wwyd christmas related....

MWiley0225 · December 2010

Ok, so I dont post often, but am needing some advice. Normally for xmas we spend 50-100 per kid total for gifts. This year we have literally nothing and have a new addition. Some financial things came up unexpectedly. My sons or 8 and 7 and not sure what to do for them that costs nothing and to help them understand we love them so much but finances are where they are.I have already explained this to them and well they still believe in santa..obviously they are still young but we cant get even the one santa gift this year. How do I talk to them? Any ideas on things we can do for them that wouldnt cost money for xmas? TIA

DandR · December 2010

I know its not about the "stuff" but I honestly would do whatever I could do to scrounge up an extra $20 to buy one gift for each kid. Just SOMETHING so they have a gift. If it meant that we eat Ramen noodles every day the month of December....if it meant that I find a part time job every Saturday for the month. If it meant that I look for charities that help families in need and suck up my pride to accept some help, I'd do that.

I just cannot imagine not having one small thing for my kids to open.

MWiley0225 · December 2010

Ty for the advice, Our budget really got messed up, we are already down to about $50 a week for groceries for 6 people. luckily one is my dd who is bf so formula is not a concern. I would pick up a part time job but it wouldnt even cover the daycare cost and I dont have family around. We are trying to scrounge something up and I have called the charities, but they dont even have enough in the area for the families that requested atleast a month ago. So I am wanting to make something for them at the very least. I am helping them make xmas and holiday cards for family, teachers ect since we already have some craft stuff we can use. Any other ideas would be great. and again ty and I am not trying to make excuses. Everytime I think or talk about this I am in tears. Never thought it would get to this point, We budgeted great had a plan for atleast a small xmas. And well things happen I guess

Melly Mel · December 2010

I know it may be difficult to do, but what about going to the childrens' school and explaining the situation. There are usually teachers or classes that can "adopt" a family for the holidays. Your children will get gifts and not have to know any different. They will still be from Santa.

StrawberryAlarmClock · December 2010

Could you ask for help at your church or the kids' school? If you were a friend/neighbor/relative I'd loan you $$ or send a gift. Who do the Toys for Tots donations go to? Maybe ask around at the YMCA or local library or places like that for advice. Worse comes to worst, trade a toy with a Mom friend. Find something your kids outgrew or don't use and trade it with another family. Scrub it up nice & clean, put it in a box and wrap it. Also, what about experiences instead of things? For Xmas you could have a Family Trip. Cut out pics from a magazine and wrap them. Set the date for a week or month away to save up. Have the kids do a fun count down in the meantime. My heart goes out to you. You guys are in my T&P. Best of luck, Mama.

nikkipooni · December 2010

Melly Mel:
I know it may be difficult to do, but what about going to the childrens' school and explaining the situation. There are usually teachers or classes that can "adopt" a family for the holidays. Your children will get gifts and not have to know any different. They will still be from Santa.

I would try this. The teachers at my school always gather a bunch of toy donations and would be happy to give them to a needy family in our district.

Also, talk with your church (if you go). Growing up we always adopted a family from church and bought gifts. Again, your kids would get presents and would think they were from santa.

GL to you and your family.

sucrets4 · December 2010

Can you look into Toys for Tots? One of my friends in a mom group said that she went through a similar time and that the program saved Christmas for her family. I have no idea how it works, but she said she had to apply for it. GL.

Princessn678 · December 2010

You could contact local churches even if you don't attend and ask for help. I would reach out to the community. Your childrens schools, church, local buisness. I would keep trying everything you can.

Also go through your childrens old things, clothes, toys and even your own things and try selling them to a consignment shop, or craigslist. If you have some bigger items try selling those too come up with extra cash.

I wish you all the best and pray that something comes along for you. Please keep us updated.

