"I Use Child Benefit to Spend £1,000 on My Two Kids for Christmas" - OK! Magazine

Parents will understand the desire to make Christmas as magical as possible for their little ones, whether that's leaving Santa's footsteps from the chimney or arranging presents around the tree ready for the 5am wake-up call. With costs quickly mounting for the big day, one mum on a low income starts prepping for the festivities as early as January, spreading the costs across months while also using some of her benefit money.

Elesia Hayes is a doting mum to her two children, Jaxon, five and Olivia, three. Every year, she transforms their Manchester home into a winter wonderland with piles of presents and matching Christmas pyjamas. The 23 year old spends £100 per month on gifts for her kids and barely finishes the holiday celebrations before she's planning for the next year, with wrapping commencing as early as March.

Due to her tight budget, Elesia says she prefers to spread the cost of Christmas presents over a longer period. 'I can’t afford to buy in bulk,' the mum of two told What's The Jam. 'I have a low income, and I find that spreading the costs [helps]. I spend my child benefits on presents, and it builds up to a good amount by Christmas.

'I’m usually finished around August, but if I see things I like after that then I’ll pick it up.' Elesia estimates that she spends around £300-£500 per child each year - meaning between January and August, it balances out to around £100 per month on gifts.

The children's festivities include a Christmas Eve box, matching pyjamas, and a pile of beautifully wrapped presents, all ready to go months in advance. The savvy mum also keeps an eye out for bargains throughout the year, including at discounted events.

'It’s cheaper because I manage to pick up deals in the Prime Day sales on Amazon and the toy events at shops like Asda, Tesco, and Argos. It just saves me struggling in the month when I spread out the cost,' she said.

And for this year, Elesia already has the presents wrapped in Disney, Marvel, and festive paper hidden away in a cupboard. Some of the gifts include Fisher-Price interactive stuffed animals, branded action figures and a Kindle for her son Jaxon.

'It’s important to me to give my children the best Christmas and gifts because I haven’t always [had that myself]. I want them to have the best childhood, with occasions to remember,' the mum of two shared.

But the festive season is a difficult time for Elesia, who sadly had a stillbirth to daughter Myla just days after Christmas, on 29 December 2020. 'I used to love Christmas, but since losing my little girl, I don’t like it anymore,' Elesia heartbreakingly said.

'It’s always a hard time leading up to Christmas and New Year, knowing I should be preparing for three children. I honour Myla by getting balloons made, and we get her a cake and candles that my children blow out.

'We talk about Myla, especially around Christmas and her birthday, and we go to her graveside to have a picnic with her when the weather is nice.'