Christmas gifts - single mum

[Mumofone1xx]

Hi all, so I'm a single mum to my 8 year old daughter and this year we are doing christmas day just the two of us. We've only done this once before as usually spend it with my mum or sister and nephews but having it just us two this year. Im thinking this year of getting myself a few things for under the tree so it feels less like me watching her open gift after gift as she is quite empathetic and I think it would be nice if we both opened things together and would create a more christmassy feel. Santa doesnt usually bring me gifts, only one year when my daughter was younger and asked if santa would bring me something.

So if I was to get a few things, im wondering should they be from me or santa. I dont want it to cause questions if santa suddenly starts bringing gifts for me but also don't know if its weird if they are to me from me 😂 bit of an overthinker but my daughter is quite switched on and notices little things!
Wondering what other single mums do 😊

Do you have a family member or friend who can take her shopping to get ypu some gifts? I used to do this with my kids when they were younger. I would give a friend the money. The kids liked to think they had bought me gifts too. Santa didn't come to adults in my house!!

Of course from Santa as he knows its a special mummy and daughter christmas!

Will your Mum and Sister not get you anything? Or at least pretend to so you can say the presents are from them.

If not, I'd tell her in advance that you're going to put out a stocking/write a letter to Santa this year too. Then you can both be excited in the morning when you check to see if he's left you some presents too.

The other thing I'd do is give her some money to get you some presents. If she's empathetic I'm sure she'd enjoy thinking about and buying something you'd like.

When i was a single mum I used to gibe dc around that age some cash. Go to Asda or wherever and let them choose something buy it and hide it. I waited by the door for them to come out. They loved doing it and choosing wrapping paper too. Usually it was chocolates candles or a random ornament sometimes a nightshirt.

Everyone should have a little stocking from Santa.

I’d give her the money to pick you a few things

Thanks for commenting everyone! I like the idea of giving her some money and letting her go around the shop with a friend to pick something! 😊 my family will still give me some gifts but some are away so not sure if we will exchange presents before christmas or not

My DD is eight. We do lots of very silly 'ooh, don't come in here, I am doing NOTHING TO DO WITH CHRISTMAS!' in the run up, and I end up with various thing to unwrap, mostly pictures. I am sure giving her a bit of cash and setting free somewhere (Hidden Tiger would be good for cheapies?) would work too. She will love the conspiracy element.

This is what I do. The cashiers at Asda are sweet and have helped them pay and pack in a bag so I can’t see.

When my kids were very young Santa got all their gifts. My son was a bit sad and asked why I had not bought him anything at all! Now Santa gets him a few gifts and I buy the rest.

Agree with the others, give her some money and let her choose (Poundland she can get loads of stuff)
You sound lovely, from one single mum to another, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Thank you so much for this lovely reply 🥹 I hope you have a wonderful christmas too!

As a newly single mum. Dd 8 now was most concerned she wouldn’t be able to get me anything for Mother’s Day last year as knew ex wouldn’t

a friend took her for me for md and birthday

then for my birthday this year , we went to home bargains and I stayed at end of aisle whine dd took a bag with her and chose items she thought I would like (she knows me well and got fab gifts)

she had my card and then Went to till by herself and paid with chip and pin
she wrapped by herself and was so excited to decorate living room
and out music on via you tube

she already said she’s doing the same for Xmas bless her

so can your dd do that @Mumofone1xx