6 days to Christmas, 10 kids, I haven't bought the first thing....
By Stephanie5
@Stephanie5 (2946)
United States
December 18, 2007 10:00am CST
I don't know what the heck I'm going to do or how I'm going to do it! We haven't bought the first gift. We just really don't have any money to work with here. I was going to let a bill go, but we just can't. They are very quick to shut your electric and gas off here, and we can't go without those things! We are already so far behind on bills that it's not even funny.
Now, my kids don't NEED anything, but I feel horrible that I'm not really going to be able to get them anything. My mom sent $100 but that's being shared between 10 kids, they surely won't be happy with that!
Anyways, I need suggestions. I need something to give them that doesn't cost alot, but looks like they have a lot. Oh, I'm so stressed! PLEASE someone tell me what to do!!!
Thank you in advance. Merry Christmas!
1 person likes this
12 responses
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
18 Dec 07
100 can go very far! trust me, i am the queen of thrift stores! we have creditors calling left right and centre, i am planning to go on sick leave to further add to the dilema (my hubby was off work for a very long time and got one, but it pays much less than before!)
i bought a rubix cube for my daughter for 50 cents, silver salt and peper shakers for 10 cents each, a brand new purse for $1.00 trust me, this is the way to go! hit all the local thrift stores in your area and hurry!
2 people like this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
19 Dec 07
Hey Steph,
You can manage with the money if you make a plan. Some people gave you great ideas. I would divide the money unevenly. I would buy the bigger kids a more expensive gift, maybe a cd or game that they like. The 6 year olds could do with a lot of stuff from the dollar stores or walmart. Transformers for instance kept my guys occupied for hours. Also craft stuff, sticky notes, crayons or stickers or a sticker album depending on their interest. The littlest ones are so easy to please. They do not know or care about expensive or inexpensive stuff. You can find tons in the dollar store. For the baby a new small stuffed toy or rattle or even a pretty new soother. Merry Christmas to you.
1 person likes this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
19 Dec 07
Hey Steph,
Hope you are successful in stretching that $ 100. Do not go over it. I kind of figured it out in Canadian Dollars and I could have bought 10 gifts for $ 100. If you need a couple of extra dollars pinch off 2 or 3 dollars from your grocery money. Make a big pot of baked beans from scratch or a pot of minestroni soup or chili. It is very inexpensive and I assume you will have a good Christmas dinner anyway so a few lean days in between are more healthy anyway. Best wishes again.
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@Stephanie5 (2946)
• United States
19 Dec 07
Great response Linda! What you said really makes sense. The babies aren't going to know the difference and they will be happy with anything, it's the older brats that want the good stuff. LOL Thank you and Merry Christmas!
@tammyr (5946)
• Etowah, Tennessee
18 Dec 07
Oh dear what a predicament! I would do as the other said and try the thrift stores first. You can find some great things there that are new, or as good as new for a fraction of the price.
The older ones should understand more, so be sure to keep that in mind.
A gift certificate to a fav. fast food and a trip together to eat there does seem like something my daughter would LOVE to have.
Good luck, dear, I hope you find just the right thing for your kids, and I hope even more that the day is peaceful and filled with love!
ps, I have missed seeing you! I don't know why we are not friends anymore. I did request you again though
1 person likes this
@Stephanie5 (2946)
• United States
18 Dec 07
Hi Tammy! Glad to see you again also. I'm headed to the thrift store in about an hour, wish me luck! The fast food is a good idea too, my kids love food! Thanks! Merry Christmas!
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
18 Dec 07
I'd start hitting the thrift stores too. Also have you looked into freecycle groups in your area? I know it's a little late now but you might be able to join one and fing a few things for free. I know mine have been extremely active this week with people clearing out to make room for the new stuff. I'm sure at least some of the kids understand that money is tight and won't be expecting much anyway.
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@Stephanie5 (2946)
• United States
18 Dec 07
I've never heard of Freecycle before. We probably don't have one but I will look just in case! That's a cool idea. Thank you!
