Influenza’s mother clashed over children’s Christmas gifts: ‘Kurpuc’

Influencer and mother of three, Sarah Falls, grew tired of spending thousands of dollars on Christmas presents for her children, only to see them lose interest in the toys just days later.

So, she set herself a challenge this year to save on all her children’s presents.

“My kids don’t go without. They’re very lucky. I wanted to go against the grain and be more sustainable by supporting not-for-profit organisations,” the Northern Territory mother told news.com.au.

With a budget of $150 for all her children, Falls documented her thrift shopping adventures on TikTok for her 23,000 followers and was “amazed” by the treasures she found.

However, she was taken back by the overwhelming response she received.

“I didn’t expect it, but then again, the internet is a strange place,” she admitted. “I just wanted to normalize this and give parents a different perspective, while also reducing the amount of plastic toys going straight to landfill.”

In Australia, it is estimated that around 27 million toys are thrown away each year.

Despite her environmental ambitions, many commenters objected to her showing off her budget finds, all while wearing an $80 Sabbi T-shirt.

In response to critics, she explained, “Sustainability looks different for adults and children. I spend more on a garment that will fit my body for years and last that long.

“Kids grow so fast, so it’s better to buy second-hand, give that item another life and then pass it on or throw it away if it can’t be used anymore.”

In one of her videos, which is part of an eight-part Thriftmas series, she shared, “As you know, I’m saving for Christmas on a budget of $150 for all three kids.

“My goal is to get everything I know they like, want, want and need for Christmas in my local stores. I’ll tell you what I got for $47.50. That brings the total for my kids’ Christmas gifts to about $120, and I have another $20 item to pick up next week on Facebook Marketplace, so we’re on track for a total of $140 for three. children.â€

She then shows off her impressive haul, which included a wooden tool kit for $4, Christmas books and shirts for $1 each, a $5 Bento lunch box, a Smiggle school bag for $8 and clothes from Bonds , Seed, Myer and Cotton On Kids for less. than 5 dollars.

Other items she received in other merchandise included play food for a toy kitchen, a plastic truck for their sandbox, a plastic ball, a drink bottle, a Montessori style wooden train set, a Peter Alexander the Grinch, a pillow case and a wagon full of colorful blocks – still all under budget.

Falls hoped her videos would inspire others to rethink their Christmas shopping habits, but instead, many accused her of being “stingy” and giving her children “dirty” items.

“I’m disgusted by this,” said one commenter. “The drinking bottle is difficult.â€

“As a mother, your children should be more important to you than your shirt,” said another.

“I think for Christmas, kids deserve something new,” said someone else.

“Buying $2 bags and purses while doing Sabbi hauls pisses me off,” another user wrote.

“I would hate to get second-hand junk for Christmas. It’s a once a year thing. Come on, at least get them a new toy from Kmart! Poor babies,” noted another mother who claimed she spent $500 on each of her four children despite being unemployed.

However, some commentators spoke in support of Falls.

“Personally, I wouldn’t buy used things for my kids, but to each his own. If it means kids get presents for Christmas, then why not?” said one commenter.

“So many of you are acting like you’re not struggling in this economy. That’s a great idea, and you’re a great mom,” wrote another.

“Her kids are very important to her, that’s why she’s so smart with her money,” a third person commented.

“I don’t understand why people are so against it. So people don’t wash their stuff after saving?” asked a fourth commenter. “Bottle drinking is like drinking without glasses in a restaurant.”

“I think saving is really cool, especially for little kids. They don’t have specific preferences and just want things, so why not save money? It’s different for teenagers or peers, but for children under four, it’s a great idea, another person noted.

Falls insisted that gifts can be meaningful even if they aren’t brand new, and said the most important thing is to appreciate the time spent with loved ones, rather than focusing on the gifts received.