What to do?

[MothertoHer]

I'm a single mother of one and I simply have no extra money to get my child anything for Christmas. I've no idea what to do as she's at an age where she won't want toys anymore, I've no family to reach out and help. I'm at a total loss.

What age is she?

Ask at local community hub or Lions club there may be charities doing a collection. Can you wrap stuff you might buy anyway like nice toiletries or books.

She's 13 Years old

You can get stuff from the food bank

Do you have a social worker or support worker or even GP or school? maybe they can do a referral to a charity for you? I just dropped stuff off for a local charity here. I am sure there must be some all over the country. Good luck.

If you happen to be in Herts/Bucks let me know. I know of a group who might be able to help. They were set up specifically for the purpose of ensuring a child never goes without a Christmas present.

Lots of charities are now focusing on Christmas for those who need help. Also you'll probably find that local areas have set up toy/gift drops.

Have you looked in your area OP to see if there is anyone who can help? You mentioned that your daughter doesn’t want toys but she might like books and someone might be able to help with that. Have you got any good friends that you could confide in?

Download the olio app and put a wanted ad on there. It's all free you would need to collect though. And keep an eye out on there lots of people are clearing out this time of year. Also look at free groups on Facebook.

Check out the bargain thread, some stores offer a sign up amount with no minimum spend. I think claires, Oliver bonas do £5 each. There may be others too.

Could you sell anything on vinted? Or if you have some spare cash look for gifts on there. And charity shops. My dd the same age wanted books I got a stack of 15 off her wishlist for £10, one book would have cost that in Waterstones.

Is this just a temporary lack of money? If you will be better off after Christmas, if so could you buy some things on very with a sign up offer and cashback and pay back interest free over 12 months?

Alternatively you could do a voucher book of experiences/days out to do over the year which would spread the cost. Lots if places do discounts for universal credit or 2 for 1 offers. An even low cost things like a home spa day (nails, facemasks, foot spa in a washing up bowl etc) going out window shopping and a Costa, cinema (meerkat movies or if you have prime 2 for £10).

If you wish to share what county you are in I bet someone could signpost you to a local organisation helping with Christmas gifts.

Go to your local Facebook community page (one based in your area). Someone will give you a list of local charities, foodbanks and organisations that can help you.

Also the App 'Too Good to Go' is amazing for cheap eats. It's shops and restaurants giving away unsold food stock from that day. None of it will have a long use by date on it but you can get a lot for your money. We use it for Greggs and always get enough to feed about 4 people for like £2.95.

There is a big appeal going on in our town for gifts for children who might not otherwise get anything. They are practically begging people to donate things for teenagers as all too often the majority of what they are given is for small children or babies.

OP I hope there is something like that near you.

What will help depends I think on the reason you can’t afford a present; as in is this a long term situation for you or is it because of an unexpected down turn in income or increase in costs. Presumably at 13 your DD knows how things are to some extent.

What did you do last year for money for a present?

Increasing your hours at work or taking on an additional part time job won’t help you now in time for Christmas. But could you look to offer on local Facebook pages to do a couple of pre Christmas house cleans?

Anything to sell on Vinted?

The suggestions re local charities are really helpful.

If you are in work, do you have (or could you apply for) a credit card? I would not usually advise this but I can understand your desire to buy your 13 year old a present. If you bought something for £50 of £75 with a strict plan to pay it back over the next 6 months that should not be too crippling.

Are there people you can spend the day with to help defray the costs?

I wish you well.

Try reddit santas little helpers

What have you got of yours that you can sell?

What things has she outgrown that you can sell?

Are you paying off debts?

Are you eligible for a grant?

www.gingerbread.org.uk/find-information/money/grants/

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Firstly post on your local community FB page.
There will be an organisation like the Salvation Army who give gifts to children who have nothing
If you have a Social worker, they will help.
If you can get a referral to a food bank, they will help too
There are schemes such as the gift trees in shops for donations which are distributed by local charities.
Contact the Social prescriber at your GP practice who will know of local schemes
Just ideas off the top of my head for you to look into as you haven't stated your area.