How do I tell kids they won't get as much for Christmas - no $ , but they believe in Santa.?

Question

I am recently separated, and have very limited cash flow compared to prior years at Christmas. I feel so badly, because I won't be able to buy kids like I used to for Christmas, but I don't know how to explain the sudden change in Christmas gifts, since they still believe in Santa

Answer 1

Tell your children to limit their Santa requests to one-three items (or as much as you see fit).

We did this in our family a few years ago (when $$ was tight) and it worked great. The hardest part was telling my daughter not to ask Santa a gift for me (as one of her 3 things).

Anyway, money did get better over the next years, but I always thought that no more than 3 reduced Christmas greed.

Answer 2

Oh my. This is so hard. We had this problem one year and it was one of the worst days ever. We had just bought a house, and got the utilities turned on, and paid what had to be paid and literally had $200.00 left over for EVERYTHING, including dinner. Now, we aren't poor, so we were very grateful we had a house, and heat and all of that. However, the thought of nothing under the tree broke my heart as the kids were 5 and 3 AND their dad had come home for his 2 week R&R for Christmas. It worked out. We had a chicken for the Turkey, and someone donated some other fixings. For the gifts. I know it wasn't the right thing to do, but we got our 3 year old a doll house, and our son a gameboy. I think they got like a board game each, and some other things.. maybe 4 things each. The worst part was since my husband had just come home, we didn't have time to figure out what to do for our gifts to each other. So, Christmas morning, our kids were as happy as could be. Dad was home, they had presents, it was great. Until our son stood up, and started looking all over the place near the tree. I thought he was looking for more gifts for himself or his sister.. but he said " Mom, Santa didn't bring you anything and I know you have been a very good Mommy this year" and he started crying. LOL My husband went outside and put a bow on our truck. LOL We told our son that Santa paid the truck off so mommy could spend more time with them.
I know cheesy, but it worked. So, even tho we didn't have much, it all worked out. I don't know how old your kids are, but, if they are young, you can wrap some of their old toys. Or, you can always ask the churches for donations. Some cities have an "empty stocking fund" where they give out toys and stuff to literally anyone. In MD we did it last year and gave the presents to the kids who had parents deployed.Good luck hun. I know the heartbreak this is. And it's not about the gifts or the money, it's about the miracle of Christmas. The look on the kid's eyes when they see that tree that morning... that's worth a million dollars a million times over and then some.

Answer 3

The joy of Christmas is that you have your children to celebrate with you.Put the tree up,decorate as much as you can without spending.Have some days the week of Christmas to bake cookies,m,ake a paper chain,anything you can do creative,its the excitement and joy not the presents they will of course help you its a fun time for all.Just get one thing from Santa ans some small things,I bet they won't notice,they will have Christmas yes it will be different but then so is your life make a new tradition if you are happy and cheerful they will be too.God bless you.

Answer 4

Help them as they come up with their Christmas list to Santa. Try to encourage them to ask for items that don't cost alot of money. For example, you could give them books, clothes, etc... Just remember, kids need to know that its not about the amount of gifts or the cost! Kids are so excited on Christmas morning anyways they most likely won't even notice if there aren't as many gifts as last year. I just keep reminding my own children that there are MANY children who don't get anything for Christmas ever and we should be happy for what we have, not because of what we want!

Answer 5

i do no longer think of it relatively is incorrect in any respect. yet...a chum of mine did no longer "do" Santa for her little ones, and while her daughter replaced into like 3 or 4, some woman asked (the daughter) what Santa delivered her for Christmas. Daughter mentioned, "no longer something" and female mentioned, "nicely, you may desire to have been an extremely naughty female." and there is the completed factor of, do you have chose your newborn to be the only to tell his/her finished Kindergarten classification that Santa isn't actual? i do no longer disagree consisting of your decision, yet I basically elect to allow you to be responsive to of a pair issues you may desire to run into. so far I even have instructed my daughter that Santa is extremely a logo of the magic of Christmas. while she questions no remember if or no longer somebody have self belief in Santa, she assumes that those human beings don't think in "the magic of Christmas." She additionally assumes that grown united statesdon't think in magic. the 1st time she asks me factor sparkling, I plan on telling her the certainty. desire this helps, reliable luck!

Answer 6

Things change and kids learn this. Won't they still see the other parent and perhaps other relatives? You could tell them Santa also has hard times.

Answer 7

Tell them about all the poor children in the world and that Santa decided this year to give less to some , so he could give to the poor children Teach your children about sharing!

Answer 8

going to the dollar store or 99 cents is a good idea! you could get 50 stuffs for about $60 ( tax ugh) anyways, fill the stockings with candy cane and toys! toys toys toys! from the dollar store, they wont notice, and as long as they r happy

Answer 9

tell them this year Santa brings most of his gifts to the children in Kenya who don't have anything.
tell him how rich THEY are having a loving Mom and warm home

Answer 10

Make up for it by buying lots of inexpensive things. It's the excitement of opening stuff that really gets them.