Mum Celebrates Christmas for Three Kids Under £100 with Savvy Shopping

A mother from Leeds has successfully managed to keep her Christmas spending for her three children under £100, sparking both admiration and criticism online. Sadie Farren, 28, has shared her approach to festive budgeting, revealing she spent just £80 last year and aims to spend even less this year.

Farren sets a personal limit of £200 for holiday shopping to avoid overspending and potential debt. She emphasizes that her children are content without extravagant gifts. “Their wish lists are mostly books, LEGO, and crafts,” she explained. The most expensive item this year is a shared gift for her daughters, a gymnastics bar and mat costing £25.

Facing Online Criticism

Despite her frugal approach, Farren has faced significant backlash on social media. After sharing a video showcasing her purchases from Vinted, which included second-hand items, she received accusations of being “stingy” and “normalising spending too little.” Some critics condemned her for opting for second-hand gifts, while others made personal remarks about her appearance.

“It was bizarre seeing strangers get that angry about how I spend my money on my kids at Christmas,” Farren stated. Yet, she also received supportive comments from those who appreciated her perspective on holiday spending. “My kids are happy, that’s all that matters,” she added, determined not to let negativity affect her budgeting choices.

Farren has experienced debt in the past while trying to provide excessive gifts for her children. She found that this led to overwhelming feelings for her kids, who often forgot about the gifts after the holidays. “Keeping Christmas simple has made it more magical, not less,” she said.

Strategic Shopping Techniques

To maintain her budget, Farren employs several shopping strategies. She carefully compares prices and looks for deals, often using Vinted and an app called WhatNot to locate sought-after items at reduced prices. “If I see something in a store, I’ll check online to see if it’s cheaper,” she explained.

Farren also encourages other parents to shop smartly. She recommends scouting for sales and comparing in-store prices with online prices. B&M is one of her go-to retailers for bargains, where she has found discontinued items for as little as 10p.

For budget-conscious parents, Farren suggests the “four-gift rule” — buying one item each for what a child wants, needs, wears, and reads. She also highlights the value of charity shops, noting many brand-new items often end up there after being unwanted gifts.

As the holiday season approaches, Farren remains committed to her budget. She believes that a stripped-back Christmas leads to less stress, more family time, and a positive environmental impact. “I won’t change how I parent or budget just because some people online have a negative opinion about it,” she asserted, prioritizing her children’s happiness over online criticism.