How to have a good Christmas for kids when we are in a lot of debt?

[Anonymous]

I would have a talk about the true meaning of Christmas, mass consumerism and marketing, and be blunt. "Learn from our mistakes so you don't have to deal with this when you're an adult." And then I'd set a budget (maybe $50 per kid and $50 on the family like for bagels and Christmas cookies and coco or whatever) and stick to it. Challenge the kids to come up with "acts of service" as gifts for each other. Maybe one makes another's bed every day for a week. Stuff like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a ton of free activities and you can drive around looking at lights. You can bake together and make new decorations. Have family movie nights to watch holiday movies. Have a special breakfast and nice dinner on Christmas. These things will make the season special. As for gifts, make a budget and stick to it. Be guided by what your kids want - if it’s a bunch of small things do that and if it’s a large gift do that.

Matching pjs are not cheap and not good present bang for the buck but o agree otherwise with the sentiment of doing fun family activities.

Agree, skip the matching PJs this year

I picked up some adult sized pajamas at Carter’s today for $10 and matching kid pj’s for $6. You can do it on the cheap.

[Anonymous]

As long as you do it in a way that doesn’t make them feel scared, I think kids that age will really rally behind the “getting out of debt” Christmas. But they will really need confidence that their family and home is safe.

Enlist them in coming up with ideas for things they can make for each other instead of buying toys. Maybe a cookie exchange. Woven bracelets. Stuff like that.

[Anonymous]

Facebook marketplace! So many people clean out playrooms in November and December before an avalanche of new toys comes. You can get almost news toys for next to nothing. Kids won’t notice because Santa often unboxes items and displays them under the tree.

[Anonymous]

You and most of America, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Facebook marketplace! So many people clean out playrooms in November and December before an avalanche of new toys comes. You can get almost news toys for next to nothing. Kids won’t notice because Santa often unboxes items and displays them under the tree.

There are some wonderful suggestions on this thread, but if you also feel the need for tangible gifts, please explore these options. I just posted a closet full of unopened toys and books given to us by well-meaning grandparents over the years. My kids have outgrown them and I don’t want them in a landfill. I would be thrilled to pass them on to a family that will use them.

[Anonymous]

Join a Buy Nothing group! Right now I am getting ready to post several brand new toys to my local group.

You could also look for small things at thrift or secondhand stores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have a talk about the true meaning of Christmas, mass consumerism and marketing, and be blunt. "Learn from our mistakes so you don't have to deal with this when you're an adult." And then I'd set a budget (maybe $50 per kid and $50 on the family like for bagels and Christmas cookies and coco or whatever) and stick to it. Challenge the kids to come up with "acts of service" as gifts for each other. Maybe one makes another's bed every day for a week. Stuff like that.

This!

[Anonymous]

To make it fun, put all of your names in a hat, and each of you pulls a name, then gets $10 and a trip to a dollar tree to fill the person's stocking.

Dollar Tree also has a good craft section and for under $20 you can get enough supplies to have something to do on Christmas eve or day.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would love to help your family. I know you said you are not in need, but I also know how it feels to be financially stressed at this time of year. I love Christmas, my kids are very fortunate and I really enjoy helping others at Christmas (and will help other families as well). I set up a gmail account [e-mail]. Please email me! I would be happy to get a few things for your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me start off by saying that we are aware of our financial mistakes and are correcting to fix it.

How do we have a good Christmas when we are in a lot of debt? We have three kids. Two are early elementary age and one is middle school. I have no idea what to do or say as Christmas is coming up. We can not afford a lot of gifts. We can not afford big gifts. We are by no means in need though. Should we do just one large gift for each kid? A lot of small little gifts for each kid? Sit them down and seriously let them know that this year will look different?

Please be kind. We know Christmas is not about gifts but we have kids that we would love to give gifts to.

I think you want to have a magical christmas and you can do it with experiences that arent too costly...go ice skating/ hot chocolate, drive and look at neighborrhood xmas lights or brookside garden type, make cookies for neighbors/ nursing home. Go caroling with neighbors, go to a movies go on a hike.

For gifts get somwehing they need, something they want ( within reason) something to read.

Explain that funds are lower but maybe you can do a secret santa with your family members? Kids can do odd jobs with neighbors to get the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a ton of free activities and you can drive around looking at lights. You can bake together and make new decorations. Have family movie nights to watch holiday movies. Have a special breakfast and nice dinner on Christmas. These things will make the season special. As for gifts, make a budget and stick to it. Be guided by what your kids want - if it’s a bunch of small things do that and if it’s a large gift do that.

Matching pjs are not cheap and not good present bang for the buck but o agree otherwise with the sentiment of doing fun family activities.

Agree, skip the matching PJs this year

I picked up some adult sized pajamas at Carter’s today for $10 and matching kid pj’s for $6. You can do it on the cheap.

That’s still not a good use of money that would be better spent on actual gifts. If no one needs PJs, why blow $40 on unnecessary clothing items for a one morning instagram moment instead of using it on board games or art supplies or something else that will last?

[Anonymous]

The thrift store. I just got my 10 yo kid a pair of $200 VVGUC Nikes that I will clean and replace the insoles for $14. But a Nike box off Mercari for $10 and he will never know the difference. People donate a lot of toys and games still in package. Even games that are not brand new can be good gifts if you check to make sure they have all the pieces!

A lot of thrift stores will also have discounted higher end goods behind the counter. Today I saw an Oculus for $99 and a coach bag that my teen daughter wanted for $40.

pretty much all our stocking stuffers as art and craft supplies. Cans of play dough take up a lot of room in a stocking. The dollar tree has a lot of genuine cool stuff that my kids love — expandable washcloths, hair clips, socks, slime, fidgets, Pokémon cards…

[Anonymous]

Buy nothing and thrift stores. But I agree that you may have to have a talk with the teen. Typical teen gifts are expensive.

[Anonymous]

I read on here a few years ago about someone who does four gifts each year—something you need, something to read, something you want, something to wear. I love that!