Holiday Help

[mamacass260]

I need ideas for Christmas presents. We are on a limited income and my boyfriend's family insists that we buy for every grandchild. There are 5 families. My boyfirend and I have one child. There are 9 other grandchildren between his five siblings.

For some reason, the entire family thinks I'm cheap and selfish for wanting to do a gift exchange instead of buying for 9 other children. Last year, we did $5 gift cards to each of them. We left feeling cheap as hell.

I'm desperate for ideas!

[knagsmom]

Oct. 26, 2010 at 11:04 PM

what are their ages?

[mamacass260]

Oct. 26, 2010 at 11:05 PM

the youngest is 6 months and the oldest is 10

(Original Poster)

[knagsmom]

Oct. 26, 2010 at 11:08 PM

i mean if their all under 10 i would just do something from like the dollar tree or family dollar. our family at least my hubbys side does gifts for the kids. and theres alot of kids. so i just tell hubby lets do little things for the little kids and find something for the ones above 10. the little kids are all girls except 4 so i do little bottles of nail polish and little arts and crafts stuff.

[knagsmom]

Oct. 26, 2010 at 11:11 PM

well the 6 months old would be ok with some stuff animal or some little toy that makes noise. depeading on the sexes of the others and if they are spoiled u can do the above its really the thought that counts and its baby jesus bday

[mamacass260]

Oct. 26, 2010 at 11:13 PM

thanks for the ideas. like I said, last year, we did BK gift cards. Grandma loves to take the kids to BK for the playland so I thought this was an awesome idea. Not only did none of them thank us but you can tell the look of disgust on some parents faces.

(Original Poster)

[Lb128f]

Oct. 27, 2010 at 1:10 AM

Wow. I'd skip celebrating with them...it's unfair to expect YOU all to be able to buy for ALL of them when you only have ONE child and when what you did get last year wasn't appreciated. I'd let them know we could do the "exchange" or nothing. Geessh.

I am guessing they would they be offended by homemade gifts?

[vickiejewell40]

Oct. 27, 2010 at 2:02 AM

I two have a limited income. I don't know what state your from but try the Salvation Army. They have used stuff like toys and clothes there. Don't be ashamed to ask for help with  this there's allot of people who use these resources all the time .They also help with food and help pay your bills .Me and my guy get help all the time

[mamacass260]

Oct. 27, 2010 at 12:30 PM

Thank you for all your suggestions. I was thinking something home made this year but again, at a loss of what to do!

(Original Poster)

[jwaren]

Oct. 27, 2010 at 2:50 PM

What kinds of homemade items do you feel comfortable making. You can do personalized crayon rolls with coloring books for younger kids, fleece scarves and pj's for older kids, You could make a cute, scented gel that looks like a candle for super cheap (used unflavored gelatin, scent and water) for older girls. Movie night kits for older kids are fun to put together. A $5 movie rental GC, microwave popcorn and a box of candy. Tu-tu's for little girls. So many fun things. But it sounds like your boyfriend needs to talk to his family and set a price limit of $10 or something because that is a lot to buy for.