Gifts from Santa at community party...

[Maursh]

Our community is having a Christmas dinner this weekend. Santa will be paying a visit and the deal is if the parents provide a wrapped labelled gift, Santa will give it to your child.
I went out shopping today and bought two toys. One which my DD(4) has been pestering me for each time we are shopping (call it gift A) and another which I saw and think she might like, but not be as thrilled with (B). Both gifts are £10-15 mark so not a main gift.
I want to give her gift B over the weekend and save gift A for Christmas day. I think that christmas day is a more special occasion and it will be more magical that way. I think that if A turns up this weekend when she saw it today, she will figure out mum and dad were involved (she is pretty smart like that). Even if she doesn't, it sets a precedence for every future store FC she goes to see.
DH thinks I am being unreasonable for overthinking it, but also should give gift A tomorrow because that's what she really wanted whereas B isn't.
Do your worst....

[TeenAndTween]

I think that £10-£15 is a lot for a pre-present from Santa, and you should buy something else around the £5 mark and she gets that. Then save A and B for Christmas.

[reni2]

Gift B. Otherwise the pressure is on for Christmas itself to be even better than non- Christmas.

[mumeeee]

I would do as another poster says and get a cheaper present for Santa to give at the Christmas party

[febreeze]

Well. I am 50. As a child of about 7 we used to go and see Santa at an event and he gave us gifts. I still remember Santa giving me a ladybird book. He gave my friends a dustpan and brush set, a nurses set and and a tiny tears. I still remember thinking that Santa didnt like me much as my gift was really poor compared to theirs.

I now of course realise that each parent provided the gift but at the time I believed in santa and I was so upset.

[BeanGirls]

I'd keep the better one for Christmas day, if not both. And get something small from the community Santa.

[Russellgroupserf]

I read the title as communist party.

[Cressandra]

Of the two, B is the only contender. But I'd have thought up to £5 is more the mark for the occasion. Can you grab something from her stocking instead?

[bluebolt]

Unless they have stated £10 to £15 you could end up as "that parent" who makes all the others feel shit. It is usually a book, small toy the same as a child would get in the average grotto. Defenitely keep the nicer gift for Christmas Day.

[Akire]

Agree you would expect parents to have been given guide lines in price or someone could get v small gift or a v expensive one! Something small and fun more stocking pre Christmas gift not a big present.

[ASAS]

I read the title as communist party.

Just woke my child up laughing at this.

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

I thought these community Santas usually gave out a small colouring book and some pens/crayons? Or chocolate?

Or a small/medium soft toy. Ds got a bear, dd has a snowman.

Usually with the promise of the big gift on Christmas Day, in return for good behaviour?

Keep both your gifts and find something small.

[febreeze]

Look. Maybe i wasn't blunt enough. Go for the flash gift that your child will love or 43 years late they all still be upset about it!

[Cressandra]

Febreeze I'm sorry you're still wounded by it but it's sheer bad luck surely. My kids have got a book or felt pens from father christmas most years, and I've never seen anyone get anything like a tiny tears equivalent, let alone that plus two more presents.

I think you were spectacularly unfortunate that your friend's parents did that, but the solution is not for every parent to give a stellar gift at these things. Honestly, in what world is a £10-£15 gift, carefully chosen by a child's own parent, not enough for a pre-christmas extra gift? One of my DD's main presents is £10!