When one of my sisters got divorced, she was left with 3 small children under 10 years old, and had never lived on her own since becoming a mother. For Christmas, I told her to go online and place a Walmart grocery order for whatever they wanted/needed but not to "check out" the cart. I was helping teach her how to budget, so I told her I would look over her list and find her ways to reduce the total amount. Then I logged in under her username and used my card to pay for the entire order. I knew her youngest was still in diapers, so before I paid for the order, I added on diapers to the shop, as well as a surprise. She was very grateful, but I honestly think that is the best Christmas gift I have ever GIVEN someone else.
I moved into a new house, in a new neighborhood where I didn't know anyone on a very wintery, snowy weekend. The following week, I had surgery on my right wrist and hand so would be in a cast for 5 or 6 weeks. As I am right handed, this made life very awkward. The elderly man across the street came over and introduced himself and welcomed me to the street. Turns out he had owned a bakery/deli for many years before retiring. He brought me fresh bread and yummy baked goods every morning, and brought me dinners every night for 6 weeks! Such kindness is never forgotten.
My mother and I both LOVE practical gifts. Several years ago we started buying my parents gift certificates for oil changes. We have recently started switching between that and gift cards for movies or restaurants. My dad has advanced Parkinson. And depression can be a major problem, but getting him out to a movie or a restaurant help keeps him active, which can help lots of his symptoms. So while going out might seem frivolous, it really is beneficial for him.
I’m always so appreciative when family members buy clothing for my 4 kids for items they really need in their wardrobe and then buy nice quality things. We live where it’s very cold so gloves, hats, coats, boot can be so expensive and hard to find second hand so any of these items are so appreciated.
My grandfather was a prolific letter writer. Every Christmas I gave him a new box of stationary and two books of postage stamps. I still have the letters he wrote me in a memory box.
I was once upon a time quite poor, as was my friend. She was waiting for her ex to pay his child support to get Christmas foods. Come Christmas Eve, the swine still hadn't paid up. Poor as I was, I had managed to keep my credit card going. So I took her to Iceland ( the frozen food shop here in the UK) and let her buy all she needed on the card , which she agreed to pay back ( and she did). My boys were going to my ex that year for Christmas, so my friend asked if I would like to go round hers 'or would it be too painful'. How kind and thoughtful of her. I went and could rejoice in watching her kids open their presents ( for which she had saved all year btw) and share the Christmas meal, which I had helped a little towards. We never told her kids, bless em. So 2 friends helping each other out at Christmas. 😊
Just before Christmas two years ago one of my daughters discovered she was hundreds of pounds in credit with her energy company. Rather than request a refund she transferred the credit to my energy account as I'm with the same provider. It made for a very cosy winter at home without worrying about the cost of energy just as the cost of living crisis hit! As someone with a serious lung condition this made a massive difference to my health and wellbeing, as feeling cold is horrendous. Another daughter has bought us ecofuel and burners, so that if we have a powercut we can still have warmth. So useful, practical and thoroughly appreciated! The gift of comfort and peace of mind, thoughtful gifts that have been such a help to us.
My grand uncle lived in a communist country post war and they literally had very little they could afford let alone even buy there, each year my granny would sent a care parcel with things he couldn't get like tobacco, nice showergel, soaps, sweets, food items and as he was a very proud man he would always sent a care packet back to us with a children's book for us kids, apples from his garden and a home made Christmas stollen. I kid you not, when the postman came to deliver the parcel we could smell the delicious Stollen and apples three streets away. It was always the best Christmas gift ever each year ❤
It wasnt Christmas but it would be just as appreciated...my family was in an horrific auto crash and our community brought in meals when i couldnt even begin to cook for my children. There were so many that I filled my freezer and i will NEVER FORGET the kindnesses of all of the people who fed my family. A meal delivered would be a well- appreciated Christmas gift for a family in need.
My sister and I decided not to give each other presents for Christmas. However, she is a teacher, mother of three kids and studying for advenced education. This year my husband and I decided to take her kids for a few days to stay with us, so that. she can have some time for herself, her husband and relax or catch up.
My parents bought my sisters children new coats , boots, hats and gloves every year when they were young, struggling families. It's very cold here in Michigan and they were so appreciative. I didn't have children and received gas and grocery money. I got my parents and grandparents consumables and tickets to an event we could enjoy like a museum or community theater. The thing they wanted most was time together. Time is easily given.
