Out of work but the kids still want Christmas!!

I would be honest and open with my children. Santa Claus isn't real and, unfortunately, at some point you will need to confess that to them. I know many people feel that Santa is the "spirit of Christmas" but you need to think about your situation. Santa Claus is absolutely not going to be able to afford these gifts. Many of them are out of the question. Buying most of the items is completely out of the question. If you talk to your children and let them know about what Christmas really is then you have time to reinforce what Christmas is REALLY about. It isn't about Santa, gifts, or receiving. It's about being with loved ones, spending quality time together, and enjoying each-other's company in a festive situation. It's about making good memories together, taking photos to enhance those memories, and being able to share those memories with other later on. It's about living a good life even if you don't get lots of special presents, and cherishing your time on Earth as a family. If you absolutely cannot kill the Santa con then you're going to have to say that Santa doesn't bring all of the gifts on the list. Choose ONE gift listed and buy it. The other gifts can be minor, including some cheap candies. Santa doesn't have to buy everything. Santa doesn't have to buy the expensive items. Christmas, after all, has nothing to do with getting gifts from a man in a red and white suit because you did your homework all year long. If you've raised your children right then they're going to not be bratty about the situation. If they've previously been spoiled then you might have to talk to them more than once about what Christmas is REALLY about. Times are hard and they might get even harder. Don't base Christmas joy on presents. You have have a wonderful Christmas sitting near a fire, sipping on hot chocolate, and singing Christmas carols. You can spread your joy by going door to door as a family caroling. You can make snow angels and decorate the tree with last years decorations. You can watch the old Christmas shows on T.V. or make your own with an old video recorder. Make Christmas fun without the presents. If they're young, draw pictures and write about how good this Christmas was after your fun is all over with. Visit relatives and friends you haven't seen for awhile. Christmas doesn't have to mean presents at all.

Think of something to make that would be real personal. Something that will show your love and touch her heart. As you give her the gift explain you are sorry it couldn't be more and great things are just ahead. Don't forget lots and lots of hugs. Remember, we are all spiritual beings in our true natures. Spiritual things will be remembered. Material things won't. Work on this. You can come up with something. Not even God's children get everything they want. Give her something to remember she never realized she wanted.

It would be quite unintelligent for you to spend extravagantly at Christmas after losing your job! This is a golden opportunity for you to get creative, and make gifts that will please your kiddies, and that they will treasure more than any purchased Chinese toy. You don't disclose your country, but if its cold enough for snow, you might build a sleigh for them. Make a dollhouse out of a cardboard box and paint it realistically. Make furniture to go inside the toy house. Help the kids hang their stockings so Santa can fill them with candies. (Your wife can pop corn, and make cookies) Buy a few things your kids need - slippers or stockings. I was a kiddie in Canada during the WW2, parents and kids had fun Christmases, with almost no store bought things at all.

If I were in your position, I would just be honest with my kids - here and now. Tell them the economy has been very tough, and as they know, you lost your job. But of course, you have some time to look for other ways to get what your kids want. And hey, I'm sure there are tons of thrift store in the area that you can get some of the stuff for discount? I hope you find the stuff for less. Good luck!

explain the true meaning of christmas. That it is about family. Ask her to pick one or two gifts that she really wants. Look into local charities that do gifts for kids whose parents cannot afford gifts. Make a big deal, about gifts you give that you made. Look for similar items at second hand stores, and post on free cycle or something similar if you have it. Organize a toy swap. Get the neighborhood parents to bring toys that are still in really good shape, then swap what you have with things others have. hope that these ideas help.

Well, just get a few select items, and if your daughter's disappointed, tell her that Santa can't always get everybody everything. I remember I once wrote a letter to Santa asking for a whole load of stuff, and I got something I didn't even ask for, but luckily I liked it anyways, and it wasn't a bank-breaking gift. I would never spend more than around a few hundred dollars for a Christmas present. My parents thought that $50 was already pushing it. Honestly, I know how bad you want to make your kid happy, but at the same time, sometimes it's just not economically possible. Children are easily distracted, though- chances are after a month or so they'll have gotten over the not getting a new toy disappointment.

Well, luckily you have about 3 months to work it out. If you're getting any kind of compensation pay, you could do your best to set aside a bit of it at a time and save to give her a nice Christmas. Or you can use the time to pick out a few good items from her list and do the best research to get the best deal you can find.

job loss affects everyone. last year my hubby was off work (for 9 months) and of course, now that he is back to work we are busy paying off all those bills. you didnt mention how old your daughter was but i would check out the internet to see if they can give you any tips on explaning to your daughter about your job loss and how Christmas wont be the same as other years. Fortunately for us, i shop all year round and sales, thrift stores, garage sales etc. so i had stuff put away for the girls, plus they are older and understood. we also got some money given to us as a gift from some friends which we used to buy the last minutes things and pay bills. see if you can get into some sort of program that will help you with gifts for Christmas. Do they have such a thing in GB?

after a lost job it doesnt mean life would be bitter for us.life should not stop from them.Its just making our kids realize the real world they are in.kids nowadays are smart.let them know the real reason in a simple way that we could let them understand.We cant give them everything they wanted but we can give them our inexpensive gifts and our power hugs and warm kisses.just reassure them there will always be christmas no matter what will happen but this time we need to have a simple one.kids would understand.and they will also learn one thing-honesty.no need to cover up with our pretty lies.its easy to explain simple truth than to complicate it with our lies.

A good idea is to shop at the dollar store, or make gifts yourself.