I am A mother of four boys I love Christmas it my favorite time of the year but I get so stressed trying to buy what they want with only so much money does any one have any ideas their ages are 14, 12, 5,and 1
2006-10-02 12:18:25 · 8 answers · asked by SAHM and proud of it 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Okay, the fact is, kids ARE materialistic. Its' not easy to do Christmas on a budget, but it is possible. Leap Frog has products for all ages. Their all educational, so that's a huge plus. The problem is they can be pricey. Have your three older boys make a list of ten (reasonable) items they want. Make a list of ten you'd like to see each of them have. Hop on ebay.com or overstock.com and try to find the products at a discount. Ten or more items gives you several options to work with, and you can purchase only what you can afford and feel is necessary from the list. Let your older two know what is out (violent games, i-pod, etc. whatever you know you won't afford or don't want them to have). For the baby, buy a few things to unwrap (toddlers love that), but take TONS of pictures. You'll have those in twenty years, long after the toys are broken. Best wishes!
One more thing, sites like clubmom.com and upromise.com can give you points if you choose these links through their sites.
2006-10-02 14:45:47 · answer #1 · answered by teeney1116 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the first answer; I have 3 kids, and growing up, I didn't have alot of money for christmas. Let me tell you, any toy- even if it's from a dollar store, will make a 1 year ols smile. At 5 crayons and paper or color books always works. The other 2 children- ask them what they want. See what really makes them light up. Let them know the gifts they ask for need to be within a certain spending amount. Then take them shopping at the dollar store and let them pick out some gifts for others- or each other. It teaches them a little about the spirit of giving. One year, my 12 year old son asked for a bicycle lock. It was only $5, but it was all he wanted, and it was all the money I could afford to spend on him. He never had a better christmas, and he's 30 now.
2006-10-02 19:38:19 · answer #2 · answered by babidoozer 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I often start my Christmas shopping in September or October. THe best toys are still available and you can budget what you like to spend on each person/child and stick to it. Less crowds that way too. Perhaps the older two could try to earn some of the money for thier favorite toys this year. and then you can spend less. there is always somone who needs a little hlep and has a few extra dollars to hand out.
2006-10-02 22:29:26 · answer #3 · answered by Krys M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Teach your kids the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Anyone that celebrates Christmas and doesn't know or care about the true meaning shouldn't celebrate christmas. If you have a "Family Dollar" in the area or a "Walmart" Go there, but don't spend a fortune on them. If you get your kids what they want EVERY year they won't learn to earn what they want and appreciate what they have. I am a family of 4 and I have $100 christmas bonus I have to get gifts for my kids. Check out the link I have provided
2006-10-03 11:34:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can look into discount stores like Big Lots where they sell toys for cheaper than usual. Also Five Below has some cool things that my kids love. For clothing, which is a necessity for most children who are constantly growing but people keep saying it is materialistic stuff and dis-include the necessities, try the clearance racks at wal-mart, k-mart or target. I find things sometimes for just a couple bucks. There is a few store's like Ross's or Gabriel Brother's, and even Burlington that sells namebrand stuff dirt cheap.
2006-10-03 00:51:46 · answer #5 · answered by Becsteroni Magl 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hohoho :)
You can easily have a stress free Christmas:
http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/08/31/how-to-have-a-stress-free-and-relaxed-christmas/
1yo: (first christmas?)
http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/09/01/how-to-celebrate-baby%e2%80%99s-first-christmas/
14yo/12yo gift ideas: (boy or girl?)
http://gift-ideas.christmasgifts.net/Teen-christmas-gifts.php
5yo gift ideas:
http://gift-ideas.christmasgifts.net/Kid-christmas-gifts.php
2006-10-03 05:17:25 · answer #6 · answered by im_david 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes the non materalistic way that only works if you dont have kids... anyhow.. try starting early and picking up a few dollars here and there or lay away, or look into Angel Tree they help alot if you qualify
2006-10-02 19:34:05 · answer #7 · answered by Shadow Kat 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Teach your kids not to be so materialistic. Love is more important than material objects and it lasts a lot longer too.
2006-10-02 19:22:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