What do you do if your child asks for something that is basically expensive plastic crap?

[SerialMom]

You know what I mean - they only like it cos it looks pretty or exciting or cos their friends like it. But in reality it's overpriced crap with very little play value and you know it will be destined to end up at the bottom of the toy box for the next few years. You're loath to spend your money on it. But they really want it.

Do you buy it knowing they will be happy? Or do you buy them something that you think they'll actually play with, but risk them being a bit disappointed on Christmas day?

DD has been asking for the GirlTech password journal since before last Christmas. I keep telling her that everyone on MN says it is crap not very good but she still wants it. 14 months of asking is pretty good sticking power I think. So I passed that idea to my mum .

Ds1(5) and ds2(2) sit watching the adverts shouting "I want that" at anything that's not obviously pink and girly. Ds2 really really wants some washing powder, apparently.

Fluffles - no. They could not chew up the ice
The best bit was the syrup in the penguin but that ran out quickly and then it really was useless.

Luckily for me DD1 is still fairly impressionable (at the ripe old age of very nearly 6). Before I let her watch Milkshake (this summer!) I said that if I heard her asking for the toys on the adverts that it would be back to cBeebies again... because the adverts were only for people who weren't very clever and could be persuaded they wanted things 'just because' they'd seen them on TV.

She's also quite keen on things matching/fitting into her bedroom. Given that her room is very small it's often enough to say, "ooooh, yes, that's an interesting looking thing...what a shame it's too big for you to enjoy in your bedroom".

what is the tat item.?

i didn't get a mr frosty either, or a skateboard.

but i did get loads of other things.

We also work on the advertising's only there to sell rubbish toys as the really good ones don't need it .

I'm also honest(ish) when things cost too much, "Santa does buy every child presents but then Mummies and Daddies and GP and Family etc all also buy presents and send them to santa.... That's why X in your class has blah blah as she doesn't have any siblings/ her parents have more money."

I tend to embark on damage limitation before christmas so we can all enjoy the presnts they do get.

Buy it usually. If it keeps them occupied its worth all the eco friendly wooden toys in the world!

I would also buy it if it wasn't going to stretch me that much. I don't know about others but I can remember what I didn't get for Christmas but can't really recall much of what I did get!

I just say no, and try to find something along the same lines which is more practical. For example, DD1 wanted that crappy cupcake maker being advertised on TV. Instead I got her a baking set with apron and hat, mixing bowl and spoon and heart-shaped silicone cupcake moulds. We've made lovely cupcakes together with it!

what is the particular piece of tat??

i had a mr frosty, all i can remember was drinking the syrup and mum sticking it on top of the fridge, dont think it was much good!

The only thing ds asked for this year was some dustcart thingy, by matchbox, looked a bit rubbish but its cars and he loves all that stuff, googled it and it was £64.99.

Back to cebeebies in a blink and handed him an elc catalogue to browse now him AND dd want a kitchen, much more like it.

dd2 is 6 and every advert on the kids channels she says can sants bring that, so now i have told her it's all rubbish plastic for too much money and santa wouldn't waste his time delivering something she would only play with once.

She was fine with this then went to school and told everyone in her class that santa only brings nice presents so don't ask for the rubbish shown on tv.

If it's overpriced tat I just say no, or scour the charity shop for equivelants. Last year DS wanted a Buz Lightyear. I found one in a chairty shop for 99p. I know that was very very lucky though.

I don't think there is anything wrong with saying "no" to a child, and explaining why.

Thank god we don't have a tv and DS doesn't believe in Santa.

Another one here who gets mil to buy it ! She gets the kudos, is happy to have a suggestion from me and likes to spend £££ on stuff that I would at anyway so it might as well be something the dc want.