I've always just bought a few surpise items that my daughter needs. She always gets an ornament (that I usually buy the year before on sale), a set of PJ's (bought usually at the lowest price of the season sales a month or two in advance), and a puzzle. I even bought a hair dryer this past year. I've just made a habit to not "go all out" and buy the hottest item that everyone else gets so that we don't create a little monster that is just "gimme gimme gimme" and disappointed when things don't work out.

We have been fortunate to not have ever been in this situation. We draw names on both sides of the family instead of buying for every aunt, uncle, and cousin. We set a limit and we stick with it. For our kids, we buy them one bigger gift and a few little things for their stockings and that's it. They are more than happy with it! At work, we have a gift giving tree for children who may not get anything for Christmas and I pick 2 paper stockings from it and take the kids with me shopping to get whatever is listed on that paper stocking. Even though they are only 8 and 6, they seem to understand that not every child will wake up Christmas morning with toys, etc. under their tree. I want our kids to realize they are very lucky and should try to help out those who may not be as fortunate as we are.

Well, I'm not sure that I would tell them. I mean, I've given to toys for tots and angel trees and every other sort of "drive' that I can think of over the years, so if I was that hard-up I think I might be inclined to sign up for one of those services myself. Kids that ask for inexpensive things like barbies or bikes usually get those things from the angel trees, so I'd ask for a couple toys on that, wal- mart tree for clothes, and then the grandparents would surely fill in. I've never once asked my family for help on any bill or any sort of help of anything since I've been out on my own and married. Never once. So if things became difficult, and I did ask them to do christmas presents for the kids, I'm sure they would be happy to help, since I've never asked for any sort of assistance before.

Around this time of year, I start getting antsy about making sure my kids things are purchased. I alwasy worry about an end of the year layoff, and I would feel more secure in knowing the gifts are already bought. That way, even if times were really tight, the gifts are there and that's one less thing to stress about.

Well, for a few years in the past, I did get gifts from Santa's closet. It was wonderful, and while they might not have gotten exactally what they asked for, they got lots! It is a wonderful thing!!!! My boys were really little, so they were happy with anything. My girls were older, but not having to buy for the boys allowed me to spend some on them, plus being older, they understood about money and how it was tight, and appreciated whatever they got. When it comes to my kids and Christmas, I definitely was not too proud to accept help when we needed it. I could not live with myself if I did not make Christmas special for my little ones. Christmas is probably the one time I really like to go overboard and spoil the kiddos!

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~Happiness is a large family~

We have never had this problem. But I do have my daughter help me pick out a present for a girl and a boy each year that would have no Christmas. Because she is so young and still believes in Santa I tell her that some kids move so much that Santa does not know where they live so we help them have a Christmas...I'll explain more to her as she gets bigger.

Also if you are facing this you can always try to get your kids a few small gifts from Toys for Tots or the Salvation Army. Also if you post on a local Freecycle board you can ask people for gently used toys for your child's age range and most people will happily give you some toys and clothes to wrap for under the tree.

Jen

We had to do this last year. We litterally had no extra $$ to spend as dh's hours at work were way down. So much so, that we ended up paying December & January rent 2 weeks late! The only gift I had planed for each of us was handmade pjs from flannel I bought a couple of years prior... and then I figured I would go to the dollar tree and pick up a couple of small items. We wouldn't have even had a tree if it wasn't for me buying a $25 fake one the year before.

My ds was 6 & dd was 2. Luckily she was little enough that she didn't remember her first Christmas, so I didn't have to even try to explain anything to her. But with ds.. I just gently told him that Santa would bring him a gift (didn't quite no how), and that Jesus knows what we need and that he would provide our needs for us. Well... a few days later we were notified that we were selected as a family that was being helped by a local vfw post!! I didn't even know we were nominated. When the man from the post brought us our gifts.. I didnt' even know what to say. Ds was home and he saw him come to the door.. After he left (and I put everything in our shed), I explained that that wasn't just a nice man.. he was one of Santa's Elfs... And he stoped by early to drop off our presents!!!

