Christmas budget

[tryharder100]

I have struggled all year financially and as much as I have tried to save any little bit to get my son something good for Christmas and I feel like I have let him down.

Whilst all his friends will be opening games consoles and bikes all I have managed is a few games and some crayola bits. I know as normal he will act grateful and try and show he's happy I just wish I could get him something more.

my daughter is 3 so will be happy with her unicorns and ponies.

Do you think it would be wrong to look at finance options and go for it? I am trying to be sensible but it's been a rubbish year and he has asked for nothing so just want to reward that.

[reni2]

How old is he, can you talk to him about the tough year? I wouldn't look at finance options. By far not all his friends will have bikes and games consoles. And even if they do, it's a three day wonder and not worth having a financially even worse 2016 for.

[y0rkier0se]

Depending on your credit rating, places like Argos and Very where you can take interest free for a couple of months are better bets than short term credit cards/payday loans. However, the best gift you can give him is stability and if your unlikely to be able to pay it back then I wouldn't. Sounds like you've raised a lovely little boy though!

[tryharder100]

He is nearly 9, birthday 6 weeks after Christmas and haven't even thought about that.

I know you're right, it's just tough wanting to give him so much and be unable to do it.
He understands and has said it's fine but somehow feel like santa to him is less special as he gets so little.

just have to ride this out till my daughter is at school and no more childcare costs.

Thanks x

[winterswan]

It sounds to me like you've raised a wonderful boy.

I would think about something for all of you when you have no more childcare costs - an amazing holiday?

[JaceLancs]

Is there anything you can sell on eBay or gumtree?
I used to sell stuff at NCT sales and local toy sales when I had younger DC
This year my Xmas gifts, Xmas food etc is all being funded by selling clothes n bits n bobs
I started early but there is still a couple of weeks left if you have anything you can get rid of

[ShamefulPlaceMarker]

All families do christmas differently for many different reasons.

I buy most of my dc's presents off ebay 2nd hand. They also only have 3 main presents & a stocking.

I would avoid the credit loans personally, but that's because Imm rubbish with money!

[tryharder100]

Thank you, he is lovely and I'm very proud of him. All he needs is a football to be happy. He has been scouted recently for local team so hoping he's going to make his millions that way!

I have a few bit and bobs lying around so I will put them on gumtree and see what happens.

A holiday is a good idea thanks, we have never been away all together. bring on September 2017!!

[winterswan]

It sounds like that little boy has gifts that Father Christmas can't bring; the gift of happiness, contentment and appreciation. What a fab mum you are

[madmother1]

Just buy what u can afford or buy in the sales after Christmas. I don't buy loads at Christmas, never have. DD is 15 and knows my budget. I've heard of people spending £1000 for Christmas per child. It's ridiculous. He sounds a lovely boy.

[Cressandra]

I think it is sensible not to go into debt. I really doubt all his friends will be getting games consoles or bikes, you're just hearing about the few who do. My DD is the same age. She's asked for a£20 doll and an ipad mini. She is not getting the ipad but she will love the doll.

Games are are a great choice. Play them with him, he'll have a lovely christmas. And maybe don't discuss the lack of funds with him more than you really need to. Imagine if someone gave you a gift while apologising for it being cheap. It could take away from his pleasure a little. Let him enjoy them.

[milkmilklemonade12]

Oh no, don't go for finance options it really really isn't worth it. To be honest I've really curbed my spending this year on gifts as the present opening bit just really isn't the main event for us. DH and I both work quite high pressure jobs, and being off work with my little family is just simply blissful! Who wants to be hours setting up a bloody games console or similar (which is lovely I'm sure but gosh it doesn't half take time and can be pretty frustrating!) when you could be eating, drinking, playing games, skyping family, visiting, eating, watching Christmas tv, eating....

I expect he will like to play 'santa' for his little sister as well, perhaps telling her stories and getting her all excited!

