A savvy mum had a budget Christmas after selling some of her daughter's toys on Vinted - and using the cash to buy her new ones.

Melissa Kerrighen, 28, was determined to do a "budget Christmas" and not overspend on gifts for her five-year-old daughter, Isla. "

She sold her daughter's old toys, including gifts from last year, on the reselling site, Vinted.

She made around £85 – which she put back into buying second hand gifts on the site.

Melissa said she only put in £35 of her "own money" into additional stocking fillings – spending a total of £120."

In previous years she has spent over £300 on brand-new toys, some of which her daughter had "never played with". "

Melissa shares her money saving hacks on TikTok and has received "mixed reviews" about buying presents second hand."

She believes there is still a "stigma" around it, with some followers calling it "disgusting". "

The mum-of-one, a saddle maker, from Canterbury, Kent, said: "In previous years, I've gone really overboard with presents for my daughter, Isla. "

"I spent over 300 on gifts for her last year."

"That was just presents – not including stocking fillers, and activities like visiting Santa."

"She had a toy from last Christmas that she didn't play with until November this year. "

"I get so many divided opinions about buying gifts on Vinted."

"Some people call it "disgusting" – but I don't get it."

"Isla doesn't know how much things cost and she doesn't care."

Around April 2024, Melissa did a "budget overhaul" "

She started sharing her budgeting tips on TikTok, and she was determined to continue saving money in the festive period.

Melissa, who lives at home with her partner, Isla's dad, Dave, 41, a plant machine mechanic.

She said: "I was trying to pay of some debt this year and I was like, 'where is all my money going?'"

"I decided to really track where all my money was going."

"Like most parents, I get carried away at Christmas."

"I was determined not to do that again."

Melissa sat down with Isla in October and "cleared out" lots of toys she "never played" with."

After uploading them on Vinted, she managed to make around £85 reselling the old items.

She said: "That money went straight back into presents for her. "

"I got her three main things she wanted, and lots of craft things. "

"Some of the things on Vinted I bought are in excellent condition and practically new."

"Not lots of pointless toys she'll never play with."

"Her stocking only cost around £10."

"I know it's all things she'll love and actually use."

To save more money, Melissa also did 'free' Christmas activies with her daughter including a Tractor display in Staplehurst, Kent, and visiting a family home covered in 50,000 lights in Canterbury, Kent.

In total, Melissa spent around £120 on Isla's presents, and want to encourage more parents to consider buying things second hand.

She said: "Christmas is expensive enough as it, when you factor in food and activies. "

"If kids are asking for lots of things, I think it's the environment that influencing that."

"Social media paints a picture that we need loads of stuff. "

"Isla doesn't understand how much things cost."

"Vinted is a great place to get gifts. "

"If it's in good enough condition for you, that's the main thing."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with it more people should utilise it."