Sarah Falls wanted to be clever this Christmas. The mother of three set a budget of $97 to spend on gifts for her children.
Instead of visiting department stores, the Northern Territory has been using thrift stores for her four-, two- and seven-month-olds.
When she shared her bargains on TikTok, she was overwhelmed by the criticism of what she knows to be a clever and environmentally conscious piece of work.
It’s not dirty, or less than, it’s responsible and a great way to save money, says Sarah exclusively Kidspot.
People need to change their mindset. Buying second hand and reducing the number of items in the landfill makes sense to me.
Mom notes Seed, Bonds and Smiggle items
In previous years, Sara has spent more than $647 on gifts; this year it is $52.
This is the first Christmas mum almost exclusively buys presents from charity shops such as The Salvos and Vinnies.
Instead of adding them to the landfill and wearing them out, I get them good quality used items that I can add to their toy rotation, she says.
Saving money in this economy is a bonus.
In her eight-video series on TikTok, Sara shares her first shopping finds.
Among her hauls are wooden bundles for $2.60, Christmas books and shirts for $0.65, a Bento lunch box for $3.25, a Smiggle school bag for $5.20 and clothing from Bonds, Seed, Myer and Cotton On Kids for under $3.25.
She also scored Adidas Gazelle for $4.55 and a Nana Huchy doll for $1.30, which is usually $39.
A misconception is that it is only for some people
The mum says she hoped her videos would inspire others to shop at charity shops and change the stigma around pre-loved toys and clothes.
But many comments accused him of giving dirty things to children.
To have that view of saving and repurposing items that other people no longer want is a bit strange to me, she says.
Given that everything can be washed and sanitized, it’s environmentally responsible and a great way to save money.
A big misconception is that it’s only for a certain group of people with a certain income, adds Sarah. Grocery stores are for everyone and it’s important to use them. The money goes to help others.”
You indulge in consumerism
The mother was also criticized as cruel for wearing expensive clothes while buying second-hand for her children. She responded by saying that saving was more thoughtful.
It’s special to me to spend anything on thrift items that are unique, they’re thoughtful, I’m not just walking into a retail store and pulling things off the shelves, I’m taking time, I’m taking effort, she says.
You have to go several times a week, for months. While walking into a store you are drawn to consumerism and end up leaving with less meaningful gifts.
It just makes sense for her to shop second hand, especially when little ones go through clothes so quickly.
It is not my fault that my children destroy the clothes because I know they have been used by two families and they are not very expensive, she says.
There’s a big present that Sara is buying new for her children; a wooden playground for her mothers house, which many family members are contributing to.
I hope people take away that Christmas doesn’t have to be this big event that we spend thousands of dollars on, gifts can be meaningful without being new.
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Image Source : nypost.com