Family cant afford Christmas

Caroline_a

No flaming from me Judy - I had very little money when my children were little (I remember FIS!) and used to buy things throughout the year and save for the slightly larger presents.

Whether this story is a true one or not, there appears to be an awful sense of entitlement that children have to have large expensive presents or Christmas will be ruined.

selement

£500 on Christmas? I know they have a few kids but if you're that desperate you could manage with less. As someone earlier said £25 in Asda would sort out enough Xmas dinner for everyone, if worried about the kids going without any presents maybe spend a bit on prezzies, but certainly no more than £50 per child (I think £20 is also perfectly reasonable, or less since really they aren't your kids and it isn't you r problem). Parents can go without, Christmas is more about kids and they need to learn to manage their money better.
If it was me I wouldn't help unless they were a good friend, most people are low on spare money around Christmas time so it'd be a reasonable excuse.
I admittedly don't have kids but have already learnt to save throughout the year to make Christmas less of a shock on the budget.

ALIBOBSY

I think its one of those decisions you could only make if you knew the family yourself and their exact situation.

For me it would also depend on how much money I had myself. To us £500 is alot of money, but with 6 of us (4 kids aged 6-18) I have to admit we have already spent about that on presents and some of the christmas food-just have the fresh stuff to pay for although the meat is on an order from a local butcher/farm shop on a savings plan so will only be a bit left to pay.

If we had thousands in the bank and could stand to lose it I would consider lending a few hundred in hopes the kids would see some of it. But although I would say it was a loan I would assume I wasn't getting it back.

Ali x

puppypants

Poor_Single_lady wrote: »

But if it's true that means that a lot of people replying are happy for 3 children to wake up on Christmas morning without any presents. That breaks my heart. I don't want any kids waking up without presents on Christmas Day and I don't care if their parents work or not.

I would send gifts for the kids not cash and as someone else said lunch from Asda. £500 is excessive though but they can't not have anything. Have people forgotten what it's like to be a child. I feel really sad by this thread. Very much hoping it's fictional.

When my kids were little, we went through a really tough time, unemployment, no benefits apart from child benefit etc. On Christmas morning that year, my kids woke up to new wellies and colouring books and crayons. I could hear them when they were unwrapping the presents in their bedroom and I lay sobbing, not because they were disappointed, but because they were delighted at having new wellies from Santa! We had bought a cheap plastic sledge between them and had loads of fun sledging. One of the best Christmases ever!

Kim_kim

Person_one wrote: »

Able bodied but not working, they smoke, they drink, more than the average number of kids... could they possibly fit the Daily Mail stereotype any better?!

I can't answer the question until I know how big their TV is I'm afraid.

As big flat TVs are the norm now - is this still an indicator?

Is 42 the new 28 & you have to go 50plus to be a chav?

barbiedoll

I've been saving during the year, I don't generally spend much on presents but I did want to get my husband an exercise bike, and my son wanted a new coat that he's seen in Next. Luckily, I've bought everyone else's gifts because last week, I heard my brakes squealing (I knew they were going but was hoping they would last until New Year) so I had to spend a pretty penny getting them fixed.

So no pressies for hubby and son this year....if anyone wants to lend me £137.98, I'd be really grateful? I do have my own wrapping paper, and I ain't worried about Xmas dinner, I've got a couple of chicken breasts in the freezer and a packet of out-of-date stuffing, so no-one's going to starve. I don't drink and have emergency teabags, so it's all good.

All donations gratefully received!

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

clairec79 wrote: »

The co-op have a xmas dinner deal at the moment for £10
Stuffed Turkey Joint
McCain roast potatoes
Aunt Bessie’s Honey Glazed Roast Parsnips
Aunt Bessie’s 12 4 minute Yorkshire puddings
Aunt Bessie’s Button Sprouts Glazed with Thyme, Sage and Nutmeg
Viennetta Chocolate Nut

so if you feel bad, you could just give her a tenner - dinner sorted

You would pay £10 for that.

I would get a pound of mince, some tatties and a cabbage and keep the change from a fiver!

SingleSue

I may help out with getting a frozen turkey and bits and possibly a selection box or a couple of bits from poundland for each of the children.

The first Christmas after my marriage broke down was very eek, the split had occured in late November, he shafted me for the bills for that month, cleared out our joint account and joint savings and pretty much left us with nothing. Up to that point, we would save throughout the year and then in December, would do a very large shopping outing and get the presents...that was cleared out too.

It was a dire situation but I got my thinking cap on, sold some of my own items to get some money and then got to work finding cheap second hand items in good condition. I only spent about £10 per child but they loved every single thing.

Thankfully, my parents were able to provide the Christmas dinner (we always go there for Christmas day) without our usual contribution of the turkey and trimmings although I still managed to squeeze out a small financial contribution.

I now buy throughout the year, the budget is still low per child (£40 max) but they appreciate the items and never moan.

£500 is just excessive and not needed for a good Christmas.

annandale

OP must be pondering what to do

thorsoak

Wonder if the OP was Andy something or other?? Always had horrendous stories about benefit cheats etc!

The family I wrote about is real ...is still being kept afloat by neighbours who now give just enough for the kids ...