Christmas is looking gloomy this year

[Mumof3andamanchild]

I Need help is anyone making money from
home struggling this year no idea how I’m gonna afford to get anything for my children for Christmas any reasonable suggestions I’ve got things on vinted for sale but nothing is really selling. I’m currently a stay at home mum my oh doesn’t want our son to go to nursery until he’s 3 I’ve been trying to find employment I can do from home but nothing is coming up my car needs fixing the kids need bigger clothes no idea what I can do 😩🙏 thank you in advance

Honestly my children don’t mind second hand I’ve got a couple bits already and they haven’t really asked for much my son has asked for a couple of second hand Xbox games I’ve seen them on vinted under £5 and my daughter has asked for a duvet cover from Asda £12 some earrings from Etsy £7 and a duck pink plastic one for her car off shein for like 59p love Christmas films I’m hoping to take them to spend time with my dad this year so hopefully that will also make it special thank you for your help

Childcare entitlement is much more now, you can get up to 30 hours a week from 9 months if you’re working or about to start a job. That’s calculated as 30 hours during termtime btw which I think is 22 free hours if you have it all year round.

That might make a difference, you could even put him in 1-2 days a week, I know someone who sends her daughter two half days a week. Like a PP I agree that scratching around for a little bit of extra cash won’t be as good as having a few solid hours of work a week. The minimum wage has gone up too, it’s £12.21 an hour now so like I said an evening shift in a pub or a morning shift eg at a care home could bring you in about £60 before tax.

I think the problem you’re having is that lots of MNers will fall into one of two categories.

They will either have a DH/DP/DW who earns enough to cover all of the bills or they will have a job themselves.

I don’t know anyone who has managed to make things like Vinted earn enough.

If you want to give it a try though I think the advice you’ve had so far is really good. Do you got the Charity shops to see if there are things worth selling on?

This bills are covered I just wanted to make abit extra that was all

Get to the "What was a 70s Christmas like?" thread. You'd be surprised by how magical having a few extra bits of food and a stocking was. Your 1 year old won't remember it, ever and the 11 year old will be bored by everything so don't stress.

Your oldest is 20 and well old enough to understand what you can and cant do. I'd also think about getting a job next year, because although it is not what your thread is about, you do need to ensure your own financial security. If your OH feels so strongly about kids not being in childcare until 3, he can be the one to do the care at home.

My DD had loads of freecycle seconds hand /car boot toys until she was at least four .
And more thereafter she was born at the start of the credit crisis .

She never noticed and didn't care at all. So start getting on local FB freecyle sites...look in charity shops there is amazing stuff out there
One year DD had an amazing Disney light up dressing table and electric key board with loads of Disney figures all free.

Sorry I wasn’t very clear in my post. By bilks I meant all expenses. If your DP doesn’t want you to work then hiw wage should cover all expenses, and Christmas is a regular expense.

I hope you do manage to find a way of earning some extra money to help you and also consider how to become more financially independent in the future

I’ve already and still am looking for a job from home to work around my children thanks

Yes use to do the same with my older two I find it hard to get out with my youngest I do try but everyone looks at me like I’m trying to murder him so I’ve been getting a few bits off vinted for them and cheap stocking fillers off shein and temu . Thank you ☺️

This is going to sound strange but I’d prioritise your older 2 over the 1 year old. The 1 year old could have a few presents from the charity shop whereas your adult child hasn’t asked for much and I bet it would be appreciated.

Im trying to get the older two the things they’re asking for as they never as for much I might even do a little bundle of clothes for my older boy in the make he likes put secondhand and wrap it up not very exciting but he does need some .