I’m dreading Christmas Day as my dc have barely and gifts

[Bluebellberry]

Things have been finically dreadful for us.
I normally love Christmas but this year I am dreading it.
We are struggling so badly we only have a couple of very, very small low cost gifts for each child. I am so deeply ashamed.I am dreading seeing their faces on Christmas morning. They only asked for 2 small things bless them but I still feel an absolute failure.
I have absolutely nothing to give to my siblings or parents.
I have nobody to talk too irl as close friends and family don’t have money issues.
Is anyone else in this position?

Get 2 old DVD's/cd's cover them and attach then through the hole, easy card holder for the young and elderly

OP - don’t worry about your parents and siblings.

For your kids, maybe put a post on your local Facebook group and say your little ones would dearly love xyz if anyone is having a pre-Xmas sort.

My DC have had a good clear out of our playroom and have got lovely dinosaur and paw patrol toys and a whole sack of lovely books in perfect condition that they’ve grown out of. I don’t want to give them to a charity shop in case they’re bought by someone who doesn’t need a bargain if that makes sense. But I’d happily deliver them to someone struggling for Christmas presents for their DC.

Definitely echo suggestions for FB marketplace, free cycle and Salvation Army.

Grew up with very little. I honestly remember very little in terms of childhood Christmas pressies. What I remember was decorating the tree, playing games with family and eating Christmas dinner. By far the best part of Christmas IMO....

I went 2nd hand for my treats it was only getting money I thought I wasn’t allowed anymore I was able to have a very special treat but even then I still budget. Nothing wrong with 2nd hand good condition of course.

My workplace donates generously to Action for Children and they seem to favour vouchers. People donate to these charities so that people like you can be helped so you should have no hesitation in approaching them.

Post on freecycle wanted section. I had a clear out of DC's grown out of toys and was able to offer them this way. Access the foodbank , are you getting all the support and benefits you are entitled to. Things will get better, the kids will be fine. sending very best wishes xxxx

Actually where are you in the country? Maybe someone on here is nearby and has toys they’d be happy to pass on.

I might also have some leapfrog and little tikes toys that are all in perfect condition. And a little tikes sandpit that is sadly far too young for my kids.

I second the charity shop idea and also Poundland, they sell so many different things that you could buy several things, books, crafts, colouring, sweets etc.

Your parents and siblings should understand if you don't give to them so that you can give to your DC.

Don't worry about your siblings or parents, they will understand.

Can you get any wider family to drop their presents off before Christmas so they still come down to quite a few gifts?

My kids don't notice what is from who. They have parents who love them and that's the most important thing.

Have you looked at free Santa videos?

www.portablenorthpole.com

I think it’s probably too late for the free letters now

I really feel for you. I remember being so poor when my son was little that I bought his Christmas presents in a charity shop. He loved them.
Your children will love their presents too. And if you focus on having a really nice day, with games and a walk and some nice films to watch, they will remember it as a lovely time.
Please do not beat yourself up about not having money - you have the love of your children, which is the most precious thing of all.

Facebook market place locally to you.

And please ask on yr local Facebook pages for age related gifts.

Not all second hand things are tat.

You haven't said what age your children are and which region you live in, OP?

There are possibilities.Keep strong ☘️

How old are your children op?

Please dont feel ashamed, you have nothing to be ashamed about. So many people are in this awful position.

Have you got the app Olio? I use it all the time and have given away loads of toys on it my DC have outgrown. Definitely worth looking.

Your kids have a mum who loves them, they are lucky, so many dont.

It'll be okay. Just have a fun day playing games etc

Unless they are really little I would explain to them beforehand that you haven’t got much money this year so they will have just a few things. By managing their expectations there will be no disappointed faces on Christmas Day and you’ll take the worry out of it for you.

You could frame it as ‘We haven’t got many presents this year but how about doing xyz on Christmas Day?’ (Full-on kitchen disco/sleepover in living room on Christmas Eve/something else really exciting).

If they’re very young you can honestly get away with hardly anything and they won’t notice. I once wrapped up every animal from a cheap set of squirty bath toys separately for my DS’s stocking. He was absolutely beside himself waiting to see which animal he’d unwrap next!

Packet of chocolate buttons at the bottom and he was as happy as Larry.

Don't be ashamed. Everything has got more expensive, that's not your fault. Don't let it spoil your Christmas. You've got your kids presents, you're all together, really a few extra bits of plastic shouldn't make that much difference.

Why not do an advent box. You make 12 cards and each one has something to do on. These can be free activities or shopping sprees. I ve done bowling, swimming, cinema and also baking day at home, leaf kicking or puddle jumping walk.put them in sealed envelopes and they choose one every month to open. But you must do what it says within the month.

Not sure if it's just you, but I'd be really upset if a relative or friend was struggling and felt they couldn't approach me for some help/support. 🙁

Spend a day with 2 rolls of cheap wrapping paper and cut them into strips and glue to make paper chains and fill the room with them. You sound a lovely mum and think the advent card idea is a lovely one above.
Locally there was a free toy event for people, and another swap one, there might still be ones running and children won’t notice if something is second hand from a Charlotte shop or 50p from a school Fair stall

Hello everyone

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I think a lot of people will be in your position this year. You are doing the very best you can for your children and you've stretched yourself so they both have something to open on christmas morning. That doesn't sound like a failure to me.

Don't worry about presents for adults. Anyone half decent will understand.

I hope that you all have a lovely Christmas x

I am in a similar position..

but just to note, when I was younger my family weren’t ‘well off’ but we have everything we needed. Even with that… I barely remember presents. What I do remember was Christmas morning/day with my parents and sisters and the day itself.

I totally get how you feel as I have a DC who I just can’t splash the cash on.

Just having you there on such a special day is always enough. It was for me and that’s what they remember when they’re older!

You are not alone.

@MandyMotherOfBrian
You got a Rocking horse?!!!

That was my dream creme de la creme wish for a present!
I would have been absolutely green with envy at that.

Every year I pleaded for a rocking horse, and never got one.

@Bluebellberry I remember moaning about not getting 'as much as my half~sibs' and my best friend said all she'd received was a 75p pair of navy wooly gloves from Woolworths.

I was chastened by that.

Your children sound lovely, and when they grow up, they can buy whatever they like {within reason} by getting small jobs..It really teaches kids the value of money, and makes them much nicer people in my experience.

As an adult, I was able to buy my 'Dream' toy..this shabby old rocking horse whom I love dearly ~All the more from having had to wait!

I saw a thing last year where the family got a box of celebrations and a pack of balloons (you can get 50 on Amazon for £5) and filled the room with balloons. Some balloons had £1 or £5 in, but most had chocolate. The kids loved it, and it took up loads of time. It looked great!