I'm raising 4 kids on my own, no child support and only have a part time job (i'm in school full time) what do I do when people keep getting me gifts and I have nothing to give them in return. I cannot afford to buy them stuff. I planned on making everyone homemade candy for gifts and now I feel like it's not good enough. What to do?
2007-12-13 06:16:55 · 11 answers · asked by Momof4:nomore! 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
You do what you can! A Christmas card with a photo of your family or homemade treats is always a nice gesture. It's the thought that counts and a homemade gift is most of the time more appreciated.
Merry Christmas!
2007-12-13 06:22:25 · answer #1 · answered by Wonder Woman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is not about presents!!
I can understand your situation as I know a few people in it, and are doing the best they can too. One happens to be a family member. Every year I make sure that her and her kids are taken care of because we grew up with next to nothing (not an exaggeration) and I don't want her kids or mine to ever feel that pain. I'm off topic here.......
anyway, it doesn't matter if you can afford to give presents in return. the people in your world know your situation, and are doing this out of their hearts. Nothing is expected in return. A home made gift is a wonderful idea and is way more thoughtful than something you could buy for them. The candy idea is wonderful!! So is cookies, fudge, and other yummy treats. It's good enough because the people in your life love you or else they wouldn't help you out when you needed it most.
Hang in there.
Merry Christmas!!
2007-12-13 15:58:22 · answer #2 · answered by lil lady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I imagine the people who are giving you gifts are friends, family, and loved ones. They are giving these gifts in the spirit of the season, not because they expect gifts back. I'm sure they are aware of your situation and enjoy knowing that they are making your holiday brighter.
Why not take a picture of you and the kids and use it to make homemade cards. Write a personal note inside to let the person know how much you care.
Remember, Christmas is not about presents. It is a time to remind everyone how much you love them.
2007-12-13 14:28:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey hey hey. Christmas ain't all about money boughtn presents.You have no right to feel wot your planning on givn for presents ain't good enough, don't you know something from the heart is much better than from the pocket.And when a present is givn to you and you don't have one to give back at that time , just tell them Thank you and God Bless, and you may just help someone remember wot Christmas is really about. I'm sure a blessing is the best present anyone could give or receive.So don't put self down for any reason especially when it has to do with bucks. Moneys not everything.So you go ahead and make those sweet gifts and feel good about it. Good Luk. Merry Christmas
2007-12-13 14:44:25 · answer #4 · answered by Froggy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Homemade candy or cookies would be a wonderful gift!! I would gladly receive that over anything else-in fact we send food gift baskets to all our family members since we enjoy receiving "food gifts" so much! But how do you have time to make candy gifts with 4 kids and go to school too!!?? You are just amazing!! Good luck to you!
2007-12-13 14:28:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love homemade things. Wrap it in brown paper with yarn, so it really has that homemade look. If your friends are in school too, chances are they aren't getting homemade items. In college, I loved eating anything that wasn't noodles (instructions: just add water and seasoning packet).
Especially if you make a couple different things--like dried fruit, peanut brittle, and cookies. Or pick up some bag of candy or peppermints and put that in.
Another great idea is to put on the gift a metal cookie cutter or a tree ornament. The cinnamon ornaments are fun to make and smell great.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5538_make-cinnamon-ornaments.html
You can also make ornaments out of cinnamon sticks. Wrap some cinnamon sticks with metal wire/garland.
If you are crafty, there are all sorts of things you can make for people. My cousin made cigar box purses one year, customized to their interest. Or if you can sew, crocheted scarves are very pretty and in style right now.
Not to mention your friends know your situation. You are an adult and I assume many of your friends are too. Perhaps they are getting you a gift of something you need, trying to help you out, not to make you feel guilty. Your friends love you and just want to help make things a little easier. Don't assume they are keeping a mental tab of how much they spent on you vs how much you spent on them. This is a great opportunity to teach your children about Christmas spirit. It's not about materialism and commercialism, but about love and family.
2007-12-13 15:08:00 · answer #6 · answered by phantom_of_valkyrie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that the people that care enough about you to give you gifts have to know the situation you are in. They probably don't expect any gift in return. If you want to make them home made candy that is a wonderful gift. It shows that you care and spent time thinking about them. that is what Christmas is supposed to be about anyway, not how much money we spend on a gift.
2007-12-13 14:27:38 · answer #7 · answered by lynne h 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On a low budget, and still offer a variety of gifts.. You can try a local dollar store.. Create a gift basket for the family or person.. a basket, soaps, candy, candles, trinkets, toys, tools, socks, scarves, gloves, cosmetics, bath goods... etc! whatever theme suits the family.. You can get a lot of gret deals in a dollar shop, not everything looks cheap or is cheaply made there.. and you can get great deals of items in multi packs you can break down.. My children and I did that last year for the family, we spent about $20.00 and were able to send grandmothers bath goods in a basket, candle baskets to female friends and treat baskets to the men, family baskets with toys, housewares and candy... You can get card packs as well and decoration for the baskets.. Or instead of a basket you can get stockings, Santa hats to stuff.. If you can not place the ideas within your budget, just have your children make homemade Holiday cards or a scrapbook page... Scrapbook pages are another family favorite at Christmas with little to no cost, since you can find most things around the house.. Good luck and Merry Holidays to you and yours... Oh forgot to mention, popcorn package, hot cocoa pouches, cider pouches.. You can really break down the items to share and make them stretch for less cost!! I love care packages like this
2007-12-13 14:34:54 · answer #8 · answered by julianachants 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just for your information, I'd rather have the candy you made then a store bought gift . It would mean alot to your family and friends.
And I'm sure they know you have to take care of your kids and you're attending school.
Merry Christmas!
2007-12-13 14:31:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think homemade candy is very nice, wrap them really pretty and I'm sure it would be appreciated.
Have your kids make handmade thank you note for everyone who gave you a gift, the people giving would love to see this.
2007-12-13 14:22:03 · answer #10 · answered by Snarf 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