What to tell your kids when you buy Christmas?

MB_Positif

Also, if you do run out this weekend to grab a few things, think about what they'd really appreciate. My brother in law literally ordered a go kart for our son. My husband thinks our son will be so excited about it that even the Santa gifts will be lame to him. I disagree. I think he'll be happiest with the $3 package of printer paper I got him

MB_Positif

Sheesh, I am full of ideas all of a sudden. Order them magazine subscriptions, even when you order online you can usually select a "bill me later" option.

BrokenButterfly

Christmas shouldn't just be about commercial bull****. They can still enjoy spending a little festive time with their family, surely? Treat them to a little car ride around town to see all the pretty Christmas lights at night (which is quite fun when you're little). I know you'd love to be able to buy them gifts that they'd enjoy but sometimes that's just not possible. Just take the Christmas time to play games and have fun together and i'm sure they'll get over not getting more than one present. And do NOT let yourself feel guilty for it either.

JustJennie1

Also, if you do run out this weekend to grab a few things, think about what they'd really appreciate. My brother in law literally ordered a go kart for our son. My husband thinks our son will be so excited about it that even the Santa gifts will be lame to him. I disagree. I think he'll be happiest with the $3 package of printer paper I got him

OMG my husband and I found boxes and boxes of the old printer paper in our attic and we gave them to my nephew. Best. Gift. Ever.

Hell I'm 38 and if my husband bought me a stack if pads and pens I'd be ridiculously happy.

OP: another idea that you could probably find in the dollar stores are crayons and coloring books or crayons and regular paper. I like the magazine idea too. A lot of people here have given you some pretty excellent ideas. I am sure it'll be a great Christmas for your children and the family.

gaylynn35

Thank you all for your suggestions, I will probably go to the dollar store and get some arts and crafts things for the little one. The 14 year old will hopefully understand.

Again, thank you all for taking the time to reply.

I hope you all have a safe and Happy Holiday!!!

MrsR0SE

Also, in their stockings, you can wrap plenty of things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, pencils, fruit, etc - my parents did this all the time, plus wrap up any clothes you've bought for them that they haven't had yet, my kids always get socks, Pjs etc. for Christmas.

cloud2011

Do you belong to freecycle? It's a yahoo group and you can give away things for free as well as receive them. You can post an "Item Wanted" on it, too. If there's something specific you are looking for, ask for it for your child. You can pay it forward next time. I have given a way a lot on the site (gently used, even some new things) and have also received things. It's not charity...but a way to avoid sending things to the landfill.

Also, craigslist has a free section and a barter and wanted section in its listings. I just looked at the Dallas/Fort Worth craigslist, and as an example there's a free basketball hoop in Plano. Someone else is offering free used toys.

Finally, if you can buy even candy and tissue paper along with some ribbon, I would wrap up candy and make it look festive. I used to take old mugs from the thrift store and fill them up with candy or treats around the holidays and put them in my husband or kids' stockings.

cloud2011

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cloud2011

Merry Christmas...I forgot something else I used to do... make coupon books for your kids. Or a coupon jar. Decorate it and then write on little slips of papers, things you will do for them. For an 8 year old it can be reading an extra book at bedtime, or playing tag, or football, or something else. For the 14 year old it can be something else, but something that feels special to him.

You don't have to spend money to give a gift of time. It just takes a little creativity. You could do a 12 month supply, like one a month. In the summer it could be, run through a sprinkler. Or eat ice cream for breakfast. Your imagination is endless and your kids will find it fun.

I would visit flylady.net for ideas, or google frugal Christmas ideas.

gaylynn35

I have some good news, My ex-husband has offered me $100 to go and buy the kids something.

Thank you so much for your reply's and your wonderful ideas.

Going to get ready to drive over there and pick up the money.

Who would have thought my ex would help me with my new family. The 14 year old is his, but the 8 year old is not.

God works in mysterious ways!!!

