Single mom laid off from job and cant afford xmas presents?

Question

HI, I am a single mom of 2 little boys and was just laid off from my job, i was not thier long enough so can not collect unemployment. I go for days without eating so I can feed my children but am really worried about christmas this year, Im so afraid my kids will wake up in the morning to find nothing under the tree. I have gone to echo ect, and they say thier isnt much they can do on such little notice and the churchs i have gone too usually just send me to echo or snub me cuz im not a member. I really dont know where to turn my heart is just breaking and it brings me to tears almost every day.

people are asking how old my kids are, they are 6 & 4, both boys and both love your typical boy stuff, trucks, cars ect. They are both really into that movie cars and the youngest loves diego. Thanks for all your support. And I am looking for a job and have applied at almost every where I can think of, no luck yet.

Answer 1

Maybe teach your children that christmas is not about presents and they won't grow up to be materialistic. Try making something with them and just give them your TIME. Have you asked your friends or family for a little help?

Answer 2

I'm sorry to hear that the church has let you down as an institution rather than as the body of Christ it should be. Have you tried personally approaching the deacons of a particular church (the deacons are the people directly responsible for assisting the needy of the congregation and the community, as they were in Jesus's day responsible for 'widows and orphans'...) and spelling out exactly what your needs are? A grocery store voucher to get food for Christmas dinner, a Toys-R-Us gift card for the kids, a gas coupon or transit card?

You don't say how old your children are, but if they are old enough to expect gifts, they are old enough to have you sit lovingly with them and explain that 'we' (as a family) don't have enough money to buy a lot of presents this year. If you are so short that you are doing without food yourself, toys should not really be a priority. Consider this: if you fall ill, who will take care of your children? Adjust your own oxygen mask first, as they say on the airline safety drill...

Having said that, there are plenty of thrift stores and dollar stores where a few bucks can go a long way for some presents.

Try checking out the wonderful links online (because obviously you have internet access) such as http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/being_thrifty/86076 - or Google yourself for phrases such as 'budget christmas' or 'thrifty christmas'. Pioneers managed to keep the Christmas spirit alive without store-bought decorations and gifts; showing the love you have for your boys is the best thing you can do.

Keep your courage and your faith alive, and make sure you take care of yourself as well.

Love,
bardmistress

Answer 3

I'm appalled that churches would turn you away because you're not a member. I belong to a church that would do everything in their power to get you whatever help you needed. In fact, the priest would probably call one of our wealthier parishioners, explain the problem and ask what they could do to help you.

If you have 211 service in your area, call them and ask them for a referral (literally just dial 211 and you should get a "human services" operator).

There's always Toys for Tots. Ask your kids' teachers about agencies that work with underprivileged kids in the school. Someone else also mentioned Craigslist.com. That could be a great thing, but do NOT let anyone who answers you come to your home. Meet them in a neutral place - like a Walgreens' parking lot or major grocery store - well lit and public. And then make sure they don't try to follow you home. Craigslist is great and you can find a lot of help, but you have to be careful of the nuts who use it as a hunting ground.

Good luck and I wish you were in my town. I'd do everything I could to give your kids a Christmas.

Answer 4

omg. I'm feel sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad for you! an idea is to make your own holiday presents. you can get paper and glue and other things to make cards or other stuff.

As for your food and money problem, try to get a newspaper and look for another job. Maybe even get a loan from a local bank and pay them back once you get a job. when you go grocery shopping, look for the shop rite or store name brands. they are usually much cheaper and sometimes on sale. Take the couple extra minutes to find out what the best, cheapest, and most money worth choice.

Try to join a church and then your can probably find help. Many Church's have people that can help. My church does a lot with Habitat for Humanity and other groups to help people. Also, look for a soup kitchen nearby. they can give out free food so you wont have to starve yourself for your children.Good Luck! If you need any more help, e-mail me. I will keep your family in my prayers.

Answer 5

My heart goes out to you. I recommend going to sign up for food stamps immediately - like TODAY! Tell them it's an emergency and you need your application processed ASAP! While you are there you can explain your situation to them and ask about local charities than may be able to help with Christmas for the kids and your utility bills. I dont know where you live, but where I am we have many Christmas charities. There's Toys for Tots, church groups, etc. If you act now you can get your kids on one of their lists. Also, there is a nationwide group on the web called Freecycle.... www.freecycle.org Go there and join the group in your area, then you can make a post and explain your situation. You are likely to receive lots of help from folks on there. I have been in your situation before and I know exactly how you feel. Hopefully things will start looking up for you soon. Best of luck to you.

Answer 6

First, your situation is tough, but it WILL get better

i would take this as an opportunity to get into the true spirit of christmas, which is about love, not things. i know it may be hard to children to understand that, esp if they're used to getting a lot of things, but they should. On christmas i would try to be very creative, either take them outside for a special christmas event. Or i would have them each make something special for each other. And/or hand out ious. If you really want to buy them something, remember young kids are more into quantity not quality (contrary to popular belief). If you go to a thrift store or a dollar store and get them 10 toy cars a peice they will be estatic. you can cover the gifts in cartoon newsprint or even ad print (something colorfull).

anyway, good luck!

also, try to contact WIC. they will be able to give you food and things.

Answer 7

In your case I would be much more concerned about going for days without eating than I would about Christmas. Can you get on WIC? If you're laid off from your job you should be able to get food stamps. Then go to a thrift store and buy a few used toys for your kids. You could probably get them each two presents for under $10 total. The presents my daughter is getting for Christmas I either bought used or made myself. It's cheap but she doesn't mind.

Answer 8

Your local social services office (have you gone for food stamps, leap and Medicaid?) should be able to point you in the right direction. Some food banks will help. Sometimes you get new, sometimes used. One place here (co) has used bikes. A friend of mine had some cops show up (unexpectedly) with coats and new toys for her kids. So check a lot of local places and register at a few. Good Luck

Answer 9

That really sucks, I almost started to cry when I read this. You know what you can do to get chistmas presents, is make them yourself. Find little gadgets lying around the hosue you don't use anymore and make something new and great out of them. Making soemthing for the ones you love really shows how much you readlly do love them. I know I am only a teenager, but i've been through alot. I sure hope this helps.

Answer 10

You might try getting on public assistance until you can find work. I don't know what kind of job you are looking for, but cleaning jobs are pretty easy to find. Call your local WIC office, they my be able to get you in touch with some programs that can help you.

I have to say that I'm surprised that your local churches would not help you out. I was raised by a pastor and his wife and they would always try to help folks in need. I hope that you get the help that you need. I wish I could help more, but my husband and I are scraping by also.

Answer 11

Post your e-mail address or Wish List "name" on a web site like Toys R Us, Target Walmart, etc

Let us know the 2-3 things the kids want, I will be happy to send 1-2 presents.