Christmas presents and mothers groups?

[BrightSparkles]

Do you get presents for the little ones at your mothers group? If so, what kind of things to you get and how much are you prepared to spend?
We really can't afford to buy presents for all the kids at M/G but don't want to feel bad and look like a stingy person for not getting them anything because I know that DD is getting some presents from other people.

[STARRYSKY]

Hi sunshine,
I suggested to my mums group that we do a xmas draw for the bubs and the mums, max $25 each (so all up no more than$50 per family) They all thought it was a great idea.
other than that I could suggest you do some baking, gingerbread cookies or some such other delectable treats, nicely packaged, always looks good!

[Rach75]

my mums group is very small there are 5 of us now, with 2 kids each, I normally buy a little something each...this year I am being a stinge I got little books from Big W for $2 each so 4 different ones for the babies and 4 xmas ones with cds for 3 yr olds cost me total of $16 all up for the 8 kids I will also do a little bag of xmas balls (sweets) for the 3yr olds

I dont care if the others recipricate or not I love giving gifts

[Snacks]

We do a secret santa. We have a Christmas party and all contribute one gift, $10 value. (Simple things: toys, craft materials, books, puzzles... for example.) There are about 12-15 of us (can't remember off the top of my head!), so getting something for everyone would be out of the question for me.
We also do a similar thing in January for their birthdays - the original crowd were all born within 5 months of each other, so we have a joint birthday party in Jan once Christmas celebrations are over.
If I were you, I'd suggest the secret santa - probably there's others in the group wondering the same thing as you!

[Just Me]

My MG does exactly what Snack's group does for Christmas and b'days. Works really really well for us - it is not just about the money but the time to buy individual presents for everyone with 3 kids in tow is just completely out of the question. I also appreciate my kids only getting one present each and not having to take home a truck load of gifts.

Talk to your MG about it, you will probably find that many of them are feeling the same way that you are about giving presents to each and every child. Most people just want to invest most of their time, effort and cash into Christmas for their own kids so they will probably appreciate the suggestion of doing something simple for MG.

[AliBaby]

We have a Kris Kringle $30 limit and we are also doing a Birthday Bingle $30 limit!

[Laranna]

Our group does a secret Santa with a $20 limit. Although, it's not so secret because we all share who we drew out of the hat and ask that mum what to get for their little one.

[Daydream Believer]

This year I will be making each of the ids something as there is only 4-5 kids. When there gets to be more kids I will either suggest a Secret Santa type thing or give a family present of a batch of gingerbread biscuits or something.

I think I will make a summer hat or something. I think up to $10 is ok to spend, you could give balls, colouring books & pencils, a story book, soft toys, musical instruments (maracas, casstinets, bells, etc)

Maybe you could buy a heap of cheap T-shirts & some fabric paint & write "Merry Christmas 2009" or "MG09" (mothers group 2009)

Or if you a handy with a sewing machine, get a couple of metres of calico & some red & grenn paint, sew up some basic sacks & write their names on it

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Our bubs are all having their birthdays b/w now and x-mas... well they started in Sept so we will stop buying b'day pressies right before x-mas.

I suggested like a secret santa for b'day presents but we had kind of 'missed the boat' as some ppl had already organised presents etc but am thinking as we are still buying presents as we wont have the cash maybe it's a suggestion for x-mas.

I am not sure if i should suggest it though, they might not want to do x-mas presents?

Hmm might bring it up at MG tomorrow and see what they want to do. thanks for reminding me.

Depending on the age of the kids maybe you could do handmade gifts, little tubs of playdough, finger paintings from your little on on canvases? etc etc?

[{sarah}]

We only did presents in our first year of MG, after that we weren't getting together so often so didn't bother. What we did though was presents just for the mums & we did a Secret Santa thing so we only had to buy one present. We did mums because we figured the kids would be spoilt by family & Santa () so it would be nice for the mums to get an extra pressie.

[feeb]

Last year we did a secret santa for the mums, suppose we should think about doing something again this year!!!! will probably do mums again but will need to see what group thinks, we have joined onto another groups playgroup so more to oragnise.