I told my children the truth about Santa and am giving them yellow sticker gifts for Christmas - it shouldn't be about the money

• Catherine Lofthouse, from Leicestershire, shares how she'll save this Christmas
• The 43-year-old mother will gift her loved ones yellow sticker items and freebies 
• READ MORE: Mother shares tips for buying second-hand gifts this Christmas

A mother has shared her unusual method to save money this Christmas - by gifting her children yellow sticker items and revealing the truth about Santa to avoid splashing out on costly presents. 

Catherine Lofthouse, 43, from Leicestershire, insists she will save hundreds of pounds through her gifting policy this festive season.

The self-described 'tight mum' also plans to use freebies or re-gift unwanted items to family members and friends to keep costs low over the Christmas period.  

Additionally, Catherine, who is mother to Alex, 12, William, 10 and Robin, five, revealed to her children the truth about Santa as part of her plan to avoid shelling out on expensive stocking fillers this year. 

The mother's frugal ways isn't limited to just the loved ones in her life - this Christmas, Catherine's home will be decorated with items she's picked up from charity shops. 

She said: 'This is the first year I've got all the adults cut-price presents, as well as the kids. If I'm honest, I actually don't think they'll know any different.'

Catherine shared how she managed to bag enough freebies to gift to loved ones - by using hundreds of loyalty points racked up over the year with various retailers. 

She explained: 'All of the gifts are discounted stuff from supermarkets, mainly using loyalty points I've amassed over the year to pay for it.

'I've basically only bought charity shop or clearance items, such as yellow sticker bits, to give as gifts.'

'I've even got actual freebies to give to people, including hand-me-down clothes from friends whose kids have grown out of them. 

'And also books from the village book swap. If they look more or less new, I just wrap them up and stick them under the tree.'

This Christmas, decorating the home also gives Catherine an exciting opportunity to extend her thrifty methods - including making use of the same artificial tree that she grew up with. 

She said: 'I do decorate the house with cut-price stuff I find at the charity shops or from the January sales. I got a big festive wreath for my mantle piece for a fiver and a golden urn that I fill with baubles for a couple of quid.

'To be honest, we even use the same artificial tree I had growing up. It must be the same age as me – and it’s still going strong. 

'I love having a look around all the Christmas sections in shops and garden centres, admiring the decorations, but then I look at the price tag and think: "No thanks!"'

Catherine insists her home is 'unique' and celebrates 'the people I love,' as she incorporates elements from her childhood, handmade gifts from her children and items she's 'found along the way.' 

She added: 'I don't think we need loads of new bits to make our decor feel magical.'

Despite receiving new, unused gifts from loved ones, Catherine admits she 'doesn't feel bad' about returning the favour with cut-price and second-hand goods, insisting her preferred gifting method makes Christmas shopping 'less stressful.' 

She said: 'I'm not actually bothered if people realise where their gifts come from. I don’t feel bad about regifting items or finding freebies.'

Catherine believes people should worry less about the cost of a Christmas present and focus more on the 'time and effort' put into finding the perfect gift. She added: 'If they're worried about how much I've spent, that's on them. 

'I've seen people spend massive sums on tat, that is clearly not wanted, and what's the point? If you're given something you don’t want or need, pass it on to someone who can make use of it.'

Catherine added: 'I've pretty much shopped this way for all special occasions since I had my first son. I actually really enjoy it and find it much less stressful, getting a few bits here and there when I’m out and about.

'[Otherwise], I'd be rushing around all the shops in December, grabbing whatever I can find, no matter how much it costs or if it really suits the recipient.'