Hello. Yes, times are hard, and many people are out of jobs etc. There are times when we really feel down and depressed. But you are lucky, as you aren't alone! You have your kids, and they are the reason you will get through this! Don't worry about silly gifts and material things for your kids. If they are really small, any little thing given with love and fun will make them happy. Take them for a whole day out to the park! That doesn't cost anything but your time. If the children are older, explain truthfully how things are this year, and don't forget, kids are very intelligent, if you make them feel grown-up they will act grown-up! You are the most important thing in their lives, not silly presents! Be relaxed and happy for their sakes, that is the best gift of all, being a positive parent.

No matter how awful life is, there's always hope.

We can't afford to exchange gifts this Christmas either, at least not traditional ones. This has happened to us before, and when it does, we still figure out something. I'll make a scarf for my husband out of yan left over from other projects, or he'll give me coupons for cooking dinner or doing some of my chores or somesuch. For kids, it can be something similar. I think first a good talk with them about why there's not going to be the kind of Christmas some other kids might have is a good thing, but sometimes an amazing present can be a piece of jewelry or a baseball glove that has been well-loved by their parents or grandparents. You can make a quilt, or a pillow from favourite tee shirts they've grown out of, or cut up an old nightgown (if you have any flannel shirts, that works incredibly well too) and do something similar. One year, when I was a kid, my grandmother made me a brand new wardrobe of barbie clothes. Little did I know they came from the family's old clothes!

One of my girlfriends has involved her kids in a project this year - they don't have money for presents either - seems to be the theme any more - so they're folding 1000 paper cranes together, for peace and hope.

All we have is right now, and you can still make this Christmas amazing, even without a single dollar. Maybe your family could make a wish garland together - it's like a traditional construction paper chain, but everyone writes their wishes for the coming year on the slips before linking them, with the idea that a family can do anything pooled together, including making their wishes come true.