Pirimai mother Michela Kane says it takes creativity to get through Christmas on a budget.
Having "struggled" through previous holiday seasons on the unemployment benefit with her now 2-year-old son, she has learned how to ensure Christmas doesn't leave her in the financial doldrums.
About $60 will fill her son's Christmas sack this year, with educational toys from second-hand stores.
There was no need to buy a Christmas tree. She uses an artificial one each year which, if looked after, "will last forever".
Food for the day itself was purchased on special earlier in the year and stored in the freezer.
"We all love trifle so if we find ingredients on special during the year, we buy it, take it home and freeze it. Then we defrost it two days before Christmas Eve."