Take this time to make YOUR OWN TRADITIONS...who cares what BM gets them, who cares how they spend their time...do something completely different with the kids this time and make it your new family tradition...get the focus off presents and make the focus something else...

ie. a whacky picture taken of all of you
ie. each reading a book appropriate for the age of the reader to all
ie. watching Christmas movies together and drinking hot chocolate in nice champagne flutes
ie. with the help of your DH make a trivia game about YOUR FAMILY together

Just think outside the box...

And for the gifts, if the kids still believe, then they are more concerned with getting lots of them...so go to the dollar store and have a ball!
Or even Half-Price books has great stuff! I just bought my son a Bionicles game for 1.00USD today...

I agree with going to the Dollar Store, it's funny how, atleast with my kids, the littlest thing can entertain them and they'll keep up with that alot longer than an expensive gift they said they wanted!

I'm so sorry you're going thru a difficult time right now! ((((HUGS))))

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“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”

just simple things - go to the dollar store or a arts and crafts. Buy something small that will entertain them the whole day.

christmas is more than gifts, but i understand how you feel. we are in a bind as well, but after the suggestions from here, its going to be a great christmas afterall. bd3 is going to help "make" gifts for her grandparents (luckily, they are very involved and LOVE homemade gifts from the grandkids). we got bd3's gifts from craigslist, and we lucked out cause they were new in box toys that the lady's daughter didnt want. for sd11 we went to wally world and went down the aisle that has 1, 3, 5, 10 dollar gifts and got her a few things. we have been making cookies, watching christmas movies, driving around to see lights in the neighborhood, decorated, listened to christmas songs. sd11 is not participating (her choice) but bd3 is so excited. we are going to see santa this weekend.

hang in there. i wish i could help you but im in the same boat.

I'd vote Craigslist. You can even find free stuff that's really nice. But I think it depends on what they want.

Otherwise, how about a fun day? Cardboard forts, home made meal that they help with (to some degree), popsicle sticks to make boats or other neat things, a treasure hunt with riddle clues...?

I know how you feel. I'm going through a bad time financially but I still want to get something for my son. I'm lucky that he's a little over 2 and I can do thrift stores. So, really cheap presents and we'll spend the day playing around the house. I'm going to build a river inside with cut up 2 liter bottles, maybe some dirt or sand and some home made "boats". And then the next day we'll drive a bit and go sledding in the snow.

I hate to hear this. I think you've got a lot of great suggestions above and I don't have much to add but my support. Things will improve.

How about contacting TOYS for TOTS, or a local Church in your area.
Most have items, they collect , brand new, for children their ages & will help you (free), they also allow families to get a free Dinner basket, a turkey or ham dinner.
You'll be fine, don't panic. Just makes some calls. And tell them your situation.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas !!