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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

teens, xmas and redundancy

23 replies

Slambang · 17/11/2011 22:30

So, dh is losing his job. (lovely news for this time of year ) and I am desperately trying to work out a way of making it still feel christmassy and happy for our 2 teens on a microscopic budget. Food is sorted as we are going to my parents but presents ...

The dcs are being lovely and not asking for anything at all. I know what they would have asked for would be X box games, phones, Ipods, guitars, tickets to gigs - all way out of our price range this year. I hate the thought of them opening 'a lovely pack of new socks' but what on earth can we give them?

Tree? panto? parties? Am struggling with saying no and making it sound like it's all ok.

Any good ideas or survival stories gratefully recived.

OP posts:

CherryMonster · 17/11/2011 22:32

i have a 7 foot fake tree if you dont have one

Original poster

Slambang · 17/11/2011 22:38

Thanks Cherry, that's so kind. I think 7 foot would swamp us a bit.

OP posts:

slartybartfast · 17/11/2011 22:41

they are old enough to know about money problems. christmas is not all about presents. though will watch thread as we are in same boat, second christmas running.
i agree it is hard but sometimes life is.

Original poster

Slambang · 17/11/2011 22:51

Yes, Slarty they do know and understand and are being fantastically good. I just want to create a happy feeling but it all seems to involve hard cash. Sorry you're in the same boat- the boat actually seems a bit over full of folks like us.

OP posts:

southeastastra · 17/11/2011 22:53

7ft?

this year dp and i are both out of work for the first time :( there are lots of people like us

HappyCamel · 17/11/2011 22:57

Can you go on a day out together or make things for each other? Small but indulgent presents are good, home made choc truffles, Lush bath bombs, a new bathrobe. So not as prosaic as socks but still practical? A book?

I grew up poor, with few presents but it didn't bother me. The above are examples of stuff I used to give and receive. its probably harder if you used to be able to afford stuff though.

fifitrixibell · 17/11/2011 22:59

Sorry to hear about your DHs job - why does that always seem to happen just before Christmas

I can't be much help with presents as I haven't got to the teenage stage yet, but as far as tree is concerned is there a Christmas tree farm near you? Our local one is way cheaper than getting one from the shops (£10 for 6-7 ft real tree) and they have a pile of tiny trees that they give away free to children. Borrow someone's small child and go and nab a freebee!

Instead of panto or a night out, you could get them each to invite a friend over and have a movie night - they can make their own pizza, and watch the film with a big bag of popcorn(Aldis is nice and only 99p!). Ok not especially christmassy but could be fun.

hope you get some good ideas from this thread.

LynetteScavo · 17/11/2011 23:00

The best thing I remember about Christmas when I was young was the Christmassy feel in the house...mum making mince pies, with carols playing, and watching rubbish tv while eating Quality St.

Have a look on ebay for bargain X box games, etc. You never know when you might get lucky.

yellowflowers · 17/11/2011 23:24

Make them a voucher book each with things they can cash in during the year - a walk with you, being in charge of tv control for the night, their choice of dinner, a cuddle, a cake etc

Poundworld and poundland have some great stuff

Could your present to them be something like 'I am going to teach you to bake' and each week you make a different type of cake together (and then eat it).

girlywhirly · 18/11/2011 09:22

Instead of computer games, why not go back to basics like cards, board games and things that make you all interact as a family. Dig out Mum and Dads old CDs from when they were young and have a retro music session. Or compile a trivia quiz to play together. Could you borrow games/trivia book etc from relatives?

I think Lynette's right, it is about the atmosphere and enjoying yourselves, and spending time together.

canistartagainplease · 18/11/2011 09:46

When you say teens, are they boys/girls and are they older or younger teens?
How well do all your family get on with your parents?
If it works for your family dynamic, enlist your parents in this utility christmas so no presents over £5 bper item and go out to lots of events together, so you dont let the kids feel deprived of christmas overindulgence.
If your kids are older they might prefergoing out individually with a grown up to a special event. If younger anfd they like their sibling then keep them together.

lilolilmanchester · 18/11/2011 11:39

sorry to hear about the redundancy. Although we've never had money worries at Christmas, we have worked harder at Christmas with our teens since they stopped believing in Santa. Have to admit it's easier to involve DD than DS (making mincemeat/mincepies/gingerbread house/decorating the house). We try to find ways of doing family things which we don't do much of during the year - watch a DVD together , either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day afternoon, not necessarily a Christmas one; play cards; go for a walk. Re low-cost but good gifts, depends on their ages

catwithflowers · 18/11/2011 14:39

Slambang, which Xbox games would they have asked for? I have teens with (pretty current) games they don't play anymore or have completed. Maybe there are others in the same situation too and we could help out

onadifferentplanettoday · 18/11/2011 14:48

I was made redundant a couple of years ago. I am a lone parent with two teenagers and two older children in their twenties. we decided to have a £10 xmas and involved everyone else in the family that we would normally buy for/receive from. It worked brilliantly,the boys were older enough to understand that things were really tight and everyone was really inventive with what they bought and we all spent ages hunting out amazing bargains for each other. it worked so well that we are continuing the theme this year.

attheendoftheday · 18/11/2011 14:56

What about giving freecycle/freegal a try for presents? I know it gets a bad rap on mn, but I've had mostly good experiences. There are quite often things like TVs going on my local freecyle - would a TV for their room be a present? Could be worth asking for xbox games.

I am pming you re some xbox games you can have from us if you want.

attheendoftheday · 18/11/2011 15:01

Oh, and your kids sound lovely.

cat64 · 18/11/2011 15:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

catwithflowers · 18/11/2011 15:17

Have sent you PM Slam

Maryz · 18/11/2011 15:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Marne · 18/11/2011 15:54

Can you e-bay any old x-box games that they no longer play? e-bay is my best friend, i managed to sell all of the dd's playmobil to pay for christmas .

My best memorries of christmas are more about food and family, going to church and carol singers knocking on the door.

Maryz · 18/11/2011 16:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

yellowflowers · 18/11/2011 18:03

I was thinking instead of a panto why not an evening of family revue or karaoke.

zest01 · 18/11/2011 22:12

Do you have any budget at all? Play.com have pre loved games from £3 which |I've ordered and they are in good nick and try ebay for 2nd hand stuff too and/or carboots.

Are the DC boys or girls? I find girls easier to buy for on the cheap with make up and hair stuff etc

Can you make them stuff - knit a scarf for example? Make a photo album wit fave family photos?

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