One mother left This Morning fans astonished today after revealing she buys more than 300 presents for her three children.
Single mum Emma Tapping told Holly and Phil that she began buying gifts in January and has carried on her family’s tradition of going the extra mile over the festive season.
She spoke to the show via video link from her Isle of Man home, where a teetering pile of gifts was seen behind her, almost swamping the Christmas tree.
“I work hard for my money all year around,” she said.
“Why would I slog my guts out all year if I can’t treat kids at Christmas? That’s what I work for: I work and live for my kids.
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“It’s my family around that tree and we are making memories every year. I know if I pop my clogs tomorrow, the kids will say, ‘Mum went all out every year at Christmas and gave us brilliant Christmases throughout our childhood.’
“I start in January, shop all the way through the year, and that’s the pile at the end of the year.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Emma did admit her daughter had a couple of presents from the last year she hadn’t used, but said: “She has a popcorn maker and a book she didn’t use from last year, so out of all the presents, I don’t think that’s too bad.”
Naturally, her interview provoked quite a reaction on social media, mostly from astonished viewers who’d never seen so many gifts in one place!
Others couldn’t help asking how long it takes her family to unwrap everything.
Some questioned whether 300 gifts was too extreme.
Other viewers, however, felt Emma could spend the money she earns however she wants and nobody has the right to judge her.
Emma has spoken out in the past about her family’s Christmas traditions, after a photo of her gift-laden tree went viral two years ago.
At the time, she told FEMAIL: “I was more shocked by the reaction of people who instantly thought I was a bragging parent with spoilt little brat children. I was shocked how judgmental people were. My attitude is what I buy my kids is my business, no one else’s.”
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And in an earlier interview on This Morning, she said: “My kids know the difference between right and wrong, they appreciate everything they get and they don’t get spoiled throughout the year, we don’t go on expensive holidays.
“If they break something like their phone they have to save up their money to replace it.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10.30am on ITV.