I remember growing up that every Christmas my granny would send us a box with our Christmas tea. A tin of ham, a tin of salmon, a tin of fruit and condensed milk, some mince pies and a Christmas pudding. There may be some sweets and a little present each. A colouring book and crayons for instance (although one year I had pencils with my name on - what joy). The contents would be wrapped in a new tea towel (probably from the local jumble sale). How I loved seeing that parcel every year.
A friend taught me this. I fill a large trash bag with paper towels, toilet paper, dishwashing and laundry detergent, kleenex, wipes, napkins, window cleaner, Comet, spray cleaner, trash bags and different types of wraps for food storage. I put a big ribbon and a bow and tie it up. It is one gift for each of my children and grandchild. It is all things that are useful. Then, they request a specific gift or 2 , money, or gift card. That way, there is no waste.
The best gift was a trip through Costco with a flat bed cart and being told to buy anything we wanted or needed. As a newly divorced mother of two, this was a godsend! I filled up the freezer with meat and bought other staples that we needed. It was an expensive trip for the giver, but they insisted. Since then I have bought groceries for friends in need (I did just that a few hours ago), and even strangers in the checkout line when their card wouldn't work. I will never stop doing this when I can, and I try hard to do so anonymously. I think I actually get as much, if not more from this as the recipient. It all started with one very generous family member. ❤
Paying a few months rent, groceries or already cooked food that has been frozen for future use, children snowsuits and boots, boxes of cleaning products and toiletries and gas cards are things I have given in the past to friends or families in need . These are always appreciated.
One year, my youngest was having a difficult time, Christmas & very low on $$, to Aldi we went ...she carefully selected some food items- I had a cart & kept getting the items she needed & wanted but said she didnt have the $ for...there was barely enough room in her car for all of us & the groceries...when we loaded everything, she had tears in her eyes...it was a Christmas to remember ❤
I used to buy an extra grocery or self care item and save them for my Mom's Christmas. Close to Christmas I added fruit boxes and meats/veggies. We would get her out of house and then fill a room with all her goodies. She loved it! This would cut down her grocery bills for many months allowing her to buy some of her wants and not just her needs.
A couple of years ago I bought a multi pack of toilet paper and paper towels, as well as a large box of pop tarts. I wrapped each item in white paper and stacked it like a snowman. I added a face and a scarf to make it cute. I presented them to our grown children and they thought it was a good gift! lol Last year I got a nice reusable shopping bag and filled it with useful things such as olive oil, shampoo, shower gel, and laundry soap to give to our adult children and once again, they thought it was a great gift. I’m planning to do the same this year. It seems appreciated so I will continue to do it.
I became friendly with someone through local Buy Nothing group this year and could tell the family was struggling. I gave the mother money for groceries and a friend of mine gave some gift cards for Walmart. The family was so thrilled. I like giving practical gifts..
One of my husband's cherished memories of Christmas hard times was when he was 8, his brother 11. Very poor, and his mother was sick. The church came round with all the fixings for christmas dinner! There wouldn't have been one without this donation. The problem was it needed cooked. His 11 year old brother did his best. I have a feeling it was NOT fabulous, but you wouldn't know it by the way he tells the story. It was a fabulous christmas with food to eat.
When my husband first had cancer a local women’s church group gave us their weekly collection from their bible study get together. It was a very generous gift. I told my daughter that it was great to go to the grocery and have to scrimp.
I’m only half way through the video but have some thoughts to share. For the first years of my marriage we were desperately poor. I baked, sewed, cooked everything from scratch if possible. But there wasn’t much left in the cupboard. My parents came and looked after my children and I was sent to the local grocery store and told to buy whatever I needed/wanted. So I purchased basics like flour, sugar, fruits, spices, other baking supplies. The total was $104. I’ll never forget the amount. Almost 30 years later. Then about 6 or 7 years ago, my one uncle was getting mini strokes and declining mentally. My dad, would pick him up, to give my aunt relief, and they’d cruise around the back roads for several hours. They’d always end up at a Tim Horton. My uncle would treat my dad to coffee with a prepaid card. Those are precious memories. They passed away 6 weeks after each other. The gift of time and caring is priceless. Best wishes, Janina from Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦
I’ve always preferred practical presents. My Mum is very practical through and through so I must get it from her. This week whilst shopping in Chester together I mentioned how I’m desperate for some new bras. My Mum took me to the lingerie shop to be measured and paid for two bras for me. That is my Christmas present and I’m more than chuffed with that ❤
I only gift a few family members each year, but I try to do practical gifts. I use coupons each year to collect household goods and toiletries throughout the year for just a few cents each. Then I gift each person a bag of shampoo, laundry detergent, razors and such each year. It's practical and because of my thrifty skills it costs way less than them buying it themselves. One year I added the costs and I was able to give my family $1,000 worth of products and it cost me less than $100. I do it on a much smaller scale now, but everyone loves it!
