Sharon van Stijl, of Dunedin, was told of the damage by a neighbour about 2.45am on Sunday and went outside to find the boot of her car smashed in.
"I came inside and cried,'' the Brockville Rd resident said.
Miss van Stijl, who lives with her two daughters, has been out of work since the end of September after falling 3m off a ladder and fracturing her pelvis in four places.
She usually worked six days a week, starting most days at 5.30am.
Miss van Stijl had been receiving ACC payments but, earning minimum wage, the payments barely covered the bills, she said.
"I'd already said to the kids they were going to get IOUs [for Christmas presents].
"It's going to be a pretty lean Christmas.''
The car was worth $1400 and was insured with an excess of $300. However, it was possible the car would be written off.
"They're [the offender] still driving round and they've still got a nice Christmas, haven't they?
"Whereas I've got to find the excess, if they [the panelbeaters] can fix it, or possibly go to the bank and ask how I can get more money to get a new car.
"I just hope they [the offenders] have a really good Christmas.''
Police told Miss van Stijl her car was probably struck by a four-wheel-drive, as the damage was high on the vehicle.
Miss van Stijl's daughter, Keesha (19), wants the offenders to come forward.‘‘Just drop something in the letterbox - that would be great.
"I feel pretty gutted, to be honest, 'cause Mum's already had it pretty tough.
"She works hard and it just sucks people are so heartless.''
