A MUM-of-six has hit back at cruel trolls over her decision to cancel Christmas – insisting she and her family are happier without it.
Dionne Fleming, 37, first scrapped the tradition last year, after years of festive stress and working with children less privileged than her own.
She decided to prioritise “making memories” with her family instead, opting to take her kids on trips rather than lavishing them with gifts.
But while the mum still keeps up some festive traditions, including a Christmas tree and dinner, her house is a present free-zone – sparking fury from other parents.
“I’ve been called a tramp and told I’m saving for drugs and alcohol,” Dionne told The Sun.
“I don’t even drink or abuse drugs and I don’t understand why people are so quick to rip others apart.”
Dionne explained that after years of stress trying to meet her children’s endless Christmas wish lists, she was exhausted.
And she realised that frantic gift-buying is not “what Christmas should be about”.
“Buying my children presents was too much,” she said.
“I would start Christmas shopping in the January sales, frantically trying to get everything they wanted.
“It was exhausting, my mental health would suffer, and I realised it wasn’t what Christmas should be about.”
Last year, she ditched the presents and took her family on holiday instead.
“We went to Centre Parcs and had the best time.
“It was the first Christmas in years where I wasn’t stressed, and my kids loved it, even my 20-year-old daughter preferred it.”
Some TikTok users have branded her “awful” and suggested her kids must be “disappointed”.
But Dionne insists her children – aged five, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 20 – are happier than ever.
“My son, who’s autistic, said ‘Mum, it’s the best thing ever,’” she said.
“I thought they’d struggle, but they love it, they know its about making memories, not getting stuff.”
Dionne’s decision was also influenced by her time working with underprivileged children.
She recalled one heart-breaking moment when a young girl believed Santa didn’t bring her gifts because she was naughty.
“That really stuck with me, I told he Santa doesn’t work like that, and she was on the good list.
“Later I found out her parents just couldn’t afford presents and it broke my heart.”
This experience shifted Dionne’s perception of Christmas, prompting her to prioritise quality time and memories over material gifts.
This year, the family will be going to Disneyland, something Dionne has carefully budgeted for over the past year, saving a few hundred pounds each month.
The mum also says she now makes sure her family is away during Christmas so her kids don’t feel left out when others are opening gifts.
And she’s determined to continue her new tradition of holiday trips instead of presents.
“I want people to love Christmas for what it’s about not things and stuff but memories.”
