help this chrismas is going to be sad

NualaBuala

Hob, I just wanted to say you are an inspiration. People like you make the world a better place!:A Don't worry about Christmas, it's just one day and I think most people make too much fuss about it. It's lovely that you want to make it nice for your brother but what you are doing for him every single day is worth a lifetime of wonderful Christmas Days.

Does your brother have an X-box? Any other games machines? I'm going to ask my ex if he has any games he doesn't want but I'm not sure what games machines he has.

Welsh_Poppy

Hob, I have been following your thread and think you are such a special person for doing what you are doing for your brother......Christmas is just one day dont worry what you are doing for brother is worth far far more.

I think my son has xbox games he never uses as upgraded to another system

I just bought a ds lite if I had known would have bought yours as ours got stolen on holiday.:A

Welsh_Poppy

Sorry if you want them will find out and list them tomorrow

beccad

Cooking christmas dinner is more a matter of getting the timings right than anything else. You can always buy the ready-to-cook stuff (normally in the freezer sections) and it'll give you all the instructions you need. Failing that are there any care centres you can take your brother to for Christmas day, and you go along too? I bet that'd be lots of fun!

You're doing such an amazing thing :j and yet again I never fail to be amazed by the generosity of total strangers.

Unfortunately I packed a couple of X-Box games off to the charity shop just a few weeks ago - i'd have sent them to you otherwise. Is there anything else you are on the look out for? You never know what people might have!

elfen

You may be able to buy travel games or cheap board games, I don't know if they'll interest him but it's something that you can do together on Xmas Day if you want to?

Also, was brought up on v tight money for Xmas (5 kids, dad couldnt get a job) so I'm used to finding weird things. Can you go to the pound shop and get some cheap foil or coloured card, and make paper chains as part of the Xmas decorations - cheap, cheerful and they look cool (and if they get tatty you can redo them!)

Since there will be two of you, you won't need to get as much as you'd think - also find out when his DLA/benefits come in over Xmas, and if you don't already, take some to help you pay for things - and you can get some pretty cheap pressies. Also, Cex and Cash Convertors have pretty cheap games, and I may have a few spare 360 games if I can find them - might be a little old, but don't know if he has them or not

Cherry1

Hiya hob,

I think you sound resourceful and creative so...for a Christmas tree, you could get a roll of wallpaper, turn it round and draw one on it. Then you and your brother could personalise it and even stick a star or angel on the top with a bit of selotape/glitter, could be a stimulating fun thing to do. I put a roll of wallpaper up when I have friend's kids visiting (eldest is 14), and they love having a scribble or writing on it if it's stuck on the wall. Hope it doesn't sound naff, I thought the tree was a good idea!

Like lots of people have said, you do need to look after yourself too.
http://www.carersuk.org/Home might be worth a look.

I would suggest you ask the social worker about applying for a Community Care Grant in your brother's name. These are for people who need support (i.e. receiving benefits), and need assistance with furnishing when they have moved. As he has moved in with you, you could apply for an oven, bedding, cutlery etc. I used to work as a support worker in mental health and applied for and with my clients. We'd go through the Argos catalogue to get prices (always quoting for a better model than expected as they usually rounded it down of course!).
If the social worker isn't willing to do this for him (they should really, that's their job!), then perhaps they can suggest somebody who will.

This Christmas will actually be great as it's your first one to start creating new traditions for yourselves so that can be fun. Don't bust a gut trying to get him the electronic toys, you know not all kids have them but I understand you want to make it special. Hope freecycle comes up with the goods. Take photos of yourselves too so you have something nice to look at during the year.

Best of luck with everything hob.

mum2billandted

Hob, I just wanted to say how much this thread has made me smile.

I sadly don't have any advice to give that hasn't already been suggested however I think you are a wonderful person for caring about your brother and taking him in despite your family troubles. You deserve to be happy and have a wonderful Christmas, and hopefully all the help and advice here will make that happen.

I will keep watching this thread for updates, I hope everything works out for you soon.

Emma xxxx

hob

RustyFlange- i didnt know there was a Ethel Austins thanks for that. i do shop in morisions as well dont knwo why i have never seen it before. im selling my ds in the shop as i have been told by the time you pay paypal and ebay u may aswell have just sold it. plus im thinking of keeping the game to give to craig. u can play ds games on dsi
mary-op- yeah i was thinking about that i have had monpoily for years and years i still havent played it lol. i am a lot more postive now. i may get extra worried whit the emontinal stuff when he cant go to see the kids near christmas but if i have all the 'stuff' done then that will be easer.ill also repy to ur pm after this
NualaBuala- craig thats my brothers name im not sure if i mentiond that yet has every computer going exsept the playstion 3 (there is a reason for that but i cant rember why.....lol) but i cant ask that of you ANY of you im not trying to say that i dont appreciate what ur all doing. i think thats so sweet but i didnt mean to sound like i was begging. christmas is hard for a lot of ppl not just me.thank you so much tho.
Welsh Poppy- agian thansk you so much but i couldnt let you do that. its a extreamly nice offer. and i cant belive someone stole ur ds!! sucks.
beccad- lol yeah thats what im hoping. is it wrong i was allready thinking iceland? i might not have anything to cook it with yet! if not then i have a steamer and a george forman i can problay get a microwave before xmas aswell. then ill figger something out ;)i dont have a table eather no room but i have aplan im gonna keep his moving box's tape together and put a christmas sheet on top ta da kinda a table lol it will be fine
elfen- 'cheap, cheerful and they look cool (and if they get tatty you can redo them!)' and if the cat distorys them then we can remake them aswell. will defentlay be doing this.again thanks for the offer but i cant ask you to do that im touched that you all would offer.

stalking ebay is doing me good! i have found if i just make a list of random stuff like and serch all items i can sometimes find some good things. i got robocop on dvd for 1.20 free delivery! today not something i would have serched for but he will like.(i hope lol) dose anyone know much about cutoms i have seen quite a few si fi ish things from china at dead good rates but i think there is a charge at customs isnt there? the pencile case didnt happen as i only have girly fabrics but i did start knitting some socks that can go to linzy or someone from stash so free! lol (if ur thinking eh whos lizy? one of my best mates i have to get her and kirsty but kirstys done now thanks to tescos poster offer and maybe if i have time/ money /oven ill bake them some cookies closer too)

isitenough

Been reading the thread and wanted to say good for you and hope things look up for you. I have no advice really as don't know much about your situation but others certainly have good things to say/offer.
As for games etc.. have you thought of entering some competitions for certain things? The competition forum has quite a few competitions running if you search for the platform you want (Xbox, etc..). Not guaranteed a win but can't hurt to enter. You can spend as much time as you like entering. As I said, doesn't always result in a win but worth a try if you have a spare 5 mins a day.
Good luck with everything.

elsien

isitenough wrote: »

The competition forum has quite a few competitions running if you search for the platform you want (Xbox, etc..). Not guaranteed a win but can't hurt to enter. You can spend as much time as you like entering. As I said, doesn't always result in a win but worth a try if you have a spare 5 mins a day.
Good luck with everything.

Be warned though, this is horribly addictive and that 5 minutes a day can quickly turn into hours while you become an anti-social computer-addicted recluse! Fun though when things arrive in the post.