How to explain to a 7yr old that Santa can't always bring the things he wants

[HowToTrainYour]

So far ds has just asked for surprises for christmas. He's not been too fussed on choosing anything specific until today!

He got a hornby train set a couple of christmas ago and he's been playing with it this week. He's asked for a specific train (of the one that runs on our local line) but they no longer make it and it's become a collectirs item. Costing over £200 2nd hand! I just can't justify it.

I've explained to him that it is very expensive for what it is so we won't be able to get it.

Then he said that Santa could make one! I kind of dismissed the conversation. But what do I say back?!

[Sleeperandthespindle]

My seven year old is close to not believing, I think. But we give the idea that mum and dad, and other relatives sometimes, have to send Santa the money for the presents!

Not as romantic as I'd like, but helps explain why some children get more presents than others!

[reallyreallyreallytired]

I say that my 3 write a idea list/ a wish list for Santa. I'm very clear it's not a shopping list. They don't expect to get everything on their list.

[PartyCityGhoul]

Maybe say that Santa can't make things which aren't made any more because the elves can't get the parts?

[kimlo]

Santa has finished making the toys now, he's on to the wrapping.

[HowToTrainYour]

Yes sleep I think I'm walking a fine line when talking about santa as I know at any moment he won't believe anymore!

Really my santa list rule has always been that no matter how much he puts on his list he will only recieve 3 things from it. This has worked well in the past as he's always kept his lists short. But this year's list is too short that i feel bad that I can't get it for him!

[ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets]

We tell ours that we have to pay the bill, which explains why he can't have an endless list.

Maybe the elves can't get the parts for this particular train?

[franke]

I love PartyCityGhoul's suggestion. I can just imagine the elves sucking their teeth over the unobtainable parts

[HowToTrainYour]

party that's a fab idea! He'll go for that one Thanks.

That might work too kimlo Thanks

[anyoldname76]

i always tell our that santa cant bring everything on their list otherwise there wont be any presents for all the other children

[Foxsox]

Tell him that Santa only brings things for his stocking and the other gifts come from you. Something like a train of that value wouldn't be something Santa would put in your stocking and it's too much money to buy.

[Wordsaremything]

Tell him Father Christmas isn't real , that you are not made of money, and being grasping is most unattractive?

[Ladymoods]

I am feeling your Hornby train pain, my 7 year old is also desperate for a new one, but they are so bloody expensive. I feel that I have spent the last month sat on eBay hoping to catch a bargain!

[expatinscotland]

I told my ASD son the truth as he was getting agitated but it all.

[expatinscotland]

Kept saying he was getting an Xbox, a PS4, etc. There's no way in hell that would happen, even if we had the money (which we haven't) as it would be a source of further meltdowns.

So I told him, there isn't a Santa, and in life we don't always get what we want.

[slamdunkthefunk]

I told my 7 year old that he can't ask for too much because that would make him seem greedy and Father Christmas only brings presents for the good girls and boys who aren't greedy.

[lottieandmia]

This sort of thing is why lying about Santa is a bad idea.

[MTWTFSS]

1.9 billion children in the world... Santa tries his very best but is only human!!!

[gillybeanz]

It still costs Santa a lot of money to make it and he has to be fair to all the boys and girls.
Then get him a different one.
If he has only been playing with it couple of weeks and has had it for 2 years, it's maybe not that important to him, maybe it's just a fad for a while.
I think £200 is a lot to spend on something he might not play with for long, anyway.

[HowToTrainYour]

Ah, he's not grasping word He's asked for ine thing only but he just doesn't get the whole cost issue.

[HowToTrainYour]

They are so expensive lady and so hard to play with! They're definately grown up toys but how do you tell that to a 7 yr old. It's like the scene out of lego movie with the kod's dad!

[HowToTrainYour]

Yes lottie totally agree with you there!
We've never been over the top with presents. So I don't worry about him asking for lots. It's just the fact that he's only asked for one thing and I can't get it for him.

I'm soooo glad he's not in to games consoles (yet I suppose!)

[HowToTrainYour]

That's my exact thinking gilly I can't justify buying it! If it was a bike then fair enough, £200 is reasonable. But a hornby train that is so fiddly and frustrating to play with anyway. No!

[BoboBunnyH0p]

We have always told our kids that Santa brings each child one present and that mums and dad's and other relatives help Santa out by buying some gifts too. This is because now there are far too many children in the world for Santa and the elves to provide all with everything. I think this is one of the reasons my 10 year old still believes (least I think she does, she hasn't asked right out yet this year, but I'm expecting it.)

[Angelitron]

Santa does stocking!!

We all need to get on the same page.

[GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER]

Best way IMO is that Santa brings little things for stockings only. However they have to be told this from the start. That way they know that if money is tight at home, they can't ask for anything big/expensive/out of the question.

As kids we were told that we couldn't ask for anything big or expensive - Father Christmas didn't like greedy kids and he might not bring us anything at all if he thought we were being greedy.
Worked for us, and for parents who were always broke when we were little.
Stockings were still intensely exciting, though!
Non stocking presents were all from parents/other family.