Wellbeing

Family gift ideas for a low-cost Christmas

Janey Lee Grace explains how to do Christmas well and on a budget

Janey Lee Grace explains how to do Christmas well and on a budget

Janey Lee Grace explains how to do Christmas well and on a budget.

As conversations turn to present wish lists, I reminded my kids that my highlight as a child was a satsuma lovingly placed in Santa’s stocking. They looked at me aghast as they were each banking on an iPod. But, it’s true, my memories of celebrations weren’t about the quality of the presents. I vaguely remember getting a Spirograph or Barbie that I had wished for, but mostly I reminisce about carol singing, decorating the tree or if we were lucky and it snowed (didn’t it always snow at Christmas when we were young?) I remember steaming mugs of hot chocolate after sledging.

Add to those romantic memories that we are in an economic downturn and as a nation send enough rubbish to landfill to cover the whole of Guernsey – it seems ridiculous to spend small fortunes on unnecessary gifts. I love encouraging my brood to give gifts of time, perhaps in the form of a hand-drawn ‘voucher’ offering the recipient a promise of breakfast in bed, lots of hugs, or a promise to clean the car or wash up.

Homemade gifts are always appreciated too, if you’re crafty there are endless gifts you can knit or sew. Of course, anything foodie is welcome, encourage your kids to make cupcakes or homemade sweets and then present them in a painted glass jar. Why not omit wrapping paper this year? Presents look so much nicer wrapped in brown paper, colour-washed newspaper or hessian, tied with a big ribbon.

Everyone loves chocolate and some is really actually healthy. I’ve just discovered the fabulous Choc Chicos dairy-free chocolate making kits for kids. You can all get messy together while creating fabulous gifts – with any luck you’ll get a sneaky taste too! Visit chocchick.com for more information.

Janey Lee Grace is the author of Look Great Naturally and runs the website imperfectlynatural.com

Article by

Janey Lee Grace

is a holistic lifestyle expert. She is the author of Look Great Naturally – Without Ditching the Lipstick (£8.99, Hay House)

Discover more

Article by

Janey Lee Grace

is a holistic lifestyle expert. She is the author of Look Great Naturally – Without Ditching the Lipstick (£8.99, Hay House)

Discover more