I don't understand why those who are struggling why there children would have to go without at xmas when there are sooo many second hand shops around with lovely gifts for children and endless charity workers around who would love to help.
2006-12-17 15:22:01 · 8 answers · asked by coastey 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Yes xmas time is not all about the gifts but when I come on here and see how many say they can't afford for there kids it makes me wonder if they are smokers or people who prefer a handout then to get a job.
2006-12-17 15:40:12 · update #1
The American economy, thanks to our village idiot having control of the reins, is such that people are happy to be getting food and heat this christmas. Did you know that the average salary in America is $8,000 per year? It is true.
Peace!
2006-12-17 15:25:55 · answer #1 · answered by carole 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before I became disabled I was working full time, had food stamps, govt, housing, etc. at the end of the month, i had about $20 left over. I did not smoke, drink, do drugs, etc. My son wore used clothes from a local second hand shop...If my parents had not bought him new clothes and toys for Christmas he would not have gotten them...yes, there are second hand shops around and the toys may be cheap but when you have $20 a month left to live on, cheap is not cheap..when you have to consider unexpected expenses that might occur.. Some people can barely keep their heads above water and have to decide that rent and food is more important...though kids don't understand..Yes, there are places like salvation army that helps at Christmas but in order for that to be successful, people have to donate the toys and food..If not, the programs useless..there were 40,000 kids last year that got no Christmas because not enough things were donated.
2006-12-18 00:44:11 · answer #2 · answered by chilover 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Even with second-hand shops, for families struggling to pay bills year-round, the holiday season is extra hard. Remember, it's the end of the fiscal year and things like renewing leases and insurance premiums are coming up, not to mention that utilities sometime go up in the winter. Also, paychecks often come in slightly later than scheduled or smaller than usual for hourly workers whose employers may have reduced hours for the holidays. Finally, for those who are struggling to pay bills, any extra purchase, any time, is just too much. No matter how cheap the extra purchase, it's still extra and some budgets can't handle it. Sit down and figure out how you would live on minimum wage ($5.15 an hour), let alone buy presents with that income.
2006-12-17 23:45:26 · answer #3 · answered by Amanda L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm glad you said that. I was an abandoned, single parent who never smoked or drank because all my minimum wage job money went for my daughter's tummy, her health, on her back or over her head. Yet, I budgeted enough to have a little funds set aside for her to go on school trips, have a little spending money for them, and took advantage of applying for the holiday charities for extras for her when they had the sign-ups in September and October like eveyone knows, not wait until the holidays were smack on them and the kids couldnt be included , but the parents always had money for cigarettes and beer. I paid attention to what was available and I wasn't afraid of applying to what I needed, not what I didnt so someone else wouldnt suffer without. I knew one day I would repay all those unknown kind people who had donated when I was down in my luck and now I am living better I have been repaying ever since thru donations or contributions. I taught my daughter and now her children are doing the same for others where they live. God bless everyone who is in need and I hope you wont be this coming year and more.
2006-12-21 13:04:51 · answer #4 · answered by miladybc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So many people are struggling just to keep up with the day today bills that often there is just not enough left to save for Christmas. Even buying at second hand shops costs money. Not everyone is fortunate.
2006-12-17 23:30:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Going crazy trying to give gifts to all these kids is not what this season is all about !!
Sure, it would be nice if all these kids could have super gifts at Christmastime, but that is not the reason for the season.
There should not be a struggle as you suggest.
That is not why we celebrate Christmas!!! The gifts are not nearly as important as we have been brainwashed into believing .
2006-12-17 23:34:02 · answer #6 · answered by Gnome 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that they are just lazy. Because you can get great deals on things during the year and you just stockpile it till Christmas. For example last Christmas I only spent 40 on my son but I was able to get him alot of toys because I started buying the things I wanted to get him when they went on sale through out the year. Plus shopping at Kohl's helps since they have their toys 50% off and if you use your Kohl's card you get another 15 % off, plus if you go with a senior you get an extra 10 % off also.
So actually you can afford to get them toys if you want to. My inlaws tried to use that excuse and my hubby believed them up until last Christmas when he say all of the toys I got for our son and the receipt.
2006-12-17 23:49:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They are like my neighbors: They have a car that hardly runs, cost $ to keep it running, he's on disability, she doesn't drive, so she doesn't work, they smoke their brains out (cigarettes) and because the car doesn't run they buy most of their food and soda at the convenience store, so it costs twice as much, they can't get ahead, I guess.
2006-12-17 23:32:28 · answer #8 · answered by Sheila 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