You can park inexpensively at the botanic garden. Go see the trains there.

Some of my kids favorite gifts were less than $10. Board games, small lego set, books, crafts, a pack of pokemon cards, bath bombs.

I bet for the 8 and 2 year old you can find stuff on buy nothing.

For the older child, maybe pick one big gift they want and then explain quality over quantity.

You can spend extra time decorating the house. Bake. Make crafts. Watch movies. Look of holiday events like markets and Christmas tree lightings. When you go, make your own hot chocolate at home and carry it in mugs

Anonymous wrote:The older kids are old enough to have talks about money. Just be honest with them.

This. My mom was hospitalized when I was 10 and couldn’t work for a while. She made about 50% of our families income. They told us that Christmas would be very light. She did get us a few things but they were from thrift shops. Now there is temu and amazon. See if you can sign up with your kids’ school for gifts. Anyway, I remember that being one of the best christmases I ever had as a kid. My mom really thought about what we might like and we did baking and games and spent time together as a family. Make hot chocolate and ride around and look at lights. If you can afford it, do one of the drive through light displays. Go see that street in Baltimore. Watch Christmas movies together. Make memories together. That’s what it’s about, not stuff. I promise they won’t be scarred OP. Hope next year is better for you.

+1 on buy nothing— people may even be getting rid of artificial trees still. Lots of people are downsizing toys right now getting rid of things their kids have outgrown in preparation for new gifts. If you don’t want to post publicly have a trusted friend within your BN boundaries post for you w/o mentioning your name.
There is no shortage of stuff in the world and I am sure you can find some fun gifts for free while also doing all the family stuff others have mentioned that is arguably more important (though o know it’s hard to not get your kids things they want!)

Are you religious at all?
You can make an advent wreath with pine twigs and pinecones. There are Jesse tree printables at Catholic Icing, and you can do a reading every night. Christmas carols are free!

I would really look at my budget about the tree and one big gift for the older kids. I might say no to any stocking stuffer kinds of things, and I might even say no to baking (which is more expensive than people realize!), but I would try to figure out a way to make the one thing they really want happen.

Also, this is kind of what credit cards are for. I mean, don’t go overboard or anything, but if you are reasonably sure that you will get another job in a couple of months, having a few hundred dollars in credit card debt is not the end of the world.

Give the 13 year old a budget and have them send you a list. 2 and 8 year old, ask for stuff on buy nothing

Firstly, tell the kids what's going on. Explain that they don't need to worry, but you guys are living on a smaller budget and that means less eating out and takeout, lower budget Christmas, no new clothes for a while, etc. Then ask them to make a list of what they'd like to do to celebrate the holiday that's inexpensive. You might be surprised by what they come up with.

Question—do you have savings? Decide how much you can spend per child and stick to it. They’ll know you’re home and not working so you just say “this isn’t the year for electronics, but this is the year I’ll be home more so we can do a lot of fun things!”


—driving around different neighborhoods lights
—brookside gardens train display free in the daytime (you have to pay to visit lights at night)
—finding free little libraries to exchange books you own for “new” books

Cheap: dollar store has baking mixes that are cheap. Get some sprinkles that are festive

Ask any neighbors if they have birdseed. Spread peanut butter on pinecones and make bird feeders.


Put on holiday playlists and dance! Watch movies. Pop popcorn. Snuggle. It’s not about the gifts!!!

What's your budget?

You can possibly get a refurbished electronic for the older child (or ask a realative to get that).

Small gifts, wrap everything!
- dollar section and Holiday section at Target
- Temu is your friend
- look at Amazon for deals like buy 2 get 1 free books (one for each kid)
- discount stores like Home Goods and TJ Maxx and Marshalls have toys and clothing and toiletries and specialty candies that are priced competitively

Anonymous wrote:The older kids are old enough to have talks about money. Just be honest with them.

This. If anything, this will be a good finance lesson for them.

Baking Christmas cookies - frosting them is fun. An inexpensive Trader Joe’s gingerbread house to build is fun. One for the whole family - while frosting some of the cookies.

Make candy together

Find a free Christmas concert at a local church or school

Drive around looking at lights. Going to National Christmas tree at Ellipse and/or Botanical Gardens

Make stupid ornaments from toilet rolls or other cardboard throwaway items

Set a budget for each kid - small things for stockings.

Ask your kids to think about what they really need.

Since you will be home, you can watch movies together - go on hikes (depending on your physical ability after your hospitalization).

I would google simple, inexpensive Christmas ideas and see what others have compiled. Pluck what interests you.

How did your 13 and 8 year old react when you were hospitalized? Do they know the reason? They may. Be more empathetic than you think.

Go to some of the library book sales that are going on now - there should be some bargains there.

Get some cookbooks out from the library and see what you and your family is interested in cooking.

Are either of your children interested knitting or crocheting? If so, you can ask on your social media if anyone has any extra yarn or needles. People in my knitting group are always looking to give away things.

I wish you a calm, serene, and loving holiday season.

consider a turn towards homemade presents— fudge, cookies, offers to do chores or to spend an afternoon together or stay up late to watch movie together, etc.

At age 13, I would explain. If he is used to expensive Christmas gifts and then gets a lot less this year, he may assume that you are mad at him or fear that the family is going to become homeless. Kids are excellent observers but poor interpreters. I would let at least him know that Christmas will look different this year but the family is still stable.

Goodwill/thrift stores are a good idea, plus neighborhood list serves. Good luck!

The older kids are old enough to have talks about money. Just be honest with them.

I quit my job this past week with nothing else lined up after the stress of it landed me in the hospital. Planning on taking the rest of December off to recover.

My salary made up 60% of our income, which means things will be extremely tight. We can do it, but there’s no room for extras.

I feel horrible because the kids wanted expensive gifts (electronics) which I know I can’t afford now. I’m even panicking about how I’ll be able to afford a tree this year.

Any ideas for what to do for Christmas that are as low budget as possible? Kids are 13, 8, 2 (not worried about the 2yo since she’ll be thrilled with goodwill toys as long as she gets to unwrap them!)