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Original poster

No money to buy my children Xmas presents

131 replies

proudmum77 · 11/12/2018 19:15

Just after some advice really. We have no money to buy our 3 children (13, 10, 7) any Xmas presents. I have enough this month to pay bills and rent and that's it. So really I'm asking what do I do? I feel such a failure, ashamed that I can't get them anything. I know Xmas is all about family time and love etc. But how are kids going to feel if there is nothing from their parents? I have raked through our stuff and have some stuff up for sale on Facebook but that doesn't seem to be selling. I just don't know what to do..... feel so stressed....so ashamed......a failure

OP posts:
Sturmundcalm · 11/12/2018 19:47

foodbanks, churches, schools and local businesses in conjunction with charities are all doing collections of toys/gifts for kids in our local area. don't be embarassed - speak to your local equivalent and say that you would appreciate help this year.

Enidblyton1 · 11/12/2018 19:47

I’ve seen lots of supermarkets and other shops with bins by the front door collecting toys and gifts. Does anyone know who is eligible to receive these goods? OP, I’m sure there are ways of getting gifts like these to give to your children. Are you using a food bank? Do these sometimes have gifts as well as food?
I was selling lovely second hand (but you wouldn’t have known) children’s books at the school Christmas fair last week. We only accepted donations - some people were buying lovely books for 20-50p. And what about local charity shops?

Sorry life is tough for you at the moment. Look around your local area/Facebook etc and hopefully you’ll find somewhere giving out gifts to families in need.

There was a lovely post recently, perhaps on Facebook, of a teacher saying what her classes tell her about Christmas. She said it was mostly about seeing family, playing games, staying up late for new year etc. Things which are free or don’t cost much.

GhostSauce · 11/12/2018 19:49

I was about to come on and say Poundland/poundstretcher/b&m etc.

£5 per child. Plenty of drawing stuff/toys/dress up stuff/chocolates etc in Poundland.

BigFarmer · 11/12/2018 19:49

Local charity sorted us out with something lovely for each child this year. Schools do the referrals. Both have something to open now and I'm very thankful to lovely people who give to these schemes.

Primark does fluffy socks for £1. Selection box £1 at tesco. Bubble bath £1 at poundland. My younger won't notice to be honest, elder we explained how work has been hit and miss and we've promised a day out when things improve for us as a family.

Talkinpeece · 11/12/2018 19:49

All I am assuming is that the OP is not great at budgeting and forward planning of finances - hence the thread.
She may be somebody who never buys any of those things
in which case i'm sure she will come back and comment.

If she is in true desperate straits, her local food bank will hopefully already be helping her out.

shpoot · 11/12/2018 19:49

Sign up to some things that send freebies. Toucan box give you the first box free. You can immediately cancel when the box arrives. Inside is a t-shirt and crafty stuff and you can personalise the box.

Look on fbook pages for freebies.

Good luck

shpoot · 11/12/2018 19:50

Sign up to some things that send freebies. Toucan box give you the first box free. You can immediately cancel when the box arrives. Inside is a t-shirt and crafty stuff and you can personalise the box.

Look on fbook pages for freebies.

Good luck

Adviceandguidanceneeded · 11/12/2018 19:51

What a shit situation, there are many projects which can help such as Salvation Army. Do they still believe in Santa? What area are you in roughly?

shartsi · 11/12/2018 19:55

I have found loads of stuff in poundland. Things like scented pens, glitter pens, slime, bath fizz, Lol surprise hair bands, unicorn stuff, cool stationery etc.

muchprefersummer · 11/12/2018 20:07

I went in Poundland today and they had some great stuff. Even if you only get one or two presents for each child (£3-6) - at least they'd have something to open from you.
I'm sorry you're in this situationThanks

NeverTwerkNaked · 11/12/2018 20:08

Have you got any Tesco vouchers/ nectar points/ boots points lurking? Always worth checking if you’re ina tight corner.

Talkinpeece · 11/12/2018 20:13

scented pens, glitter pens, slime, bath fizz, Lol surprise hair bands, unicorn stuff, cool stationery etc.
Stuff
and more stuff

sorry but encouraging the OP to spend what cash she has on stuff that will be in the bin within a month is NOT helping her

90mammasophie · 11/12/2018 20:16

Ask in your local pubs and restaurants if they've got any hours going in the lead up to Xmas for glass collecting / bar back / kitchen porter. So busy this time of year they might take you on cash in hand.
Or any(!) event venue. They are always looking for event staff.
Post on local groups offering cleaning or home help.

That's what I'd do anyway. There IS work at this time of year. Money can be made.

Rarfy · 11/12/2018 20:16

Isn't this what people cash for kids and salvation army collect for? Could you make contact with either of them?

I know when we were kids my parents very kindly received a knock at the door from salvation army who had come with gifts.

dippledorus · 11/12/2018 20:21

Your kids were 8, 5 and 2 in April?

Blueshells · 11/12/2018 20:23

It is very unusual to have not thought about this before December 11, tbf

Blueshells · 11/12/2018 20:24

In April 2013 dipp

Iamtheresurrection · 11/12/2018 20:25

The April post was 2013!

dippledorus · 11/12/2018 20:26

Ah my bad. Blush

Stopwoofing · 11/12/2018 20:29

There are radio appeals for toys for needy families here - you can ask how you’d get on that list? My parents had no cash for presents and on benefits several years when I was a teen (in fact one year oven broke and no Christmas dinner, my mum went to bed as she was so sad) - it was ok, and it didn’t affect how I feel about them.

Talkinpeece · 11/12/2018 20:30

Proudmum
I just did a quick advanced search of your other threads.
There are clearly issues in your family FAR GREATER than raising a few pounds for Christmas.
Do you have social services support to help keep things under control?
If not, go and talk to your GP and get a food bank referral and see what support they can give you.

Pinkyyy · 11/12/2018 20:30

OP why have you left it until now? Have you had a change in circumstances this year?

Theimpossiblegirl · 11/12/2018 20:32

Please reach out to local organisations, we have a 'Hands of Change' fb page in our area where things are given to help people in need, no judgement, just kindness and people trying to help others out.

Also, food banks, Rotary groups, Salvation Army, local church groups.
Best of luck.

Orangepear · 11/12/2018 20:38

Can you wrap up some of their own toys or books they might not have used, or pass down something to the younger ones? Mine are getting some things I've printed out - photos, games, things to make etc. Phoenix magazine has an offer for 4 issues for £1. thephoenixcomic.co.uk/4-issues-for-1-facebook/#form

Unihorn · 11/12/2018 20:44

No booze, no fags, no ready meals, no gambling.
Buy only essentials
Spend that saved money (which will add up to at least £20)
Such a random comment to make, why would you assume that would add up to at least £20? Personally I've spent £20 on ready meals in about two months and none on the other three things. How bizarre an assumption.