we have 4 kids, 2 teen boys and 3yr old twins. Money is severly tight, and i am already worrying about christmas. The twins will be fairly easy to please, but teen boys? AAAGH!! Any ideas??
2006-07-25 19:36:51 · 18 answers · asked by nascarmommy 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
We've all had tight Christmas budgets. The lay away idea is good. Also, look for close-outs and discontinued items. Try stores that are closing. Look in the local paper for items that will please but don't have to be brand new. (Sometimes a coat of paint works wonders.) The most important thing is to teach the real meaning of Christmas. Kids understand more than we give them credit for.
2006-07-25 19:45:42 · answer #1 · answered by brynmerdin 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would start looking for gifts now, it's easier to spend a little at a time, than alot at once. I would look on Ebay and Craigs List for some possible bargains on maybe game systems or games that the boys would like. You can always get them some gift cards for a couple of stores so they can go shopping after Christmas when everything is on sale. Toys R' Us usually has some early bird specials in December. You might find some board games, remote control cars or sports equipment they might like. Another idea is food, beverage, book or CD gift certificates (like Baskin Robbins, Borders, Jamba Juice, Circuit City).
2006-07-25 19:47:21 · answer #2 · answered by Foo Foo Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well the good news is... christmas is 5 months away. Start saving up little by little. if you saved 2 dollars a day and put it in a 'kids christmas fund' by december you would have 280 dollars. Which, im sure would be enough for your kids.
Another option would be to talk to your local non profit organizations that give away free toys to kids during christmas time. These places have toy drives and give the toys to the parents so it looks like the parents or 'santa' gave them to the kids. You can sign up usually in late november. They have them in malls, schools, radio stations etc. and they buy for the kids ages so its always something the kids would enjoy
your other option would be buying something 'used'. you can find great deals on ebay or even garage saling. teens like ipods or mp3 players, skakeboards, sports equipment, electronics, even clothes or nice shoes ect... and you can find all of that EASILY on ebay or garage sales (some even unopened and unused!). also dont wait for christmas time to get the toys. buy them soon and hide them so you get a good deal now.
good luck. start saving and it will all workout!
2006-07-25 19:45:37 · answer #3 · answered by 128333 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try setting aside a little money every week from now on so it doesn't drain your acct at Christmas. Teens are tough to please, you may want to get them a bunch of cheap stocking stuffers and couple of inexpensive fun gifts to open Christmas morning, but have the main one be a gift certificate to a store they like. They can chose to use theirs separately, or combine them to buy one thing which they can share. Check the classifieds from now on and pick up anything they would like ~ second hand is better than nothing! Do some searches on ebay, there's lots of time to receive the items before Christmas and you can get GREAT deals on all sorts of things they're bound to like.
2006-07-25 19:46:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should start saving christmas money as soon as possible and a week before christmas go and buy stuff.Just save like,$5 dollars a week every week and by the time christmas rolls around you'll have plenty enough cash to get them all some nice things.
2006-07-26 05:21:00 · answer #5 · answered by charmed_ones_lover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show lots of love and give something personal that means something to each child-something they wouldn't expect you to give them. That will probably mean more to them than anything else.
That being said, a lot of banks have "holiday accounts" that are designed to help you start saving now a little at a time. Then, if you're looking for something specific, scrounge the "Day After Thanksgiving" sales and hit the stores early.
Best wishes.
2006-07-25 19:45:07 · answer #6 · answered by K M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have some traditions? Just do what you can to make those happen and try not to worry about the big gifts. I know it's hard but my best Christmas was when we had no money and it was more about spending time with family, not the gifts.
2006-07-25 19:41:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you equate "a good Christmas" with material objects you may have a problem.
Consider expanding your definition of "a good Christmas" to include more non-material values... like quality family time and things like that.
2006-07-25 19:46:08 · answer #8 · answered by Tom D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teach them the true meaning of Christmas...The teens surely don't believe in all that rubbish about satan clause (oops I mean santa) Why cause so much worry and financial stress over it...
2006-07-25 19:43:41 · answer #9 · answered by a_cup_vt2003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ditto on the layaway
also, check store flyers. if something is on sale that you have on layaway youcan ask to get it at the other stores sale price or take it off layaway and go to the other store.
last christmas was very hard for me. my youngest still beleives in santa but my i was honest w/ my oldest and she understood. she was pleased w/ what she got and really surprised me w/ how understanding she was.
2006-07-25 19:45:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