Annie Walton Doyle
Any parent knows that Christmas is a special time to spoil their kids.
But when it comes to budgeting for the holiday season, things can feel a little tight.
Knowing the 'right' amount to spend on your children can feel impossible.
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And one mum has sparked a fierce debate on TikTok after revealing just how much she's willing to splurge for her children over the holidays.
TikToker Sinead Baldev runs a popular account showing how she manages to budget - and splurge - as a single mum-of-three.
But her latest video, in which she talks through her spending habits for the upcoming holiday season, has the internet divided.
Sinead wrote: “This is how much I normally spend, per child. So last year, I must have spent … I’d say £3k to £4.5k on Christmas presents for these kids.”
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She did later clarify that this was £3-4k in total, not each, and she didn't spend anywhere near as much on her youngest.
She said: "Why the hell would I spend £3,000 to £4,000 on a three-year-old."
She also said she buys presents throughout the year so she's not spending too much in one go.
Sinead then broke down exactly where this money was going.
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She revealed her eldest daughter had asked for pricey beauty products from Drunk Elephant and P Louise.
Sinead admitted she's bought these £100 products in spite of the fact her daughter is just 13, and that 'Nivea probably does the same thing'.
Sinead went on to explain she'd bought her younger daughter a £170 Barbie Dreamhouse.
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Luckily, Sinead's son has far less expensive taste.
She explains he 'is the cheapest child to buy for', adding: "You could buy him a £2.99 stretchy worm from B&M and he’s buzzing.”
Although she also admitted he tends to get 'bored' of opening his presents on the big day.
Even though Sinead insisted her children aren't spoiled, her excessive spending habits still sparked a fierce debate in the comments sections.
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One wrote: “I’ve only spent about £20 on my son because he’s only going to be a month old for Christmas.”
Another added: "I'm crying reading the comments because that's so much money, feeling so guilty now but I'm doing my best for my kids!"
However, others seemed to think this level of spending was totally normal.
One claimed: “My parents spend minimum £2000. They spent about £1k a few years back and I kicked off and they said I ‘ruined Christmas’ but they’ve learned.”
Another sensibly stated: "I always get mine what they want so if one wants a pogo stick they get it and if one wants a pony they get it. I don’t really do money!"
Where do you stand in the debate?