Would you buy something off ds' Christmas list even if you thought it was rubbish?

[KangarooCaught]

Ds (6) has thrown himself wholeheartedly into Christmas & has very carefully written his letter to Father Christmas which has been now been collected by the elves.

He really, really wants a Kung Zhu arena and 2 ninja hamsters (has mentioned them for a few months) - arrgh. Imo it looks like expensive tat and not sure, given what people said last year about GoGo hamsters, how much it will get played with.

My Dad sends a cheque to buy him something and we discussed getting him a new bike, but will he be sad FC didn't get him what he wanted?

WWYD, in the circumstances?

[nextchapter]

Maybe just get him one of the things? It is his present after all and you don't want to ruin his belief in Father Christmas.

[KangarooCaught]

He is v much into the magic of FC, he has his reinder food ready. So succumb to the tat?

[nextchapter]

You don't have to buy it all, maybe explain that santa's sleigh can only carry so many things and maybe he should tell FC which one he likes best?!

[OhYouSnowySnowyKitten]

I did for dd once at about the same age. When it broke it gave us the basis for a really good conversation about the power of advertising and how adverts can make rubbish look amazing. Taught her to be somewhat more discriminating.

[healthyElfy]

I would get it, but would also get other non tat in the hope he would notice the difference for next year :o

[yomellamoHelly]

Did for 6yo ds last year. Binned it about a month ago (clearing space for this Christmas)! Never played with really beyond first opening and a big disappointment. Box / premis looks good. Just isn't. Would not do it again.

[nannynobblystockingnobs]

It's just a way of selling the hamsters to boys isn't it? I'm pretty sure it was voted a turkey in the newspaper yesterday when they had kids testing out this year's 'top toys'. You don't even get a hamster with the arena.

[Nuttybear]

Yep! A Pongo stick as it was part of the Nutmeg & Tumtum adventure story! None of us got the hang of it. Still rusting in the shed.
Have brought what he wanted this year as he only asked for 3 things and one of which was a Neil Diamond CD (only 6 years old) may only buy one daft thing next year if asked for.

[livvylouis]

No I wouldn't my dd has asked for some littlest pet shop crap and I have told her that FC has run out? . I then told her that he maybe able to bring some suprises though, she was fine about it.

[livvylouis]

May I add she is getting everything else on her list, but I know that this thing wont be played with and is very over priced, nearly £20 for a peice of plastic that does nothing!

[feetheart]

I'd get him one hamster but not the arena thingie - if he really wants it he can save up and hopefully by the time he has the money he will want something else anyway

Santa only brings little things in this house, the few things on DD's letter to Santa this year will be given by us - I'm buying them, I want the credit!

[becaroodolf]

Perhaps just get him 1 hamster?

Have got ds1 one - ot a ninja one - as he loves animals but is allergic

[Nuttybear]

feetheart I wish we did that, I want the credit too! I told him Mum and Dad give FC the money!

[MrsSnaplegs]

DD had zhu zhu hamsters for her birthday and spent her money on some of the track bits. To be honest they are more fun on the track stuff and don't really run on carpet. If you get track/ arena you need space to leave it out otherwise it is unlikely to be played with! Hope that helps!

[SpotSplatterSplash]

Buy the tat

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

Hmm,I don't know... I remember when I was 6 putting that I wanted 'make-up' in my letter to Father Christmas. My mum wasn't keen! However, I was perfectly happy with the facepainting set that came in my stocking in its place .

[KangarooCaught]

Thanks for the all the advice. Against my better judgement have bought the rodents. Nearly keeled over when I realised you buy the 'armour' separately He can have a bike for his birthday in Spring when it's warmer & have vowed to 'steer' his letter to Santa next year!

[DorisIsAPinkDragon]

DD has a hamster and happily spent a sunday afternoon making a home for her pet... a cardboard box would do much the same job as the arena!

DD plays with hers mostly on the wooden floor as previously mentioned they are a bit rubblish and be warned they DO NOT HAVE AN OFF SWITCH!!

(But have bought one from FC for dd2 as it was the only thing apart from sweeties and lollipops that she wanted!)

[Catchthewind]

Difficult.

I would try and push the alternatives...what if santa can't find such and such, what else do you like?

Easier I know with a 3yo but ds really wanted a stupid, horrible, pink plastic ride on thing from toysrus this year. on and on and on about it.

In the end I got him a really cool 'swing car' thing instead, which I remembered was also a big hit when it was hanging about in the toyshop a few months back. It's far better for the money.

Compromise is everything - on Christmas day I doubt he will care too much.

[dockate]

I bought 'The Magic Tooth Fairy Game' after DS was convinced by the TV ads. Utter tat and a complete waste of money. Since then he watches the ads, then turns to me and says, a little sadly "Its not really that good, is it, Mummy? They're just trying to trick us so they can get our money..."

Unfortunately he also now wants Kung Zhu hamsters, so FC is bringing him one in his stocking (without accessories or armour), and he will have to decide whether to spend his long-saved pocket money on the associated junk or on the Lego sets he's actually been saving for.

Sad when the rubbish destroys their innocent little illusions really.