Families are gearing up for another holiday season filled with big expectations, long shopping lists, and the usual scramble to make everything feel magical. But one Pennsylvania mom has people buzzing for reasons she didn’t quite expect. She shared that she and her husband settled on a Christmas strategy that looks very different from what most families are used to, and some are having a difficult time accepting it.
Once she explained her plan on TikTok, the reactions poured in fast. She revealed that their total Christmas budget for all four of their children would be just $100. Not $100 each, but $100 split four ways. The couple made it clear that they refuse to go into debt for the holidays and are choosing to prioritize a family vacation next year over piles of gifts under the tree.
Image Source: @jaeliz22_/ TikTok
To stretch that budget, the Pennsylvania mom leaned fully into what she proudly called “Thriftmas,” picking up secondhand treasures she felt matched each child’s interests. A jewelry box for her 10-year-old daughter at $4.50, a unicorn-hooded jacket for $2, and a book for just 50 cents. Each chosen with purpose. Even so, she admitted she rarely buys anything brand new, and after showing everything she had purchased, she still had $85.50 left to spend.
Her video struck a nerve. Some viewers were stunned that she’d cap each child at roughly $25, insisting it was unfair and even irresponsible. Others argued that parents who can’t afford a holiday shouldn’t have children at all.
The Unusual Budget That Set Off the Internet
Yet there was another side. Plenty of people applauded her refusal to overspend and admired her determination to avoid debt and consumerism. As with most parenting choices, opinions landed everywhere. But left many to agree that every family should handle Christmas in the way that best fits their reality.
“It’s literally not insane. We need to stop this overconsumption and get back to just love,” one follower agrees.
“$100? I spend at least that on wrapping paper! Good luck,” another adds.
“It’s about making memories, not spending money,” one more reminds others.
Then there were the others. Some commenters accused her of mismanaging money or not planning ahead. She pushed back. She noted their household had dealt with two surgeries in the past year and that the upcoming vacation wasn’t just for her and her husband. It was meant for the whole family to enjoy. Something she believes matters more than material gifts.
In the end, her “Thriftmas” might not look traditional. But it’s a system, she says worked for her family last year and will work again this year. Whether the internet agrees or not, the Pennsylvania mom seems firm in her belief that Christmas is about intention, not price tags.
Emma Taylor 
Casey James 
