I need help getting gifts for my four children this year, does anyone have any advice?

Question

I am a divorced hardworking mother of four who is in a finacial bind this year for Christmas.I just don't know what to do! I do work full time and also clean on the side. Our apt. was broken into when we moved after losing our house this past year.When we were robbed they took alot of personall affects as well as the Christmas gifts I had managed to buy so far. I don't have anything to sell or pawn. I've already tried reaching out to programs that help families during the holidays and that has been hard because their aren't many in our area.There are more families than donations to go around where we live. Our church cannot help us either because they are in the process of building a new church and they just don't have the funds. No, this isn't even my computer that I'm using. I'm forced to use a friends to get on the internet. We don't have any luxeries like cable or the internet. We are scraping by.I don't get any child support and their dad is over $42,000.00 behind. Any advice?

Answer 1

You know yourself that Christmas is not about receiving but more about giving. It is sad to learn that your family have been experiencing difficult circumstances. I think you should gather the children together and tell them that this year everyone is going to make a gift for each member of the family and recycling what is around the house is the what they have to work with also they can use things they find that are free. Children's imaginations need to be spurred. If you can all get in the right spirit of things then it may be the best Christmas ever because you will all be pulling together for each other.

The Ebay Giving Board is a lot of Ebay users who have banded together to help people in need.

http://chatboards.ebay.com/chat.jsp?forum=1&thread=59

Also you can try this site

http://christmas-for-kids.app-my-grant-stuff-1.aidpage.com/

Answer 2

I am sorry that you are having such a hard time of the year. I would go into a local thrift store and get whatever i could afford. The children unless old enough wouldn't know it was used. And if they do explain your situation with them, maybe on a different level and let them know what it going on.
i shop there sometimes, and you can get stuff for a little over $1. I am very tight on Christmas, and I found a few cute things there, and also at the dollar store.
I understand kids expect Christmas to be full of gifts, but maybe if it is too hard at all, try to just buy them 1 thing (even $1) so they can just open it. Then say well once we get on our feet more we'll try to get these things. But I may need help, so it may take a bit....
Contact other organizations that can help you. Local thrift stores may throw in something for help. Otherwise other area churches. Toys for Tots, Salvation army, don't accept no, and keep calling, ask them where they can refer you to.

As for the ex husband- look into help from the state that you are in to start the process rolling on the back child support. You can possibly contact your local FIA (family Independant Agency) as they carry child support papers. Or contact the court where you had everything finalaized with numbers and such, and let them be aware that he is not paying.
All I have to say is what an *** not to even help with his own children!

Answer 3

Unfortunately I have been in the same situation although that was quite a number of years ago. Is Dad in jail, he should be. I'd be persuing that issue which there are several places that would help you collect back child support. Tell your children the truth. Do what you can to make it as special as you can. Spread the word to friends and family, maybe they will help a little extra this year. Do some shopping at the $ stores or Goodwill, little items add up. String popcorn, play Christmas music, make some paper snowflakes, bake some cookies together, anything to make it more festive and fun. Your time together is the most important.

Answer 4

this is a really tough situation for anyone. if i were you i would be honest with my kids, not that you aren't right now, but maybe explaining whats happening will help them understand. for gifts, if you have time, maybe making them something, like their favorite desserts and letting them stay up late. you could give them an entire day, maybe the day after christmas, where the kids could do anything they wanted, or go anywhere. if you have any special talent you could use it to make them something, like if you're good at knitting or sewing, you could make them some cool clothes. i just really hope you all have a great christmas, despite the situation, and i congratulate you for being such a wonderful and devoted mother. a lot of people ive met would never try this hard.

Answer 5

listen dear this is definitely a very hard situation, all children love gifts and especially Christmas ones, but you should work with them and teach them how hard is our lives, and tell them if you can't buy gifts for them this Christmas you will next year, and another thing they should know even if they are kids that having a caring mom like you is the best Christmas gift they wont find it in any market in the world, you can contact donors even out of your area to get some fund but don't take loans cause you will be obliged to work more harder to get them back so don't think of this clew

Answer 6

I'm confused. This sounds like the very same question that was posed just a few days ago under a different nickname whereby you were asking for $$$. What happened to "coolstylistmom"? You need to tell your kids that money is tight this year and the true meaning of Christmas is not in receiving gifts. Do something special with them like go to the movies and see Happy Feet.

Answer 7

Honestly, those kids don't want gifts, they just want their mommas attention, to be with them, to see if your face lights up when they walk in the room.

Usually when my mom was broke, she went to the dollar store and bought some cheap barbies, but I still liked them.

or, maybe you can just buy one thing for all of them, I don't know how old your kids are, but those big trampolines are cool, you can get one with 200 bucks.

Answer 8

Your mom evidently does not wish you to undergo for all that she goes by way of. I would not promote it. I believe that she need to have stored to get it given that she desired it for you. If you promote it you may also harm her emotions. Try to support out in exclusive approaches, probably purchasing a few meals if in case you have a bit of coins.

Answer 9

My heart goes out to you, friend. These must be pressing times. Perhaps something they could all share? Something that could be for all of them...the way a video game console works. I didnt catch their ages, love.

Bright blessings to you!

Answer 10

Well just give them a giftcard or money to buy what they want,I think 25-50$ is good

p.s.-its the thought that counts