Christmas Joy
Christmas JoyHow can I make a good christmas even though i really have no extra money?
Author: mike | Filed under: Toys
And life goes on asked:
I am a single mother with no extra money this year,how can I still make a good christmas for my kids even though my budget is to tight?Any suggestions?It gets so hard at this time of year especailly when I see so many of my friends buying expensive things and I cant get much of anything.Any good gift ideas for a 17 yr old boy and a 12 yr old boy?
- Tags: Budget, Especailly, Time Of Year
Skittles
October 5th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Maybe ask your friends for help and they could probably pitch in
mJc
October 6th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
My heart goes out to you and anyone in the same situation you’re in. Honestly, most kids just like opening packages – no matter what age. So head out to K-Mart or Target or a good Dollar Store. You can probably find some inexpensive CDs, DVDs, pens, candy bars, posters, a good book to read, etc. Prepare a really nice breakfast for them that morning. Decorate the breakfast table with a cheap red table cloth. Light a candle and put it in the middle. Serve eggs, hasbrowns, sausage or bacon… buy a can of Fruit Cocktail and put in in a clear wine glass with a dab of coolwhip on top (my kids love this). Hope this helps and I hope other answer folks have even more ideas for you!
alex d
October 9th, 2008 at 5:52 am
no, dont ask your friend, just mention to them you have TIGHT budget and then they might offer
Julia
October 9th, 2008 at 11:48 am
There is a fairly new, and little known of, web site called freecycle.com. Their only mission is putting people together, in the same community so that they can help one another. You simply go to the site, find your community, sign up, and tell people what you have to give away, and things that you need.
You will be surprised how many people are willing to help when it is for someone in their own towns. Please try it out. I love it, and have met new friends in the course of giving and receiving. The ONLY condition to signing up is that your first post must be an offer.
Offers cover everything…..4 wheelers, clothes, books, beds, toys, pets, dishes, fencing….you name it. Please try them out, you’ll be glad you did…..
Merry Christmas and God bless
Principessa J
October 12th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Sorry to hear, I have been in this spot in my life too, its no fun! As for family members, I am sure they know that your finances are tight. Make up coupons for things you can do for them, like baby sitting or maybe even a day of housecleaning or if you are goiod at baking or cooking, offer to bake them a beautiful cake ro cooka great meal for them for some occasiuon as long as they buy the food, you will cook the meal.
As for the kids, check your churches. They always liek to help and have places you can go to get it. In Boston they have the Globe Santa and they give presents to ALL kids who need them. You just havew to write in. I am aure if you look in your community, you will find a similar program. Even if you don’t get public assistance, go to the food stamp or welfare office and ask them what is available to help at Christmas time. They can direct you to places to get groceries and gifts. Also go on the web to craigslist. Many people are giving away free things and they are not all junk. Also people barter, maybe you can barter something you do, like knit or sew something in exchange for something the other person has. They are even selling stuff there for cheap. Also try to find special things you can do as a family like go see tree lightings or walk around and look at the houses all lit up, then come home and drink coacoa and eat christmas cookies and snuggle under a blanker. Thinsg like that make special memories that as you knwol the kids never appreciate now, but you do treasure those things when yoru an adult and the kids will some day too! God bless and good luck.
Sunshine
October 14th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Call the Salvation Army–they will help you.
jigsawinc
October 16th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Freecycle is a great place to start. In our community people have been helped with everything from cars and appliances to toys and furniture. Go to and look up your community or the one that is closest to you. Also, check out the thrift stores in your area. We have one here that is very good. The items sold there are used, but they look almost new and they are very low priced. You could also make them something. It could be anything from a holiday ornament to a batch of their favorite cookies. People appreciate a handcrafted gift so much. They know it is something that came from your heart and can’t be found in a store. Don’t worry about what other people are buying. Christmas isn’t about all the commerialization that is out there.