It has been almost 15 years ago that our middle son was born on the 22nd of December and then was hospitalized on the 26th and life flighted to a bigger hospital the next day. One of the best gifts we got then was gift cards for gas and gift bag of snacks and drinks to have at the hospital. It was very much appreciated!! I was definitely not going anywhere and my husband traveled back forth the 3 hour round trip because we also had a one year old.
The first Christmas my son moved out with two friends, they all ended up at my house for the holidays. I made three "stockings" out of pillowcases and gave them all things like laundry detergent, toilet paper, dishwasher tabs, cleaning supplies, cooking oil, -- all in bulk sizes. They were without a car, so bringing these things at good prices home from the store was awkward. For months, their budget was freed up purchase all the other small things you inevitably end up needing when you move.
You almost made me cry when you told your story about your wonderful Christmas gift, I could see the pure delight on your face. Thank you I didn't know what I was going to buy our son and his family and now I do
Two years ago I gave a set of freezer jars to my MIL! I had an extra two filled in the freezer to send her home with. Since then she will get them refilled, unregularly, but eventually! She will also get jam jars with Beef Stew or other long-cooking goodies for her fridge. She is an independent, very social butterfly, however, quite immobile! Cooking for one means she might consider cooking a nuisance sometimes! So a jar of stew is just so much better than a sandwich! She never considered this as getting handed down our leftovers! I specifically cater to her taste and plan in her portions! Cooking a bigger batch isn't costing me much more, but saves her from the expensive single portion ready-cooked supermarket stuff! This arrangement is silently renewed each Christmas and saves me from buying her just another book!
When i was just out of college my mom would buy useful items as part of my Christmas. Things like socks, slippers, Kleenex. The year i started working downtown and walking to my car after dark, my parents bought me a bobby whistle!
I sometimes do a lot of couponing for household supplies, and typically have a pretty good stock on hand for those things, and a few years I've bought laundry baskets, and just filled them with laundry soap, dryer sheets, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper, other cleaners and air fresheners and given those as gifts. It's generally well received, as many people have told me on fixed budgets, those things they didn't buy at the holidays so they could afford to buy the presents they needed/wanted to give.
One Christmas when I was in my 20's I was out of work fir about 6 months. My Mum bought a large hat box and filled it full of Toiletries, some basic stuff like shampoo but also a few treats like nice bubble bath. When you have limited funds Toiletries are expensive. It was one of the best presents I ever had and I still have the hat box.
And not just paying for the oil change, but taking the car to the garage to have it done. Sometimes not only are you short on cash but short on time. Thanks for sharing.
Before my mother in law passed away my husband and I would buy a clothes basket and with coupons and sales we would fill it with her favorite cleaning products and paper products. Her face at Christmas time was always very excited. ❤
Hubby works for Te**o and each December payday we get 20% off our grocery shopping. So we put in £25 pounds each and a friends who comes every Christmas does the same and we go and fill a trolley for the food bank. We are not wealthy but we are better off than many but have not always been so. This is our way of paying it forward.😻🙏❤️
❤ I've had someone drop of a big ham for us one year, that was nice! I would buy gift cards for the local grocery store, and give it to the cleaning lady in our building and the security guards at school. They were always very happy with it. 😊
In years gone by when my mother and mother in law were alive I use to buy them a small gift to wrap up and put under the tree. I also gave them £100 of savings stamps for the supermarket they used. These could be spent on groceries etc from that supermarket.
I collect reward points from our supermarket which i accumulate through the year. I take my grandsons to this supermarket in 3rd week of December and they choose someone who we can pay for their groceries using those reward points… it’s important they learn that giving is just as important than receiving.. merry Christmas from Australia
I've given laundry and hygiene items to our local hygiene bank. Often families go without these products in order to buy food or pay high energy bills. Can you imagine anything worse than being a woman going without sanitary products to save money- I can't.
We try to always give consumable gifts. We sure appreciated the ones we received when we were a young married couple. It kind of "lessens the load" of wintertime expenses. We have always budgeted and it's been a blessing to us in our 40 plus years of marriage, but those gifts were so good to receive.
I totally agree with this. When I was struggling, when someone asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I started asking for grocery store gift cards. Easy for them and hugely helpful for me.
