DS has put something on his Christmas list that we haven’t got for him

[Gingerbreadcottage]

My DS is 6 years old and is wanting an X Box for Christmas. He said he’ll definitely be getting one because he’s told Father Christmas he wants it.

We have bought him a new Amazon fire tablet to replace his old one that’s broken - it’s a bigger screen and suitable for an older child. Now I feel sad that he may be disappointed on Christmas morning.
We’ve got him plenty of other things he’s asked for and a few surprises too.

We don’t feel that he’s old enough for an X Box and would rather wait until he’s maybe 7 or 8 at least.
A few of his friends have one, some have older siblings though.

What can I do?!

Mum and dad buy the main presents. Father Christmas fills the stockings. They can't fit big presents on the sleigh, the elves can't make electronics and they don't have time to look after wild animals. Also no new requests after the end of November as that's when they start making things

I would also make it clear now that "mummy and daddy won't be buying an x box this Christmas because we feel you're too young But we can think about it next year" or as the case may be.

My DS wanted a laptop when we he was 8. We said he felt he was a bit young and also didn't have enough money for it straight away, but if he managed to save half his pocket money towards it for the whole year then he could have one when he was 9. We did the same with my DD.

Santa doesn't buy everything off the list. That's what I've always told my kids.

Keep ramming it home that Father Christmas doesn't bring everything you ask for!

He never has and never will. It's a wishlist, not an order!

He won't bring you anything he thinks is unsuitable, that you're too young for, or anything he doesn't think your mum and dad would want you to have. So there's no guarantee.

This.

Of course our DC know (and get reminders) that they won’t get everything they wish for - it’s a wish list not a shopping order. But if a wish is a definite no from us for a specific reason (way out of budget, not allowed in our house, we think they’re not old enough yet) or if a DC has clearly invested a lot of hope in one item that just didn’t make the cut then we usually tell them that. Yes, they’re learning to manage their own expectations and disappointments and be happy with what they do get but as parents we still want to set them up to do that at a manageable, age appropriate level. And they can have their whole “dealing with disappointment” learning experience just as well before Christmas rather than on a day that is supposed to be a family celebration.

So if you (and dad) have decided that you’re not ready for him to have an Xbox this year then I’d tell him you’ve decided that that’s more appropriate for a 7 or 8 year old and you’ll revisit then. If he says Santa will get it then remind him Santa doesn’t bring kids gifts that their parents aren’t ok with.

In extreme cases, mums and dads can write to Father Christmas themselves and tell him not to bring a particular gift that they don't think is appropriate.

Father Christmas provided a pillowcase of gifts and they were left on the bed so DS woke up to find them. They were all the stocking fillers, the obligatory Cadbury selection box, the tubes of sweets, annuals, a small Lego set, and general small stuff to play with depending on what he was interested in at the time.

The main present and anything too big or deemed to be more than a stocking filler, was under the tree and was from us.

So conversations about big gifts didn't involve Father Christmas.

Santa lists are wishes and Santa picks the wishes. Santa doesn’t didnt pick the pogo stick that was randomly mentioned at 9.00pm one Christmas Eve or the pet pig that what’s was written on the list 😂

I’d get him one. He’ll be thrilled to bits. Surely there’s age appropriate games for them?

Don't be ridiculous

Tell him Santa wont bring him an Xbox as he is too young.

My 5 year old was asking for a phone last month, she saw a toy one in the Smyths catalogue which she thought was real so thought this meant she could ask for it. We told her Santa won’t bring her a phone because she’s too young.

My son wants a quad bike.... he's not getting one 😅🙈 I think that the Amazon fire is a great gift. I would just say to him Santa picks the gifts. I would maybe prepare him for the fact that x box's are normally for older children.

My mum told me that my parents had to pay for the presents Santa brought, so I couldn't always get everything.

Most people can’t afford to just buy an x box on a whim on top of the Christmas presents they’ve already bought.

And if they can't afford it now that they've bought everything else?

Tell him Santa brings what the elves make in the workshop

Lol really, do you know what they cost?!

I just say Santa doesn’t get everything you ask for and some things are too expensive / not appropriate

We always said Santa brings one special suprise gift and the stocking. The Xmas list went to us and we chose what to get on it. That way, the magic of Santa wasn’t ruined because he didn’t bring the gift they requested. That blame could go to us. Santa usually brought a soft toy of some kind (always wrapped in different paper from the rest of the gifts)

So maybe say Santa will bring a small suprise and a stocking but he he delivers all the gift you’ve bought too but there won’t be an x box this year, mummy and daddy think next year would be better for an x box.

@WimbyAce yeah. If they can afford it,go for it. He won’t believe for much longer. Make the most of it

There’s always an answer with Santa, OP, because he’s magic 😉

How did he tell Santa that’s what he wanted? Was it in person? I don’t think Santa, when met in person, ever agrees to or promises anything. If it’s on his list, then Santa doesn’t give everything on this list, and may have reasons for not always granting wishes, however good kids have been. Because Santa knows what’s best for kids and 6 is too young for an X Box.

I’ve three teen/20s DC and I agree with Santa that 6 is too young. Of course, 6 year olds with much older siblings may use them, as it’s harder to say no. But I don’t think Santa would give an X Box to most 6 year olds.

One of my DC was very disappointed that the wings Santa brought her "didn't work". I thought the sparkly dress-up wings were fine but she thought Santa should have known she actually wanted to fly.

@Delphiniumandlupins that is adorable

Our 3 can only put 3 things on their list. Santa only chooses one, not necessarily the top one. Then they get bits and pieces. The toys have to be spread out across the world so they can't have everything on their list.

It's a list of what he would like. Not a demand!

My DS (7) asked for a tv for his room, xbox and his own phone. Hes got none of those. We are very much a santa doesnt bring you eveything you want household. I steered him to write other things ( i knew we were getting him) on his list when he sent it and he seemed happy.

6 year olds do not need games consoles. Save it for older. My DS only has a switch as his grandparents who live the other side of the world got it for him when they visited. I was still firmly in the no consoles until at least 9 or 10 camp.