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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:
worstpersoneverr · 11/12/2018 20:44

Why do the ages change with all your posts Hmm

worstpersoneverr · 11/12/2018 20:46

Don't matter I got it wrong

Talkinpeece · 11/12/2018 20:46

worstperson
The threads are spread across several years.
The OP needs substantial support.

CircleofWillis · 11/12/2018 20:46

What are you selling on FB? Perhaps if MNHQ are OK with it you could advertise them on here.

HavelockVetinari · 11/12/2018 20:48

FFS these threads are horribly predictable at this time of year and are the reason MN secret Santa stopped - if anyone is thinking of PMing the OP offering money, please don't, you're just perpetuating this kind of thing which happens every flipping year.

JoyceDivision · 11/12/2018 20:49

Be the art of a salary advance to buy gifts because you have a longer period to your next payday and you have used money that doesn't s pound like it's spare to buy gifts so you may struggle further next month.

LIZS · 11/12/2018 20:49

Look out for 3for 2 offers in places like Boots where you can redeem points. Eldest could have a toiletries/make up gift set for example. Or use Tesco points for attraction tickets. Local charity which redistributes kids clothing and baby equipment, also collects gifts at this time of year - maybe there is something similar in your community or through church Salvation Army etc.

dippledorus · 11/12/2018 20:51

Despite my mistake, I really think these threads should be banned. The op could very well be genuine but many aren’t and get PMs of money and it’s impossible for MN to know the difference.

How can you only realise half way into December that you haven’t any presents for kids?

Rarfy · 11/12/2018 20:53

I did wonder the same about how they have realised just now that they can't afford any presents.

worstpersoneverr · 11/12/2018 20:54

And she hasn't replied Hmm

Pinkyyy · 11/12/2018 20:57

I'm always a bit Hmm at these threads too. To be honest I just don't know what people are trying to gain from them. And the fact that the OP hasn't replied rings more alarm bells

kayakingmum · 11/12/2018 20:58

Can you make pretty vouchers for them with something like X's fun day voucher. Each child will have the chance to have a chance to do something fun on a day in the future.
No one spends the whole day opening presents. Fill the day doing other stuff - food, walk, TV/film, church. No point in buying stuff they don't like/want.

HolyQuacamole · 11/12/2018 21:01

Thanks just wanted to send you this. Xxx I hope you all have a lovely Christmas. It really isn't about presents it's about love. And in a few years they will understand all of this.

Maryann1975 · 11/12/2018 21:06

I wonder if the op has buried her head in the sand until now, desperately hoping something will turn up to help pay for Christmas. And now, it looks like nothing will help, and she is bricking it at the thought their are no gifts for the children. Maybe the whole year has been a financial struggle, so there has been nothing to save at all for months. That does happen to people in real life you know. If your income only just cover your outgoings there will never be anything to save for Christmas (especially with three children, who constantly need either shoes/coats/school trip money etc etc etc. Maybe the car or washing machine needed fixing and then What little is left every month very quickly gets used up and nothing is saved. In those circumstances Id probably want to bury my head in the sand too!

dippledorus · 11/12/2018 21:09

I know about being poor. I have been so poor I only had heat on when the kids were in the house and froze when they weren’t here and ate toast for weeks as my only food bar the main meal I cooked for them. And I had that for YEARS. But I never posted on here with a begging thread.

KanielOutis · 11/12/2018 21:09

Can you call your local Council's essential living fund? Our council (and I assume others) do a toy drive so that no child in the borough is without presents. I work on the same floor as the toy drive, and there are whole meeting rooms full and still crates, deliveries and drop offs. More than you can imagine. They won't know that you need help if you don't contact them.

Talkinpeece · 11/12/2018 21:12

The OP will not be back till next year.

KnightlyMyMan · 11/12/2018 21:14

OP- there is help out there!

Every year DP and I (childfree highearners) do a shop of festive food, selection boxes and kids bits and donate it all to the local food bank.
I grew up with little as my parents also prioritised the mortgage and bills. I hate the idea of kids not having something nice on Christmas morning.

If you ask for help from places like the food bank you’ll get it I’m sure xx

TheFairyCaravan · 11/12/2018 21:15

If you look at OP's posting history, she does post an initial post and not come back. No one can say for certain that this is a begging thread so it's shitty to speculate imo. I'm fully aware that this time of year does bring out the chancers however OP might be at rock bottom after not facing this issue for months and just want some ideas.

I've got nothing to suggest that hasn't already been said Proudmum but I hope you manage to get something sorted.

Wait4nothing · 11/12/2018 21:21

I know not many left but our children’s centre has had toy donation from companies so worth mentioning if you have a local one

Hezz · 11/12/2018 21:37

I think these threads should all be taken down too, unless after genuine advice.

Original poster
proudmum77 · 11/12/2018 21:43

Thank you to all of you that have given me some useful suggestions. I will be looking into all of them and see what is do-able. To all the other people who have said unkind things I will explain myself. I have not replied so far because I have been spending time with my children, playing with them, putting the to bed, reading with them, making tea etc etc etc. I don't sit with my phone in my hand waiting for replies. I'm not asking for money for those who said that. I simply wanted some ideas of how to get around the situation because my head is so battered that I couldn't think of any. I have had my head stuck in the sand because we are so strapped for cash (amongst other things). We don't smoke, drink etc. We have enough to pay bills etc and as someone else said if any extras come up then it makes it almost impossible to live. We have done nothing but pay out for things at school, the car needed work doing (which I need or can't work as there is no train or bus other than once a day at dinner time). I just wanted help and support. So as I said thank you to those who have offered this xx

OP posts:
Wintermuter · 11/12/2018 21:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 11/12/2018 21:52

OP will they be getting presents off other family members?

Original poster
proudmum77 · 11/12/2018 21:54

Yes they will

OP posts: