Anyone else not able to afford Christmas this year?

[noautumnglow]

Money is very tight at the moment. My salary is just covering the essentials, I have no savings. Anything extra for Christmas would have to go on a credit card. Trying to prepare my DD11 and DS10 for disappointment this year. I was hoping to buy my DD a reconditioned iPad for £150 after her brother accidentally smashed it by dropping it down the stairs, but I can't afford it.

We’re in the same boat OP. Had managed to save £300 for my 2 DS’s presents but our boiler packed up which has wiped that out. It’s so tough, I’m burying my head in the sand about it at the moment.

It is so hard when you have little ones. I know you want to buy presents. Might you be able to buy little things for a stocking and then do things in the run up and after like looking at house lights, Christmas movies, winter walks to collect things?

A tree and Christmas dinner and it will be lovely.

That so sad, will the kids have gifts to open from family? Have you tried the usual declutter the house to sell anything that’s outgrown or not played with/not used? I suppose it’s difficult with their ages too, with a younger child £20 can go a long way but with a preteen not so much.

I don't know if this will help but I grew up in a very poor family - often no heat and no electricity if there was not money for the meter. Presents in childhood were rare and I can think of only one Christmas when my parents could afford a present when I was four. As another replier has said, I would have been so happy for the things that could be: spending time watching movies, seeing free Christmas things, family games and enjoying what could be afforded. I know I am a different generation, but I hope this helps. Just do the little things that are possible without getting yourself into any money difficulties. I am so sorry that you are in this position but I hope it helps hearing from someone who was in that position as a child.

Sadly most of us are in the same situation and don’t having anything to give.

I’m sorry but what you are suggesting would work nicely for toddlers and very small DC. But an 11 year old and 10 year old May not find the prospect of walks to collect things and look at other peoples houses a great substitute for Christmas presents. The OP’s problem is particularly difficult owing to the ages of their children.

I know people always say this type of stuff, but it’s not actually true is it? No child without presents on Christmas morning is going to be thinking about the walk they went on to look at the Christmas lights.

OP, have you had a look on Facebook Marketplace? It can be a bit of a nightmare admittedly, but at this time of year there will be plenty of people local to you who are looking to clear out things they no longer use/need, to make space for Christmas. You can definitely find some absolute bargains if you look hard enough.

I've been entering online surveys on Valued Opinions & Lifepoints since the Summer and made around £350 in Amazon vouchers overall - would definitely recommend it for next year as it's basically paid for all my kids' Christmas presents, and you can choose from lots of different vouchers (Tesco etc). I'm not going to lie, it's tedious AF and takes a lot of time, but I do it on my laptop whilst watching TV in the evening and it sounds like it would make a huge difference to some posters!

Try the Salvation Army they often have gifts to give to children without any.
Lots of charities do this aswell.

I would speak to them as grown ups and explain the situation.

last year my friend volunteered to help out the elderly Christmas meal and her and her children got a free diner.

Some round here offer a free Christmas dinner and have all the festivities, hats crackers board games etc - just think more creatively.

You wouldn't need anything like £150 to get a second hand android tablet if you picked up a second hand one on gumtree.

It might be that those are beyond your budget too, it's not clear from your post, but £40 would get you a working Amazon fire tablet.

Look at the make £10 a day thread in money matters. I’ve just cashed out £250 from Prolific but it did take me some months, but start now for next year. Also Vinted, eBay and MarketPlace to sell things. Join cashback sites and do the free offers.
look on the Christmas bargain threads too, some great deals to be had.
charity shops can be useful too. Ask family members to give cash? Good luck

Yes same here. I've told mine that we can't afford much. They understand, and are looking for something at that budget. They're considering pooling both budgets, to share something better. I'm not getting into debt for smiles on one day, I'm sticking to my budget.

I think their May be disappointment to an extent, but your right to prepare them that expensive electrical items won’t be possible this year. They have 2 months to not be so disappointed then

Baking gingerbread biscuits and shortbread. - we did this last year with toddler and several adult friends and the adults enjoyed more than toddler I think.

Second hand is the way to go.

Fill stockings with edibles.

If it helps, kindle fire and regular kindle with ads is currently £90. No doubt the fire and actual kindle will be on Black Friday offers ( probably £50-65). Not free, but cheaper than iPad, even reconditioned one.

OP do you have any free facebook sites for your area? My village has one, lots of us are having clear outs and posting things for all ages on there in the hope they might be nice presents for families struggling this year. Have a search on your village/town facebook sites.

Definitely talk to your local charities. For example I know the golden hearted and the Salvation Army are both collecting Christmas gifts for kids who otherwise wouldn’t get them.

Op I've started cleaning on the side . I'm bringing in about £50-80 per week . I went to home bargains set myself up with a caddy of cleaning stuff , bought a mop and bucket and advertised on SM . I've actually had more work then I can fit in to my day off .

Do you have family members who usually buy gifts? Could you ask them for a contribution towards the 'big gift' instead if it is something your child particularly wants? . There are also local organisations and shops (Dunelm is one I think) who run things where families needing a little help can put a gift tag in a tree stating the kind of thing their child would like and someone buys the gift.

You could also look on Freecycle type sites and in charity shops for things to bulk up the gift pile maybe. I buy my children second hand books all the time.

No one working should be in this position. You have my sympathies. This country is going to the dogs.

This is a sad read

maybe look into charities that can help, many have programs to support those in poverty, Dunelm for example have those little tags so people can buy gifts for children due to get nothing this Christmas.

The reality is that you cannot afford £150 in your current situation. Your children are old enough for you to manage their expectations with regards to Christmas presents. So many people are going to struggle this winter. Personally speaking Christmas presents would not be the first thing I would be concerned about.

Second hand ' free to collect - I grew up poor and a lot of our presents were from jumble sales - washed, maybe with a new homemade dress - we still loved them

My favourite toy as a child was an old Triang bouncy horse my mum hand painted to look like Black Beauty - is had a red saddle and I adored it - 50p second hand!

Could you sell something to help fund a few presents ?

@noautumnglow Unpopular opinion but I would look at somewhere like very and buy a few small presents for both kids on interest free finance then focus on making the most of the festive period with activities that don’t cost money such as a flask on hot chocolate and walking to see some Christmas lights, making your own Christmas cards, Christmas films and baking cookies etc

Things are going to be tight for so many families and I’d shop around for the best deals on toys. Very have a 342 offer which is brilliant.

I have been in this situation for the last 3 years. The first year I cried, sat my kids down and explained. We had stockings, some charity shop fun bits. Planned a day of watching a panto, playing games and laughing. Kids said it was the best Christmas ever. This year we can't afford the big dinner so having a bbq instead. Kids have loved every year and so have I.

Definitely have a clear out on fb marketplace, lots of other people are looking for second hand thing at this time of year.

check if you have any Tesco points, you can triple these to pay for eg tickets for a day out / clothes at certain times.

do you have any friends with similar age children? You could suggest a swap?
A friend of mine has done this this year, she has swapped her oldest sons scooter / helmet / pads for a friends sons too small bike, which will be fine for her younger son. Recycling as well as money saving.

check charity shops as many people clear out before Xmas. My local one is great and does 5 children’s books for £1, and board games are £1 each. All good quality as well.

I grew up similar, and now could buy absolutely anything without looking at the price BUT I would never indulge my dc in that way. For me quality over quantity wins, and thats something I hope stays with my dc for a long time. Op no child needs an iPad. You could buy something much cheaper and still make it a great Christmas.