i have no money for my kids christmas, what do i do, with only 2 weeks left?

Question

as we all know the meaning of christmas has really gotten blown out of poportion. i have 2 girls, kyeigh age 4 and jaidyn age 2. Until the other night didnt not know what the real reason we even celebrate christmas. They have watched movies or T.V. shows that when you wake up on christmas morning there are alot of presents from santa under the tree. i have also to blame for that. now that i have taught my kids the meaning of "new age christmas" i have no money to for fill my girls wish list. what do i do?

Answer 1

take a loan out of your bank or work overtime

Answer 2

First of all - you should teach your kids the TRUE meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it. They are still very young, so they may not understand fully, but they must know it's about more than just presents under the tree. Beyond that...

If you belong to a church you should go visit the minister/priest/rabbi and see if they can help you out. Otherwise I would contact toys for tots or another charitable organization in your area that can give you some toys for your children. Even if they have just one thing to open on Christmas they will feel included.

Answer 3

You make the best of a bad situation and use whta you have on hand. maybe you have a cute little necklace in your jewelry box that you could give your older daughter and you could make them each something special in the kitchen.
Take a few dollars and go to the Salvation Army and get used gifts. There are some pretty nice things at Good Will and places like that these days.

And honey, if you are that broke, check into some assistance. Food Stamps could go a long way to making this a little merrier season for you.

And next year, try to save up a little as the commericalism will only make your kids want MORE MORE MORE.
good luck!

Answer 4

They are only 2 & 4. Set your standards NOW.

Tell them honestly that Christmas isn't about a lot gifts, but about love and giving, and DO something special with them (like driving them around looking at Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate in the car.)

Re: "expecting" stuff from Santa
I tell my kids that Santa is way smarter than we are, and sometimes he doesn't bring what we ask for because he knows it might not be as fun as it looks or because it isn't age appropriate, etc. If he doesn't think it is a good idea, he'll bring something he thinks is a better idea.

++ My kids know that the deal Mommy & Daddy struck with Santa is they will get ONE special gift from Santa from their list that perhaps they wouldn't normally get. He doesn't bring all of our gifts. That keeps the spirit alive and expectations low.++

THEN:

1. Take them to any local church for a Christmas Eve service. Many have a "children's service" geared for smaller children. Have them make something to give to someone else. (even cookies)

2. "Make" them gifts by taking things they need (or check local thrift stores, or a freecycle website for toys) and spice them up. (Take a new hairbrush and bejewel it, etc.) so they have a few things to open on Christmas morning.

They are young enough to learn not to expect a lot of material things, financial status aside.

Answer 5

I am not intending to alarm you, but Christmas is a week from today!

Here are some suggestions- and, they are only suggestions.
1) Salvation Army
2) Good Neighbors
3) United Way
4) Your local church
5) St. Vincent dePaul
6) Catholic Charities

Many of these agencies have lists of families. Volunteers distribute food and gifts. They (the agencies) usually ask for names early on in the season so they can make plans.

My advice is to call as soon as you can. Waiting so long will make it harder to get something for your kids.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Hello! I hope my answer will be a good present for you...Christmas is all about the persons we love. I admire your courage to ask us this question, but I also know that this thing is killing you inside. My ideas for you having what to give your children for Christmas are...have you ever thought about doing something by yourself? it is very simple. Start with "dressing up" the house with old candles, tree decorations, soft and colourfull fabrics or scarfs, as if it would look like a dream of yours when you were a child. You can also give as gifts hand made presents, dolls made of old clothes, you can invent a new game. Anyway, it is not about what you give, it is about what you share. Best wishes...

Answer 7

My children grew up with the traditional meaning of Christmas and each received three gifts. The three gifts represented the three gifts given to baby Jesus.

It doesn't have to be much. Contact Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, a local church, etc.

Merry Christmas!

Answer 8

the best you can....what was your intention for christmas?....you didnt say...did you intend not to give them anything or did you intend to but cant afford it?...did you get them a little something but not near what you would be satisfied with?.. if you have absolutely nothing and you wanted to, then seek the help of relatives or your local church or salvation army....if you have a little something, and since they are young enough, make it last as long as possible on christmas day, with the promise in your own heart to make it up to them very soon and follow up on that promise....what exactly are you teaching them now?...you said something about new age christmas...what does that mean to you?...unfortunatley with kids you cant say one thing then expect to change the rules mid-stride...they will not understand...btw i know how you feel about being short funded this season...i am in the same boat...

Answer 9

go to the United Way and see if there's time to get on their list or some organization.
bake cookies with your girls; make ornaments for the tree; buy a children's Bible and read them the story of Jesus.
Holidays are the times to make memories; drive around and look at christmas lights.
Local fire departments/schools have santa breakfasts.
Happy Holidays.

Answer 10

I don't get it. You taught them the meaning of Christmas but still want to load them with presents? You have a computer and internet. Money is coming from somewhere.

You could try the Salvation Army, but you're very late... it's only ONE week left.

.

Answer 11

one year i gave my time to them (i have 3 children).
i wrote a little guideline explaining what i would do and gave examples. i promised them i would give each of them 5 or 10 minutes of my time each nite w/o any interruptions. then we would take turns each nite and spend 20 or 30 minutes with one child. the youngest rec'd the first nite, the middle child rec'd the next nite and the oldest rec'd the third nite. this rotation continued twice a week and then i'd get the last nite to myself or as a family.
when it was their turn for 100% of my attention, they got to choose what we did. read a book, play a game, talk, rock, swing, walk, ride bikes, etc. one weekend a month we could go do something that cost money (movie, bowling, mini-golf, etc.)
granted, it didn't last the whole year like i wanted to, but it did last a few months. at first they were leary, but then they really started looking forward to 'their' nite.
(by the way. i typed the cards up and put them in little card holders or baskets with pens and note cards for them to use later on. i saved this 'present' for last and explained it after they opened it. they wanted to start it that nite!) good luck!