CHRISTMAS SOON HOW WILL I GET ALL I NEED HHEELLPPPP MONEY FAIRYXX

[glitzygal]

Well its christmas soon, and i am already :panic: panicing,

I keep asking both DD what they would like,, well the list is endless, is it my money they want or me to be a perfect mother.???

OH YEH both, i have got some money coming in, but looking at their list,, not enough.

I am even thinking about evening or weekend work, just to help me.
even partners money isnt enough,,

Am I the only panicing parent on this site or not TELL me im not the only one.

:panic: :panic: :panic:

[nannymcflea]

budget budget budget.

Set the money limit and stick to it. xmas isn't about loads of money being spent it's about time with your family.

shop around, go for 3 for 2 offers, scour the web for bargains and end of range toys.

Ask the kids for one or two pressies from the fat man (if they are young enough) then tell them mummy only has enough for a few more. If they are older then they should understand that money isn't never ending.

We are on a budget(as always) but even more so this year as i'm earning 1/3rd of usual and hubbys business has been hit by the recession.

My girls are making pressies for friends(bookmarks and phone charms) to save more money.:thumbsup:

I'm sure you'll still have a wonderful time.:D

[PixiePetal]

My kids always understood that FC only brings the smaller gifts, main presents were from us. If money was tight, FC always came up trumps (think he shopped in sales and poundland!) but the presents from us could be smaller :thumbsup:

As they got older, they understood that money does not grow on trees - I will NOT use credit cards for buying presents, family mean more :)

How old are your kids?

[Twinkles]

We're in a similar situation. We've only had one wage coming in for most of this year.
We had some money saved up ( just 2 -3 hundred ) and were going Christmas shopping this afternoon.
But...... the car would not start, AA came out and couldn't fix it. So we are having to spend the Christmas shopping money on getting the car fixed !!:rolleyes:

However, if this year has taught us anything it is that spending time together having fun and enjoying each others company and counting our blessings is far more important than presents.

[glitzygal]

Thanks very good ideas,
my girls are 18 nd 15, but being separated from dad years ago, i always feel i have to make it up to them,
i agree the budget is coming into force, so they will understand, but the best present i get is their faces on the morning so i will treasure that.

twinkles what a shame about your car. sorry to hear your having to use the christmas monsy.
good luck with getting some more,
i feel better to talk,
and know others in same situation,,

i am human after all:laughing:

[Chatterbox Childcare]

My two are 19 and 14 so I know where you are coming from but I have a budget and that is it.

Haven't had any requests yet either so at least you have a head start!

[Hebs]

My kids dont ask, They say what they would like but know they get what they get

I refuse to get into debt over xmas

X

[funfunfun]

for my little boy

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for my little girl

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nintendo-Han...353635&sr=8-11 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0046W85ZU?ie=UTF8&tag=childminding-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0046W85ZU">Nintendo DSi XL Handheld Console (Red) with New Super Mario Bros - Special Edition</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=childminding-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B0046W85ZU" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;)

[Chimps Childminding]

My guys will be 19 and 18 by Christmas, and dont NEED anything :blush: I have always made such a big thing about Christmas that even tho hubby says give them money so they can get what they want (2 of them have cars to run) I would hate them to get up on Christmas morning and see a look of disappointment on their faces when there isn't a pile of presents waiting for them!!! Trouble is I dont know what to get them :panic: Oh plus like most of us money is tight this year, so don't want to buy things they dont want :rolleyes:

[Tink]

Me and DH have been putting money away since June and have been buying DD presents as and when we see them. I think we have done really well this year :)

[singingcactus]

Mine are 14, and 4. The eldest 2 are more than able to understand that they get what we can afford. They would like a book for warhammer between them - £30. So we'll get them that, maybe some game board for warhammer, or a game platform game. Then we are opening up a current account for them, so they can get used to dealing with transferring funds, using debit cards, managing their accounts etc ready for when they go off to uni. There will be some cash in the account for them to spend in the Jan sales so they'll get what they want then - not much mind you, only about £50 each.
We don't go wild at christmas. We have no debts and I will not get some just to buy unwanted stuff for the boys.
Youngest boy has 2 of those kung zhu hamsters coming. And some blo pens and a couple of cheap things.
Definately not panicking about it, they all know they will get what we can afford, and to be fair none of them have asked for anything.

[mamasheshe]

mine are 5 and three they get a main pressie from me (usually to the value of £50ish) i think i might get them one of those posh scooters each this year ?? and a stocking from father Christmas with a pressie they've asked for think it was a princess dress last year? anything else they ask my mum! think the trick is one big pressie and not getting something else to add to that?

[caz3007]

My lot are 21,18 and 7. My youngest is 8 on the 19 December. All mine have been bought up to make a list, but they know they never get all thats on it, they have always liked the fact that they still have a surprise.

My fat man shops all year round and keeps an eye out for small things that will suit, he also likes poundland too, easier for girls though.