Hi Jane and Mike. What a thoughtful gift that was. Yes, I bet you did find that very helpful. I'm all for practical gifts. I don't buy presents at Christmas now but not so long ago, my friend separated from her husband and went to live on her own. I decided to gift her a box of grocery and household staples for which she was very grateful. We tend to do this type of thing more these days. 🥰🎄🦌🎄
On Thursday, we were on a 9 hour road trip. At one stop for snacks there was a man who was trying to count his change to see what he could order. My husband was behind him in line. So my husband told him to order anything he wanted and we would pay for it. I have no idea what the man’s circumstances were, as I had stayed in the vehicle so didn’t see him, but by the way my husband described him I’m guessing he didn’t have a lot.
We married at court house only knew each other three months now s3niorx seniors had baby year later young dumb but we be married forty nine years ten brand kids three brown kids we had no big wedding nothing so when mother in law ten years gave me stuff we needed we were poor i appreciated it
When my daughter was growing up my mum bought her a lot of her clothes,especially dresses , My mum said she couldn’t afford to do it for me , So bought for my daughter now that she could. And my Mum always asks what I need for birthdays and Christmas, It’s often been shoes and bras for me over the years .
Another great video Jane, such good ideas. I have one son in England one in Aussie, so send them food hampers, not cheap for me to do, but they appreciate them, grand kids love it, I save up all year so I’m able to do this for them.
We like to add in a small margin of money to our food budget so that we can make a donation to our local food bank before our two major fall holidays (here in the US). It costs comparatively little, but the feeling of sharing with others is priceless.
Last Christmas my daughter made us a hamper of home made goodies. All things we would use, but not buy for ourselves as we dont have luxuries. We gave my daughter a gift card for eLeclerc which covered 2 months worth of food and nappies. I had accumulated quite a bit on my fidelity card, so converted it to a gift card for her.
Good video with very varied ways to make a useful gift! It has happened to me to offer transport cards, gas or a car revision. Thank you Jane and Michael for sharing with us this adorable Dolly!
I love those ideas! I am going to give my grandkids experiences instead of physical gifts. My daughter and her husband need a hand so a gas card sounds perfect. I feel so overwhelmed with all the ads especially after the election and getting junk mail every day leading up to the election
Years ago before everyone had the internet, we gave my mother in law some stationery and postage stamps. She thought it was so great because they didn't like to go outside in the winter for fear of falling so she could mail out her letters and bills without having to go to the postal office. We also gave them plates of cookies and candies at the holidays. One year we paid our daughter's rent when she was having financial trouble. It's the little things sometimes that they don't think to ask for but are greatly appreciated.
Hi Jane, I have a problem with your Videos. UA-cam thinks, that they should be automatically translated into German. Every vlogmas Video has now Audio of an AI voice. This is so annoying. Could you please check, if you have activated some kind of translation? I can manually switch it off, but I have to do it over and over again. I googled and found, that you could probably change some settings. Would you please have a look?
When one of my sisters got divorced, she was left with 3 small children under 10 years old, and had never lived on her own since becoming a mother. For Christmas, I told her to go online and place a Walmart grocery order for whatever they wanted/needed but not to "check out" the cart. I was helping teach her how to budget, so I told her I would look over her list and find her ways to reduce the total amount. Then I logged in under her username and used my card to pay for the entire order. I knew her youngest was still in diapers, so before I paid for the order, I added on diapers to the shop, as well as a surprise. She was very grateful, but I honestly think that is the best Christmas gift I have ever GIVEN someone else.
Thanks Jen
What a wonderful thoughtful gjft.❤
What a great sister!!! Prayers for your sister!!!
I moved into a new house, in a new neighborhood where I didn't know anyone on a very wintery, snowy weekend. The following week, I had surgery on my right wrist and hand so would be in a cast for 5 or 6 weeks. As I am right handed, this made life very awkward. The elderly man across the street came over and introduced himself and welcomed me to the street. Turns out he had owned a bakery/deli for many years before retiring. He brought me fresh bread and yummy baked goods every morning, and brought me dinners every night for 6 weeks! Such kindness is never forgotten.
Wow! Bless him!
That's so kind,what a lovely guy
WONDERFUL !
My mother and I both LOVE practical gifts. Several years ago we started buying my parents gift certificates for oil changes. We have recently started switching between that and gift cards for movies or restaurants. My dad has advanced Parkinson. And depression can be a major problem, but getting him out to a movie or a restaurant help keeps him active, which can help lots of his symptoms. So while going out might seem frivolous, it really is beneficial for him.
