For Millions of Jobless, Christmas Is a Season to Endure, Not Celebrate

Jessica Hudson, a full-time student and mother of two in Millbrae, Calif., is doing what she can to make Christmas cheery for her family. Ms. Hudson, who receives child support from her ex-husband, and her partner, who is not working, bought stockings and candy from the dollar store. And they have spent the last few weeks scouting local streets for the most beautifully decorated houses, so that they can take the children on a drive to see them on Christmas Day.

As for dinner, “we usually do rib roast, Martinelli’s apple cider, a couple of desserts,” Ms. Hudson said. “We won’t be able to do any of that this year.”

Ms. Hudson’s 13-year-old, Marleigh, had just one thing on her Christmas list this year: a family camping trip to Yosemite National Park. Ms. Hudson struggled to find a way to say no. “She’s basically getting an i.o.u. for Christmas, that when the pandemic is over and we’re able to travel we’ll take her,” Ms. Hudson said. “But the truth is, we just can’t afford to do anything like that right now.”

Jamie Snyder, who lives in Grayling, Mich., bought her children big-ticket items last Christmas: a new TV for her daughter, an Xbox for her son. But since her husband was laid off in June and then accepted a job with a $20,000 pay cut, money has been tight.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/23/business/economy/economy-christmas-holidays.html