Influencer Jodie Weston says she spent around $20,000 on Christmas gifts and festive plans for her two year old son, Koa Zayde, and now she is anxious about what comes next. What started as a magical season of treats has quickly turned into a reality check about household bills and how far savings can really stretch. She admits her money cushion is shrinking fast, and she worries it could disappear if she does not rein things in. With January approaching, the excitement is being replaced by nerves.
Weston, who has appeared on reality TV and built a following online, went far beyond the usual holiday shopping list. She put together a weekly advent calendar stuffed with sweets and surprises, then layered bigger experiences on top of it. The plan included family outings and major trips, turning Christmas into a full schedule rather than a single day. She has said she needs to change her habits quickly because this level of spending is not sustainable.
A large chunk of the budget went on travel and kid focused entertainment. Weston said a Centre Parcs break alone cost about $2,700, and she added roughly $600 more for a dinosaur themed play area pass. The family also visited Legoland, and she has planned a trip to Lapland this month as part of the festive build up. It is the kind of holiday season many parents daydream about, but it comes with a price tag that lingers long after the decorations come down.
Even the smaller moments were styled as luxury. For Christmas Eve, she planned matching designer pyjamas for herself and her son, along with Cartier bracelets to complete the look. She also joked about taking things even further, including the idea of projecting their photo onto the Moon. Now, though, she is openly questioning how she will handle the aftermath, especially with quieter work months at the start of the year.
Money worries are not only about what she spent, but also about what she believes she might lose. Weston said her monthly income has dropped by about $1,300 over the last couple of months, and she blames rapid changes in technology and the rise of artificial intelligence for making her work less secure. She described it as a frightening time, saying she feels pressure to find new income streams before things shift again. That uncertainty makes the holiday splurge feel heavier than it did in the moment.
Despite the stress, she is not pressing pause on the lifestyle yet. Weston said she is heading to Abu Dhabi to ring in the New Year in style, choosing to enjoy the trip before facing the full financial reset at home. She has also dealt with backlash from other mums who called her a snob, while she insists much of the criticism comes from jealousy. Either way, her story has struck a nerve because it highlights how easy it is for festive spending to snowball.
Would you ever spend big on Christmas experiences for your child, or do you prefer keeping it simple? Share your thoughts in the comments.
