What gift ideas do you have for a family of four with little money for Christmas? We've had it rough.?

Question

My husband was out of work for about 5 months and now has a job that only pays $8.00 and hour. We have gotten help with food and clothing and bills, but Christmas is coming up and we don't know how we are going to make gifts or buy gifts for our loved ones and our kids especially. I usually make gift baskets and even those aren't too cheap when you have little to no money coming in.

Answer 1

Have you looked into Thrift Shops? They can have some neat toys and some good as new.
Also you can make items for them or together. Use things in nature like leaves, pinecones, sticks etc. Books at your local library will give you plenty of ideas. Check one out.

You can go caroling, make cookies, get them involved in helping others like visit a nursing home or senior center. Another cool idea is to make a big Christmas Basket (decorated). As a gift to your kids let them pick a card out of the basket each week for two months (something like that). Put index cards in the basket (decorated with santa, reindeer, candy canes or ?) with an inscription or wish.
Examples:
I will take you to the Park for Two Hours
Bake cookies together, you choice of type
I will play football with you for an afternoon
I will take you fishing and teach you how (wow)
We will go on a 3 hour hike
We will go to a local animal park to see the animals
We will build sandcastles together at the beach
We will go to the local swimming pool to swim

You can find literally hundreds of things you can do that your kids will enjoy for low cost or no cost. They will LOVE this. Make it fun. Anytime a kid get to spend quality time with a parent they love it more than any toy. This really works, just please try it. But remember to follow through, dont ever not do what they pick. Maybe pick Sunday as they day of the week they pick the adventure.

Also you can see if the local newspaper will run an ad for you that your kids are not getting Christmas this year. They love humanitarian stories and may feature your family. You can also talk to churches (they have toys and food) or local non-profits like the Family Resource Centers, Boys and Girls Club or get your kids put on an Angel Tree ( people pull the names and buy them a gift, but make sure it is a resonable toy). Womens Centers may help also. Many churches and non-profits have parties for less fortunate kids, I know I used to buy 100 gifts each year and help throw the party. Help is out there start searching.

All kids deserve CHRISTMAS. Good Luck

Answer 2

First of all home made gifts are the best and if you cant do that goto a dollar store they have TONS of things there. We were in you position not to long ago. Remember its not the present that is the big deal its the thought and i know that sounds stupid but its true. I once made my mother a book of poetry we didnt have any money to spend and she loved it. Or even baked goods like cookies are great too

Answer 3

Who says you have to give anything? As a stay at home mom, we budget to the last nickel on one income. We told our family and friends that we would not be able to buy anything for them and they were very supportive. If you really think about it, little gifts end up on the shelf anyway. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and I'm sure your family and friends would understand. If you have to give something, bake cookies and put them in a nice tin you can get from the dollar store.

Answer 4

sometimes you can find some good toys, clothes, etc at resale shops -- talk to some friends who maybe are discarding items, maybe you can get some things that way. Make up a coupon book where kids are offered things like - movie rental night (you can rent for free at libraries!) - a 'whatever you want' night (within reason where you cater to them ( make it a fun game type thing).... don't know what ages your talking, but maybe this at least gets your imagination going. Good luck and God bless