Mina133842

Model car for your 8 yr old son $6.44 @ Walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/NASCAR-24-Drive-to-End-Hunger-Car-Building-Set/20452353

MP3 player for $10 @ Walmart for your 14 yr old son http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sylvania-Premium-Anodized-Aluminum-4GB-MP3-Player-with-Clip/21694925

that's stuff under $20 - now to get the $20 - have you ever donated plasma? You could probably get that amount for donating plasma for you and your husband. Or, you could always try and pawn something- just a couple of ideas. I don't know what your kids are interested in, but I'm a mom, and I try to budget for it- and have wiped out the Christmas Club money twice this year because of medical bills. I went to Walmart for their Black Friday/Thanksgiving Day sale and used what I had budgeted to purchase my boys their one gift they get from us- they get a new toothbrush and slippers and coloring book in their stocking, with a $1 "candy cane" shaped thing filled with M&Ms (knock off M&Ms but who cares).

I have now devoted $25 from each paycheck to go towards Christmas Club fund direct deposit, and have that account hidden in my online banking so I don't raid it as often as I did last year. I have to super budget for stuff, because my boys' birthdays are also right after Christmas -Jan 12, and Feb 11 so I bought their birthday gift at the Black Friday sale as well. I also try and find $5-$10 gifts for the birthday parties they attend - they have one in Feb around the same time as my youngest son- I try to budget for these and rock out those black friday sales, and have a "gift cupboard" hidden away- so that if I receive something I can re-gift (don't judge people please) and/or find something on clearance/sale I have something I can raid when I don't have cash to buy something.

My roommate did the plasma thing- so she did it for several weeks to be able to purchase her daughter's Christmas gift, and bought stuff at Michael's slowly - as in using the 40% off coupon in the paper each week and online coupons for the past few weeks to be able to have something for her. the key is, if you're on a super tight budget, it can be done, but now without planning.

I hope you find something that works for you - and I wish you a Merry Christmas!

cloud2011

I have some good news, My ex-husband has offered me $100 to go and buy the kids something.

Thank you so much for your reply's and your wonderful ideas.

Going to get ready to drive over there and pick up the money.

Who would have thought my ex would help me with my new family. The 14 year old is his, but the 8 year old is not.

God works in mysterious ways!!!

That is very good news! Merry Christmas!

gaylynn35

Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!!!!!

FitSuga

Christmas isn't about the presents anyway. Focus on spending the day as a family. Play some games, color together, watch movies together. Make popcorn, anything really. Just makes sure they are the focus and make it a fantastic day! If it's warm like it is here, go to the park, or if you have snow, play in it!

If anything at all, maybe do a late Christmas? There isn't any harm in that either.

shrinkingsusie

I highly recommend this book, Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It really changed the way I think about money and how I use it.

Last year, I told one of my good friends about it. She homeschools 4 kids and her husband works for waste management, first as a trashman, and is working his way up. She doesn't call her family the "working poor" and she was just telling me how much better they were doing financially and how good it felt not to be struggling whenever something came up (i.e. Christmas). I think if she can do it with 4 kids, then most people can.

I'm not trying to put you down, it's just that we all need to start somewhere.

My mom couldn't afford much for us when we were kids either but the older I get the more I appreciate everything that she did for us.

MB_Positif

I have some good news, My ex-husband has offered me $100 to go and buy the kids something.

Thank you so much for your reply's and your wonderful ideas.

Going to get ready to drive over there and pick up the money.

Who would have thought my ex would help me with my new family. The 14 year old is his, but the 8 year old is not.

God works in mysterious ways!!!

That's awesome! Merry Christmas!

Mina133842

I too have read the Dave Ramsey book - the Total Money Makeover.

he's got it on sale on his website for $10 right now.

http://www.daveramsey.com/store/prod326.html?ictid=hpg.pubtmm.c12

shellihooten

Gay Lynn, my friend I am THRILLED your ex has offered such an amazing 'gift'!
You can do SO MUCH good with that amount of money...
Also, with so many things you can make for the boys, the coupon book is an awesome idea.
Baking them something special and wrapping it...
I am thrilled by ALL the awesome suggestions!

It's given me some great ideas.

Merry Christmas to YOU!!

VelociMama

What about doing some special baked goods or homemade goodies?

sarahslim100

If your 14 yo is a girl borrow little women from the library. It shows the true meaning of christmas. Go to church too or help out charity; make christmas a bit different and a time they will remember.

