Single parent Christmas/ no family

[FrostedBerries]

Does anyone else’s kids not get bought anything for Christmas off anyone like no extended family including ex, so just you buying presents? Does it make you feel like you have to buy extra to make up for it? Ive really messed up this year as I didn’t start early enough now I’m panicking that I haven’t got them enough definitely doing it earlier next year. They are use to getting much more because I felt like I had to compensate so it will be a noticeable difference this year.

Anyone

I don’t think you should ever feel like you need to compensate with presents. You don’t say how old your children are but honestly they will remember the day you give them not the presents.
Have some fun games lined up, a nice walk or an extra special dessert. If you ask yourself honesty what you got for Christmas the age your children are now what would you say?

Sweetheart, I am a solo mum too and overbuying at Xmas is not what they need.

It's just filling up landfill. And emptying your purse when there are bills to pay.

Just make a lovely Christmas meal. We do that and always have a great day.
He's 34 now.

Bet you are a great mum.

I buy every single present. It’s alot of pressure.

I'm in the same position.. only me that buys presents.. totally sympathise. And I very much overcompensating.. it's so tough

I’m in the same boat and I have bought them more than I otherwise would :( But also they deserve some abundance, it’s been a fucking shitstorm of a year. The pressure of it all landing on me though feels huge - i just don’t want to mess it up for them. I want them to feel relaxed, feel loved. And trying to tell myself that this comes from the atmosphere, the thought, the effort, the closeness not from things of monetary value. It’s not an easy time OP. All we can do is our best.

Thanks all, they are use to a lot more as I went overboard in the previous years to compensate for having no one else around but this year I left it too late but have 3 days to get as much as I can

We are the only ones buying gifts for our children, we try not to go over board though and stick to things they really want/need

More importantly, on Christmas Day we build Lego with them and play board games for hours. Those are where the memories lie, rather than the gifts they get

I get it and I do overcompensate too. But honestly, the memories come from the little traditions you do together, the games, the routine and all that matters is that they have you and they have a fun day.

I buy my DD loads but if I asked her in Feb what she got for Christmas, she’d struggle to list the items. She will, however, remember other things that we did - our Christmas Eve walk in to town for hot chocolate, dominos, early bath, face masks and watching nativity with a big sharing bowl of Cheetos!

Enjoy your day & your DS has got the best thing already which is time with you🎅🎄

As a PP they won’t even remember what they got come February, so Christmas morning can be quantity over quality.

Fill a basket on Amazon, request next day delivery.

And yes! I too over compensate - for lack of extended family interest - and I’m not single!

Sorry I mentioned single as two parents buying is still different as they won’t receive anything from their father he is not in contact I think I make up for it more through guilt of that rather than family tbh so they don’t feel sad they don’t get anything from their father as they’ve got enough from me

That does work! I was brought up in a single-parent household and got lots of presents, never once thought of my dad….. until he showed up in the evening with a very small gift for my sister and I to share. However, if he hadn’t though, I wouldn’t have cared as I had so many from Santa/mum already!

This is me

My gosh yes

We can't help it

Last year the biggest hits were

Pack of balloons and whiteboards with markers (8 points ds worth)

So do not panic
Colouring sets
Some markers

Try not to worry please xxxxxx

Mine are older now preteens and teens so would look at me like I was mad 😔 I miss them being little it was easier and cheaper

Oh! Now they’re older you’ll not be able to get the same quantity as previous years as everything they like costs so much more than the items they used to enjoy. They’ll understand this.

Make a list of the things you think they’ll like and ask ChatGPT where could you get these items in (such and such) shopping area or online with next day delivery.

single Mum who also buys everything as no extended family. Definitely overcompensate for this.

i am the only one buying for my kids. As PP says, presents are the least of it. Yes I have previously bought them nice things but nothing excessive. We have a lovely meal and play games after dinner and watch a movie together. That’s what they remember most, not the gifts they got.

What I most loved about Christmas as a child was the anticipation, from lunchtime on Christmas Eve onwards. Fairy lights on the tree, gifts under it, bowls of nibbles, Christmas films to watch, doing jigsaw puzzles.

I've always bought a smaller amount as it felt nicer and I wanted to know I culd always maintain it. We used to get a lot from one set of grandparents, but I kept much of it aside in a cupboard for throughout the year as it was unhealthy and unnecessary.

We did homemade gifts and special things in stockings, and then 4-6x gifts under the tree. Usually always a boardgame, a book, and a few other toys they were loving at the time.

What I consistently found is that they'd play with each gift for a long time before even opening up the next gift. It took almost all day to play with everything. They always had a great time, and it was much better than the 3 years we had relatives to visit (who threw another parcel at us every 2 minutes and didn't let them enjoy anything).

Yes, I typically avoid overspending on gifts. I establish a budget and mostly fill a sack with humorous, practical items and things I believe they'd like.

My ex's family used to buy an absolute pile of plastic tat and meaningless stuff.

As a kid, I usually got one book and one toy, often second-hand. I’m financially secure and indifferent to brand names.