A mother in Australia who spent over $2,000 on gifts for her children this year hit back against critics who claimed she was spending too much.
Kristy Nowak gained attention, some negative, after posting pictures and a video showing the gifts she bought for her three children.
She added that she’s been buying gifts for the past five months. “A few years ago I left it to the last four days and panicked. I swore I’d never do that again,” she said.
Most comments on her Facebook page were approving of the gifts but some people on other websites criticized her.
“It’s a silly amount of toys. These kids values and expectations are going to be way off the scale as adults. Good job mum!” added another.
Nowak responded to the critics.
“I love Christmas and so do my kids,” Nowak wrote on her Facebook. “People assume my kids are uncaring or bratty because they have lots of presents. That makes no sense to me.”
“The older they get the more expensive the gifts will be meaning the less of them. Food and love is the best Christmas,” she added in another post.
Other users commented positively on Nowak’s page, with one saying: “I wish I were as smart as you to stick pile through the year. Here I am rushing a week out to get everything together for my four. Your beautiful children will love it and I’m sure your heart will explode watching their excitement.”
Christmas Decorations and Spending
Nine in 10 Americans, and 95 percent of Christians, celebrate Christmas, according to a Pew Research Survey. Many Australians do as well.Consumers in the United States this year said they were planning on spending an average of $1,007.24 during the winter holiday season, with $215.04 of that planned for food, decorations, flowers, and greeting cards, according to the National Retail Foundation.
Experts said people should save up throughout the year if they plan to spend big for the holidays, and plan ahead and make a budget.
“It’s tempting to splurge at this time of year, but it’s important to ensure that holiday spending doesn’t derail your finances,” said Jamie Ohl, president at Lincoln Financial Group, in a statement. “As with all financial matters, planning is a good way to stay on track, even when you’re tempted by sales and impulse buys.”
“If this season is about giving, think about what else you can give to someone without spending money,“ she said. ”Maybe you can give them more of your time, or perhaps upcycle something that’s been preloved.”