This year, Christmas feels heavier than ever. For the first time, we won’t even have a tree or decorations. As a mom, it breaks my heart to think of my kids waking up to nothing—not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because we, as parents, have been stretched too thin trying to keep up with bills and a mountain of $11,000 in credit card debt.
My husband has always worked hard, but his hours were cut almost in half—dropping from 40 a week to barely 20. That one change turned our world upside down. I’ve been home with our kids, making sure they’re cared for and active in their activities, but now I feel like I’m failing them. No child should have to carry the weight of their parents’ struggles.
I don’t want my children to miss out on Christmas because of circumstances beyond their control. They’ve each asked for one “big” thing they dream about, but at the end of the day, what they really need are basics—clothes and shoes that fit.
Here’s a glimpse of who they are and what would brighten their holiday:
- Boy (15) – Sweet and almost grown, he dreams of having a drum set. He wears 2XL shirts, 38×32 pants, and size 12 shoes.
- Girl (12) – Artistic, kind, and creative. She longs for a big art kit—acrylic markers, oil paints, and canvases. She wears 14/16 clothes and size 5 shoes. She also likes jewelry and little trinkets.
- Boy (10) – A natural leader who loves sports. He wishes for an outdoor training set. He wears size 14 clothes and 4.5 shoes.
- Boy (9) – Full of energy, into MMA, and dreaming of a boxing bag or gloves. He’s also been wishing for a drone. He wears size 14 clothes and size 4 shoes.
- Boy(7) – Our happy little adventurer. He would light up at outdoor laser tag, magnetic tiles, or cars for pretend play. He wears size 8 clothes and size 3 shoes.
- Girl (1) – Our baby girl. She’s in 18/24 month clothes and size 3/4 shoes. She loves sensory books and Little People toys, and seeing her smile over something small would be such a gift.
Even just a tree, a few decorations, and some clothing in their sizes would make a world of difference this year.
I share this with humility and hope. We aren’t asking for “a bunch of stuff”—just enough so that my children don’t wake up feeling forgotten on Christmas morning. Anything helps, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for even taking the time to read our story.
- Listing ID: 14514
- My City: Tucson