I bought my daughter baby wipes and new vests for her first birthday - people say it's 'sad' but I'm poor and she won't remember it

A mother has divided opinion online after sharing a haul of gifts she bought for her daughter's first birthday. Jemma Pinches, 38, from Worcestershire, unexpectedly went viral this week after posting pictures of her daughter Dottie's birthday on her TikTok account @MrsPinchOfficial.

The mother, who has five children, revealed she'd only bought practical items for the celebration as she's 'poor' and her baby won't remember it anyway. She said the family already have enough toys to 'fill the Entertainer' anyway, and instead chose to buy her a new car seat, baby wipes and new vests.

Her video has racked up more than 500,000 views after being posted this week - but was soon filled with comments from trolls, who branded the presents 'sad' and said she'd had 'all year' to prepare. However, others leapt to Jemma's defence, saying Dottie wouldn't remember the birthday anyway, and she'd made 'safe and practical' choices for her baby.

In a TikTok video titled 'what I got my baby for her first birthday because I'm poor', Jemma said: 'She likes the wipes the best and loves her new car seat. 'I spent so much on my first, but 10 years later… She has so many toys already being the fourth.

Jemma Pinches, 38, from Worcestershire, unexpectedly went viral this week after posting pictures of her daughter Dottie's birthday. 'She has no idea what is even going on, but a cake for mummy to take pictures with was a treat. 'Four kids made me learn to prioritise, in a few years she’ll want £90 trainers. Because I haven’t got in debt now and started saving, she’ll have them.'.

Taking to the comments on her TikTok post, some people were left baffled by the selection of gifts, while others praised her for being practical as her daughter wouldn't remember the toys anyway. One person wrote: 'You get your baby a car seat baby whipes and body suit for there birthday not a single toy or anything for them to use', with another adding: 'Not like you’ve not had all year to save.'.

One more said: 'Why have 4 kids if you can't afford to get her an actual present and not just things she needs?';. 'This is so sad no child should go without a toy on there birthday I was this child it doesn’t matter if she’s only 1 there’s plenty of places that give away second hand toys or charities.'.

However, others wrote: 'You’ve given her safety, comfort and fun. Pretty perfect to me';. 'She’s 1. The amount of parents I see buying them 100s of presents that will never be used. A car seat is way more practical and safe';. Jemma said the family already have enough toys to 'fill the Entertainer' anyway, and instead chose to buy her a new car seat, baby wipes and new vests.

Jemma also bought Dottie a colourful cake and created a stylish balloon display. Jemma (pictured) said she already has lots of toys in her home as she has five children. Taking to the comments on her TikTok post, some people were left baffled by the selection of gifts, while others praised her for being practical.

'The child’s 1, she won’t remember the toys she’s bought nor would she really care.'. Jemma has three boys and two girls, so already has a huge range of toys in her house. And in addition to the gifts, she also bought Dottie a colourful cake and created a stylish balloon display.

The question of how much to spend on children's birthdays is a tricky one, with parents across the UK spending vastly differing amounts. Previously, a mother was accused of being 'stingy' after she revealed her plans to give her 16-year-old daughter a £150 budget for her birthday and Christmas presents.

The mother, who lives in the UK, explained in a Mumsnet post that she has given her daughter, whose birthday is on Christmas Eve, the same amount to spend since childhood. However the teenager then complained it isn't enough to buy two sets of gifts. She wants a pair of Dr Martens, which will use up almost the entire budget.