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.

Oh my goodness. I'm not asking anyone for anything other than some friendly advice. What is wrong with you people?!

Thank you for those who have taken time to give advice and supportive comments. I won't be responding any more in case I'm accused of fuck knows what else. As if life isn't stressful enough at the moment...

You must understand OP that there have been scammers on here before, particularly in the build up to Christmas.

Please try not to take offence, but it IS a thing that happens.

Hi OP I feel for you being so worried about presents when things are so tough just now. I just wanted to say it is hard and the kids will obviously be disappointed but that IS manageable and they will be OK.

Expectations are very high and that's hard. When I was a kid we didn't get much and one year just one small present ( which was about 5 years to young for me at 11) so I used to make things up when I went back to school when everybody was saying who got what . I survived and am not damaged by it though disapointment was big at the time.

What would have made it better would have been if my parents were more emotionally present, less dismissive about our disappointment and if they had properly explained and engaged with us about the situation. They had told us there'd be one small present that one year but I held out hope that thered be an extra surprise or treat and there wasn't. This was my own fault partly but could have been managed better.
If they'd made extra effort to be fun and have some games or movies or laughs together this would have helped I think and would let us see that our family is aware and still making an effort.

You sound like a loving thoughtful parent. Please don't run yourself into the ground with worry or into debt to provide something you really can't this year. If another time in the new year you get a wee extra, use it for them then. Then it will mean the world.
It is a shit situation but its really OK. And they are old enough to understand. They could put together a list of things to do as a family, silly fun things or movies or games or whatever that will take the focus off presents. It'll be different but that's OK. Remind them other people who don't celebrate xmas don't get presents on that day. Also the volunteering idea is a great one that I hope to do with mine when she's older.
I Hope you find a way to Di whats best for your family. I really think there are many going to be in your situation this year and in the next few years.

So sorry to hear you're in this situation, my heart goes out to you.
There is a Facebook page called Pass it on! Kids UK where people give away free children's items. A lot of people are based in Essex on it, as it started there, but usually if someone isn't nearby some members offer to post items or even buy something from Amazon. It is really supportive and you can post anonymously.
Really hope you manage to get some things!

Oh and I sympathise about the iPad, my daughter is addicted to Roblox!!

Op you understand this is an anonymous forum right. So no one knows you. And there has been plenty of scammers on here. People posting they can’t afford stuff for their kids and folks offering. This isn’t personal to you

I cannot believe that posters on here would be advising someone in financial difficulty to put non essentials on a credit card. Madness. It has to be paid back.

At that age I'd buy them one decent present each ( maybe black Friday might have some reductions) and put it on the credit card. If the kids were younger though I wouldn't as they have no sense of what things cost

What a shit their dad is!!! I'm appalled!

Op if I were you I'd post on your local fb free site asking if anyone is giving away x,y,z...shy bairns get nowt!

Also though list your own things you were going to sell on there to show that you are passing on... or maybe list for a swap?

I'm so sorry it's like this for you, you have a good job and absolutely should be comfortable!

In terms of your shitty ex, are you in touch with his parents? My in laws would absolutely ensure that DH (if we were separated) would pay enough so that OUR children had Christmas presents!!

Hi OP, I am sorry to read this. We had a horrible time of it financially last Christmas and ended up with a really low budget, the kids were 12 and 14. I made what we had go as far as I could in the Works, primark and Poundland so they had a good few presents to open and although cheap I put a lot of thought in and they liked what they had. I also made them a little book with a promise of something we would do each month, some free some not, but all stuff we like and they got one pick each month too and wrote it down then we did it, they have really enjoyed this and they will keep the books as they are full of memories from this year.

Talk to them as well, they are at an age where yes they want big and expensive gifts but they are also old enough to understand it doesn’t grow on trees and if you don’t have the money for what they want then there is not a lot you can do about it, you don’t have a magic wand!

Also, and apologies if this has been suggested as I have not read the full thread but you still have time to make some extra cash, have a look at the £10 a day thread on the money matters thread, £10 a day with time to get started and ensure it gets paid will give you at least £300 towards Xmas and some people on there make over £1000 a month doing different things, mainly from hone.

Me neither , people have just been brainwashed into.thinking people need presents cos it's Xmas.