Christmas Question

[texaslady22]

We've been working to become foster parents since March and we just got officially opened this week! We already have a little girl placement who should only be staying about a week, but you just never know with foster care. She's a doll!

I'm just worried about Christmas. We're licensed for 0-3, either gender. Foster care is so unpredictable and I am such a planner. We have 3 biological children and we've already bought all their Christmas from deals we've found. I would need to be able to provide an equal Christmas to the foster child, but I hate that I can't plan!!

Even if we get a child next week they say will be here through March, you never know when a relative will step in and take the baby or a judge will give him back to the parents. So what do we do? When do we actually buy the Christmas presents??

I keep reminding myself I have Amazon Prime with 2 Day Shipping, so as long as I order by the 20th I'll be fine. I just hate knowing I have presents for my other children and nothing for my foster child, but what I'd buy a 6 month old girl would obviously be different from what I would buy a 3 year old boy. As a Budget-conscious person, what do I do??

 

[julieanddanny]

What you are doing is wonderful! I think you have no choice but to make it a last minute christmas. You could gather some books for now and then so some exciting last minute shopping! Also under 12 months or so they are not going to notice or care too much anyway. Your kids will also probably love to help pick out some last minute things for anyone in your care.
Best wishes and Merry Christmas!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We've been working to become foster parents since March and we just got officially opened this week! We already have a little girl placement who should only be staying about a week, but you just never know with foster care. She's a doll!

I'm just worried about Christmas. We're licensed for 0-3, either gender. Foster care is so unpredictable and I am such a planner. We have 3 biological children and we've already bought all their Christmas from deals we've found. I would need to be able to provide an equal Christmas to the foster child, but I hate that I can't plan!!

Even if we get a child next week they say will be here through March, you never know when a relative will step in and take the baby or a judge will give him back to the parents. So what do we do? When do we actually buy the Christmas presents??

I keep reminding myself I have Amazon Prime with 2 Day Shipping, so as long as I order by the 20th I'll be fine. I just hate knowing I have presents for my other children and nothing for my foster child, but what I'd buy a 6 month old girl would obviously be different from what I would buy a 3 year old boy. As a Budget-conscious person, what do I do??

How wonderful of you to take in foster kids and want to give them a special Christmas! I think you have a couple of options for gift-giving. For a 6-month old, I would buy some practical gifts like clothes (even some in larger sizes she can grow into) and a few little toys. If she leaves your care before Christmas, see if you can send the gifts with her so she can still use them.

If you have an older child and don't know whether he'll be staying through Christmas, I would put a few small gifts under the tree with his name on them. Also, decide on a few other things for him. If Christmas is getting closer and it looks like he's going to stay, do Amazon order with 2-day shipping. Again, if he leaves you before Christmas, see if you can send the gifts with him. I would try to get gifts that are easily portable (no huge set-ups with lots of parts). Maybe get some practical things too like a backpack or small suitcase if he doesn't already have one. Perhaps even get pajamas, a stuffed animal and a blanket that he can keep with him no matter where he's placed in the future.

 

[dpswift]

I would put the amount I wanted to spend aside. That way if you get a child for Christmas you have money to buy him or her gifts. I understand that it is hard for you not to plan, however you are not going to want to end up with a 12 month old girl and gifts for a 3 year old.

I think that it is great that you are willing to open your home to these kids.

 

[lauradis]

Set aside x amt of dollars for possible foster children and do last min shopping.

 

[3Gsandme]

Things that could be used by any age (0-3) or gender would be things like block sets (obviously, the six month old wouldn't get a TON of use out of them, but she could grow into them and they're still good for chewing on and banging with), duplo sets, stuffies, board books (my little ones still like reading some of our board book stories), Little People (3 is starting to be on the top end of them, but they'd still get some good play, I'd think), balls, chunky crayons (6 months is a little bit young, but with direction and supervision, they could play with them),bath toys or puppets. Even having those on hand wouldn't really go to waste if you're gong to have little ones.

 

[MSSANDRA]

If they are saying the child will be here through March, chances are pretty good that it will still be there at Christmas. I would plan to buy for this child but keep receipts and be sure they would be returnable if they are not needed. I agree that buying toys that you can keep in your home and use even if not for a Christmas gift is a good idea. Stacking blocks and books and a soft cuddle toy are good choices. You can add a doll or truck at the last minutes. Most foster care programs do provide Christmas gifts to children in Foster care. Our system gives two nice gifts to each child though different agencies. For a infant, give things you will need to have anyway. Maybe a baby swing or stroller. Other wise wrap up diapers and a few toys. Few items get transferred when children change placements but a special toy or two might can be hung on too.

 

[littleelf]

Instruments like a drum that is baby safe and would also appeal to a 3-year-old. Or the very large Mega Bloks. A 6-month old might not play much with them but can handle and safely chew on them and an older kid can play. Target sells a drum with other percussion instruments in it for around $20-25 that I have gotten for nieces and nephews when they turn 1 but they can still play with it even more when they are older. (And my 4-year-old niece spent the evening playing with large Lego Quattro bricks that I got out for my one-year-old nephew to play with. I don't think they sell those anymore though, but the Megabloks are similar.)

 

[Sleepy425]

We are in the same boat, except we are licensed 0-6. We are just making sure we have extra stockings around (we are licensed for up to 3). My oldest bio son is 3.5 and this is the first year he kind of "gets" what Christmas is (which in this house means presents, not religion). So if we get an older kid who will know, presents will be quickly gotten for them. A younger child, we will just make sure there is something small to unwrap (last year my 6 month old didn't even get gifts - I am all about saving money and spending it on Disney rather than giving gifts just to give them).

 

[ceecee]

A backpack or duffle and smaller toys that can go with them. You really have to wait, there is no way to plan this. You can always run to Walmart up to Christmas Eve. Obviously a 6 month old would need very little in the way of gifts but an older child may notice if the other kids are getting a lot of toys, etc. I would keep it even and let your kids know why (depending on their ages of course).