Expensive/Pointless present request from DC!

[Itsthattimeagain]

More of a WWYD really....

DS has written to Santa and has his heart set on a very expensive toy, which we know is completely pointless and not worth the money, and will probably end up cast aside within days.

We are not prepared to buy the toy, but don't know how to go about it.

We don't want DS thinking he didn't get it because he was naughty, or to be disappointed on Christmas day.

We were thinking of maybe writing a reply from Santa, but what would we write?

[ferriswheel]

Santa has got his own good ideas too. Definitely don't worry about it.

[BrieAndChilli]

What’s the toy, how old is DS and did he put Anything else on the list?

[Itsthattimeagain]

One of those interactive animals of which he already has 3! Although they cost a lot less than this one! He is 4. A couple of months ago he had wanted other things but since discovering this he has his heart set on it!

[Tinselistacky]

Santa didn't have many of those to give out this year. And as ds has 3 he had to give to dc who didn't have any. He knows ds will understand as he is a kind boy...
Maybe leave a note from the big fella?

[Itsthattimeagain]

Tinsel that's brilliant, I like it!

[Brie]

I am still recovering from the disappointment of not getting a 'Sonic Ear' when I was eight. It allowed you to listen in to conversations from across the street. My parents had told me it was pointless crap but I still hoped and wrote to Santa.

It never came. It was the defining moment of my childhood. It basically ruined it. My childhood ended there.

Having said that I did get the girls world that I wanted and indeed it did turnout to be pointless crap!

So, there you go, do what you will with that. If it costs less than 20 quid I would get it. If it is more, then no. Get em a book and a craft set instead, keep em busy!!

My boy wants is 9 and he wants:

A rugby ball
A scooter
A rode bike (sic)
A Meaga nerf gun
A ninja turtle suit
A motobike ....... hahahahahahahah
A big lego set
An iphone 6 plus.. yes really..... hahahahahahahahahahahah
A beebee gun.... as if!!!!
5 toffee sugar glasses (for smashing for fun)

Here is what he is getting.......

A rugby ball, the Guiness book of records, some money towards a road bike.

So there you go, he will be eternally disappointed. So be it.

[Brie]

Oh my Gosh, something he already has. My daughter was like this with cuddly toys. I used to get cross that she wanted more. As she got older we found out that they were like pets to her, she felt bad if she left them in the shop as they didn't get someone to love them. It was quite sweet. She still loves em years on!

[gybegirl]

A straight "Santa doesn't buy anything that he knows we (parents) think is a bad idea" will see you out of many a tight spot in the years to come. So then, no mobile phones, no stupidly expensive (fill in the blank).

Unfortunately, this will best work next year having had the discussion before they write the list!

[gybegirl]

I also recommend only 1 or 2 max things on the list (even though they get some 'surprises').

[MayFayner]

That's funny brie I wanted a Sindy doll and I got a Girl's World.

I was so disappointed. Also, my mother would not let me have the make-up in case it got on the carpet. And! I cut the hair thinking I could just twist out more

[minipie]

Is it a bloody Hatchimal? We have a similar issue with DD who reaaallly wants a Hatchimal. I think they are a waste of money. Indulgent granny is getting her one.

DD has also asked santa for a horse which is a bit trickier!! I have explained Santa doesn't bring animals as presents as it wouldn't be fair on the animal...

[MayFayner]

Sorry OP, I forgot to respond to you, how rude. I have to be completely honest and say I would consider getting the toy.

I'm pathetically soft though.

[GrockleBocs]

Ds has told me he's getting an Xbox and a Nintendo Switch from FC. That's taken some expectation management...

[NotEnoughCushions]

I'll go against the flow and say that if you can afford to buy it then go ahead, even if you know in your heart that it is rubbish.

We bought DC a playset one year that, as expected, was played with for a couple of days and then forgotten. But DC still speaks about the year that Father Christmas got the top thing on the list.

We sold it on eventually. It wasn't missed but it was worth it for that Christmas morning smile of pure joy.

[LordSugarWillSeeYouNow]

Dd is 6 and has her heart set on a specific ( very rare ) American Girl Doll which costs over £200 plus shipping and customs. She wanted it last year too, we said if she really really still wanted it this year we would get it. And it was at the top of her list.

She's currently in mil's after a long journey from America!
I can think of so many better things to buy but it means the world to her and I can't wait to see her face on Christmas morning. She has got lots more too but we had a small windfall and thought "sod it"

If for whatever reason we were unable to get her we would have written a letter from Santa.

