I hate Christmas, I really do. I don’t talk to most of my MAGA family and I worked front-end in a post office. So in general it’s just all shite to me.
However, in the past couple months I reached out to my aunt who isn’t a diehard MAGA for help to get out of a really shitty situation. And surprisingly, she’s helped me a tonne.
Now I’m in contact with her at least every couple days and we go out for breakfast and stuff.
Now, usually I spend Xmas alone or with my partner. Don’t have a partner right now, and I find myself invited to my aunt’s for Xmas.
And I kind of feel the need to go. (I originally was going to cancel saying I’m feeling sick but have decided not to do that.)
I’d like to get them some cheap gifts despite having not a lot of money. I don’t just want to show up empty handed even if that’d be okay. I can spare a bit.
So, any ideas?
PS:
I have one idea for her, which will probably be a plant since I know she likes plants and gardening. But for the uncle and cousin+ his partner I kind of have no clue.
Under different circumstances I might do some art but I moved with very little and don’t have any art supplies which would be more expensive then the gifts at this point. So any art suggestions while appreciated are kind of out for now.
I’ve been in your situation, and had friends in your situation. So here’s my advice.
Get them nothing.
Others have suggested baked goods or something which is fine if you can bake but they know exactly where your life is right now.
Instead, write them a letter, a physical letter in ink, on a nice card or something, expressing how grateful you are for their help and you’re so happy to spend the holidays with them. It’s what I did, it’s what others did when I helped them out. It’s all that should be needed. I’m still extremely close with all of them and we now shower each other with gifts to make up for then.
Just my 5¢ (adjusted for inflation)
This is an excellent suggestion. Just sayin’ bc it would have never occurred to me.
This. I’ve helped a few people over the years and I’ve been helped too and with experience on both sides nothing is as impactful as the recognition of how much the help has improved life. A card which says something about the difficulties and how the help felt to receive can be a massive positive, more than any potted plant or simple gift. It lasts forever and is something they can come back to time and again.
Yeah! I was thinking a heartfelt card, but a letter might be even better.
Any sort of festive food: for example, chocolate, mince pies, etc. Lindor truffles are nice and a small box is affordable, or perhaps some Guylian chocolate seashells. If you know she’s into something specific (a posh marmalade or jam, for example) you could go with that instead. It demonstrates you chose something whilst thinking of them.
Such gifts are relatively affordable, easy to share and almost always appreciated.
Yesterday I made orange marmalade, I was surprised how easy it was. Two kilos of oranges yielded 3 kilos of marmalade.
Paddington would be proud.
I just shoved an orange marmalade thumbprint cookie in my face. Might need to go get a few more soon
Bake something super easy.
Fudge and/or peppermint bark make great gifts and are both pretty easy to make for any skill level. Dress it up with a dollar store Christmas tin and bow for extra appeal.
Peanut butter fudge is even easier. Alton Brown’s method is super easy to execute.
As someone who is well off and helps a lot of people. A heartfelt note/letter.cost ya nothing.
…and lasts forever.
A nice Christmas card with a handwritten personal note just saying how much you really have appreciated their kindness this past year. It doesn’t need to be detailed, just an honest and simple recognition and appreciation means a lot.
Cookies are cheap and easy
Invite them to do something with you, bonus if it’s something that’s best to do in spring or summer because that gives you time to save.
For example:
- A picnic in a beautiful outdoor space near you e.g. park, botanical gardens, etc.
- A game where you solve clues together to get to the next destination. Where I live we have a few different ones that take you around different parts of the city. (I was gifted this and really enjoyed it.)
Bake her a loaf of bread:
Here’s the simplest recipe possible, absolutely no kneading, 4 ingredients (I add 1 tbs of oil, softer crust, which makes 5 ingredients)…you just have to leave it to rise for 15-24 hrs, so it ain’t quick. If you want a cheese bread, add a cup of shredded cheese plus another tsp salt.
Food. Fancy treats from a store if you can afford them, or home-made candies/baked goods.
If your aunt has a garden, some native flower seeds could make a nice gift— at my local garden center they run about $1-2 per packet. Tie up a few packets with some rustic twine, and you’re good to go. If it’s in your budget, add a small hand trowel or pair of gardening gloves. Note: take a look at what gardening zone she lives in and check the seed packets to determine how the plants would fair in that area.
Sorry, but are you British? It doesn’t fully make sense for your aunt to be some hardcore MAGA person and you’re all “shite” and “tonne.”
Edit: Where is your aunt? That has an impact on possible responses.
Outside of the US, MAGA is used to refer to the ultra right wing as a shorthand. For example, my boomer parents in New Zealand are referred to as MAGA by the rest of the family, and identify as such.
Right, so if OP is a Kiwi asking and not from Alabama, the responses may change, yes?
Unless, of course, Southern BBQ is a thing in NZ? (I know it’s not).
Wait NZ doesn’t have southern US style bbq? NZ and Australia are like the places I would have expected to find it based on what I’ve seen of the people (all good things).
Well, so I’m told by a friend lving there who grew up in Kansas City. It’s a whole thing about which BBQ is superior… Long inside joke i guess.
People used to willingly move to the US from other countries. OP could be one of those people.
That’s why I asked. knowing more context would get better results.
D-did I say MAGA? Oh my goodness, I meant MEGA! Anyway, carry on.
You could make handmade artisan popcorn clusters with chocolate, peppermint candy, caramel, and maybe chilli powder sprinkled - poured - melted on them.
I would say bring the gift of food, like appetizers or special chocolates for everyone.
Maybe a fun party game would be cool too. This is a good game to play because the wrong ones are the best ones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telestrations (no affiliation). Cards Against Humanity can be fun, but it can also be awkward.
A plant for the aunt sounds perfect. If the partner is a woman, a different plant for her too, yes it’s normative but as a woman myself I like a plant. For the guys a big bottle of fancy beer is often appreciated, unless they don’t/shouldn’t drink. One I’m liking these days is La Fin Du Monde because it feels like we’re living in the end of the world. It’s 750 ML, so wine-sized, but beer. About $12 at BevMo in my area.
Any food item to contribute to appetizers/dinner. Better if it’s homemade or anything that you can say “i tried this recently and thought you would like it.”
