Christmas Advice

[LillieAnna]

Hello everyone, I split with my husband at the beginning of the year after finding out he had a serious gambling addiction. His gambling lost the house, our cars pretty much everything of value, and he left me in so much debt taking cards out in my name things have been awful. My son and I have spent this year living between friends, last month the council gave us a home and I have worked so hard to fill it. The reason I am writing this is with Christmas next month I am totally freaking out. I have pennies in the bank I am working so hard to pay off debt and doing as much over time as I can. I have sheltered my son from all of this he asks questions all the time and I quickly play things down for him (he is only 6). My ex isnt helping financially he isnt working and is pretty much drinking himself in a hole. I have no family to help only friends who have already given me so much I cant thank them enough. My question is ..... how can I make Christmas work on zero money? What can I make that a 6 yr old will enjoy? I am totally freaking out. I completely understand there is more to Christmas than gifts etc but he is 6. ANY advice anything will be appreciated.

The entertainment store is great for cheap bits my 6 yo wants slime for Xmas!

I agree. 6 yr olds don't notice expensive presents. Wilkos often do giant teddy bears for £10 and have them half price for a couple of days.

You could also go on Freecycle and ask for any as new toys suitable for that age range. You'll be amazed what people are happy to get rid of.

Thanks ladies, Ive never heard of freecycle ill give that a go. The plus side is he hasnt asked for anything specific so I can play with your ideas a bit 😊😊

Charity shops? The jigsaw puzzles and books are like new. You could start making a collection of something, maybe toy cars? And then put them all in a box with a printed label on for Christmas. Facebay is good for toys too. Or ebay?

In my area there is a toy bank set up each christmas, people donate new or as new toys, very much like the food banks.
Check to see if there is anything like this near you.

Thank you so much I really appreciate this x x x

You can often find lots of toys on gumtree. Also places like b&m, home bargains for toys are brilliant

and start thinking now about cheap Christmas traditions you can start - collecting pine cones for decorations, baking gingerbread, Christmas movie night etc. that's the stuff they'll remember.

Gum tree for second hand bits and the works is great for books and activities

Lots of local buying/selling groups have people practically giving stuff away in the lead up to Christmas (to make room for more crap presumably) and I second Freecycle.

I always find The Works good if you do have a spare £10 to buy a few things, along with Wilkinson's and Lidl/Aldi during toy events.

Home Bargains well their own brand board games really cheaply, we also picked up a science kit in there for less than a fiver. My six year old ds loves a big box of craft stuff that I picked him up for about a fiver in The Works.

Look to see what free events are on locally, last year we found out that there is a local Christmas tree festival each year tht we had no idea about and it was so magical. Local Facebook groups are great for finding that kind of stuff. We also go out one evening near Christmas and look at all the local decorations, my kids absolutely love it and then we have a hot chocolate once home.

Look online on your local NCT page for details of the next sales, I get the majority of my kids Christmas presents from these. You often find unopened Lego etc for a few quid.

I cant thank you all so much for these wonderful ideas ... I am feeling really positive now thank you x x x x

What fors NCT stand for? Xxx

Also eBay, you will have to be selective, as if you are bidding against anyone the postage can make prices not worth it but maybe look at things with only a few mins to go in the middle of the night of odd times of day and you may get bargains. I look for stuff that's suitable on at £0.99 with reasonable postage and bid at the last minute (or bid once and adopt a ' cest la vie' attitude over whether I win or not so I am not tempted to spend more than my budget). It's amazing what you can pick up. Read the description well though just in case.

NCT is national childbirth trust, it's a charity. They are nationwide and run ' nearly new sales' where people can sell good quality new or second hand clothes and toys. The sellers give the charity 25% of their takings for allowing them to sell and the public can go in ( usually £1 entry) and get bargains.

Congratulations on your new home OP. I'm sure you will be able to get some gifts through the avenues suggested. I'm also sure that your child will remember a lovely Christmas with you. 

Congratulations on your new home. So many good suggestions on here, I always do a charity shop regular round up and love car boots for toy bargains. Might be worth having a look at the Christmas thread on here as well as lots of tips and people rave about the Chinese sites where toys are much cheaper. They just take longer to arrive! Home Bargains also got some good stuff at low prices. My DS loves craft stuff and you can buy loads for cheap from HB and make it into a big craft box. They also have Lego activity books in there for 79p. I also pick up cheap bits for under a quid from the Chinese sellers on Amazon - fidget-type toys. If you use Facebook marketplace (only on the app) you can filter results to “free”. Lots of people clearing toys at the moment for Xmas and people often just want stuff gone if it takes up room. Good luck.

I donate gifts to something called a Hamper Scamper each year. I get the age and gender of the child and buy something appropriate for them. Maybe see if your local area does something like this?

They also do food hampers too with nice Christmas treats such as mince pies and chocolates. Local businesses fundraise and donate them

Guys every single one of you is amazing I am overwhelmed by all your suggestions thank you x x

A box of balloons? Maybe make them Christmassy- White one with snowman face, rudolf face, Santa. Can be big box to wrap.
Treasure hunt to Christmas Eve prize- sachet of hot choc each, Christmas movie (voucher for one that is on tv?), plate with carrot for rudolf and mince pies- share with Santa. No need for a fancy one- why not decorate old one you own with sharpies? He could help.
Fake snow? You can buy it in Poundland type places, add water- make a snowy play tub- add some diggers/ cars/ animals/ bits of greenery to make trees.
Make ice bowls? Go for walk, collect some wintry bits- holly, pine cones, etc, freeze into a bowl- large bowl, fill bottom, add decorations, freeze, then stand smaller bowl inside, decorations up side, add more water.
Make loads of snowflakes by cutting up paper, paper chains- afternoon doing some crafty bits, decorated the house.
Time spent doing bits far more valuable than big presents.