BeachTeach26 · December 2010

I second the posts suggesting churches and/or your children's school. My school sponsors families for the holidays and everything is confidential. If you speak with the school nurse she can point you in the right direction. Good luck to you and your family!

lizloo85 · December 2010

Is there anything you can sell? We sell stuff on Craigslist all the time when we want to buy something new. There is usually something laying around we don't need anymore.

Or you could always turn it around and talk to the boys about what it means to help others who can't afford to buy food, or who has no family, and try to do something creative where they can make something crafty for elderly in a home w/ no family around. Or volunteer with them at a children's shelter; and then tell them afterwards how proud you are and then do something fun when your finances are back to normal.

Kids want to brag about how their Christmas break was or what they got so that would give them an awesome story to tell. And try a few yard sales- toys are always super cheap, just clean up a little.

Or donate plasma. I work at a credit union and see these checks all the time. I think you get like $40 every time. I'm sure you'll figure something out. Good luck!

anabell0920 · December 2010

Maybe you could see about getting some food from a food bank this month and tuck away a tiny bit of cash that you normally use for groceries. Heck even if you can't I would still go cause I know 50$ doesn't go far. I am so sorry we have been there when we were groing up and I remember one year my mom was only able to give us one present. I still loved her and I love her even more now as an adult knowing how hard she struggled for us. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

yankeebaby2 · December 2010

Have you tried a church in your area?

Part of my job is scrounging up resources for families that need it so PM me your address and kids names and ages and I will see what I can do.

monj76 · December 2010

Princessn678:

You could contact local churches even if you don't attend and ask for help. I would reach out to the community. Your children's schools, church, local business. I would keep trying everything you can.

Also go through your children's old things, clothes, toys and even your own things and try selling them to a consignment shop, or grisliest. If you have some bigger items try selling those too come up with extra cash.

I wish you all the best and pray that something comes along for you. Please keep us updated.

This is what I was going to say. You would be surprised at how much money you can make selling your old stuff.

My heart goes out to you. I distinctly remember one Christmas when we got presents on our door step. It was so cool to me at the time, I think I was 5-6, I didn't have any idea it was charity.

anabell0920 · December 2010

I sent you a private message.

MWiley0225 · December 2010

Ty everyone for the great ideas, prayers, thoughts and offers to help. It means so much to me to know there are so many wonderful people out there

Cissi64 · December 2010

Lurker butting in:

I would try all the suggestions above ( churches , charity, school,etc) to try and come up with at least one toy. I also think that 7 and 8 year olds are old enough to understand the tight budget at least a little...maybe to explain why there are fewer things if the ask. You can also do no cost things like giving them a coupon book for different activities. For example: coupon for getting to pick what is for dinner ( from the choices you give them obviously), one for getting to pick where you go for fun on a Sat. (choices would be free things like the park or library), one for an extra book at bedtime, one for staying up 30 extra mins on a weekend, time alone with Mom, time alone with Dad, ...you get the idea.

MWiley0225 · December 2010

I love the coupon book idea.... thank you

neverblushed · December 2010

Ugh. My DH and I had one Christmas when we couldn't live up to our normal standards. My DD was 4 at the time. She did notice the difference.

I would try any of the following methods, if you haven't considered them already:

Get a p/t job waitressing or in retail until the holiday when your hours can be while DH is at home. Pump breast milk for the baby. Borrow a pump.

Give up your internet connection, cable, and cell phones. You think it'll be impossible, but you'll be amazed how easy it will be. We had to do this temporarily, and it was really less of a sacrifice than we thought.

Sell something that you don't use much. Put the money toward kid presents.

Make presents if you have any sewing or woodworking skills.

Shop Goodwill or secondhand stores.

Borrow $25/kid from a relative or see if one set of grandparents wants to be "Santa" this year.

CheyenneShaw · December 2010

neverblushed:
Give up your internet connection, cable, and cell phones. You think it'll be impossible, but you'll be amazed how easy it will be. We had to do this temporarily, and it was really less of a sacrifice than we thought.

This is the first thing I thought of.

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