A mum who buys her children second-hand Christmas presents from charity shops says she gets judged online – but it won’t stop her.
Liv Poole, 26, regularly shares her bargain-hunting trips on social media, and this year the mum-of-two has managed to bag great deals for Christmas presents for her little ones, aged four and two.
So far, she’s managed to get her hands on a range of gifts, including popular Peppa Pig toys, as well as a vintage Fisher Price animal farm barn with all the figures, and a collection of Bluey toys.
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Spending as little as 80p per toy, Liv estimates she has saved up to £300 this year and went viral on TikTok, sharing her thoughts in a post which garnered 130,000 views.
“This has helped me save hundreds for Christmas, meaning I’m able to spend more on memories rather than spend it all on toys that they show no interest in after a couple of months,” Liv, from Manchester, told What’s The Jam.
“I decided to buy Christmas presents second hand this year due to the fact every year in March/April I always do a declutter and find the majority of presents they got given for Christmas haven’t been played with more than once.
“We were spending hundreds of pounds for Christmas for the sake of a cardboard box to be ripped open and then it’s all the same.”
The mum posted about a recent trip to a charity shop where she searched for toys, books and more.
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In the clip, Liv said: “I get judged because I buy secondhand presents for my kids Christmas.
“They believe presents should be brand new, and judge me for having my nails done when I’m showing my second hand presents.
“People just frown upon charity shops still, even for toys when they use them for a couple weeks.”
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Not letting that stop her, she shared some input into what parents could look for in charity shops this festive season.
She added: “I feel like you just can’t go wrong with a teddy because you can just put it in the washing machine and it’s literally brand new.
“Kids books as well – in charity shops they range [in price], but usually they’re around the 50p mark.
“And again, you just can’t go wrong.
“They’re £5 in actual shops now.”
She also showcased a pair of Hot Wheels-themed wellington boots.
The savvy shopper added: “I picked up these wellies – they literally still have the price tag inside from Marks and Spencer for £17, and I got them for £2.
“The best deals I’ve gotten are probably the Peppa Princess Castle for 80p, and the Bluey swimming pool with all figures for £3.”
Liv also shared her top tips for anyone wanting to do something similar in the run up to Christmas.
She added: “[My] top tips would be to go to charity shops frequently – they put new stuff out everyday usually and you just never know what you will find.
“Also to root, there is always good stuff hidden.”
The mum said she visits her local charity shops two or three times a week to ensure she’s finding the best deals.
Liv added that while some people judge, others have been supportive of her decision after she shared her thoughts online.
She said: “The reaction has been a lot better than I originally expected, at first I was nervous to post as people can be very judgemental on social media.
“People are supportive and have the same views as myself about the over consumption each year we get pulled into, prices are rising of toys and unfortunately not everyone is in a position to spend hundreds of pounds on each child.
“It has made me feel very happy knowing that there are people out there watching my videos and going searching in charity shops for presents for their kids.”
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