Great "How to have a cheap Xmas if you've kids" Hunt

Bill_Lindsay

onlyroz wrote: »

Kids are definitely impressed by quantity. I remember my husband telling me about his nieces' reaction to Christmas presents before I met him. He once bought them some quite expensive Disney watches, which they turned their noses up at. So once I came on the scene I advised getting them more stuff but spending less on each thing - knowing that they'd prefer four cheap presents to one expensive one.

It's getting much more difficult to buy for them now they're in their teens - kids are easy because you just buy them toys, but what-on-earth do you buy a 16-year-old girl? You can't buy them clothes because anything you buy is bound to be "uncool" - and the stuff they want (iPods, mobile phones) is just too expensive, and we also don't want to upstage their parents, who don't earn that much. But I always thought just giving them money was an unimaginative cop-out...

Check the label on one of their favourite tops and get some vouchers or that store - Bingo! you're a hero ...

dippydora_2

Two years ago we asked DD 7 if she would like to help out poorer children in poor countries, as they didn't get presents. She agreed for Father Christmas to share all the presents that she was going to get from him to the poorer children and Mummy and Daddy would get her presents. She would just get a stocking from Father Xmas

She feels great for being generous with her "presents" plus still gets pressies from Mum and Dad (she knows we don't have so much money) and we choose together the sort of things she would like (can nip in the bud any extravagant ideas)

She enjoys her stocking and always remembers the few little things that Father Christmas brought her, (and never remembers the huge amounts that relatives buy incl. me)

Ask her each year if she wants to do the same, so we have no problems....

purplevamp

We've never really spent a fortune of Christmas presents. Our children (6,7 and 17) write a list and we tell them that they'll have to wait and see what they get, but don't expect everything on the list. They understand this and are happy with whatever they get. This year I have shopped around and searched online and got some great presents a lot cheaper :j

I agree with the above posts about stockings. Father Christmas has always got their stocking presents, and my youngest ones always say when we're in £Land "Ooh, Father Christmas got that for us" :rolleyes:

We have a rough budget and stick to it every year. I have never got into debt for Christmas and never will, it's just one day.

:xmastree: Merry Christmas Everyone :santa2:

Lyncroft

Tell them they really don't need any of this c*ap and how when you were young you were lucky to get a satsuma.

I have no children.

Mophiesue

Is it actually necessary to sit children down and explain to them that you don't have much money?
Our kids are 6, 5 & 11 months - and I don't plan to do anything about saying that we don't have as much money as previous years. Children's imagination can run wild, and they might start worrying about not having enough money for food or even the house.
I don't intend to bring it up at all, and just make my savings by doing all the great stuff that's been recommended on this thread.
A close family photo taken by a friend (who's a good photographer!) actually made a great present for the extended family (just bought really cheap frames & got the pictures done for peanuts) a few years ago when we had very little money.
I also think that family time, sharing the true meaning of Christ's birth is actually far more important. My DH grew up with such a dull christmas day - and mine was so magical - all because of the family, games we played, home-made mince pies etc etc. It's far more important than presents anyhow.

Neko_Anastasia

Charm bracelets make a lovely gift for girls in their later teens (15+, my friend is 22 and got one for her birthday, and loves it). You can buy them just the bracelet and one charm, and another charm whenever your budget allows. Plus, just about every jeweler does them, so there's a huge range of price options, and it gives the recipient something to keep looking forward to all year around (and gives other relatives gift ideas!).

Another good idea is cheap make-up palettes and sets. I'm a huge make-up fan, and whilst I can spend £15 on one MAC eyeshadow, for the same price I could buy a huge palette (look in Superdrug, Argos, Boots or online for the best ones, like the 88 Colour Coastal Scents palette) which is much more fun for younger girls who are starting to care about it, and looks more impressive.

When I was growing up. I'd see kids who got both an Xbox 360 AND a PS3 for Christmas, whereas my present would be a pair of £50 boots, but I knew what my family's budget was, so I was happy to get what I did, it was a treat for us. Rather than waste money on Christmas cards, my mother would buy A4 coloured card, glue and packs of felt, and we'd make calendars for our relatives instead.

belle142002

I have a six year old girl and four year old boy and i have organised a xmas swap shop were people donate toys that their children do not play with anymore. They are given points and can swap their points for other toys donated. I did this last year with a couple of friends and actually swaped with a friend the one thing that my daughter asked ffor rom santa. From my experience Young children don't relieve toys are second hand if in good condition and older children would rather have the toys than not at all. Why not try it amongst friend!
Belle
XXX

belle142002

I have a six year old girl and four year old boy and i have organised a xmas swap shop where people donate toys that their children do not play with anymore. They are given points and can swap their points for other toys donated. I did this last year with a couple of friends and actually swaped with a friend the one thing that my daughter asked from santa. From my experience Young children don't relieve toys are second hand if in good condition and older children would rather have the toys than not at all. Why not try it amongst friend!
Belle
XXX

tesuhoha

For the whole family, jigsaw puzzles, board games and card games. This will keep them amused for hours on Christmas Day. Children love it when their parents play games with them. If you can afford it the Guiness Book of Records is good, it'll be 'Mum, did you know..Dad, guess what? All day long.

Make up, hair accessories, nail varnish, colouring books, coloured pencils, glue, magic paintbooks, joke books, lateral thinking riddles, bubble bath, bath smellies, candy canes, satsumas, nuts, cards, dice, drawing books, cheap paints, magic sets, bubbles and a bubble wand etc. I have bought my kids this sort of stuff in times of hardship and they have loved it all.

Incidentally, a young baby does not know the difference between an expensive toy or a cardboard box for Christmas.

Pippad

My daughter will be five just after Christmas. We have told her since she was little that Santa brings gifts from us and they are the ones that are down stairs. All the gifts from Santa are left in her room.

Santa normally shops through out the year and buys lots of things on sale and discount and even things that come free from magazines etc. [strike]I[/strike] sorry Santa has already sorted through for the stocking and there is plenty left for birthday gifts!

We have been honest and told our daughter that Christmas will be different because of various factors and told her in simplified terms. She has even started to save her own money to be able to buy her own gifts for family and friends from Mummy's shop (hugely discounted!) of things.