My 18 year old has for the last couple of years said dont worry about me, spend more on the LO, which is lovely and now both of my older two are working, they dont need so much from me. I have a few smaller pressies for them and then they will get an envelope with some money in, not a huge amount, depends on what I can do. They are both having driving lessons, so will help for one and a bit lesson.

I have always done my best for xmas, but my lot have always been told if money is tight and they know they will get pressies, but perhaps not quite so much, it doesnt hurt children to learn that times can be tight

[gigglinggoblin]

Oldest ds put £5000 on his xmas list last year. He didnt get it. Just because it is on the list it isnt guaranteed. I ask them to let me know if anything is really important but I tell them the rest is more ideas than a shopping list! Definately wont get into debt over xmas. FC gets the stocking presents and we get the rest. I usually spend a fair bit in the pound shop or on cheap things so there are lots of little surprises mixed in, new pens and paper always go down well, a box of nice biscuits or a bag of marshmallows etc. They all love a roll of bubble wrap!

For older kids I would tell them there is a budget and if they want some thing big there is a chance it will be cheaper after xmas so if they are willing to wait they might get more for their money. I certainly understood that as a teen and always chose the bigger present from the sales option. My mum always got lots of little surprises for on the day which made it special.

[Pipsqueak]

Just because it is on the list it isnt guaranteed. My mum always got lots of little surprises for on the day which made it special.

Ditto - my kids make a list or tell me what they are keen on - but they know its in no way a guaranteed get. Everything is cash paid so there is no getting into debt.

I set a budget per child and FC and presents from us come out of that.
Now the older two (12 and 10) and non believers, they know that their stocking is for show (in front of the 5yr old) and will have less in but it will be made up in under the tree present or one large one.

They know that we have had a difficult few years and that Christmas is about being together, having fun and not really about the presents (although that bit is fun) and that presents are about the love behind it not the must-haves (although do try to get them one thing they really really want within that budget).

That said - my kids have NEVER been disappointed come Xmas - they are happy with what they get, - even if something they wanted wasn't on the list.

HAve agreed with eldest this year - he will get his stocking - one big under the tree present and the rest will be made up of vouchers and money (money to go in bank).

I timed my kids wrong - youngests birthday is exactly one week before xmas and eldests is 3 weeks after xmas:rolleyes:

[mamasheshe]

I timed my kids wrong - youngests birthday is exactly one week before xmas and eldests is 3 weeks after xmas:rolleyes:

my birthdays dec 18th on the same day as my mums:eek:

[Chimps Childminding]

I timed my kids wrong - youngests birthday is exactly one week before xmas and eldests is 3 weeks after xmas:rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

My youngest has his birthday on 20th December and he is 18 this year :eek:

[Twinkles]

I timed my kids wrong - youngests birthday is exactly one week before xmas and eldests is 3 weeks after xmas:rolleyes:

Me too Pip. One of my boys has a Birthday on 25th of November and one on 4th of December - bad timing !

[FussyElmo]

We set a budget and everything comes out of it and I mean everything food presents etc.

Have never had disappointed children yet.

Christmas is about being together and being thankful for your family and what you do have.

Ebay, amazon, car boots etc is where alot of my childrens come from.

Saying that dd1 has asked for books and if possible an ipod and ds2 wants paints and paper. My ds1 still has money in the bank from his birthday and still hasnt asked for anything. Dd2 presents are happyland brought when elc had the 50% off.

[PixiePetal]

My mum has said she would like to give me £200 towards the super duper camera DD would like - it is a 'well done on GCSEs' and Christmas present combined - a one off biggee (she is taking A level photography at college)

She will give DS the same and leave the adults out this year.

I was choked, mum has alzheimers, although not severe at the moment and we are lucky if she remembers our birthdays these days, but remembered me saying about DDs camera.

DS owes me £250 that he borrowed for PC so will use money to pay me back! Along with what we would have given him for his birthday in a couple of weeks. He is pleased he will be out of debt :thumbsup:

[loocyloo]

the man in red does the stockings and usually, but not always something or other that DS & DD have mentioned. usually stuffed with things like socks, pants, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc that will be needed & used as well as a few silly bits and sweets!

the other presents they ask the man in red for, they know he tells us ( !!! ) and we might get one of them, and we might tell family who ask.

this year as there was nothing we could think of that they would be wanting/needing, other than plastic rubbish ! we decided that their and our main present is tickets to a show, and i managed ( in august ) to get good tickets for lion king at a good price for a couple of days after christmas.

i tend to try & get things during the year as i see them, or using sales or vouchers.

i don't put anything on credit cards, done that before and then spent months paying it off.

[Noodles]

I have to admit :blush: :blush: i spoil my kids rotten at christmas. I have 4 aged 22,18,17 and 6 and i have always done it. I was always spolit as a child at xmas and i have just carried it on. They write lists of what they want and usually get most of it

It is also my 18yr olds birthday on 19th dec. I also spend a lot on my mum and dad
I always think it only once a year and if i dont have to get into debt for it i am happy to do it.
So for me xmas is a very expensive time but i love it :clapping: :clapping: