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....

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.

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

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

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.

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

I read the title as communist party.

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?

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.

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.

I read the title as communist party.

Just woke my child up laughing at this.

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.

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!

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!