I'm not 'cruel' for thrifting my kids' Christmas presents

"Saving money was not my main motivation," the Aussie mum says in response to intense backlash.

Sarah Falls wanted to be savvy this Christmas. The mum-of-three set a budget of $150 to spend on presents for her kids.

Instead of visiting department stores, the Northern Territory mum has been trawling Op Shops for gifts for her kids, aged four, two and seven months.

When she shared her bargain hauls on TikTok, she was stunned by the criticism over what she knows to be a smart and environmentally conscious deed.

“It’s not dirty, or less than, it’s responsible and a great way to save money,” Sarah exclusively tells Kidspot. 

“People need to change their mindset. Buying second-hand and reducing the number of items in landfills just makes sense to me.”

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Mum scores Seed, Bonds and Smiggle items 

In previous years, Sarah has spent more than $1000 on gifts; this year she is at $80. 

This is the first Christmas the mum has almost exclusively shopped at charity stores like The Salvos and Vinnies for presents.

“Rather than adding to landfill and over-consuming, I get them good quality second-hand items, that I could add to their toy rotation,” she says.

“Saving money in this economy is a bonus.”

In her eight-video series on TikTok, Sarah shares the items she has found Op Shopping.

Among her hauls is a wooden toolkit for $4, Christmas books and shirts for $1, a $5 Bento lunchbox, a Smiggle schoolbag for $8 and clothing from Bonds, Seed, Myer and Cotton On Kids for less than $5.

She also scored toddler Adidas Gazelles for $7, and a Nana Huchy Doll for $2, which is usually $60.

Instead of visiting department stores, Sarah has been trawling Op Shops for gifts for her kids. Image: TikTok

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“A misconception is that it’s only for certain people”

The mum says she hoped her videos would inspire others to shop at charity stores, and change the stigma around pre-loved toys and clothing.

But many comments accused her of gifting her kids, “dirty” items. 

“Having that outlook on thrifting and re-using items that other people no longer want is a little strange for me,” she says.

“Considering everything can be washed and sanitised, 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 on a certain income,” Sarah adds. “Op Shops are for everyone and it’s important we use them. The money goes on to help others." 

“You get sucked into consumerism” 

The mum was also criticised as being “cruel” for wearing expensive clothing while buying second-hand for her kids. She hit back saying thrifting was more “thoughtful”.

“It feels special to me to spend whatever on thrifted items that are unique, they are thoughtful, I’m not just walking into a retail shop and dragging things off shelves, I’m taking time, I’m taking effort,” she says.

“You have to go multiple times a week, for months. Whereas going into a store you get sucked into consumerism and end up leaving with more ‘less meaningful’ gifts.”

It just “makes sense” to her to shop second-hand – especially when toddlers go through clothes so quickly.

“I have zero guilt about my kids ‘destroying’ clothing because I know it’s been used by two families and it’s not overly expensive,” she says.

There is one big gift Sarah is buying new for her kids; a wooden playground for her mother’s house, which multiple family members are contributing to.

“I hope people take away that Christmas doesn’t need to be this huge event that we spend thousands of dollars on, gifts can be meaningful without being new. 

“And let’s bring it back to being a day where we treasure the people we are with, not the presents we receive.”

Originally published as I'm not 'cruel' for thrifting my kids' Christmas presents