How to Tell My 6YO Christmas Will Be Smaller??

loose lips sink ships.....& that's what will happen if you openly draw attention to a smaller Christmas.

Make it a joy-filled event, & the smaller # of gifts will not be noticed. :)

It's not the stuff, it's the season, even for kids.

I wouldn't say a word unless things are so tight you can't get him the one special gift he really wants from Santa. At his age he likely won't be aware how much things actually cost. One Christmas when I was little Santa left a goldfish, in a cut glass bowl my Mother happened to already own;).
At five I thought it was the best gift ever!

I wouldn't say anything about it at all....and stop worrying about it!

Christmas will be special no matter what you do, b/c it IS Christmas and b/c you guys will all be together.

~At my house Santa only brings each kid 1 gift anyway...all the rest of the gifts are from us or family!

Is there a reason to tell him? If you go into it with him expecting to sacrifice, that's exactly what it will seem like. If you say nothing, I'm sure he'll be grateful for whatever he does get.

Our Christmas will be tighter than usual too, mostly because I'm having a child first week of December. But I haven't said anything to our kids (8 and 5 years old). They will be grateful for whatever they get. If not, they'll get a lecture on what it means to be grateful, LOL.

I'm not sure they'll even notice! I'm with Mamazita (damn she ALWAYS steals my answer).

If you are jolly and warm and happy and everything else about Christmas is the same, it's unlikely they'll feel jilted.

Don't worry, ok? We want to get them EVERYTHING, don't we? But the best of it is only a teeny bit about the presents.

Enjoy everyone's health and that you're all together.

Merry Christmas!

:)

I wouldn't say anything. As you think about what he's asked to get for Christmas and look at you budget, you might just remind him that Santa only has so much room on his sleigh for all those boys and girls in the world. So, what does he want more than anything? I would not promise what he's getting nor would I tell him a firm number of things that he's getting. There are lots of inexpensive items that can augment what Santa brings, as long as your child receives the most important item or two on his list. And, if anyone in the family asks for recommendations for a gift, you might give them some suggestions that you know Santa will not be bringing.

I personally wouldn't mention it. Wrap up little things. Dollar store items etc...At 6 they still love all that stuff..stickers, puzzles and it looks like they get a lot for for very little. Six year olds don't quite get the tightening of the budget yet. :) Make the occassion festive with baking and cooking if you like to do that. Make her a part of decorating your home, hot chocolate and telling the Christmas story.

Why tell him anything? There are many ways to make Christmas special that have nothing to do with money.
If you are concerned with the number of presents under the tree, you can always separate certain toys or sets and wrap them individually, so it looks like more than it is.
I certainly hope he doesn't have "issues" with how much he is getting, that would indeed be very sad :(

I'm so glad I can just tell my kids the truth about finances! It's imporant for kids to understand that we work for the money we have, and sometimes, due to extenuating circumstances, there's less to go around.

But that doesn't help you now,does it?

In your case, I wouldn't even mention it. Focus on the Christmas story. Head to church and let the kids enjoy the programs available to them there. If you're truly in a bind, your church may have some help for your family. Ask!

Also, use a smaller tree and don't put anything under it until everyone goes to bed on Christmas Eve. :-) Bigger impact. I'll bet they won't even notice.

God bless you and your family.

We've had to cut back on xmas gifts as of last year - finances are strained and we now have 3 children and 8 grandchildren! I too wondered how to tell them xmas would be smaller (we provide xmas for MOST of our grandkids). I didn't say anything last year and if they noticed, they didn't say anything. Of course, my grandchildren come from very economically-challenged households so they have learned to be grateful for whatever they get.

I would just not say anything. If he asks or comments, then just say there were a lot more good kids this year and Santa had to spread the gifts a little further.

you say NOTHING, just go about your business and be smart. He needs food and shelter more than a big christmas, ITS you that has to get over going overboard. As long as he gets one thing that he really would enjoy plaing with then he will be fine.

There's no need to say anything! Kids that age don't understand money well enough to know you're spending less than last year. He'll be happy as long as there are gifts.

I wouldn't say anything. Kids don't understand at that age. I know one year we got them fewer gifts than last year but family sent gifts as always but we put them under the tree to make it look as if they have more on Christmas morning, but told them what ones where from aunt and uncle---- or grandma and grandpa---. They were happy either way. They didn't notice we got them fewer gifts than last year. Dollar trees or dollar generals are good too. I wouldn't worry! It will work all out. :)

Haven't read other responses, may repeat, sorry. You don't have to say anything, kids don't notice.

Don't say anything about it being less-try to focus on the giving not the getting. Take him volunteering (carols at a rest home or meals-on-wheels) and look for free events in your area like snow festivals or concerts. There is a lot more joy in the season then just the presents.

Don't say anything. A 6 yr old has little concept of money or the cost of items. If he has one big thing in his list and you can get that item do so. Then go to places like the dollar store and get coloring books, crayons, story books ect and wrap each item separately. This way he will still have a big pile of stuff to unwrap.