[KeepOnMoving1]

I know as normal he will act grateful and try and show he's happy I just wish I could get him something more

Sounds like he is a lovely young boy, and you have raised him well

[Ughnotagain]

I work as a debt advisor. We're always super busy after Christmas when people panic about having paid for Christmas on credit.

At nearly 9 is he old enough to have a chat with about the value of gifts? I'm sure from being really young we knew how my parents weren't going to splurge hundreds on us.

[tryharder100]

I know you're all right regarding getting credit, I won't do it as don't want to add more pressure, I just think of his face opening a games console and wish I could do that for him. Maybe one day!

He is amazing with his sister (when she let's him) he had a bring and buy sale at school on Friday and I gave him 50p to spend, he used it to buy a teddy for her despite there being toys he would like.

[milkmilklemonade12]

Would one of those Kindle Fire tablets for like £49 be an option? Just a suggestion I have no idea of your financial state... Just thinking you can download apps and games like Fruit Ninja on there...

[milkmilklemonade12]

I'm really sorry if that isn't helpful!

[tryharder100]

It's a good suggestion thank you.he would be over the moon with that. I will see what I can raise on Gumtree.

[manicinsomniac]

Don't go down the finance route.

I don't know about how easy it is to get cheap consoles as none of mine have ever been into them but I have never paid more than £15 for a bike for any of them - gumtree, freecycle, friends/family with slightly older children - you may well find you can get your son a bike through one of those routes.

Good luck!

[Avebury]

Kindle fire currently £34.99 on Amazon but I agree with other people that you and he both sound lovely and what he will remember the most is your love, attention and pride in him.

[Hopefullywaiting]

Hi there

I had to post as I really feel for you it sounds like you have had a tough time .you sound like a lovely caring mum and you have raised an equally lovely caring boy

I wouldn't normally advise anyone to get something on a form of finance and am a cautious person. However I can see how you feel where you have had a tough year and your son has asked for nothing , you want to make it up and special for him

I'm not sure if your aware that Toys R Us do a lay away service on products for 4 8 and 12 weeks. You said your son's birthday is 6 weeks after Christmas so about 11 weeks + from now, could you go ahead with what you have got him for Christmas ( which I'm sure he will be happy with) and aim for the bigger present for his birthday? That way it gives you a chance to get it payed off in a longer period without accruing high interest rates on the product or through other high interest options .

I would take a look first and check out the interest on the item, I would look but I am unsure as to what you were thinking off. Also you can only take the item home once its completely payed off.

I would also look for any bits you can sell off as pp suggested above to take a good chunk off the overall price. If there's anything you can turn into money quickly then you could take advantage of the black Friday deals (though shop around as they do tend to inflate the prices lol).

Alternatively you could hold off until the January sales and see what good deals there are for a belated Xmas or birthday present

Have a good think if its going to be comfortable paying back if you go for the layaway/finance option as a pp said you don't want to end up financially worse of in 2016 due to it.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and new year and much better 2016

Xxx

[slithytove]

What about a secondhand console? PS3 available on eBay for about £70. I know it's still a lot but if you are going to be selling stuff it might be possible?

Or wait until after Christmas and get one for his birthday, there might be cheaper prices then.

[madwomanacrosstheroad]

Actually the amazon fire is down to £35 at the moment. A 9 yr old will not understand to difference between that and an expensive tablet. Have reserved a fire in argos a couple of hrs ago.

[RJnomore1]

The £35 fire would be a great present for a 9 year old.

[tryharder100]

Not sure I would be able to come up with £35 for Christmas, maybe his birthday though.

Hopefully it will still be on sale somewhere.

Thank you for everyone's advice. I will have a read of the toys r us thing Hopefully waiting. x

[Cressandra]

he had a bring and buy sale at school on Friday and I gave him 50p to spend, he used it to buy a teddy for her despite there being toys he would like.

What a sweetheart!