Every year the holiday season rolls around and people become instantly stressed out about having to pay for gifts and spend extra money when their budget already might be tight enough as it is. If you’re barely scraping by, it’s not ideal that you spend a ton of money on the holiday season.
There is plenty of help out there for families in need during this time of year and you owe it to yourself to explore all of your options and have a stress free and happy holiday season.
First Get Your Mind out of the Gift Mindset
The number one thing that people stress out about around Christmas is gifts. Most other holidays that don’t have gifts associated with them like Thanksgiving and Easter and practically stress free.
It’s important to get yourself out of the ‘gift mindset’ even if you have kids who want or need certain things and realize that it’s called the holiday season for a reason.
Christmas is just one day, and there are tons of things you can do with your kids to celebrate the season that don’t require a lot of money, effort or a gift. Driving around the neighborhood and looking at holiday lights or baking snowman shaped cookies together are just few things you can do to value quality time together and downplay the need for gifts at this time.
When it is time to consider gifts however, you can check out some of these services and programs that will help provide free Christmas gifts for the children in your family based on their wants and needs.
Make a Wish Foundation
The Make-a-Wish Foundation is a well-known charitable foundation that grants kids wishes throughout the year. They focus on helping children facing life threatening medical conditions aged from 2.5 years-old to 18 years-old.
If you have or know a child that might qualify, you can refer a child by filling out a form online or contacting your local chapter and supplying them with a wish list for the child.
Make-a-Wish Foundation has been known to go above and beyond your needs and they really take pride in making the holiday season special for children.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is another large charitable organization that provides free Christmas gifts for families in need each year. Each local chapter rallies together hundreds of sponsors every year to provide children with gifts.
You can click on this link to locate an office near you and see what documents you need to apply. Then you’ll simply submit some basic information about your child like their age, clothes and shoes sizes, and the items they would prefer to receive this year.
I’ve utilized the Salvation Army for a few years when my budget was tight around the holidays because I was only working a part-time job. One year, my sponsor supplied my son with some nice surprises while another year, I got to walk through their building and pick out age appropriate gifts and books for him for Christmas.
This year, I decided to give back and sponsor a child myself since my finances are in a better state, but it’s nice to have had that option when I truly needed it.
The Angel Tree Church Program
The Angel Tree Church program was founded by the Prison Fellowship Organization. Families in need come in all different shapes and sizes. Sometimes, its two parents who are struggling to make ends meet, sometimes it’s a single parent without much support, and other times it’s a family where one parent is incarcerated.
The Prison Fellowship provides gifts to families when a parent is in prison to help make the holiday season brighter and ease some financial pressure from the other parent.
To sign up for the Angel Tree program, you can visit their website here.
Toys for Tots
You’ve probably heard of Toys for Tots or seen their donation boxes around your neighborhood. They are yet another charitable organization in partnership with the Marine Corp. that provides to new, unopened toys to children for Christmas.
They accept donations and also work with sponsors like Toys”R”Us, Babies”R”Us, Disney and Macy’s. To request a toy for your child you can click here and choose your county to locate the nearest local campaign.
Contact Local Churches
You can always contact local churches to find out about organizations like the ones mentioned above or see if they can offer any additional assistance. Most churches partner with organizations like the Salvation Army to deliver gifts to children for the holidays and some even run their own private toy drives or host free holiday dinner for families.
The bottom line is that there are plenty of organizations out there to help and some are even desperately looking for families to help support.
Taking advantage of help for the holidays when you need it is a great way to utilize your resources so you can work on providing for your family and improving your finances.
great list! don’t forget Buy Nothing Groups. If your area has one (they’re on Facebook), they are great resources for families in need who could use some items for the holidays. Things won’t be brand new, but you could fill under a tree. I’m an administrator for a local group so I see postings in other groups and especially around the holiday season, you see great stories of people helping out those who might need some extra help around the holidays.
I’ve never heard of that. Sounds like a really cool and resourceful idea though.
Hi iam a single mom of 2 daughters ..i have a 25 yr old and 12 yr old ..and going to be a grandma in march ..for the past 4 yrs I ve lived on foodies and 230$ cash..everymonth..i am bearly able to make it …we go without alot of necessities..
If there’s anybody out there that could help me and my daughters this Christmas for the first time ever I’d like to have a good one I’m just trying to survive until or my daughter’s thank you very much
We are always looking for ways to be generous at this time of year. Great ideas Chonce!
Thanks Cat! It’s a great time of year to give.
I’m a single mom of two girls I work and try my best but with my bills and no child support I barely get by. If someone can help me find any programs that would help this time of year I would greatly appreciate it as Christmas is approaching and I’m lost. Please help thank you.
I am a single parent, looking for help with christmas for my two pre-teens. Im a mother on disabilty and can not afford christmas. i would appreciate any help that i can get this year. My daughter is 15 my son is 16. There father is deceased an we have no family that is close that can help.
Please check some of the organizations listed above and contact local charities and churches in your area. They should be able to provide some assistance or insight on how you can get some gifts donated.
I am a single mother of a boy 12 and a girl 16 they go without extra all year but at Christmas they should have presents their kids. I can only focus in the necessities. Any advice on help for Christmas? I work Ft plus
I would hurry up and check with local organizations and charities especially the Salvation Army because they give away donated Christmas gifts for all age groups each year.