@@baillysmom thanks for sharing
I’m always so appreciative when family members buy clothing for my 4 kids for items they really need in their wardrobe and then buy nice quality things. We live where it’s very cold so gloves, hats, coats, boot can be so expensive and hard to find second hand so any of these items are so appreciated.
It's great when people give practical gifts
My grandfather was a prolific letter writer. Every Christmas I gave him a new box of stationary and two books of postage stamps. I still have the letters he wrote me in a memory box.
That's lovely
I was once upon a time quite poor, as was my friend. She was waiting for her ex to pay his child support to get Christmas foods. Come Christmas Eve, the swine still hadn't paid up. Poor as I was, I had managed to keep my credit card going. So I took her to Iceland ( the frozen food shop here in the UK) and let her buy all she needed on the card , which she agreed to pay back ( and she did). My boys were going to my ex that year for Christmas, so my friend asked if I would like to go round hers 'or would it be too painful'. How kind and thoughtful of her. I went and could rejoice in watching her kids open their presents ( for which she had saved all year btw) and share the Christmas meal, which I had helped a little towards. We never told her kids, bless em. So 2 friends helping each other out at Christmas. 😊
That's lovely
Just before Christmas two years ago one of my daughters discovered she was hundreds of pounds in credit with her energy company. Rather than request a refund she transferred the credit to my energy account as I'm with the same provider. It made for a very cosy winter at home without worrying about the cost of energy just as the cost of living crisis hit! As someone with a serious lung condition this made a massive difference to my health and wellbeing, as feeling cold is horrendous. Another daughter has bought us ecofuel and burners, so that if we have a powercut we can still have warmth. So useful, practical and thoroughly appreciated! The gift of comfort and peace of mind, thoughtful gifts that have been such a help to us.
What lovely gifts
When asked what I want for Christmas I tell people propane to warm our house...
My grand uncle lived in a communist country post war and they literally had very little they could afford let alone even buy there, each year my granny would sent a care parcel with things he couldn't get like tobacco, nice showergel, soaps, sweets, food items and as he was a very proud man he would always sent a care packet back to us with a children's book for us kids, apples from his garden and a home made Christmas stollen. I kid you not, when the postman came to deliver the parcel we could smell the delicious Stollen and apples three streets away. It was always the best Christmas gift ever each year ❤
What a wonderful memory
@FrugalQueeninFrance ❤️
It wasnt Christmas but it would be just as appreciated...my family was in an horrific auto crash and our community brought in meals when i couldnt even begin to cook for my children. There were so many that I filled my freezer and i will NEVER FORGET the kindnesses of all of the people who fed my family. A meal delivered would be a well- appreciated Christmas gift for a family in need.
It's so meaningful
My sister and I decided not to give each other presents for Christmas. However, she is a teacher, mother of three kids and studying for advenced education. This year my husband and I decided to take her kids for a few days to stay with us, so that. she can have some time for herself, her husband and relax or catch up.
Thanks for sharing
I like to make Christmas baskets with things like coffee,teas,hot chocolate,cinnamon,candy cane's cookies and marshmallows. Its a family gift.
Thanks for watching
My parents bought my sisters children new coats , boots, hats and gloves every year when they were young, struggling families. It's very cold here in Michigan and they were so appreciative. I didn't have children and received gas and grocery money. I got my parents and grandparents consumables and tickets to an event we could enjoy like a museum or community theater. The thing they wanted most was time together. Time is easily given.
Love that!
I remember growing up that every Christmas my granny would send us a box with our Christmas tea. A tin of ham, a tin of salmon, a tin of fruit and condensed milk, some mince pies and a Christmas pudding. There may be some sweets and a little present each. A colouring book and crayons for instance (although one year I had pencils with my name on - what joy). The contents would be wrapped in a new tea towel (probably from the local jumble sale). How I loved seeing that parcel every year.
I love the tea towel idea
A friend taught me this. I fill a large trash bag with paper towels, toilet paper, dishwashing and laundry detergent, kleenex, wipes, napkins, window cleaner, Comet, spray cleaner, trash bags and different types of wraps for food storage.
I put a big ribbon and a bow and tie it up. It is one gift for each of my children and grandchild. It is all things that are useful. Then, they request a specific gift or 2 , money, or gift card. That way, there is no waste.
