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.

Your welcome try harder xx
I x posted with a lot of other posts and posters saying not to go down the finance route, I feel guilty suggesting toys r us now

I also meant to suggest going halfway with what you had ideally in mind, so say if, just for example , it was a console then going halfway to that price on something he would like, so to keep things manageable when paying back.

The kindle fire would be a great present if that's possible at all I'm sure he would be more than happy with that.

Ultimately though its about togetherness and being happy as a family, not the big label value of the item. You have taught him a valuable lesson to appreciate what he receives and to be grateful which makes it easier for him to feel happy. He has the love of a caring lovely mum who is proud of him and that's the most important thing
Xx

And reading he used his money to get his sister a teddy touched my heart
That demonstrates all you have done to teach him how to be a good person
well done

What a lovely young boy and what a lovely mum you are
I am sure he will love what ever you buy him. Wishing you a very happy Christmas

Sounds like he is lovely enough and young enough to like any present, however cheap. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful day. I know that for some children it really is all about the presents but he doesn't sound like one of them.

And, to be honest, I expect someone will message you soon and offer you a console they have finished with (or even a bike if they're local). I would definitely help you out but we don't have any consoles and no bikes the right size - how's that for the emptiest offer on the planet!

He sounds like a special young person.

Agree with the others, financing is not a good idea. What exactly is it that he really, really wants?

Have you tried Freecycle? Many people have useful, barely used items to share. You can place a "want" post and see what happens.

also not to sound all Pollyanna but it may be that a non-consumer Christmas could be quite memorable. Just be sure to plan some activities for the day that don't revolve around presents. Popping popcorn and watching holiday movies is cheap. Making (baking) ornaments of a flour/water/salt dough (tons of instructions on the internet) might amuse him. Or bake real treats. Walk around to look at holiday decor. Dress up the baby as Tiny Tim or whatever. The point is there are plenty of ways to enjoy Christmas and as your family prospers in future years you can focus on presents then, but meanwhile make the most of it.

I truly recall very little of what I received at 8, 9, 10 years old but definitely recall the mood of the holiday (sometimes good, sometimes bad depending on my parents' attitudes toward one another) and I bet it will be the same with your son. Hope you have a wonderful month and Christmas DAy.

Please don't even think of going to payday loans or anyone. Nothing is worth the horrendous interest.

Adverts on TV tell us that the happiest Christmasses are those with a tree surrounded by countless gifts, and tables groaning with food. They want you to spend recklessly, and use these images so you justify it to yourself.

What I remember from childhood Christmases is quality time with Mum or Dad. Playing with the presents with me. Drinking a cup of hot chocolate watching a Christmas movie. Sure, I remember a few specific gifts I got, but that's not the memories I hold.

Please trust me, your kids will remember the time you spent with them more than any plastic gift.

Ive sent you a message

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I will try and make it as special as I can for us all, hopefully next year won't be as tough.

Lealeander I have saved some pine cones to decorate and put glitter on so the tree doesn't look as bear so the kids will love doing that and we made Christmas cards last week.

gubbygubby I have sent a message back. x

Hi OP

I hope what I am going to suggest does not sound patronising, it is not meant to be.

I am on Streetlife an online local community (just google and enter your postcode) and there is an area where people who are need something post ditto with those who have something to give away. Loads of stuff gets found a new home in this way.

That sounds amazing chottie I will have a look, Thank you

Along with every one else's excellent suggestions can I add join your local Credit Union. Just google it and your town or county. You can save a little each month so you have a lump sum when you need it. Plus they have other greatschemes

Bristol CU

chippenham CU

These are examples of a large one and a small one. They are run by people in the community for people in the community.

Where in the UK are you? I have a few bits that might suit your son. PM me if you don't want to post on here.

Tryharder, the pine cone idea sounds perfect. Why not string popcorn garland too? Or make those paper chains.

I am 52 and still have ornaments I made as a child out of the cardboard cylinder from inside toilet paper (added gold paint, glitter) and sections of egg carton (put cotton puff inside for snow and added glitter, hand-drawn tiny snowman etc). They are most treasured.

Not making light of financial difficulties at all. It can be very discouraging. But it sounds as though you and your children are "rich" in love and kindness.

I have sent you a message Theskyisawake.

Thank you for all the ideas on decorating, luckily I have lots of home made decorations from school and nursery over the years.

Thank you Lealeander I do try to make things special for them where I can.

,messaged you.

Due to issues partly beyond our control (we said yes when everyone else said no to housing a young family member who had "aged out" of foster care... we could have said no no we couldn't ) and completely beyond our control (I had an operation at the start of the year, and then 3 more due to complications from the first) Christmas will be very lean here.

The children understand, and honestly, it is the time, not the tat, that makes Christmas.

Haven't RTFT but you and your son sound lovely.

Don't go for finance OP, if it is feasible then look out for 2nd stuff on ebay/gumtree/carboot sales etc.

Concentrate on making traditions rather than presents. As as PP said it is a 3 day wonder and not worth getting into debt for.

Instead try to make some traditions (if you don't already) like hot chocolate and DVD on christmas eve; maybe sleeping together "camp" style (my kids love this, maybe not for everyone though) playing board games/reading etc.

I was always spoilt with presents, parents had a very messy divorce and everyone thought excessive stuff would in some way compensate. I didn't appreciate any of it, and it is the traditions that I remember and value the most.

OP I see you PMed me back, but I can't bloody open the PM.

Just popping out so will try again a bit later.

As someone else has said I think if you can manage the weekly payments then the interest free options are good at Littlewoods and Very. I have used Littlewoods and had no problems. It's helpful when you have Christmas and a birthday close together.

Personally I would get a catalogue and get him a few nice things.

I wouldn't go mad with it and I'd pay it back before the 6 months where you have to pay for interest.

You and your son sound lovely. We had a few lean years when I was growing up but mum and dad explained there wasn't a lot of spare cash and I still remember wonderful Christmases.

We also have a free site on Facebook locally so that may be worth a look too.

Very.co.UK do "Take Three" on everything - 3 months interest free. You can usually get a voucher for £30 off a £60 spend when you open a credit account so may be able to get a simple tablet or something there.

Here are some vouchers for £30 off £60 and £25 off £50. Unfortunely the cheapest tablet is £49.99 so you would have to add some pants or something to tip over the £50! I have always had free delivery into a local corner shop too.

Obviously I would never recommend getting in debt without carefully thinking it through, but done carefully and paid off in full catalogues are a useful way of funding a cash flow issue for a special occasion. Just be aware that many of their prices on other things are slightly inflated, although as I say a discount code for a first shop more than covers that on this occasion.

www.hotukdeals.com/vouchers/very.co.uk

Thank you currantbun, I will sit down and work out if it's something I could afford.

I have put a few old toys and clothes on Gumtree so will see if anything happens with that first.

Hi all - we currently have no reason to suspect the OP here isn't genuine.

That being said, we do advise all our members to be aware that not everyone on t'internet is who they say they are, and that, although we're awed daily by the astonishing support our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns, we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster, emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.

Best wishes from MNHQ tryharder100

Thanks MNHQ xx