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Christmas

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Original poster

No money at christmas

53 replies

sockmonkey · 14/11/2006 08:43

DH has been out of work for a while now. Every month we struggle to get by. Yesterday he lost out on another job, and I just feel so depressed. It was really the last chance to get employment (and thus a payday) before christmas.

I am completely not bothered for myself, but for my DSs. DS1 is 3 now and is sooo excited about Santa coming. DS2 is only 1 so he wont know any better. I am sat here crying now just thinking about it. We have already sold pretty much everything of value that we have to pay to get the car through MOT & Taxed.

I know I am not the only one who is skint at christmas, but I feel like such a failure to my little boys.

OP posts:
speedymama · 14/11/2006 14:24

LadyVickey, that brought tears to my eyes.

expatinscotland · 14/11/2006 14:27

LadyVicky
That was one very moving post!

And who says domesticity is a passion-killer?

Sock, how can you be a failure?

You know something, a real loser wouldn't even care how her kids felt about their Christmas.

That obviously excludes you.

foxinsocks · 14/11/2006 14:30

oh ladyvicky, that even brought tears to my eyes

how amazing to feel that you were loved so much

auntzubba · 14/11/2006 21:36

children wont remember the ammount of gifts they have- few days after xmas they ll be bored as usual. its love and attention they remember

sweetkitty · 14/11/2006 21:44

sockmonkey - you are truly not the only one who feels like this I've taken a Saturday job to pay for the kids Christmas they are only 2 and a baby so don't need that much.

Waswondering · 14/11/2006 21:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Californifrau · 14/11/2006 21:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tiredemma · 14/11/2006 21:54

sockmonkey. i have some boys things that i would love to give to you, my youngest is also 3 and i would appreciate someone taking the stuff off me - ( we have downsized in house and im literally falling over stuff)

please dont be to proud to accept, you can email me at emma . watts @ orchid . thomascook . com

Waswondering · 14/11/2006 21:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rhubarb · 14/11/2006 21:59

We are a bit broke this Christmas too. And work have actually made it worse!

They have asked me to go to Sheffield twice in 2 weeks - a 3 hour drive from here. But I would need to leave the house at 7am to get there for 10am and if I left at 4pm I'd only get back here at 7pm. The childcare starts at 8am-6pm. Dh works long hours so can't help. However he has offered to take a day off so I can go to one of the training sessions. This is UNPAID leave.

I told them this and they have asked if he'll take an afternoon off too so I can go to the other meeting!

I told my boss this was impossible just before Christmas and she suggested getting the kids their presents in the New Year when the sale is on!

Nemo1977 · 14/11/2006 21:59

agree with was wondering it is more the memories than the toys etc you remember. I have also bought my DC presents such as a cutelry set for DD and plates/bowls. Both getting tooth brush each and those type or basics that a couple of years ago I would have bought without thinking but now cant really afford to.

Waswondering · 14/11/2006 22:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nemo1977 · 14/11/2006 22:00

Rhubarb that is disgraceful

Rhubarb · 14/11/2006 22:01

Yes, she is a mother. I think it was meant as a joke, but I was not impressed.

Callmemadam · 14/11/2006 22:21

sockmonkey - where do you live? Maybe able to help out - can you CAT me (not sure how it works?)

duke · 14/11/2006 22:36

My ds was 1.5 last christmas we gave him one present that he played with all day he was so excited about the comings and goings he didn't care about anything else. We are doing the same this year too. If you can be happy they will be too. There's nothing like the hokey cokey to get everyones spirits up never mind the carols.

magicmummy · 15/11/2006 00:05

I have some boys and girls items that I would love to send to anyone who wants some bits for their DC this Christmas.
I have sent Soapbox an e-mail on the other thread offering items also.
Please feel free to contact me on:
fletch54(at)tiscali(dot)co(dot)uk

Original poster
sockmonkey · 15/11/2006 07:58

You guys are so lovely I can't believe it! I just love MN! You have got me crying again

The charity shops round here won't know what's hit them! I love the calender idea too, and baking... I wish I would have thought of it myself my DS1 loves to bake with me.

Thank you for your loveliness.

OP posts:
ratclare · 15/11/2006 08:11

sockmonkey, dont worry about excepting gitfs from mns because at the end of the day ,if the situation was reversed you would do the same wouldnt you? plus none of us knows whats round the corner do we ,so it could be anyone of us next year . I have a winnie the pooh phone thingy which is still in excellent cobdition ,its yours if you want it ,email me [email protected] and i will post it out at the weekend

Fattymumma · 15/11/2006 08:22

im in the same boat. i have completley maxed my credit card trying to furnish the house as we had to move in with nothing.

in many ways i am looing at it as a good thing as it means we will have a really family christams not a commercialised one. we will be doing all the things i always imagined christmas with kids would entail but never got round to doing....baking, making your owbn dec's, going for long wintery walks, carol services etc etc

basicly the stuff that is free! but also the most fun for little kids. its good that they will have this idea of christmas and the fact that it doesn't revolve around obscenly expensive presents.

but i know that you will still worry and i certainly still have a small amount of guilt over not being able to buy the things i know they would love....but hey, there's always next year.

Original poster
sockmonkey · 15/11/2006 08:24

I have passed my details on to Soapbox, thank you for pointing out that thread to me too!

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Original poster
sockmonkey · 17/11/2006 14:11

ratclare - Thank you so much! The phone & dog are fab. My LOs will love them!
((hugs))

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Twinkie1 · 17/11/2006 14:21

Sockmonkey - CAT me - I have lots of things that I was going to stick on ebay - toys and clothes that I will mail to you my DS is 2 tomorrow so he has grown out of a few things that I am sure yours would like.

Klara · 17/11/2006 15:21

sockmonkey
Please don't feel like a failure - i know what it's like....my dh has been out of work for a year...its puts a lot of stress on a relationship. Luckily we are still ok as i have a good job, but i can only imagine how tough it is.

My children always get far too much at xmas and i have one more advent calendar than I need and also a thomas the tanmke engine train that he already has (as my brother bought it for him not knowing he had it already, so i put in the pressie cupboard)...think it's james but not sure.

if you would like them for your ds please let me know and i will post them to you if you can get your address to me somehow....you can e mail me at Klarabelly dot hotmail dot com

Original poster
sockmonkey · 19/11/2006 14:45

you are sooo kind, thank you for the lovely offers.
Sorry I would have got back to you sooner, but we were out visiting Grandma yesterday.
Twinkie1 - I can't figure out the whole CAT thing But thank you for the offer. Hope your LO had a fantastic birthday yesterday!

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