Children's stockings would you do this?

[TeaBreak01]

This is in no way bragging before I get accused just wanted some opinions or suggestions. So dh took a new better paid job started 30th November, he wasn't paid his last months wages from old employer and doesn't look like it will be paid anytime soon. Out of his first months wage at new job they are taking a week in hand, then they have a 2 week shut down over xmas dh will not get paid for this as has not accured any holiday days, so Decembers monthly wage will only be 1 weeks pay to last until end of January (it will be paid early the 18th). I have done some of the kids xmas shopping was planning on finishing with novembers pay which we haven't recived so oviously that won't be happening and they'll get what we've already got them and that's fine. Dc have no stocking fillers, if you were in this situation would you use 1 of their bigger gifts as their stocking or return 1 gift and buy some stocking stuff? For example Youngest dd who is 3 asked Santa for the Elsa sing along doll ( which i have got her) should Santa bring this instead of stocking this year? Or should I return the play doh set I got her that cost about £20 and buy small things for her stocking and likewise for dd1 and ds.

We're not writting it off, he's earnt that money. Not going to be putting xmas bits on credit card as not sure how long it will take to get wages paid so saving that for food shopping etc in January

Have a look online OP for things you can make for your DC for they're stockings.

This is for how to make your own crayons,you just take bits of broken crayons and you can melt them and make them into lovely shapes,hearts,stars ect by using some metal cookie cutters.
www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=how+to+make+crayons

Homemade sweets,chocolates,toffee,fudge,truffles,toffee apples things like that can all usually be made for pennys.
www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=how+to+make+sweets

Personalised Chocolate bars,we've done these before for party bags and they went down really really well and the other parents thought we'd spent a fortune buying them ready made,we didn't we did them ourselves.

We used bars of Asda Smartprice Chocolate(it tastes really good and comes in milk or dark)100g and it's only 30p a bar.
groceries.asda.com/product/chocolate-blocks/asda-smart-price-milk-chocolate/910002088611

If you look online there are loads and loads of free printable chocolate bar wrappers.Those bars of chocolate,the wrappers and a kids pritt stick(glue stick)was all we needed.With the paper and printing each bar cost us less than 35p and they're anywhere from £3 upwards to get them made by someone else.

If you don't have a printer you could ask a friend or family member to print the wrappers of for you.They look really good and all the children loved them and it took less than a minute to do each one.

If you have a printer or know someone that would print stuff of for you,you could also do some Christmas coloring pages,christmas dot to dots,Christmas puzzle sheets to go with the crayons.Roll the pages up and tie them with a red ribbon.

I agree about the playdough I'd take that back and if you still want to get your LO some playdough there are Playdough advent calendars out this year,they should be heavily reduced now or failing that 99p shops,poundland and The works all usually sell really good playdough sets for well under £5.

I agree with the other posters. Instead of worrying about taking presents back, get on the ex employer's case with great big bloody bells on.

That money is his and its illegal to withhold it. He should demand a written explanation and the name of the person who made the decision. He also needs to give them a deadline for payment i.e seven days or small claims court. Go to CAB. You sound like a great Mum and supportive wife but I would be down his ex employers' office with a pitchfork and I would not leave until they stopped breaking the law.

You shouldn't even be in this position and you can legally get that money before Christmas.

You can make your own play dough for pennies, I bet your dd would love it. I keep mine in a tupperware box. You could make a nice personalised label for it.

Just remembered 99p shops and poundshops usually have make craft kits in them,if your children like things like that,that would fill alot of the stocking space up.They usually have felt art and craft sets,sewing crafts,knitting crafts,ornament ones,keyring one's,picture frame one's,windchime one's ect.

Thanks for the great ideas, never thought of homemade play doh. Dh is going to send a letter tomorrow recorded delivery that way they can't deny they have recieved it.

Wilkinsons have lots of good and inexpensive stocking filler bits and pieces X

thats awful whats happened with his employers. i hope you manage to get it sorted soon.

i agree with the others to take back £20 playdough and get a few stocking fillers for all of them.

do u have a tiger shop nearby? i bought some lovely little stocking fillers in there today very reasonably

poundworld had some great bits. tonnes of minion and frozen things. lots of lovely crafty bits.

if u have a cex nearby they have dvds starting from 50p each loads for around £1-2 in the kids section. ive never had any problems from them.

check out pinterest for some great things you could make for them (playdough, crayons etc)

try the works online for great cheap bits. loads of stationary and various little games for couple £. theres 20% cashback from quidco and often voucher codes for 10-30% off and u can click and collect to avoid postage.

aldi do amazing chocolate - nets of santas/coins for 59p which u could split between them. they also do choc lollies pack of 10 for £1.

are u or anyone u know on o2? as they give various things away on o2 priority moments that u have to collect. this week i collected a star wars sticker pad, wrapping paper, chocolate coins from whsmith a hot wheels car from halfords and a star wars toy from the entertainer. plus a roll of paper from o2 shop. all free just download the app and show the person on the till the code.

definitely check out facebook selling sites, gumtree and freecycle. loads of people are clearing out this time of year so can get some real bargains. ive given my girls lots of second hand gifts (one year dd2 main gift was a bundle of happyland i bought at a church fair for £5 and dd1 got a boxed sylvannian house with furniture/family i got for £5.50 on ebay)

Teabreak i found this today online.

www.poundland.co.uk/christmas/christmas-food/christmas-chocolate

Poundland are doing buy 1 get 1 for half the price on Sweets/Christmas sweets and Christmas chocolates.They're also doing the same on some biscuits,lots of Christmas decorations and Christmas cards.
www.poundland.co.uk/wooden-christmas-card-holder

Lots of bath and shower bits on 3 for 2 as well,they have Frozen,star wars,adult bits ect.

Hope something there might help

Sorry forgot the last link.
www.poundland.co.uk/offers/amazing-offers

Tbh i never had a stocking as a child. Im 28.

DD whos 3 hasnt got a stocking.

I wouldnt worry about doing a stocking. If you really like the idea then just do it next year, its no big deal. The kids will be so pleased with the presents they have that they wont be bothered about a stocking.

Pound world has some fab bits this year from princess brush sets, little stationary carry cases, sweetie wands - it's just a great place to have a good root around and grab a bargain.

With sweets, I bought my two a box of maltesers each for a pound. They'll think that having their own special box is the best thing ever.

Do give CAB. A ring, they can help and quickly give you legal info you need xxx

Instead of buying playdough, Google a simple recipe and buy her the cheap ingredients to make it. Print out the recipe and bing it all in a bag - you have a make your own playdough kit which kids love and it looks more than it costs. So easy to make.

Yes return the playdough and use the money for stockings. Pound shop is your friend. Start with some big sweets like marshmallows or popcorn, and you will give them a nice haul with pound shop little toys, stationery, hairbrushes, snowglobe, little christmassy teddy etc. Don't forget they often have books and DVDs too.

Someone on here suggested a can of coke or other "banned" foods.

And sympathy for being in such a crappy situation. Kids will be fine. 2 big lego sets plus stocking is plenty, and your little one won't understand the value.