Lovely gift
The best gift was a trip through Costco with a flat bed cart and being told to buy anything we wanted or needed. As a newly divorced mother of two, this was a godsend! I filled up the freezer with meat and bought other staples that we needed. It was an expensive trip for the giver, but they insisted. Since then I have bought groceries for friends in need (I did just that a few hours ago), and even strangers in the checkout line when their card wouldn't work. I will never stop doing this when I can, and I try hard to do so anonymously. I think I actually get as much, if not more from this as the recipient. It all started with one very generous family member. ❤
Thank you
Paying a few months rent, groceries or already cooked food that has been frozen for future use, children snowsuits and boots, boxes of cleaning products and toiletries and gas cards are things I have given in the past to friends or families in need . These are always appreciated.
Wonderful
We always give our adult children supermarket gift cards 😊they all feel they are the Best gifts ever 😂🎉
One year, my youngest was having a difficult time, Christmas & very low on $$, to Aldi we went ...she carefully selected some food items- I had a cart & kept getting the items she needed & wanted but said she didnt have the $ for...there was barely enough room in her car for all of us & the groceries...when we loaded everything, she had tears in her eyes...it was a Christmas to remember ❤
I used to buy an extra grocery or self care item and save them for my Mom's Christmas. Close to Christmas I added fruit boxes and meats/veggies. We would get her out of house and then fill a room with all her goodies. She loved it! This would cut down her grocery bills for many months allowing her to buy some of her wants and not just her needs.
Thank you ☺️
My gram paid for my bus pass all through university. It was so wonderful to go to university without having to worry about getting there.
Fabulous gift 🎁
A couple of years ago I bought a multi pack of toilet paper and paper towels, as well as a large box of pop tarts. I wrapped each item in white paper and stacked it like a snowman. I added a face and a scarf to make it cute. I presented them to our grown children and they thought it was a good gift! lol
Last year I got a nice reusable shopping bag and filled it with useful things such as olive oil, shampoo, shower gel, and laundry soap to give to our adult children and once again, they thought it was a great gift. I’m planning to do the same this year. It seems appreciated so I will continue to do it.
@pamelastucker8335 great gifts
I became friendly with someone through local Buy Nothing group this year and could tell the family was struggling. I gave the mother money for groceries and a friend of mine gave some gift cards for Walmart. The family was so thrilled. I like giving practical gifts..
Thank you
One of my husband's cherished memories of Christmas hard times was when he was 8, his brother 11. Very poor, and his mother was sick. The church came round with all the fixings for christmas dinner! There wouldn't have been one without this donation. The problem was it needed cooked. His 11 year old brother did his best. I have a feeling it was NOT fabulous, but you wouldn't know it by the way he tells the story. It was a fabulous christmas with food to eat.
Thanks for sharing
When my husband first had cancer a local women’s church group gave us their weekly collection from their bible study get together. It was a very generous gift. I told my daughter that it was great to go to the grocery and have to scrimp.
Superb
Coffee or tea is always a good gift because it is quite expensive item
I’m only half way through the video but have some thoughts to share. For the first years of my marriage we were desperately poor. I baked, sewed, cooked everything from scratch if possible. But there wasn’t much left in the cupboard. My parents came and looked after my children and I was sent to the local grocery store and told to buy whatever I needed/wanted. So I purchased basics like flour, sugar, fruits, spices, other baking supplies. The total was $104. I’ll never forget the amount. Almost 30 years later. Then about 6 or 7 years ago, my one uncle was getting mini strokes and declining mentally. My dad, would pick him up, to give my aunt relief, and they’d cruise around the back roads for several hours. They’d always end up at a Tim Horton. My uncle would treat my dad to coffee with a prepaid card. Those are precious memories. They passed away 6 weeks after each other. The gift of time and caring is priceless. Best wishes, Janina from Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦
That's lovely 😍
I’ve always preferred practical presents. My Mum is very practical through and through so I must get it from her. This week whilst shopping in Chester together I mentioned how I’m desperate for some new bras. My Mum took me to the lingerie shop to be measured and paid for two bras for me. That is my Christmas present and I’m more than chuffed with that ❤
@@Amandaayres123 perfect gift!
I only gift a few family members each year, but I try to do practical gifts. I use coupons each year to collect household goods and toiletries throughout the year for just a few cents each. Then I gift each person a bag of shampoo, laundry detergent, razors and such each year. It's practical and because of my thrifty skills it costs way less than them buying it themselves. One year I added the costs and I was able to give my family $1,000 worth of products and it cost me less than $100. I do it on a much smaller scale now, but everyone loves it!
