How and when can I get help for Christmas gifts? If it is not to late, I could also use help with Thanksgiving?
By Rebecca
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The Marines have a Toys for Tots program at Xmas - & many churches also have giveaways you can inquire about (all the church offices). Turkeys are very cheap at Thanksgiving & there are often 2 for 1 deals - perhaps you can get someone to buy turkeys on that basis & give you one! There are also Thanksgiving dinner plans. I attended one in Hollywood at the Comedy Store once. Again, check around in your area for similar plans.
The Salvation Army is great for helping with food and gifts at Christmas. Where I live all of the charitable organizations have banded together and have one central place for people to apply call 211 (that is a nationwide number for the helpline, where they have a good list of organizations of all types that provide different types of help.
Also where I live there is always at least one church that puts on a big Thanksgiving and Christmas meal for people that don't have any place to go and from what I understand anybody is welcome. Some places if you get help from the Salvation Army they will deliver the box to you and other places you have to go and pick it up.
If you can't find any help, the adults in the family are old enough to know there won't be any gifts this year and the kids (no matter how little) can get by with one or two little things from either a discount store or even a dollar store. Sometimes at thrift stores you can find items in like new condition for very little.
Also when it comes to kids most organizations cut off the gifts at age 12. Another thing that really helps is to start your Christmas shopping in January. I shop for eight people and have been done for at least a month. I spend a maximum of $20.00 per person, however, if I find a $20.00 item on sale for $10-$15.00, it is counted as $20.00.
For example about six weeks ago I was in Kohls and found an adorable stone type ceramic salsa bowl and matching serving spoon, that I decided would be ideal for the only cousin that I exchange gifts with, because she does a lot of entertaining. It had been $20.00 but was on sale and then with a coupon that I got in the mail I got it for a little over $5.00.
One thing is before I go to a store for a specific item I call ahead to see if they have it. I had been on the Kohl's website one night and saw that salsa set and I called to see if they had it, being I use public transportation. For holiday food, I cook a turkey breast in the crock-pot (slow cooker) and that makes plenty of meat to serve seven and I have left overs for a couple meals.
There again, you can economize, if it is only your family, you can even buy a turkey roast quite cheaply. Also if it is just your family, you can get buy with just the turkey, potatoes(either white or sweet,or both if your family needs both), can of cranberry sauce, one vegetable and a dessert, oh yes, also a package of dinner rolls. When it is just two of us that is what I do.
When there is more of us, I do the two meats, mashed potatoes, gravy, two vegtables, one other family brings a relish tray, several varieties of pickles and a jello salad, the other person brings bakery pies, dinner rolls, canned cranberries, and stove top stuffing for me to prepare. There again you can start purchasing the food items now and have them on hand. I always have two or three turkey breasts in my freezer.
What ever you do, if you really need help, find the places that do it and apply now, in fact it might even be too late now. Also when you apply, you do have to list income, I don't know if you have to show proof or not.
Also call your closest Catholic Family Services. If they don't have anything available to help you this season just ask them for names and phone numbers of other charities in your area that can help you. Catholic Family Services is awesome!
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