Wouldn't you know, but my children got exactally what they had asked Santa for at the mall?!? ds got his art supplies & some board games, and dd got a baby play set! They also each got new outfits including shoes. I quite frankly think that one of my girlfriends nominated us, because I even received a new handmixer (mine bit the dust while we were trying to make cookies together), and dh got new jeans, work socks & a winter hat for his job outdoors!

We felt truly blessed... and last years Christmas will be one I will remember forever!
-sarah

edited to add: As much as it was wonderful to be the reciepents of such generosity last year, I knew I didn't want it to happen again this year.. so I started shopping for Christmas in July! I am actually done for our family.. and we just need to buy something for my niece & get some Christmas cds for our family members... and dh probably still needs to shop for me..

we were poor growing up but santa always got us gifts. My mom usually got toys from thrift store or from local charities. Most of the toys were not new but used. My mom always told us Santa gives us what we need not necesarily what we want. I have continued to teach my kids that. Even when we used the food shelves we were able to give the kids gifts. They were usually from thrift store or garage sale. My kids did comment that they didn't get as many toys as last year. I asked them what they got and they couldn't answer me except for one or two items. They knew the presents from mom and dad would be less b/c dad was at a new job(underemployed). also Santa had alot of extra kids to help that year b/c alot of moms and dads were losing their jobs. We had about 10 people in our extended family that lost their job that year. Since Santa knew the kids would be getting gifts from aunts/uncles/cousins etc we told Santa it was okay to give us less so he could give to the kids that really needed them. We even made sure to help out at church wrapping presents. The kids loved playing Santa helpers for others.
allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

Our hardest year we had was the year that I had my youngest. I tried my hardest to pick up a few things throughout the year to make it a decent one (my oldest was used to having a ton of presents from Santa). I did manage to find a nice big present (a barbie house and 2 barbies)for my oldest and a warm outfit for my youngest- but it was not what I felt would be a good Christmas. Anyways, my oldest kept adding a ton of things on her list and I had to tell her that Santa needed to cut back this year since there is so many kids in the world and sometimes we have to help Santa in the gifts that she gets from him and we did not really have the money (she was 7 at the time). Well that year I admit that we had to go to the food bank in order to actually have some food in the house and they did a toy drive for all the patrons- we were able to get 2 presents and 3 small things for the stocking (I got both the girls 1 toy and 1 outfit and useful things for their stocking).

Now, this is my first Xmas with my 1 year old and he probably won't notice or understand anything about xmas for a little while yet, but, im hoping to instill the value of giving rather than recieving. We will get him things for xmas just to watch the light and magic in his eyes as he comes down to see presents under the tree. But I personally feel that xmas is not just about gifts. Its another occassion to spend time with friends and family and celebrate the holidays together. I don't like getting wrapped up in the gift shopping stress.

Im trying not to sound like a humbug, but my husband and I feel like most holidays are just over -commercialized. I enjoy the spirit of the holidays, rather than trying to find the money to buy gifts. If I had a choice of receiving gifts or carrying out tradition of hte holidays, i would take tradition over gifts ANYDAY. Of course im not a 8 year kid with a wish list for Santa, but hopefully, my kids will feel the same way.

I read in a blog that you should enjoy experiences rather than things. And I totally stand by that when it comes to holidays. I would take decorating an xmas tree with my kids, xmas eve get togethers, reading and singing xmas stories and songs, xmas morning breakfast and xmas dinner and time with family over a few gifts any day.

AGain, I don't have older kids yet, so who knows, maybe my outlook will change. I just know that I don't want my kids to be expecting stuff all the time and I know that any kid of any age would understand not being able to afford a lavish xmas. I think less fortunate times makes your family appreciate the more fortunate times just that much more!

(I hope this made sense)

We are strapped this year and so I went along with someone's suggestion that Santa can only give out 5 gifts each at our house this year. Now they don't have to know they are dollar store gifts! We are lucky in that I've got a large extended family and so my kids get plenty of gifts from them (as do we!) I actually just lost $10 on a layaway because I needed my payment money for diapers and milk.