That's lovely
It has been almost 15 years ago that our middle son was born on the 22nd of December and then was hospitalized on the 26th and life flighted to a bigger hospital the next day. One of the best gifts we got then was gift cards for gas and gift bag of snacks and drinks to have at the hospital. It was very much appreciated!! I was definitely not going anywhere and my husband traveled back forth the 3 hour round trip because we also had a one year old.
@jennifercope4577 thanks for sharing
The first Christmas my son moved out with two friends, they all ended up at my house for the holidays. I made three "stockings" out of pillowcases and gave them all things like laundry detergent, toilet paper, dishwasher tabs, cleaning supplies, cooking oil, -- all in bulk sizes. They were without a car, so bringing these things at good prices home from the store was awkward. For months, their budget was freed up purchase all the other small things you inevitably end up needing when you move.
Golden!
You almost made me cry when you told your story about your wonderful Christmas gift, I could see the pure delight on your face. Thank you I didn't know what I was going to buy our son and his family and now I do
@@helenhickey3751 it'll be remembered forever
Two years ago I gave a set of freezer jars to my MIL! I had an extra two filled in the freezer to send her home with.
Since then she will get them refilled, unregularly, but eventually!
She will also get jam jars with Beef Stew or other long-cooking goodies for her fridge.
She is an independent, very social butterfly, however, quite immobile!
Cooking for one means she might consider cooking a nuisance sometimes! So a jar of stew is just so much better than a sandwich!
She never considered this as getting handed down our leftovers! I specifically cater to her taste and plan in her portions! Cooking a bigger batch isn't costing me much more, but saves her from the expensive single portion ready-cooked supermarket stuff!
This arrangement is silently renewed each Christmas and saves me from buying her just another book!
How nice
When i was just out of college my mom would buy useful items as part of my Christmas. Things like socks, slippers, Kleenex. The year i started working downtown and walking to my car after dark, my parents bought me a bobby whistle!
Nice
I sometimes do a lot of couponing for household supplies, and typically have a pretty good stock on hand for those things, and a few years I've bought laundry baskets, and just filled them with laundry soap, dryer sheets, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper, other cleaners and air fresheners and given those as gifts. It's generally well received, as many people have told me on fixed budgets, those things they didn't buy at the holidays so they could afford to buy the presents they needed/wanted to give.
One Christmas when I was in my 20's I was out of work fir about 6 months. My Mum bought a large hat box and filled it full of Toiletries, some basic stuff like shampoo but also a few treats like nice bubble bath. When you have limited funds Toiletries are expensive. It was one of the best presents I ever had and I still have the hat box.
@BetsyandSam it's something we always donate to the food bank too
Agreed! Practical gifts in a moment of need are wonderful, and always appreciated❤
Absolutely!!
And not just paying for the oil change, but taking the car to the garage to have it done. Sometimes not only are you short on cash but short on time.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching
Before my mother in law passed away my husband and I would buy a clothes basket and with coupons and sales we would fill it with her favorite cleaning products and paper products. Her face at Christmas time was always very excited. ❤
That's lovely
Hubby works for Te**o and each December payday we get 20% off our grocery shopping. So we put in £25 pounds each and a friends who comes every Christmas does the same and we go and fill a trolley for the food bank. We are not wealthy but we are better off than many but have not always been so. This is our way of paying it forward.😻🙏❤️
Thank you SO much
A grocery gift card works too!
Supermarket gift cards are my go to practical gift.
They are !
❤ I've had someone drop of a big ham for us one year, that was nice! I would buy gift cards for the local grocery store, and give it to the cleaning lady in our building and the security guards at school. They were always very happy with it. 😊
Lovely
My grandmother was on a fixed income. She cooked and heated with propane and my mom gave her money to pay for that every year at Christmas
Great gift
In years gone by when my mother and mother in law were alive I use to buy them a small gift to wrap up and put under the tree. I also gave them £100 of savings stamps for the supermarket they used. These could be spent on groceries etc from that supermarket.
@patmartin9727 that's more useful than another pair of slippers
I collect reward points from our supermarket which i accumulate through the year. I take my grandsons to this supermarket in 3rd week of December and they choose someone who we can pay for their groceries using those reward points… it’s important they learn that giving is just as important than receiving.. merry Christmas from Australia
That's lovely
I've given laundry and hygiene items to our local hygiene bank. Often families go without these products in order to buy food or pay high energy bills. Can you imagine anything worse than being a woman going without sanitary products to save money- I can't.
