Mums not great with money, and as a result has said she can’t afford to do a big Christmas, but is still doing Christmas lunch for 8 of us. Her money issues are not her fault, shes not working, she was supposed to be but they withdrew the offer, Job Centre didn’t believe her and so only give her UC as if she’s working (about £100 a month), she is appealing but probably won’t have the back pay by Christmas if she gets it.
I want to help her out, I’ve offered to bring a course or part of one but she said no and insisted she’s doing it all, but she’ll leave herself without any money at all in January and I can’t have that. I’ve offered cash but she won’t take it.
So far I’m planning to put money on a supermarket card and tell her I won it in the works Christmas raffle - there is a supermarket card similar in the raffle so won’t arouse to much suspicion and work don’t announce winners anywhere but internally so mums unlikely to find out (and if needs be I’m sure if I emailed the HR manager he’d be fine with saying I won it, when I’ve had face to face’s with him he’s said his own family are proud like that too)
But is there any other subtle ways I can help her? She will not let me share her financial struggles with anyone going so need subtle ways I can help her.