Starting in January shop the clearance sales. Start small and buy the items you can, by spacing out the spending it's not such a big hit at the end of the year.

I like all of the "celebrate the season" answers. Carolling, nights of looking at lights, making decorations, attend free programs. Afterwards, even talk about how you felt while there to let them talk up the good afterglow.

Last year my daughter got a bigger present, and over vacation last year I told her that Santa doesn't always bring a big item--that that is just one or two Christmases. She said, "okay." She wasn't upset at all.

Best wishes for the upcoming holiday season!

We started doing something a few years ago that we call, "December Fun Stuff." Most of it costs no money, and we all get together and fill a jar with 30 or more things (some days we do more than one) and pull from the jar all month. It keeps things festive, but keeps us from focusing on money and presents too.
Some ideas to get you started:

-Start new traditions, like 12 days of $1 store gifts- one to unwrap each morning, or an Advent calendar, etc. You can use stickers, etc. We also have a traditional gift of new pj's for everyone to unwrap on Christmas Eve.
-A night of driving to look at Christmas lights
-Pop popcorn and watch cartoons or Christmas movies
-A night dedicated to putting up and decorating the tree
-Breakfast for dinner (or something else special- fondue, etc.)
-Celebrate other holidays too- for Yule/Solstice you can decorate a log and burn it or make a log cake, for Hanukkah you can light candles, etc.
-Donate old toys
-Go sledding
-Go for a walk at night to look at lights in your own neighborhood
-Make cookies or candy
-Make salt-dough or cinnamon ornaments, or get some cheap ornaments from Hobby Lobby and decorate them (or even twist pipe-cleaners into candy canes!)
- Go caroling with a group, or just your own family to surprise someone

There are a lot of cute ideas out there like finding a pickle in the Christmas tree, or the Elf on the Shelf ideas.... check Pinterest for loads of great ideas and crafts.

"Santa has so many wonderful kids to buy presents for this year, he can only get each kid one special thing, plus a few extra things [think: dollar store]. So now's a time to think about your one special thing."

Can't Santa be on a budget like the rest of us?

At that age, he barely remembers last Christmas, let alone the one before that. Just give him what you can give him, and be done with it. I don't think you need to apologize to him or brace him for disappointment when he would likely be happy no matter what he receives, just so long as he can open something.

Something we've always done is to go together and pick out gifts for Toys for Tots - let him know that there are MANY children who have NOTHING and are thrilled just to be able to open anything at all. Once kids truly understand that, they will not complain about what they receive. I promise. :)

I don't understand why you would even think of discussing this issue with a 6 yo. It just makes no sense at all.

A 6 yo has no idea what the cost of an item is. You can get one item for $20 or 20 items at the $1 store.

You have more than enough time to do shopping and find bargins, be creative, make items, find assistance if you qualify.

I remember the year my bff was going through a divorce. She had about $20 to spend on 3 kids. Her daughters loved playing dress up, so we went to yard sales and church rummage sales and found lots of costume jewelry, hats, gloves, etc. for under $10. The girls loved it!

Good responses so far. Also, Christmas isn't supposed to be about what you get, is it? Good time to re-focus on what the holiday means to you. And see if you can get your kids into giving of themselves - maybe MAKE some gifts for others, shop at resale shops, and so on. It's the ultimate recycling, perfect for the 21st century! It's never to early to learn to make choices and to learn to live within one's means. The littlest kids won't know the difference - half the time a 2.5 year old plays with the box the stuff came in. And keep them off the TV commercials and away from the circulars which are just designed to turn kids into greedy consumers and parents into a big guilt machine. Santa has a lot of kids to take care of, there are kids who are happy to get a square meal, etc. And someone mentioned that, just because it's on the list, it doesn't mean it's under the tree. And you've said yourself that your own bad habit of going overboard has contributed to the expectation. So start with telling them how you are reining yourself in too, and learning to focus on what's really important, in life and with regard to this holiday. Make a bigger deal of decorating, of playing music, of going to church if that's your custom, of getting together with family, and so on.

unless its a HUGE diference he wont know and dont say anything. if its a HUGE diference I'd explain mommy and daddy cant go big on christmas but santa willl still get him some presents. that way he assumes you got him most before and santa got a few
also go out black friday and get a toy or two that is bigger for 70% off thats where i do most of my shopping

Don't say anything about it. And for kids, unless you've raised greedy buggers, quantity can be just as fun as quality. Instead of getting expensive things, see where you can budget and have more to open for less money. And give a gift certificate if you know you can get something after the holiday for less. My mom did that when times were tough - we got the gift certificate and then got the gift when it was possible. And really, don't get the 3 month old anything. They don't need anything other than diapers and food and a couple of developmental toys. Same for the 2.5 year old - boxes at that age are as much fun as toys. Make the day more of an event filled with family and love and the toys won't matter.

My first response is to just do what's right for you and your budget and don't worry. She will be fine. But, in the spirit of Christmas, I see your concern.

You can tell her that since she is older now, Santa will only bring her 1 big gift and a few smaller ones (or whatever you have in mind). Then go to the dollar store and load up on coloring books and whatever and wrap them up. A 6YO has no concept of price.

