoration is awesome too. or if you sew or crochet or craft that is a fun idea.
good luck!!
we had to email my sister in law and tell her we couldn't afford sending gifts this year since we can't afford it. my other niece and nephew we bought early so we wouldn't feel too pinched. but my family loves home made gifts so i'm making fun stuff for them. knitting christmas gifts puts me in a christmasy mood too so that is fun!

[mummytwobee]

Coloring books <3!!

[Momeetobe89]

Also, JC penneys has toys on clearance, I just bought my baby cousin a Minnie Mouse cell phone for $5. Ross has affordable toys too..

[Momeetobe89]

Id give them a $5 giftcard to either walmart or target.. kids like cards and $ regardless of how much.. they think theyre rich lol well depending on how old they are.. but that way it can helps towards what they want

[jwilliams81]

Can always try homemade gifts. We are doing that for one family this year. I'm making bread to go with Apple butter I canned, homemade hot chocolate mix, and the kids are making cookie plates they decorate. Everything I'm using came from the $ store the jars and Xmas baggies and little ribbon. I found lots of crafty ideas on pinterest that were cheap

[KTowne]

Ohh yeah, the age difference is hard, but if they have any gaming systems (like wii, ds, playstation) you can usually find a really cheap game for them like 5-10 dollars, and put it to all of them, and then get the 4 year old something smaller, since he/she is the only child, and it will be only for him/her.

[ShellyLette]

5 of them are, one of the 4 year olds is not. That's a good idea too. The 12 year old is gonna be the hardest to shop for, she's starting to not like toys and prefers make up and boys now lol.

[KTowne]

Oh no I completely get ya! I only have 2 nieces, 1 nephew, and that was stressful! Plus a 3 1/2 year old and due in January. I definitely wanted to get them something from me. I ended up getting my niece and nephew a present together (wii game) and then a couple dollar store items for a stocking, and my niece accessories to her kitchen set (other side of the family). Are they all from the same parents, or no? You can always get a board game to combine between kids and then do some candy/cookies.

[ShellyLette]

Well I know I'm not their parents its just when I was a kid I got everything in the world and then some.. they will get lots of presents from the rest of my family but I want them to get stuff from aunt shell too..

[ShellyLette]

That's really awesome that your community does that mamalynsi I wish they had something like that here. We only have secret Santa and toys for tots. I will definitely be hitting up the dollar store, thank you so much!

[KTowne]

Can you get the ingredients to bake cookies? Bake some christmasy cookies, that's a fine idea, you aren't their parent, I'm sure they'll get plenty of presents from their own family, it shouldn't be a burden to you!

[MamaLynsi]

What about your local dollar store?
I believe it's  dollarama that I actually find cool brand name stuff at for 1/2$.

Easy to shop for munchkins of those ages here
All ages of toys, candy, makeup, dolls, etc.

Hopefully this helps!
Otherwise, here we have what is called the reuse center
You pay 5$ to get in, and you can take whatever you want with you when you leave.
Some people even bring trucks and fill up with books and furniture.
Might be worth a shot to see if thrrr Is one in your community

:)

[MissKellee]

the dollar store!!! they have sooooooooooooo much cool stuff there for a buck!

[Jessiebaby21]

I had the same problem. I went to Walmart and bought each a gift bag .75 each and each got 3 $1.00 items that are in the Christmas area for either parties or stocking stuffers plus 3 $1.00 cady items.