The festive period is infamously the most expensive time of year.
When you add up all the traditional necessities - travel expenses to visit family, a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, presents for the kids, a Christmas tree - it can cost you a whole lot more than you may have initially expected.
And with the ongoing cost of living crisis forcing Brits to further tighten their purse strings, it's no wonder that many are struggling to find joy this festive season.
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In fact, one mum was left with her heart shattered earlier this week, after being forced to tell her children she couldn't afford to buy them the gifts they want for Christmas.
The heartbroken shopper had been visiting the usually bargain-boasting homeware and grocery retailer B&M with her kids when the family ventured into the toy aisle.
As her children picked up and started playing with the toys on the shelves, mum-of-two Danielle was forced to break the sad news to them that she didn't have enough money to pay for the gifts.
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Taking to TikTok to open up on her experience, the doting mother burst into tears.
"I'm a mum of two small ones, a 4 year old and a 1 year old," she told viewers. "We survive on one wage. I don't go to work because I can't afford to send both my children to preschool while I go to work.
"I have looked for jobs in the evening and to try and work it on my partner's job, but I can't find anything."
Danielle went on to explain that she'd worked a full-time role since she was 18 years old, but now being 32 - with two children under her belt - she would struggle to pay the price of double childcare.
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"And before anybody says in the comments, we don't get benefits, we just survive on whatever my partner brings back from work."
Danielle explained on the video that she hoped it would raise awareness of how the cost of living crisis is affecting the lives of parents all over the country.
"The fact that I was lining up and being asked by my kids for some toys, and I had to then put a load back because I knew I couldn't afford them," she cried.
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"Now I know that isn't the end of the world and, you know, we have struggles of the food shop and all that.
"But that kind of was the straw that broke the camel's back when I kind of came to that realisation... I'm a mum who tries to make Christmas, every moment, as magical for my kids as possible.
"And it just breaks my heart."
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Danielle went on to admit that she 'never thought I would be in this situation' but 'doesn't want sympathy', adding that she knows she's not alone in this situation.
"I just want people to be aware that this is happening," she added. "This time of year is hard. for a lot of people. I'd love to do all these little things like, you know, throughout December for the kids, but we can still make it magical without spending money."
"This is happening. This is real. A lot of people are struggling. The cost of everything has just become absolutely ridiculous now.
"And I just don't know how people are expected to live like this."
Many viewers of the video were quick to offer Danielle their sympathies, with some claiming they can relate to her upset.
"Sitting in the car with tears in my eyes for you," one wrote. "The fact you are upset shows how much you care for your babies. You're not alone."
"I had every toy, gadget, cool clothes etc growing up,"another added. "But I didn’t have a loving stable home, my love was bought.
"I promise you it’s not about the stuff - it’s about the Xmas magic you’re trying to make. It’s about the eaten carrot, flour footprints, Xmas walk, whatever magic you do."
Topics: Christmas, Cost of Living, Money, Shopping, Parenting
Rhianna Benson