They're items we always donate to the food bank
We try to always give consumable gifts. We sure appreciated the ones we received when we were a young married couple. It kind of "lessens the load" of wintertime expenses. We have always budgeted and it's been a blessing to us in our 40 plus years of marriage, but those gifts were so good to receive.
Thank you
I totally agree with this. When I was struggling, when someone asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I started asking for grocery store gift cards. Easy for them and hugely helpful for me.
It's a perfect gift.
since my daughter left home at 23 (she's 48 now) i've given her a xmas cleaning bag full of useful products. she loves it
@@elainerobertson1317 great gift
Hi Jane and Mike. What a thoughtful gift that was. Yes, I bet you did find that very helpful. I'm all for practical gifts. I don't buy presents at Christmas now but not so long ago, my friend separated from her husband and went to live on her own. I decided to gift her a box of grocery and household staples for which she was very grateful. We tend to do this type of thing more these days. 🥰🎄🦌🎄
@sheila1013 it's the best gift
Great thoughtful gifts
On Thursday, we were on a 9 hour road trip. At one stop for snacks there was a man who was trying to count his change to see what he could order. My husband was behind him in line. So my husband told him to order anything he wanted and we would pay for it. I have no idea what the man’s circumstances were, as I had stayed in the vehicle so didn’t see him, but by the way my husband described him I’m guessing he didn’t have a lot.
Great gift
We married at court house only knew each other three months now s3niorx seniors had baby year later young dumb but we be married forty nine years ten brand kids three brown kids we had no big wedding nothing so when mother in law ten years gave me stuff we needed we were poor i appreciated it
Thank you
When my daughter was growing up my mum bought her a lot of her clothes,especially dresses ,
My mum said she couldn’t afford to do it for me ,
So bought for my daughter now that she could.
And my Mum always asks what I need for birthdays and Christmas,
It’s often been shoes and bras for me over the years .
Thanks so much
I love practical gifts.
Another great video Jane, such good ideas. I have one son in England one in Aussie, so send them food hampers, not cheap for me to do, but they appreciate them, grand kids love it, I save up all year so I’m able to do this for them.
That's superb
What great ideas! I am going to use them.
We like to add in a small margin of money to our food budget so that we can make a donation to our local food bank before our two major fall holidays (here in the US). It costs comparatively little, but the feeling of sharing with others is priceless.
Thank you for doing that
Last Christmas my daughter made us a hamper of home made goodies. All things we would use, but not buy for ourselves as we dont have luxuries. We gave my daughter a gift card for eLeclerc which covered 2 months worth of food and nappies. I had accumulated quite a bit on my fidelity card, so converted it to a gift card for her.
I love that
Nice holiday memories 😊💜
The best!
Good video with very varied ways to make a useful gift! It has happened to me to offer transport cards, gas or a car revision. Thank you Jane and Michael for sharing with us this adorable Dolly!
@rose-g3l thank you for watching
Im going to donate extra food to the local animal sanctuary (.i do all year round but ill do more for xmas).
Thank you. I am enjoying vlogmas with you all.
@@Sandra-s3p thank you
We've been receiving internet and a few apps. Being paid for as gifts. The gift that keeps on giving. Things we really use.
Fabulous gift 🎁
Three grown kids not brown kids lol
Been waiting for this one!
I hope you enjoyed it
When I was young over ten years ask me what wanted xmas birthdays I say set sheets mixer things for house we couldn't afford i was grayeful
Good ideas
Another really good video. Do you sell your quilts? Thank you both
Thank you and no we don't.
👍👍👍
I love those ideas! I am going to give my grandkids experiences instead of physical gifts. My daughter and her husband need a hand so a gas card sounds perfect. I feel so overwhelmed with all the ads especially after the election and getting junk mail every day leading up to the election
Car fuel is perfect
Years ago before everyone had the internet, we gave my mother in law some stationery and postage stamps. She thought it was so great because they didn't like to go outside in the winter for fear of falling so she could mail out her letters and bills without having to go to the postal office. We also gave them plates of cookies and candies at the holidays. One year we paid our daughter's rent when she was having financial trouble. It's the little things sometimes that they don't think to ask for but are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Hi Jane, I have a problem with your Videos. UA-cam thinks, that they should be automatically translated into German. Every vlogmas Video has now Audio of an AI voice. This is so annoying. Could you please check, if you have activated some kind of translation? I can manually switch it off, but I have to do it over and over again. I googled and found, that you could probably change some settings. Would you please have a look?
@andrea_w13 you tube has done this not us, no we can't stop this
@FrugalQueeninFrance ok thank you