OspreyVista

Christmas isn't about presents. It's about spending time with family. Yes, presents are nice if you can afford them, but it should be about family, and your kids are old enough to understand this. I agree with the family activities suggestions that others have brought up, I think board games, a park day later, an extra special breakfast, are great ways to spend time with your family. I bet they will love being able just to spend time with you as a parent.

Mr_Bad_Example

Not to be rude but i wouldnt of let it happen.

That's a bit sanctimonious, don't you think? Also, if you're going to talk down to someone, at least use correct grammar. It's 'wouldn't have'.

leilaphoenix

Two thoughts

"Working class poor" - hmm. Do you have a mobile phone? Do you drink? Do you smoke? Subscription TV? Do you allow yourself luxuries that you don't need that could be paying for a small present for your children? It is hard to imagine someone who can't afford to save £20 over a year for a Christmas present if they have a minimum wage job... are you living your day to day life beyond your means? And have squandered instead of saving?

Otherwise, do something with your kids that they really will love. Take them to the park. Do a puzzle with them. Play an old board game. Memories are not made from money alone.

3RachaelFaith3

Not to be rude but i wouldnt of let it happen. When we use to celebrate Christmas (we do Hanukkah now) there were many holidays we had no money due to unemployment and there ARE many resources for help. Toys 4 Tots, Food Pantries, Churches, Salvation Army, etc. One year they brought us a tree even!

Youre too late now for help (unless you get lucky posting on Craigslist) but id go to the Goodwill if you can get any money together and maybe buy an outfit or small toy.

agree with this. Don't be afraid to reach out. If you were in my area, I'd buy them gifts. I understand your situation, but reach out please.

taunto

I'm not a parent but this must be a terrible situation to be in. I'm really sorry.

I think the kids would understand. You can MAKE them something cool? Like a kaleidoscope or something which wouldn't cost more than a few bucks?

Good luck and lots of love from me

3RachaelFaith3

I have some good news, My ex-husband has offered me $100 to go and buy the kids something.

Thank you so much for your reply's and your wonderful ideas.

Going to get ready to drive over there and pick up the money.

Who would have thought my ex would help me with my new family. The 14 year old is his, but the 8 year old is not.

God works in mysterious ways!!!

So happy to hear this. Didn't mean to be rude with my post. Just meant don't be afraid to reach out. I've been there and totally understand!! Merry Christmas

Simone_King

Here is an idea. Do they own games? (Like Wii or the like.) Even a Ds?

Maybe you can sell/trade a few of the games at Game stop and get new games for them.

If they have a DSi or DSI XL I think you can trade that in for money. (Worth a try right?)

I wish I could help you because I would gladly donate money to you.

taunto

I have some good news, My ex-husband has offered me $100 to go and buy the kids something.

Thank you so much for your reply's and your wonderful ideas.

Going to get ready to drive over there and pick up the money.

Who would have thought my ex would help me with my new family. The 14 year old is his, but the 8 year old is not.

God works in mysterious ways!!!

Its a Christmas Miracle!!! (And I don't even celebrate Christmas lol). This was very nice to read

AlayshaJ

For a couple years in my early teens i didnt get gifts for anything, or have holiday dinners. One christmas wheni was 13, i woke up and no one was home. I went to the park and sat their by myself all day and when i came home there was still no one there. I went to sleep only seeing a couple cars drive past me. After that i didnt care about gifts, i just never wanted to be that alone ever again. I dont care about gifts as long as i can be with the people i love. Im not sure what to tell you other than hug them tight and tell them you love them.

NavyKnightAh13

I remember after my dad walked out that my mom and I had to ask for assistance every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I remember my freshman year of high school, we were adopted by a family for Christmas and I was only allowed one gift. I asked for my varsity jacket because I didn't have a winter coat. (Mind you my mom was disabled and couldn't work, we were on food stamps and Medicaid, with very little child support that was about 200 every month and my mom's ssi was going towards bills which 600 wasn't enough and we lived in HUD housing).

Point being: reach out for help. I was 14 my freshmen year of high school and that coat was a blessing. I am sure your oldest will understand. At any rate, glad to hear the ex is helping.