What are you buying for yourself (single parents)

[Worriedwakinghours]

Single parent getting to my fourth Christmas since my marriage ended. Last year I had the idea that I would start buying myself some gifts so I have presents to open as I don't have many people in my life, child is too small to buy something and definitely do not have a partner. I'm a saddo I know. Last year I bought some books, nice pyjamas and my favourite chocolates. I do buy myself nice things throughout the year but want to mark Christmas with some smalls gifts to myself.

Anyone else in the same boat and what are you buying yourselves?

Me! Single parent too, just me and kids this Christmas, I'm going for a book and a nice jumper to wear Xmas day, maybe some perfume if I can afford it too!

Hmm

I want some new perfume

And some sonos speakers

You've influenced me to treat myself - have already spent a bit on myself for black friday but this really is a separate event do I really should get myself somethings

I used to buy myself a few bits just to keep the illusion of Father Christmas going. Now DS is 12 and has wised up so I’m not bothering!

I generally don’t bother with anything but I bought a fab advent calendar that I’m really excited about this year

Absolutely! Usually I do a perfume, candle or jewellery, as well as something nice to wear on Xmas day with extra sparkle. I've always wanted the White Company advent calendar - again I think in my mind I go luxury and warmth and comforting smell. I get myself a nice drink, either champagne or dessert liquor. This year I am pushing the boat out and getting myself a dwarf mini. Treat yourself well 🥰

That sounds like a nice idea! I've been single ten years but never done it. My children are older and buy me presents now, but if I get myself something I think I would get a book, jumper and the light shades I want!

Any single parents with no one to buy them a gift at Xmas should indulge themselves.

This is my first Christmas alone post separation and divorce and I don’t have my daughters this year.

😭😭😭😭😭

I also have no money at all so can’t buy anything for myself but I am posting here now in the hope that next year is different.

I’ve bought myself from the children a new bedroom lamp. And slippers. Very rock and roll

So far I've got a box of cans of coke and a fake lego set

I used to do this. I would buy myself things I really wanted small and large and my kids would enjoy wrapping them. I got some really nice things, clothes jewellery, things for the house etc. It was nice to get such wonderful presents and always just what i wanted

You beat me to it @mumofoneAloneandwell 🤣

I don’t buy myself presents, that would be ridiculous! My pets buy me lovely things though. This year I have some fab make up, skincare, and some Birkenstock clogs. They even wrap it all and pop it under the tree.

@HelpMeUnpickThis I’m sure next year will be much better for you 💐

I’ve always done this. Always been just my daughter and me so Santa had to leave something for mum! She’s 16 now but I still do it so that for approximately every three presents I hand her (from Santa) she can find one to give to me. This year I’m getting myself ‘Why Q needs U’ book, ‘The Man with Two Brains’ on DVD, Beauty Flash Balm, a Victoria Beckham eyeliner, and some nice underwear.

When the daughter was younger she LOVED it - ‘This one’s for YOU!’ Then waiting expectantly to see what I’d got 😂
Now she likes it because it’s not her unwrapping presents alone. On years when I’ve been really organised I would honestly forget what it was that I’d wrapped for myself so the surprise was real for me too!

Im
not a single parent but won’t have another adult buying me presents on Christmas Day so I’m going to get myself a couple of good books and some chocolates. Possibly a nice jumper and a candle as well. It’s nice for the children to see me unwrapping something too! (Also lovely for me!!)

Me too! Actually it helped to keep the magic a couple of years longer!

Christmas morning, I opened my new GHD’s ‘from Santa’ ( great choice Santa😂) in front of my doubting DS’s.
One queried ‘Santa’ so I asked which one if them had bought me new GHD’s…all said they hadn't.
They were very easily convinced that Santa must be real, because who else could have bought and wrapped my present. 😂

DD9 like to get me gifts so I said she could spend £100 on Amazon and then talked her through how ro check out! I'm excited to see what she has picked

Yes. But so much now as my kids are 20 and 22, but their father passed away when they were little. I didn’t usually buy gifts for myself to put under the tree though. One year I got myself a flower bouquet subscription. Another time I commissioned a rug from a fibre artist for my bedroom - things my kids couldn’t afford even now! This year I’m thinking of a personalised wooden cheese board as budget certainly tighter.

I’ve been doing this for a few years. My family get me presents but they are a bit crap at choosing things I like. I normally go for a book, chocolate and another small thing that I know nobody else will think to get me. Those little presents make me very happy and I deserve them because being a single Santa is hard work!

Why on earth do you think this makes you a saddo OP? Self care, self love, self respect.
I give the children some money and send them in to our local art gallery (everything is nice in there and they sell books too) for presents for me. I have also bought myself some Birkenstocks and some ninja knives. Some fortnum and mason chocolate coins and I’ll be very happy.
I hated being let down by both ex husbands at Christmas and other special occasions, it hurt a lot, so I’ve made the days gently lovely for myself for years.
Honestly, enjoy yourself.

@HelpMeUnpickThis sending 🫂💐🙏❤️

Feeling this GrannyTeapot! I got so tired of men buying me shit that I just started buying for myself. It’s one of the best things about being single I’d say.
And Fortnum and Mason cookies too!

One bonus of being a single mum at Christmas is that you always live your presents! I think Granny Teapot has summed it up perfectly!
When my dc were young a friend would take them to the £1 shop to buy what they wanted then provide wrapping (I reciprocated with her dc), as they have got older they do buy me gifts themselves! But for young DC it’s also important to show them that Santa hasn’t forgotten mum!

Do this every year! For my birthday it's become a bit of a tradition to go shopping with them, I stand very still in the middle of the store, they pick an item or two and then I get "blindfolded" while we pay (they're not old enough to shop by themselves yet) and they find it hilarious.

For Christmas this year I've got a new Ugg hat, a pair of trainers, some new earbuds, a book & a necklace. Spoiled myself a bit yes, but considering I'm on bedrest from a complicated hysterectomy, feel zero guilt whatsoever.

Everyone deserves a little treat over Christmas!

I'm loving these responses thanks for sharing and nice words of support. I really feel ok buying myself gifts, I'm at the point now where I just do whatever I please.

I'll be deciding this weekend to take advantage of the Black Friday sales. I don't even want expensive things, just small thoughtful gifts to myself. I've got my eye on a new bathrobe and a new cross stitch kit. Obviously chocolates too. Oh and I will also be wrapping them with full wrapping paper, ribbon and gift bag!

Anyone have any other ideas to share? I would like some books but want some inspirational uplifting books to read.