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
18 Dec 07
You can stretch 100.00. Try Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Then go to Dollar General. Check out their clearance racks. I had 20.00 to buy my daughter birthday gifts this year. I went to dollar general. This what I bought. Fleece blanket 5.00,journal 2.00,puzzle 1.00,bathe gel with scrubby set 3.00,hair brush and hair ties 3.00,a shirt from clearance 2.00,mechanical pencils 2.00,and a huge chocolate bar 1.25. She had alot of gifts to open and she was very happy. She is ten by the way.Good luck and I hope you have Merry Christmas.
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@Stephanie5 (2946)
• United States
18 Dec 07
Wow, you did well! I will have to go check it out! Anything is better than nothing, right? Thanks for the idea. Merry Christmas!
@spiderlizard22 (3444)
• United States
18 Dec 07
Didn't you think about this when you had your second kid? Well it may not be much but you could buy the kids those toys that come in capsules for $.25 or $.50 if money is really tight. You do need electricity and water. You could buy one good gift and have them share it but I doubt 10 kids would want to share the gift all the time.
1 person likes this
@Stephanie5 (2946)
• United States
19 Dec 07
No Spider, when I had my second kid, I had money! Also with the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10....it's just NOW we are broke! LOL Thanks for the idea. Merry Christmas!
@vkbllm (474)
• India
19 Dec 07
Hi Stephanie......
I am so touched by knowing your condition this Cristmas. Such times comes in life of every individuals!
I dont know what to say you about this. Nor Do I have any suggestions for you.....
But One thing I know, and I'm sure for that, You and your family have a very closed unbreakable bonding.
This is rare! Trust me, This is really rare!! Look at those people who have every thing to celebrate Chrismas,
But they dont even sit together to enjoy christmas feast... there is no love between them.
They gets loads of expensive gifts and yet they are not satisfied!!! But...Look at your kids....
I dont believe that 'kids dont need any thing' can be a true statement ever....
Dont they see other kids in your locality or neighbour hood? They do see..But they love you and understand your house hold condion and they say, "They Dont Need Any thing!"
Strange But true...You are too rich in the Bank Balance of Love...No one can ever beat you....Remember this!
You are gonna have a reaaly nice Christmas which you will never forget for Sure!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
18 Dec 07
When I was small, my father did not have much money as he had a sick mother and sick wife at home and had to shell down much on their treatment. We were five children. So he used to give whatever money he can to each of us and used to ask us to buy whatever we want. We used to buy in that amount along with the money which we have in our possession, whatever we want to buy and were feeling very happy.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
18 Dec 07
I have been pretty tight in the past as well. I find that Walmart and the Dollar store give the most bang for your buck. Sure it's not top of the line, but the kids are usually happy with it. Especially the younger ones. At Walmart, they have an isle with boxed gifts that are their brand or something, in the toy section. You can get cars for boys, dolls, musical instruments, doctor bags, etc. The highest price is $20 and the lowest is $5. I'd say it's at least worth looking into. :)
1 person likes this
@Stephanie5 (2946)
• United States
18 Dec 07
I know it sucks to be broke!! AHHHHH!!! This is probably one of the worst Christmas's money wise for us. I don't know when things became so hard, but man, they sure have! My kids really don't need anything, and they don't deserve anything, but I want to get them something. I don't think they will understand if I don't. I heard Walgreens is going to have a half off all toys sale, so I'm hoping to find something there. Thanks for your ideas. Merry Christmas!
@Monkeyrose (2840)
• Canada
19 Dec 07
wow thats a tough one. Well maybe you could get something for the family that everyone could use with the $100.
Have you contacted the local toy bank? They may be able to help out.
As to what to get, It depends how old the kids are and what they like. I'm sure you could get a small toy for each one under $10.00.
1 person likes this
@garnet80 (349)
• Australia
19 Dec 07
Why don't you make the presents form things you find in and around your house. Get the kids involved too. Homemade things mean so much more. The other way I get around christmas is to put all my loose change in a jar so that when Christmas comes around I have a little bit extra up my sleeve. You could also make cakes,biscuits, rumballs,christmas puddings etc for gifts if it's for adults.
@aidenofthetower (1814)
• United States
19 Dec 07
Okay, not knowing the ages is going to make it a little harder. But I think that your best option is probably to throw a Christmas Party. Have a treasure hunt complete with small prizes or dollar bills. Have cookie decorating. Do a craft. Spend the day together having a blast. It isn't a traditional Christmas, but it would be a fun and inexpensive Christmas.
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