FC can get anything because the elves make the toys & it doesn't cost money...

[DoubleDoubleTwigletTrouble]

So DD, aged 10 (yes, I know ) said that she wants a 3DS and a mobile phone from Father Christmas. I said that would be a lot of money and she said "but the elves he make all the toys, even electronics - they don't cost money like they do in the shops, so you can get anything from him!" Other than mumbling "erm, I don't think it works quite like that..." I was completely stuck for an answer.

I changed the subject quickly but what can I say next time it crops up?! Maybe the parts for electronics are very expensive and FC can't afford them?

[derektheladyhamster]

Was she having you on? Trying her luck? stick to the it doesn't work like that, at her age you really don't need to go into more detail.

[PeterParkerSays]

"a 3DS and a mobile phone aren't toys - they are for grown-ups. You can ask him for a doll and a monopoly set if you like"

[stargirl1701]

Elves make toys. Phones are gadgets. For adults to buy with their own money.

[girlywhirly]

In our house F.C. and the elves didn't do expensive gifts, they only did stocking fillers. And they didn't make them, they just ordered them! But then DS was over F.C. by age 7. He reckoned that elves making toys was just a story for little children anyway!

[DoubleDoubleTwigletTrouble]

No she wasn't having me on, she really believes it! The thing is, FC bought her a DS a few years ago so she won't accept 'they aren't toys'. I could definitely say that about the phone though, that's a great idea. Derek, she does need more detail though, she kept saying "well why doesn't it work? how does it work then?" and she knwe she was being fobbed off. She's at the age where I need to come up with plausible answers or she's going to realise he isn't real. Ok, so she'll be one of the last 10 year olds to figure that out but still :)

[Suzieismyname]

Surely 10 is getting a bit old to really believe in Father Christmas? or am I just a killjoy?

[PlumpkinPie]

Where I live kids believe up to 13 . My 11 year old completely believes as do her classmates though I am ready for it all to end - never thought that moment would come!
We say, true: he can make anything but he will only bring what Mum and Dad agree he can bring - Santa knows what we would approve of and we would NOT approve of....(eg a laptop)
Or there is a recession on and santa is having to provide a lot of basic stuff like food and clothes for a lot of families so he cannot make and bring as much as usual....
These worked for me this year and last.
For my younger ds: santa's sleigh is only so big so no, he cannot fit the whole toy shop in....

[PlumpkinPie]

Oh what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive!

[Department]

FC knows it's not good for children to get everything the ask for He also really dislikes it when children are greedy...

[derektheladyhamster]

Maybe if you don't give any more detail, she'll cotton on? Just tell her that she can't have them both and she has to choose, if that is the issue. I haven't mentioned FC for years to ds !10)

[LaundryLegoLunch]

Like department I use the "FC doesn't like greedy children. He decides what is enough"

[ghostonthecanvas]

In our house parents help pay the elves wages cos elves gotta eat. And, yes, gadgets and toys are completely different.

[Zeeky]

We have similar in our house from DS1 aged 6 and DS2 aged 3.5. They keep inventing toys and when I ask where on earth FC would be able to buy the robo-teddy-iPad-phone-thingumy (or whatever wildly imagined thing they have dreamt up!) they reply that the elves can make anything!

[Floralnomad]

I can't believe that anyone of that age can seriously still believe in FC .

[GladbagsGold]

FC has a lot of children to deliver too and he has to make sure that the children without many things get plenty, lucky children like you that understand sharing know that he is being fair and it wouldn't be fair for him to give you another gadget when some children have none.

[SconeInSixtySeconds]

My dd (10) still believes too!

I told my dc that although the elves build some toys, Father Christmas has to buy some items in (esp electrical items - after all they know iPods are made by apple for example) for delivery. He sends me an invoice after Christmas to pay for them, elf overtime, reindeer food and tack, general sleigh wear and tear.

This was my solution the year ds (then 6) asked for an ipad, play station 3 and Xbox. He thought he was doing me a favour asking Father Christmas rather than for his birthday.

It worked. thank god

[SmoulderingNoodles]

I told my children that although FC delivers the presents parents pay for them.
Fwiw my dts are 10 and I think they still believe

[littleblackno]

FC shops in charity shops and ebay! Parents have to give him money towards the presents which is why some get more than others. Elves used to make all the toys in olden days when they were all made of wood but not now as it's too complicated!

[DoubleDoubleTwigletTrouble]

Some good answers there - loving Gladbags' one about FC making it fair so that children with lots of things already don't get even more!

Suzieismyname, yes 10 is a little old (though I know plenty of her peersd who still do) but what are you suggesting? That I tell her he isn't real?! Far better to let them figure it out when they're ready, imo...

[insanityscratching]

My dd at ten still believes in FC, however FC only fills the stocking with fun and inexpensive tat at our house and so anything too expensive or unsuitable is vetoed by me rather than FC.
If dd had said the same OP I would have suspected that she was testing to see whether or not FC was real, could she be starting to doubt that FC isn't real?

[VeeVandTeaDrinkYourBlood]

My DS (8) knows that FC is a sort of magical postman. What happens is that we buy the presents, then when we get in there is a funny draft and the letterbox rattles, usually while I'm in the kitchen right by the front door and Jack Frost take the presents away. Then, during the winter JF checks on all childrens behaviour (that's when he leaves the frost) culminating in a visit on Xmas eve and the leaving of a book and PJs, along with a note telling us that FC is on the way.

[TheOnlyPink]

Love the jack frost story vee!

I have told my Ds6 that the elves have a set amount of time for each childs presents. Things like board games and simple toys don't take long so they can get a little bit more. But 3ds/phone/tablet etc takes a really long time to make so they can't make anything else. We used it to explain why 1 yr old brothers pile of plastic was huge and his 3ds and game were tiny. But if you were ok with getting one for example, you could explain it that way?

we also use the fact that the elves have to buy the parts and some parts are more expensive than others. That helps for when you just can't get an item too.

[VeeVandTeaDrinkYourBlood]

DS's face when we open the door is a picture our neighbours JF even leaves an ice cube on the present to prove its him.

every year DS is like and is so well behaved on frosty mornings.

[Jbck]

When DD1 was old enough to start asking for bigger stuff we explained Santa and the Elves did all the work Mums and Dads sent him a cheque in with her letter to help pay for everything.
She's just asked a few weeks ago about whether he's real or not and she turned 12 two weeks ago. I think she suspected last year but didn't come right out and ask.
She has been warned not to spoil it for DD2 (5)