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.

I know it's harder with older DC. Short of going into debt which is not good and if the OP cannot find more money I don't know what to suggest.

Sometimes people put things on free sites but that depends if there is anything that the OPs DC would like.

Thanks all, some good ideas. Unfortunately I'm also time poor, as a single parent working full time. I'm a social work manager and the cost of living is increasing our already massive workload so I'm working long hours. What they would really love would be time together, baking, crafts etc. I'll make time for that.

They're good kids. But before I separated from their dad money wasn't really an issue so they've grown used to lots of presents. I've had to speak to them already about the cost of living and they're taking it on board.

They have a hoverboard and go cart attachment that they hardly use, I'll look at selling that on FB marketplace. DS would love a bike, I may find a second hand one I can afford if I can sell a few bits.

They will get presents from friends and my parents. Their dad is useless and unlikely to bother. He doesn't pay any CM never mind presents.

I earn just the wrong amount. Although I get a little bit of universal credit I earn too much for free school meals, prescriptions, etc.

For those who won’t be able to gift this year please check with your local church or Salvation Army who run present drives for kids. They’re new gifts and children get to pick a handful of items. It’s shouldn’t be necessary but unfortunately the world is pretty bleak currently and schemes like this bring some joy.

I donated last year and will again this year. So if you are fortunate enough to be able to donate please also check with your local centre:

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal

Definitely scour FB and your local groups for second hand items. It seems like your kids would love spending time doing activities with you which is brilliant. How about making them a voucher book which they can redeem with you for the activities they like?

Oh and I wouldn't be worrying about the iPad if it was t for the fact I feel so sorry for DD after hers was broken through no fault of her own. We tried android tablets before iPads ( when I had more money) but they couldn't play Roblox very well on them which They love.

Can either of you do any overtime? Don't bother with an Apple Ipad if one has smashed already. I've just bought DS the Samsung S6 lite you get a pen with it too. Argos have it on sale.

Agree that taking walks to look at twinkly lights is fine for young kids, but older kids want presents. Who wouldn’t? Personally I’d get into a bit of debt and pay it back next year but understand why people don’t want to. Please ask charities, they are there for families like yours

I’d be upfront and honest with the kids. I’ve had to do this in the past and they understood the situation. Agree with pp about getting wider family to chip in to one bigger present, is that possible?

I think it's a lesson in managing expectations. I'm a single parent on an okish salary but I've never spent £100s on DD. Younger kids second hand is fine, older kids understand that things are tough at the moment.

As pp said you can get an Amazon fire for a lot less than an iPad and my daughter plays Roblox fine on hers (never owned an iPad). Also is there a reason the father is not paying maintenance?

While I sympathize with the plight of single parents everywhere trying to do the best for their DC you lost me at iPad. Talk about First World problems!

At 10 and 11, children will undoubtedly be disappointed with no presents, or only one or two.
You could maybe : ask for donations from family and good friends. If each can spare £5 or £10 it can go towards gifts bought on ebay or Gumtree.

Look at ways of earning extra cash. If you have spare time then maybe apply for a local supermarket job.

Look on local Facebook groups for swapping gifts, or for buying cheaply.

Sell unwanted clothes and put the money towards gifts.

If you can afford the ingredients, make some fudge or chocolate truffles.

Rather than no presents, I would use a credit card and pay it off in installments later in the year.

Apart from the presents, it can still be a happy Christmas just watching films together or playing card or board games.

Credit cards are the only thing that get me through Christmas every year.

Ask your family to all chip in to buy a second hand ipad? Rather than lots of gifts, maybe club togehter.
Take on a second job?

If you're not overdrawn there are plenty of banks offering rewards for switching right now. They are between £200 and £125. Some would need to be switched from an account with direct debits but not all. There are different time frames but some would pay out before Xmas. This link shows all the current switch rewards. www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts/

Also could sell some of your jewellery?
Can their father buy it for them?
GPs?
GO fund me page?

I am sure there is more in your house that could be sold if you look through everything?

I would cut back on absolutely everything too, no outings unless they are free and do everything that is free this year.

Hopefully next year will be easier.

It is hard. At 10 and 11 I do think they are old enough to get it, even with the disappointment.

For future, look at round up accounts and credit unions. The former I use to save the penny round ups etc from each transaction which really adds up. The latter I pay a bit in to each month and it releases it to me in November in time for Christmas. Stops me dipping in to it.

I would second Facebook marketplace, we get loads on there. Amazon fire tablets can be very cheap even new.

Hello everyone
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If they are at school then ask them for help
we provide over 300 sets of presents and even more affluent schools have links into charities

OP, so sorry to read that you're worrying about affording Christmas this year.

I read that your son wants a bike? You've had some great suggestions already but would you be willing to have a look at your local/or even not so local - council recycling centre/site? Many now have re-use shops and they can be excellent. I imagine (in fact, know) that they're busily stocking the shops with donations from members of the public who are 'clearing out' ready for Christmas.

Many of them have bikes! There are some limited electricals but well worth a look.

I don't know where you are but have you also looked at your community recycling/re-use enterprises? One that I work with here is Too Good To Waste. They also have a 'community fridge' which is a fantastic scheme.

Please don't stress about Christmas and please do tell your children what the situation is so that their expectations are managed. Next year could be completely different and I really hope your circumstances are positively changed.

Best wishes and you're not on your own, not by a long chalk. Your children have a really engaged and supportive Mum and I hope that you have some support for yourself also.

Their father should be paying his way. Do they still see him and his side of the family? Surely they will buy them gifts.

Op have you tried free cycle?

also ask on your local Facebook if anyone has any old iPads or bikes they want rid of, I’ve about four to be honest, older gen ones and I’ve just given away the outgrown bikes. You’d be surprised what people are willing to give away. On Facebook you aren’t anonymous so people aren’t going to be so concerned about your validity

Post on local facebook, and tell them your predicament. We have local posts and you would be surprised who can help. Maybe someone has an ipad they no longer use and can sell it to you cheaply.

Only asking Did you try claiming on insurance? iPad maybe covered

I'm the last person to suggest unwise use of credit, OP, but I think if you can cover Christmas Day food yourself, it would be justified to put some modest presents for your children on the card. As other pps have suggested, try to see if you can get your daughter's tablet for less than £100. It may be that some people are upgrading theirs so a good one might be find-able.

Otherwise, Christmas films, nice snacks/hot chocolate - are they into any kind of crafts to do before Christmas? I'm sure that if you provide a nice lunch and each child has a present they really want, all the rest will be fine.

Haven’t RTFT.
If you have no disposable income how will using a credit card for Christmas gifts help your situation? Unless there’s a bonus in the new year that I don’t know about how are you going to repay it? You’re leaving yourself in a worse financial position than you currently are in.