Words do matter mumsnet advert

[sallyedmondson]

Just scrolling through"mn swears by"
and saw 'Must have toys for Christmas"
I realise this is just a phrase to describe popular rather like" to die for".
But I can't help thinking of those mums trawling charity shops for something they can afford for their children and wonder how it must feel if you see this headline with prices you just can't afford. I wish we could change this phraseology. AIBU or precious or overreacting?
Thoughts please.

The words "must have" in all advertising turn me right off to be honest. I think most people can see through it though.

Overreacting massively.

Toys, holidays, cars, houses etc etc are all things many people can't afford at different stages.

It's how it always was and how it always will be.

I agree, OP. Nothing is a 'must have' for Christmas. It's awful advertising-speak designed to make people spend more money than they have because they feel guilty about their children missing out.

Couldn't agree more. Almost all 'must haves' are things we've all managed perfectly well without. It annoys me so much I refuse to buy anything advertised using this ridiculous phrase.

The must haves are there to create demand..try getting hold of a must have toy and you are in for a wild old time! They dont make enough for a start..Two Xmases ago my quest for a fingerling monkey (must have!) for my 6 yr old led to a very dedicated aunty recieving a text at 3 am when Amazon had a new delivery! Everything is so disposable and for the moment.Nothing lasts...I think you are coming from a good place with your concerns and I agree with you but the world we live in now is selfish and I remember when we had community spirit and family and things were very different.I dont know where or when this me me me or I want it now will end and I dont think it ever will do...its a sad reflection on society but it is what it is now and whllst there are parents daft enough (and I include myself in that) to give in to their kids looks like we are stuck with it OP.The more introvert we become as a society the worse it gets...I also feel on the other hand that I can and do spoil my daughter because its nice to be able to...Both me and my husband work really hard to do so and whilst I acknowledge not everyone is as fortunate as we are in being able to do what we do the selfishness creeps in and its a case of I am alright jack.. I won't apologise too much either cos I know what it takes for us to be in a position to do this...as we speak I have been working today and my husband is now on a 12 hr night shift..its not an easy life but we do crap jobs and work really hard to do it....its mixed up this world a bit like maybe my thinking!

"Must Haves" are a marketing persons dream, drum up enough hype for people to go dashing out, as God forbid, it was their child without the must have item at Christmas.

Pretty ridiculous really.

Worraliberty
I agree there will always be inequality and things we cannot afford. It is the specific aiming at parents that I object to, inferring that their child is deprived if they do not have such and such toy.
As an afterthought should mumsnet engage in this advertising approach?
I'm not against advertising just how it exploits vulnerable parental emotions.

Worraliberty
I agree there will always be inequality and things we cannot afford. It is the specific aiming at parents that I object to,
inferring that their child is deprived if they do not have such and such toy.
As an afterthought should mumsnet engage in this advertising approach?
I'm not against advertising just how it exploits vulnerable parental emotions.

Worraliberty
I agree there will always be inequality and things we cannot afford. It is the specific aiming at parents that I object to,

inferring that their child is deprived if they do not have such and such toy.
As an afterthought should mumsnet engage in this advertising approach?
I'm not against advertising just how it exploits vulnerable parental emotions.

I also refuse to buy anything advertised as a "must have" item. I find the phrase a huge irritant. I wonder how many other people it puts off.