I’m a single mother with two boys having a rough time their dad is having a rough time as well he’s married and having financial issues so he haven’t been able to help like he want.. My boys deserve so much more they want to go visit my mom in Boston where she’s buried to face their closure now but I can’t afford to take them also I have four year old grandson that I don’t see because we’re miles apart. And I need surgery but can’t afford to have it done right now because I won’t be able to attend none of the boys school meetings so I’m just feeling really bad this is the worst time ever
I want to no if you can help me this year with my 4 kids stuff money is tight for me this year and I want to if can help me my are the clothes and toy it will help me a lot I would be the happy mom in the world if you can help us
I am a single mom and out of work also my car is in a shop and they can’t even pay to get it out..I have no money and no transportation..I need help paying for Christmas and other things aswell..I don’t even have a dime to buy toiletries for the house..please help me or give me a website that will help me..thankyou
am a single mother didn’t have a job was lay off now work 3 days two m of back rent and now that paid have a hard time pay rest of the bill and get my 6 year old the one thing he want is a tablet he did great on his grade all 80 but I keep tell him mommy going try to get you something my son don’t have a father or I would have more help his father past when he was 6m in a car crash am not share this for any money am share this because my son a good kid and I just need the help
Hi my name is summer. I have a two year old son that I raise alone. I live with my mom and have no income. I want my son to have a good Christmas this year but can’t afford a single present. 🙁
I am a single mother with a job that only allows me to work 15 hours a week. I have missed christmas gifts for my son two years ago when I had nothing under the tree and couldn’t find the first place to help me. All I seem to do is go round and round on all these sites and end up with nothing. I truly need the help as I’m scared once again I wont make Christmas again. My son is 16 and has felt with alot of nothing due to my low income. He has recently been bitten in the face by a dog and under went surgery to reduce the scars. I really wan this christmas to be a special one for him to pull him out of his depression and make him see that good things do happen to good people. We live with my 80 year mother who can not afford to help me in any way. My bill’s alone in a month are over 700$ in which I only bring home 180$ every 2 weeks. If anyone can help me this year with christmas I would have my christmas sprite back and not become sadden as it gets closer. Reliving the past christmases we have had scares me to not even wanting to celebrate it any more. Please if you can help I would so appreciate it. I just dont know where to turn or who to ask any more. Every thing I look at has either already passed due for applications or I just get the run around from web site to website that all say the same thing. Thank you and have a blessed day.
Hi Tanya, I have a new post that should be coming out soon with more organizations but these are all good options. So sorry to hear about what happened to your son. I’m not sure where you live, but have you called or visited your local Salvation Army or Catholic Charities? When my son was 3, I signed him up to receive free gifts from the Salvation Army in our area and it was such a big help. I know for local churches, you can just flat out call them and ask if they have a Christmas program to help families in the area or post anything on social media/their website. My old church did an Angel Tree program and my current church is doing Samaritan’s Purse so there is assistance out there. I’d recommend calling around and even showing up at some of these organizations to ask for help but I’d do it now because there ARE deadlines that you don’t want to miss. Start early in Nov. and good luck!
Hi Chonce,
Thank you for your kindness and the information you sent. But I have done just as you said and still have no luck. The churches said he is too old and other’s I have missed the dead line for the applications. I fear I’m going to repeat Christmas from 2 years ago with nothing under our tree once again. Every resource I find sends me right back to the same old circle of what to do, and who to contact. I just need to know maybe just one charity or one place that will not turn me down like the others. Just because my son is 16 I have been turned down. He is still a child who deeply wants a good christmas at least once in his life AS a child. I have hated Christmas for a few years now due to the fact that it is too much money and it’s made out to be a money thing instead of the real reason for the season. I have lost hope in this holiday and don’t think I’ll ever find it again because I’m not made of money and can’t afford the things my child wants. I don’t want to get things from organizations that he might or will not like or want because to me that’s taking from another child who will want or need it. I try so so hard to make ends meet but I feel like God just doesn’t have anything good planned for me as I have had NOTHING but bad luck for a few years now. I’m at the point of giving up as I watch some people get the help they need and who really aren’t in need as myself and others. If I could and I had a lot of money to help others, I wouldn’t have a dead line nor would I push a family/child away because of their age. Maybe I give up too easy but I haven’t had anything positive happen in the last 4 to 5 years for christmas and worked my a** off just to put one or two gifts under the tree when I was able. I just feel hopeless on this situation and I really don’t mean to be so negative, but i haven’t seen anything positive as far as christmas goes in years. I wish it wasn’t even a such thing.
I’m sorry for damppering the holidays if anyone is reading this I truly am and just hope no one out there feels as I do every Christmas. It’s supposed to be a joyous holiday and I only dread it when it’s near.
Thank you again and I hope you have a good Thanksgiving and Christmas with your loved ones.
I am a single mommy of 4 their daddy passed away March 21st this year all their toys clothes was taken even their daddies belongings and family photos all I have at the moment for income is $1,500 a month in survivor benefits and that mostly goes towards bills and things that we have to have in the house I’m worried about them having a Christmas I have never had to ask for help and also embarrassed too I guess a pride thing but I can’t imagine them not having presents under their tree Adults understand if times are tough but kids expect Christmas morning to be happy and seeing those gifts for them if any suggestions I would greatly appreciate the advice and help thank you and happy holidays
Hi my name is Rachel, I noticed your comment and it reminded me very much of myself, unfortunately I’m not in the position to do such thing kinds of things at this time in my life. You say I am a single mother of four with an income of $200 a week I am severely struggling financially and my car just burned to the ground I feel like a white if the world is on my shoulders oh, could you possibly point me in the direction of some type of organization who could offer me the type of help that I need I’m in dire straits at the moment and nothing about this holiday season is happy for me right now and that is so sad because I’m so very blessed to have such wonderful children and I just want to be able to do for them the way they deserve, their father left two years ago to go to the store and never returned it’s been an emotional roller coaster. We simply need a break. Thanks and hope to hear from you