Christmas on a budget

[Edenviolet]

I have done all my Christmas shopping for dcs (and also birthdays as three of the four have days in nov and dec)

Looking at what I've got it doesn't look much, all have two presents each and will get a stocking full of chocolates, little presents such as lipgloss etc for dd1, juggling balls and mini games for ds1 and other little bits and bobs for dd2 and ds2. They all have a new pair of pjs too.
For birthdays they have one present each and will get cards and small gifts from family and friends, there has already been disappointment that we can't do parties this year and will just be having their favourite meal and a cake at home.

Dd1 has now decided to do a Christmas list as has ds1 and asked for an iPhone and an Xbox. There is no way we can stretch to this but will it ruin their Christmas that they didn't get what they've 'asked' for on their list? Dd2 has started seeing things on adverts that she keeps saying she wants but we just can't stretch to it. I've been overpaying the rent slightly each week to allow us two weeks 'off' over Christmas and I just don't want to get in debt.

I thought a few gifts, nice food and lots of fun would be enough but I'm doubting it now and am worried they will be upset on xmas morning/birthdays judging by the lists.

Reassure me it will be ok or help me with some excuses as to why Santa did not bring everything they asked for this year. I think I'm haunted by my own memories of not getting mr frosty or lights alive despite them being on my list three years running as a child ! (Didn't help that my db then got them-that was a bad year)!

[DaisyFlowerChain]

Have they got anything on their lists? As an adult you understand that having four children means less money to go round but they don't. Most adults have memories of not getting that special item from Santa.

[ChillySundays]

How old are they? You mention Santa so presume they are younger although one has asked for an iphone so am presuming some are older, Excuses will depend on age. What have you bought - perhaps they will like what you have bought even if they haven't asked.

[evelynj]

I didn't get a mr frosty either much to my dismay!

Can you reinforce that Christmas is about family & giving? I'm trying to do this with my dc & we do activities every day in Dec-some are easy, like making cards for family & having a picnic under the tree, going for a drive in pjs to see all the lights & some can be extravagant-we go to the zoo & say happy Christmas to all the animals.

My ds is only coming 5 but he loves the little excitement of what is going to happen each day more I think than Christmas Day itself.

If they are older could you get them involved in something charitable to give something back?

Don't worry too much about the stuff but do try to manage their expectations-we never had much but I was easily pleased with smellies, new toothbrush etc. even Santa hS less money in a recession?!

[Edenviolet]

12,7,4 and 2

Dd1 has a unicorn ornament she's been asking for for ages, a mini sewing machine (which she begged for over the summer) and stocking bits-sweets, choc, nail polish, lip gloss, a mini perfume, little teddy bear, bubble bath and some pjs.

Ds1 has a remote control dinosaur and a remote control drone, his stocking bits are sweets, juggling balls, magic trick thing, mini games etc. pjs

Dd2 has a barbie set and an art and craft set and similar stocking stuff and ds2 has a peppa pig CD player singalong thing and a cuddly toy, stocking presents and pjs.

They also have joint present of two games to play after lunch on Xmas day.

Ds1,dd2 and ds2 believe in Santa. Dd1 has never said she doesn't and has written a list but......

[superram]

No one I know got mr frosty! Santa can't get everything you ask for and you need to ask for smaller gifts, lame I know.
I don't have the answers but you do need to set the scene before the big day.

[ChillySundays]

When they are younger what they want changes week by week. What you have bought looks good to me. You will probably be sat there on Xmas day wondering why you were worried as they open their presents whooping with excitement at what sa ntahas brought

[Edenviolet]

I think the problem is me trying tobe organised and dcs not writing a list early enough. Not that we could have managed to get what they've asked for anyway!
Hopefully they will be happy with what they've got, last year ds1 asked for a few things he didn't get and seemed ok I just feel anxious about this year as it isn't as much as they usually get and not what they've been going on about.

[Happy36]

Alcohol and going out are the most expensive parts of Christmas. If you stay at home you can wear old(ish) clothes and not have to spend on taxis, overpriced drinks, mass-produced food or other expenses like secret Santa gifts. Also avoid going out to the shops. Stay home with some films, board games and quizzes in December and when it gets to Christmas itself go out for some nice family walks, enjoy each others´ company and have lots of laughter. Your presents sound amazing and your kids will love them. Please don´t worry.

[Edenviolet]

Its just difficult to make that choice isn't it, I've been overpaying on the rent each week since September anticipating getting a couple of weeks 'off' at Christmas that will allow us to buy the extra food etc and a few treats. I don't want to cut back too much and everybody is bored and miserable but equally I don't want to go over the top and be frivolous and then have to make it bigger and better each year.

I also have hated it on Xmas days when the dcs have had a lot but have not really played with all they've received, I'd much rather they had a couple of things they really like and use than just loads of 'stuff' they cast aside.

