A Glasgow mum has revealed she fears her festive celebrations will be 'next to nothing' this year as the cost of living crisis takes its toll.
Daniella Brown and dad, Dean Sneddon, are worried about Christmas due to the price of essential goods soaring through the roof. The mum-of-one believes the ongoing financial pressures that her family face will result in the space under the tree looking rather bare for two-year-old son Noah.
She told Glasgow Live: "I used to spend £150 and get a lot for it.
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"Nowadays I end up going well over because the prices have gone up. I'm spending £200 now but it doesn't feel like I have £200 worth of stuff.
"Christmas is going to be a real struggle this year. I'm already finding it hard to pay my bills, so this year it's difficult to get my wee one stuff, I'm going to have to get a couple of things and make do with it.
"There isn't much I can do. We haven't got any plans. It feels horrible to be honest, I don't know how people are coping with it. In fact I don't think anybody is ."
Parents across the country feel pressure to ensure their children have something to open on Christmas morning. The increased strain this year has taken it's toll on many looking to put a smile on their kid's face.
Daniella's partner Dean, a 25-year-old kitchen porter at the Hydro, is one of those desperate to get his son some presents and is hoping for more shifts to help provide for his family, but it is tough.
The mum said: "He's finding it really difficult and his mental health has been hit badly by it as well.
"He's going out working his backside off to try and get work and provide for Christmas, but it's not happening for us this year. He has come in crying, worrying about how we are supposed to afford things for the wee one and get things for him."
After surviving the coronavirus pandemic many assumed there was light at the end of the tunnel.
However, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of this year the financial woes seem to have worsened for many.
Daniella said: "At the beginning of the year I never expected this to happen.
"When the war in Ukraine happened we realised that this was getting serious and that everyone will feel it financially. Our Christmas feels like it will be next to nothing.
"It will be one outfit for him and two wee toys out of Home Bargains this year. It makes feel really horrible, it isn't nice at all."
The rise in electricity and gas costs has resulted in many across the country sacrificing essentials to survive.
The 23-year-old mum believes that if it comes down to feeding herself or her two-year-old son there will only be one option
She explained: "We can barely afford to pay our bills and right now we are struggling to buy food.
"We've had to ask family for money to pay for food. The other day I had to scramble together the last bits and bobs to make some food.
"I don't care about us not eating as long as the wee one is eating. People then ask 'what happens if you become severely ill and he ends up without a mum?' Realistically that's life right now and that's just the way it is."
Despite feeling helpless and alone, charity Home-Start are now providing help for the young family.
The mum-of-one said: "They've given us vouchers and support when we've needed it. We've a family support worker round the house to help us out.
"We can't even get our washing done these days without out bills going through the roof. We're struggling to keep our heating on so Home-Start have been quite good at trying to help.
"I feel embarrassed at having to ask but what option do I have."
The charity have been inundated with families asking for help, with many worried about providing a special Christmas for their children.
Director of Home-Start Glasgow South, Colette Boyle said: "Every single family we work with will have a Christmas present this year.
"Now that doesn't mean they will get the thing they've asked Santa for, but we will make sure the child is not waking up to nothing in the morning.
"We will also make sure the parent is not beside themselves about having something for their child. We work so hard to make sure each child has a gift for the families we support.
"But there will be a lot of families waking up with no gifts this year. This year it isn't just about the Christmas presents, it is about heat and light and living and to feed the children, that's a huge concern."
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