I play with my kids a lot and tell them nothing will be under the tree because I can’t afford it. A few years ago it wasn’t a joke and I really could not afford to get gifts. If it wasn’t for friends and family my kids would have nothing under the tree. These kids go to school and there is a factor of what did you get when they go back in January. Even now it’s what will Santa get you (if they still believe) Or what are you getting. Or even what do you want for the holidays. So when the kids come to you about their list…if you don’t have it you have to tell them something. How do you tell your kids there is no money for Christmas? How do you tell your kids we don’t celebrate Christmas to get gifts we celebrate for the birth of Jesus?
How to tell your kids there is no money for Christmas
Be honest. I found that when I couldn’t provide for my kids I told them that Santa (they still believed at that time) didn’t have a lot of money to go around and that we were special this year because we get to spend time together without all the gifts. We get to be thankful for the roof over our head and the clothes and toys that we already have. My kids were ok with that until they went to school and saw what the other kids had. That sucked but they were only mad for a few days. They got over it!
Limit the gifts. I find that a lot of people only do 3 or 4 gifts period. Something they want, something they need, something that is useful and something that is meaningful. I think doing this and keeping up with it every year can be beneficial for your kids. That way they aren’t expecting a lot and you can budget early for things.
I find that as the kids get older they want less and less but what they want costs money. My kids came to me with their list a few weeks ago which is laughable but I did get them one or two things from it because I saved and had a budget.
Now Christmas can also be a money sucker. I don’t know why we spend so much money during the holidays. Myself included. I bought a new tree this year and did the unboxing. See the video and my thoughts on King of Christmas.
https://youtu.be/6scyzZhPIy0
Did I need a new tree? Yes
Did I have to buy from King of Christmas? No
Other things we spend our money on during the holidays that are unnecessary
- Gift wrapping – it’s something you buy to put right back in the trash. Reuse bags or pay no more than a dollar at the dollar store
- Decor – Chile decor for the holidays is at an all-time high. I reuse the things that are already around my house and stuff I got on sale the year before. I refuse to buy anything new (besides that tree lol)
- Expensive family traditions – I know one family that does gift exchanges and the cheapest thing they can buy is $50 when did that go up I thought it was 25 bucks.
Money is a huge issue during the holidays and I want you to remember what the holidays are really about. Don’t buy anything that you can’t reuse next year and don’t spend anything for folks to try to impress anyone. Take the holidays to spend time with families, create traditions that don’t cost anything, and if your kids ask you why there isn’t any money for the holidays tell them because I have to pay for this house you live in and the food that you eat.
7 Comments
Carissa
December 9, 2019 at 6:14 pmSince having children, Christmas has become expensive. On my side of the family we buy for the kids and do secret santa for us and it works. My husband side are the total opposite and still go all out, but I had to tell my husband we will be poor if we continue this tradition! So we exchange gifts (like secret santa type of thing that changes yearly), but if I didnt have any money I probably wouldn’t want to tell my children especially if they were young. I would find a way to get them something they really wanted and that’s it. We do one big gift for each child and a couple of smaller gifts.
Brandy
December 10, 2019 at 12:41 amThis is such an important reminder. I hope that it helps others who may be feeling guilty for not having lots of money to spend on gifts.
Rena
December 10, 2019 at 5:23 pmI don’t have little kids at home but I can remember when my son was little I spent $20 at the Dollar Store for his gifts. He was really little so he didn’t care, but I agree. Honesty is the best policy.
Leslie
December 11, 2019 at 4:55 amMy child is 8 but has no siblings and really no older cousins near to show her the way of coming up with a list or even ask for much. I could go ball out at the dollar tree and she’d be just as pleased. I wonder how long it will last. I got my comebacks ready though the minute she ask me for something and I wont have any problems telling her if I cant afford it.
Kim
December 11, 2019 at 6:52 pmEven though we have explained to our daughter numerous times that Christmas isn’t just about gifts, somehow, even though she said she knows, we get this massive list of things. This year, I am cutting back because we’ve been inundated with medical bills. I’m usually the one responsible for all the shopping.
Sheena
December 11, 2019 at 8:38 pmMy kids are pretty simple, but their grandparents spoil them. They’ve kinda grown to expect MORE from them so we really don’t have to do for them, however it still stinks when we can’t. For us it’s all about the magic of Christmas and the decor… the cookies, the cocoa, the lights and festivities. I draped a cheap string of lights over the windows in the kids room and they were so excited about those little lights. It’s all about the little touches, although they’ll be looking at their grandparents for the goods.
Holly
December 13, 2019 at 3:05 amI feel you on the wrapping paper, but I like wrapping and watching as people unwrap. Bags I will def be at the dollar tree. The cheapest is $50, I thought there was usual a cap like $50 or less or $25 or less.