Can you help me buy my 4 dc presents for $100?

[mykdsmomy]

Money is tight right now. DH has told me we have maybe $100 to make Xmas work for the kids. I need ideas (these are technically coming from Santa) for some creative and memorable gifts for them? dd11, dd7, ds6 and ds2.

My kids are used to getting showered with presents from Santa and from other family members. I dont want them to feel like Santa screwed them over this year but at the same time, I want them to appreciate what they get....does that make sense? TIA

[MyLittleWonders]

Thinking for you ...

[sunnmama]

Do you have good thrift shops/yard sales? You might be able to pick up some nice things that can be made really special with a coat of paint.

What are they into? Are there things you could make for them? If so, maybe you could spend the bulk of the money on one big, combo gift--and then thrift/make the rest (saving some of the budget for supplies to make the thrifted items special).

[mothragirl]

art supplies!

[4evermom]

I see a lot of decent toys at Marshall's, things like Shure brand bead loom, weaving loom, knitting kit for about $12.99. If your 6 yo doesn't have a marble run and you think he would like one, they run about $20 for the plastic ones. It seems that you should be able to get a couple of decent things per kid with $100.

[annekevdbroek]

Art supplies are always good. I know it is probably harder with the older kids - byt my 3 /yo DS is so impressed by things that are really cheap. For instance, he loves the little individual boxes of cereal. It is like $2.50 for a set of 10 and he is so into them. So, Santa is bringing him some. Maybe some smaller but 'impressive' things for the younger children, since they are fairly oblivious to price (e.g. playdough, candy if you do that, balls, puzzles).

Are there things you can make? Like a beanbag toss (sew some bags, paint a piece of wood and cut holes in it?)?

Ditto the thrift store recommendation. Two years ago I found a play kitchen ($5) and last year a sandbox with toys ($5). Garage sales?

Editted to add: I know the dollar store generally sucks for cheap plastic toys. However, occasionally it is possible to find ok stuff there. For instance, art supplies and playdough are always available at ours. THis year I also found story books with CDs for read-along. They usually have other children's books, coloring books, crayons, coloring paper, stickers, and the like which are just as good as the full price store. At only $1 a pop money can really be stretched quite a ways there. They also have bath stuff and things that your older kids might like (scrubbies, shower gel, manicure kits).

[dinade]

I was just at hobby lobby yesterday and they had construction paper for 2.99 for like 200 sheets and coloring books for .99 so you could get some great craft supplies and make each one a craft bin or soemthing like that. Then get some nice items at TJ Maxx or Marshalls etc and some candy for the stockings. I hope you get 400.00 worth of good quality items for your 100.00.

[PajamaMama]

Our hs group is doing a 3 week long Secret Santa thing and for this week I went to Target and got 2 4" terra cotta pots for 99 cents each and let the kids paint them. We're going to give them with potting soil and a little packet of grass seeds...less than $5 for everything for this inexpensive gift, and it will last for quite awhile. If you have cats you could do this for your kids and have them plant cat grass in the pots, then the kitties would get a treat as well.

[RiverSky]

Definitely check out TJ Maxx, Marshall's, etc., to see what amazing deals they have that week. Also, check the weekly flyers. Often, the stores have teaser deals, toys they sell for less than cost, just to get you in the store, assuming you will buy more things than that one item...then purchase just that one item.

Good luck!

[phathui5]

We did stocking stuffers at the Dollar Tree last year.

Also, if you have a store in your area like Ollie's or Big Lots, I would check that out. Ours have a decent toy selection.

[mykdsmomy]

Oh such great ideas, thanks!!! I definitely think art supplies are a great way to go. I'd like to make something special for dd11 but i'm not too crafty. She's also being super dramatic and says all she wants is a real xmas tree (but she knows dh is allergic and basically doesnt care : )

I'll have to spend some quality time at the thrift stores and .99 cent store to see what i can find.

Any more cheap homemade ideas?? thanks mamas....

[Shenjall]

Depending on how much time you have..... you could find a cool looking chair (or 2) at a second hand store and paint it some cool colours and put your dd's names on them.

Some craft stores sell those unpainted wood peices - I suggest a step stool for your ds 2, with his name on it, and maybe a little table for your 6yr?

I'll think some more......

[Mama Dragon]

Books...DD11 loves to read and draw, so she's getting Eragon and a drawing how to book on fairies (and probably a whole slew of used books if I can find the right ones). I'm getting a couple of neices some fun books too.

[aishy]

you could try putting a call out on your local freecycle list. i know we clear out unused toys and things pre-holidays, i bet other families do too. and i hate hassles so i rarely sell, i donate/give away most everything.

you may get some good offers.
aisling

[Godaime]

I'm not sure where you live but where I live we have these stores called 5 and under (in the King of Prussia Mall) and they have great toys for less than 5 bucks. There are craft sets for kids (like make your own candles, sand art, make your own jewelry, kids knitting sets ) for 5 bucks, and they are usually at least 10-20 dollars at regular stores. Other suggestions are look for coupons online (printable ones for stores) before going out on a shopping trip....I saved SOOO much money this way.

[tarheelbaby]

Do you have a Target nearby? They have an awesome "Dollar Spot" usually as you walk in the front door. I bought my DS a bunch of wooden cars, trucks, emergency vehicles, etc. there, as well as some cool pencils, stickers, stampers and ink, and on and on.
Or, how about getting something all the kids could enjoy together (a subscription to NetFlix or Blockbuster online?) and then smaller individual stuff for each one?

[antannie]

Do you have Liquidation World or Winners down there? Sometimes they gave great toys and stuff cheap.

As for making.....My daughter is 12 and I am sewing her pj bottoms and buying a long sleeved t shirt to go with it. Also making her lip gloss and a dollhouse for mice (hopefully). She also likes bubblebath, individual size toiletries, hair stuff so that is going in her stocking. I have stitched a couple of little cloth bags with little 2 inch babies in them and am making a magic wand for a 7 year old niece. They are easy to do. Paint a stick (or not!), add sparkles and streamers and a felt star. Capes are good for dressup for girls and boys and are very easy and second hand velvet skirts make great capes.

We are on a budget too so I can really relate. A good stocking with lots of fun things in it is always a hit! Good luck!

[4evermom]

Is your dh allergic to all kinds of christmas trees (pine, spruce, firs)? I've heard that some people are actually allergic to the stuff that gets sprayed on them. Maybe you could get dd a Norfolk Pine in a pot if dh doesn't have a problem with those.

[mnnice]

I wouldn't worry about spend the same amount on each kid. If you 2yo hasn't figured out the gift/Santa thing yet don't feel guilty spending less on him. I also think I would be not too concerned about the Santa aspect for an 11 yo either. I would explain that money is tight and ask what one gift or activity would be most meaningful to her. I think you, SO, and dd will feel better about your limited means if you know she really liked what she got.

I think fruit, fruit leather, candy, and batteries make good actual stocking stuffers.

[Shenjall]

You can get alot of books for little money at used book stores......