Happy shopping!!

My kids are 6 & 9... I have already told them that our budget is VERY small this year, thus it will affect gifting for everyone, not just us.
They understand completely, I am very honest with them, they are not greedy or icky about it.
But yes, without them knowing, we will keep Santa alive as well. For what we can do. We explained that everyone, including Santa, has "budgets."
And, their Aunty, is usually good about being a "Santa" to them too.
Which is a nice thing on her part. We never ask her to. She just loves her niece/nephew.

My kids are a little older so we just told them that Christmas will be a lot smaller this year. But they know their dad just started working last weekend for the fist time since February.

I don't know that you have to tell him it will be smaller. I mean, unless every previous year you have gone so far overboard that he thinks he expects to receive every single item he could ever dream of wanting, because that has always been his experience.

Spend more time focused on time. Make things for the holidays. I don't mean make gifts, necessarily, I mean make things. Make a gingerbread house. Or do a gingerbread tree kit with him. Let him help you with cards. Let him help you shop for Dad and sibs. Let him help pick the tree and decorate it, or choose what cookies to bake. Have him help you bag cookies for you and he to deliver to your neighbors. Let him write out tags for candy canes to give his teachers or friends at school.

My kids get more excited about the traditions than the actual gifts, a lot of the time. Sure, they LOVE the THINGS... but they get the biggest thrill out of picking the tree. Always have. We go to the fancy lots, and look at them all and take in the smells and the sparkly lights. Then many times, we left there (after having the "experience") and went to Home Depot to choose the ACTUAL tree we strapped to the car. The kids didn't care about where the actual purchase was made. They were after the 'experience'. They got it. Free.
So maybe adjust your focus to more traditions than gifts. ?

Three years ago my husband went crazy. I counted 14 gifts for each child-way too many according to what I thought was appropriate. Two years ago, there were around 7 and last year closer to 4. I didn't mention it to my children at all, in any form. No one complained. I'm not sure they even noticed. This year again is very sparce. I'm usually close to done with Christmas shopping by now. Please, if you want to keep Santa alive, make sure to get at least one gift from Santa for the baby or the 6 year old might wonder why the 3 month old didn't get anything from Santa "Was he bad?"

Well, not knowing how you "do" Santa, it's hard to say. Does Santa bring most of the gifts? If not, then have one bigger gift from Santa and smaller things from you. Go to Oriental Trading for stocking stuffers and maybe package things so that they fill the stocking better, with less. As the sks got older, we explained that 1 video game = 4 Barbies, so if we spent the same, SS would have fewer individual items. Since Santa usually brought 1 big thing and filled stockings, it wasn't a big deal to the Santa thing if WE cut back. It also made it easier to remember later what Santa brought.

With my DD I am cutting back because I frankly went overboard. I realized that she got bored and even if I got a good deal, the child did not need 6 individual books vs 1 package with books. So you if you boxed up a lot of things together, spread them out. Do other things with the kids. Keep the really important things and focus less on the presents.

Here's a tip on inexpensive items: Look at your child's book order form and see what you can get for cheap there - I was able to order online across several reading levels and it benefited DD's school. My great-niece and nephew are getting books that way.

The first year that we went through this we told the kids that money was tight so that there wouldn't be a bunch of gifts from Mom or Dad but that Santa always made sure to get something that you needed.

When they made their lists, they were allowed to put whatever they wanted on the list. We then had them mark 2-4 things that they wanted from Mom and Dad and 4 things that they wanted from Santa.

I am not of the mindset that if it is on the list it MUST be under the tree. So then I took the list and made my choices with what my budget could do.

Take advantage of not having to buy anything for the 3 month old. The 2.5 yr old will love the very basics crayons, markers and coloring books all from the dollar store.

Also go on a website called bookoo and look up Illinois. People put tons of toys up for sale; used & brand new and for very cheap. I sell tons of brand new toys on there for a huge discount and lots of people buy for Christmas.

But don't say anything to a 6 yr old, they shouldn't have to deal with adult issues.

Last year we had to cut down on Christmas gifts and I ended up making a lot of gifts for my SD. If you know where to shop, you can get lots of good deals! Many of the things she got were secondhand, but she didn't notice or care.

Her favorite gifts were handmade! So you don't have to spend a lot to make them happy :)

Good luck!

say "Christmas will be smaller".

Gosh I wish mine were still that little LOL I could go to walmart ... spend $200 and get all 3 of them a boat load of stuff. In my house "expensive" or "big" gifts have ALWAYS come from mom and dad ... not santa. Stocking stuffers (for 50 cents each) and something smaller they asked for came from Santa.

And there's no need to "discuss" it with him. He'll be thrilled with whatever is there. Just wrap 'em up pretty and he'll have a blast on christmas morning.

Honestly, you don't. He isn't old enough to understand no matter how you try to explain it, not till he is much older. Just do what you need to do and if he says anything on Christmas morning, just explain to him how important family is, house and love as some people don't have all of that to share.

S.