I'm going to try and stop worrying about the Xbox/iPhone as I imagine by next week it'll be something different! Dd1 would only lose an expensive phone if she had one so it wouldn't be worth it at all.

[Littlemousewithcloggson]

I tell mine that Santa has to provide for all the kids in the world and they can only ask him for smallish things. I say that mummy and daddy have to buy bigger things and if they ask for something i cant afford i tell them that befoe christmas

[ScrabbledLeggsAndToes]

I believed in FC, wholeheartedly, until I was 10 years old. When I got to 10 my mum told me the truth, as I was going to secondary school soon and she thought I should know.

However, I always knew that parents had some financial input into Christmas - My dad told me they had to send FC a cheque to cover the cost of any toys FC bought/made for me

I also thought that they had some say over the type of presents I would get.

I remember one year, when I no longer believed. It was the year that scooters really became popular again.
My younger brother and sister had opened their presents, and my dad pretended to ring the Head Elf, demanding to speak to FC, as he had not deliveried scooters as agreed! Apparently FC was very apologetic - While this conversation was going on, my mum was bringing the scooters secretly to the front door. When she rang the bell and hid, my brother and sister believed FC had delivered the scooters to our front door; using his magic to follow through on this agreement with my dad

My point is you can let your children know you have a financial input into their gifts, and also a say in the gifts they receive, without detracting any of the magic away from FC.

Hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas, op.

[Chottie]

I don't think you should worry either. Do many 12 years have iphones? I have two nephews 12 and 16 and they don't have them.

As a parent, I've always stressed that the most important thing at Christmas is being together. We tend to just chill out and step off the world for a week and just relax.

FC used to (in fact still does!) just bring stockings. Other presents were from parents etc.

[DraggingDownDownDown]

Why have you brought so early? Christmas is still 2 month's away. My boy's also have not written their lists as they will change their minds so often.

Instead of buying throughout the year I save the money into a separate account so it's there ready.

[Picklewickle]

I would let them know FC doesn't usually stretch to such expensive presents.

He mainly just brings stockings in our house

[KnittedJimmyBoos]

TBH at that age I think they are still young enough to simply accept what they get, and you know what, if they are dissapointed which i doubt, maybe next year you can get something off the list that isnt too pricey and they will appreciate it even more?


I think they are getting enough, if you can bulk out with charity shop stuff, maybe do that but honestly, its fine.

[JustAShopGirl]

We never had Santa when we were growing up - gifts were given by people we loved to celebrate the birth of Christ. (I am now an atheist - but that is by-the-by)

But we never had any disappointment as we knew people were hard up and gave us what they could - and it was usually something well thought out and either needed or nice for us all to play with. So Christmas was full of oohs and ahhhhhs and no "I wanted x,y,z, why didn't santa...?" no disappointment...

I am sure they will love what you give. Just try not to make Christmas a "wish"-fest....

[Missunreasonable]

I didn't get a mr frosty either and remember that it was the one thing on my list that I really wanted. 2 of my friends did get a mr frost hand it was very envious.
Please OP if your child wants a mr frosty endeavour to get one, it is the one present that it would seem lots of people wanted and remember not getting.

I wonder if I can still ask for a mr frosty.......

[KnittedJimmyBoos]

I WASNT encouraged to ask for anything, I was grateful for what I was given...it was still exciting.

[Turquoisetamborine]

Will your kids get lots from relatives too? I always forget this and the house is always bursting with presents.

[Edenviolet]

I buy early as I have a fear that something will happen and I will be unable to get to the shops (previous years due to illness have nearly ruined Xmas so I try to be super organised now!)

Relatives don't really get much, usually a selection boxer similar, sometimes money but it doesn't matter. I've got lots of nice activities planned for the Christmas week , making mince pies, card making, decoration making etc so dcs will have a nice time and tbh I think although it worries me a bit I think they will either have to enjoy what they have got or not I just can't get what they've asked for.

[erin99]

The presents you have got sound lovely. Please don't fret. My 7 year old isn't getting an xbox or an iphone either - what 7yo does?! He is not going to have christmas ruined by not getting them! You have obviously worked hard to choose presents they will really treasure.

Your DD2 might want some £50 contraption from the ads but so often these things are hardly touched after boxing day. Whereas I bet she plays with her barbies longer than that.

[Badvoc123]

I think their presents sound lovely.
I am sure they will love them.

[KnittedJimmyBoos]

hedge I am positive they will enjoy the actual present is I think a small part of the whole festive season, school fun, carol concerts, nativity, craft at school, fun films on tv, xmas decs, sense of buzz everywhere....the anticpation and the journey more exciting...than the actual gift.

[ChillySundays]

When they are older they won't remember present but they will remember the fun they had in the run up to Christmas making things

[temporaryusername]

You've got them lots of lovely and thoughtful things. Please don't feel bad about not getting an Iphone or Xbox, they are quite far fetched requests in my opinion, although probably not intended to be.

You should congratulate yourself on being so organised . Sounds like you're creating a great Christmas for them.