Desiree Hart-Spegal, 37, has 20 children and two grandchildren with her husband, Chris, 44, and are now planning a budget Christmas with their huge family. Let’s take a look at how they do it
A mum who recently welcomed her 20th child revealed her ‘secret’ to a budget-friendly Christmas – and it may surprise some fellow parents.
Desiree Hart-Spegal,37, and her husband Chris, 44, have a large blended family of ten boys and ten girls, with their youngest addition, baby Zavior, joining the brood six months ago.
However, this supermum, who is also a grandmother of two, admits that the prospect of her immediate family being complete has inspired a more economical approach to the festive season.
The couple from Washington, US, are adhering to a $3,000 (£2,295) budget for Christmas, setting gift allowances based on age. The younger children will receive presents worth between $20-$50 (£15- £38), while the adult offspring have a spending limit of up to $200 (£153) each.
Despite not completely ruling out the possibility of another child, Desiree believes that refraining from going overboard allows them to concentrate on quality time together and reserve funds for family outings to create cherished memories.
“This year, we’re working on actually not spending a whole crazy ton,” she revealed. “So we will see. If I can cram it all into maybe $2,500 or $3,000 that might be the least I could do.
“We’re not going to go all out this year. It would be our first Christmas with our grandbabies. This year we’re more focused on memories because life is just literally flying by so fast.
“We want to make some ornaments and some gingerbread cardboard stuff. We just really want to focus this year on spending time with each other and kind of cherishing each other.”
As she ponders her evolving role, Desiree reveals she’s treasuring every moment and confessed that her motherhood “era” is ending.
And candidly admitted that she is essentially “grieving” being a mother. Following an introduction through mutual pals in October 2013, Desiree and Chris enjoyed a whirlwind relationship before tying the knot in July 2014.
The couple began attempting to conceive immediately and welcomed Christa, 10, in June 2015. The pair also have eight additional offspring: Izabella, nine, Christopher Jr. , eight, Lily, seven, Heavenly-Grace, six, Elliesiah, five, Breiella, three, and Zeke, two.
Desiree brings three youngsters from earlier partnerships: Maliki, 20, Makaila, 19, and Andrew, 12. Chris was already father to eight before their meeting – Skyler, 23, Gavin, 22, Braden, 21, Kaden, 19, Jayden, 15, Sarayia, 15, and twins Chevelle and Donny, 12.
The clan now boasts two grandchildren – Skyler and his partner, Marilyn, 20, are parents to daughter Royalty, two.
Makaila recently became mum to one-month-old Alaia with boyfriend Alan, 21, who relocated from Fort Worth to Washington to be nearer to the brood.
Following their return to Spokane, Washington, last November after three-and-a-half years in Fort Worth, the household is embracing a different approach to the festive season.
“Christmas is definitely going to be with family since we moved back to Spokane,” Desiree said.
“We actually decided this year we’re going to draw some names and do some Secret Santa’s, because we just have an ever-growing family and we have some goals to end up either buying our own property or end up doing a family compound together.”
The stay-at-home mum – who is studying business management while Chris works as a branch manager for a construction company – said Secret Santa is crucial to keeping the holiday affordable amongst extended family.
“That way everybody doesn’t feel like they have to buy everybody something and spend a fortune,” she said.
“We want to actually make a family trip and go to Silver Mountain Resort and go tubing and kind of make memories instead of buying a whole bunch of things.
“We want to pick some names from this tree from their elementary school,” she added, saying they choose a child to “spoil” and “show them the Christmas spirit”.
Speaking of her kids and grandkids, she added: “Every single year, they change.
“I want to capture all the pictures and the videos and kind of make their time stand still.”
For Christmas dinner, they’re maintaining their prime rib tradition – but splitting the cost.
“We told all of our family that I think we’re going to do a potluck,” she said. “But we do like prime dinner. It’s our thing. We like prime rib for Christmas dinner.”
Family Christmas Gift Budget:
- $3,000 (£2,295)- planning to spend around $100 (£76) per person
- Little kids: $20-$50 (£15-£38) per child
- Adults: $30-$200 (£22-£153) per person
Christmas Meal Budget:
Cost-saving strategies:
- Secret Santa gift exchange to cut down on overall spending
- Family trip to Silver Mountain Resort for tubing instead of additional gifts
- DIY activities such as crafting ornaments, handprints, gingerbread decorations
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