[MrsHathaway]

I'm usually in the "get the thing even if you think the thing is shit" camp which is why I've had to wrap a Sea Patroller for my 4yo.

It is different because your son has already got several of this toy, so pp's idea of a note is great. But at four they can get really fixated on a thing so you might need to do some strategic recalibrating by encouraging him towards something he can desire and you can stomach buying. Then "it was lucky Santa didn't get a because otherwise you wouldn't have this fantastic ".

[NoSquirrels]

We make the DC write loads of things on their Christmas lists, of all price brackets and levels of gift - even stupid small stuff - so that Father Christmas can bring some stocking surprises that they've listed, and also a main gift. As parents we then choose other gifts for us to give, and send the rest of it on to GPs etc. This has the advantage that they know they will never get everything off their list, so there's no actual upset on Christmas Day.

The main gift Father Christmas brings is usually something off the list that a) they really want and b) they reckon we wouldn't ever buy e.g. we'd say something like "Well, you know Mummy hates Barbies/Paw Patrol/iPhones so you might as well scratch that off the list ..." and then they are positively elated on Christmas morning when they get the thing from Father Christmas instead, lots of "Look Mummy, you HATE iPhones/Barbies/Paw Patrol and Father Christmas has brought it!"

It's stupid, but I get to keep my position as "non-crap buyer" officially yet still get the pleasure of their faces when they get something ridiculous that they never thought was an option.

So I'd buy it, just because. This is no help to you, as you're fixed on not buying it, but I'm just offering the alternative viewpoint that if you caved it would be fine really. I treat my DC to toys and "stuff" quite infrequently, and for birthdays I am happy to explain about expectations and budgets and age appropriateness, but for Christmas it's nice sometimes in their younger years to fulfil their wishes. The believing in Santa bit is over before you know it, so embrace it while it lasts, I say.

[Fevertree]

I'm afraid that I'm with the pps saying buy it. Can you afford it? If its the main thing he wants and you can afford it (even if it means buying less other stuff) I would be getting it and gritting my teeth x

[youwillbepk]

My little boy has his heart set on all the five nights of Freddy's play sets I've looked at them and think they are not very nice or suitable! I've told him Father Christmas doesn't bring them kind of toys and that not everyone gets everything on there list because there are lots of children who would like presents .

[YellowMakesMeSmile]

I'd buy it too as I'm soft. Christmas is really magical as a child, it's not the same once you are an adult. They remember moments like this.

[BrieAndChilli]

I still remember not getting a doll I wanted that you put a tape in so it spoke to you.

My DD wanted the monster high school. She asked for it for her birthday but I said it was way to expensive (we spend on the birthday party and they only get a small gift) she then asked for it for xmas, it was £150!!! So I said I still couldn’t afford it so she said she’s ask santa (we bring one present and santa brings a stocking of cheap things and a main present)
I then managed to get it for £100 and even though I still thought it was overpriced I got it as she was not expecting it, plus she then knew Father Christmas was real as no way I would have got it!!

[ImAMarshmellow]

Say santa doesn't do electronics. This prevents future requests for Xbox's, laptops etc.

[Itsthattimeagain]

Spot on MrsHathaway, adding fur real!the has two out of the range, but this year want a the most expensive one! I would love to treat him, but our current financial situation means we just couldn't afford it.

Plus, before he'd discovered it he wanted all things to do with his favourite programme, so we went out and got loads of those things (second hand as they were also expensive!). We thought we had dome so well!!

[NoSquirrels]

If you can’t afford it, that’s different. Did he do a Christmas list? What was on it? If he didn’t put it as the one and only thing on his list then it’s fine to give other stuff.

Honestly, I’d not write a note. He’ll be really excited on Christmas morning to unwrap what you’ve got. There’s loads of time now to keep reinforcing that Father Christmas can’t bring everyone everything they want, and has to decide what to give but will always bring something wonderful as a surprise. Maybe talk about gifts you got as a child that weren’t what you expected but turned out to be the best thing. If he is disappointed on Christmas morning you reassure him he hasn’t been naughty - look, stocking full of toys & exciting things for a show he loves, how did Father Christmas guess? I’d be surprised if he was too upset, honestly.

[MrsDrSpencerReid]

LordSugar my DD (9 at the time) got an American Girl doll when we visited the States last year. She turns 11 next week and it’s still her prized possession. I’ve had a Hogwarts uniform custom made for it for her birthday

The price though especially when converted into AUD!

OP, I think the earlier posters suggestion that Santa only had a few to give out and your DS is a kind boy so would understand sounds lovely, I would go with that