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Christmas

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Original poster

Do you get them everything on their list and if not how do you explain?

110 replies

Marne · 02/11/2010 10:33

I made the mistake of getting dd1 to write a list as i had no idea what to get her, i have bought her a few things (in sales) which i thought she might like and was hoping to buy her a couple more things that she could choose.

So last night she wrote her list which consists of 15 items, most are around £20-50 each . I explained that 'father x-mas wont to be able to get her all those things as they are very expensive' she said 'well, im sure his elfs can make them in the workshop' .

Do i just buy her 1 or 2 items and hope she forgets about the rest?

How many things off of your dc's list do you actually buy?

OP posts:

Unprune · 03/11/2010 12:22

We tell ds to make a massive list and see what happens, but of course it won't be everything. He seems fine with that.

nappyaddict · 03/11/2010 12:42

waterlooroad Do you ever ask her what she would like or do you just wait to see if she mentions anything she'd like in passing? And if she says she wants something before Christmas do you say "well we'll have to see if Santa brings it for you" or just say something like "hmmm that's nice" in a non-committal way?

IssiNoho · 03/11/2010 12:46

I only buy toys for birthdays or Christmas so everything DS2 (7) asks for after his birthday goes onto his Christmas list. The list itself is now two sides of A4 and growing by the day.

But he knows that these are just suggestions and that the big man himself will select one or two suitable items to bring on the day and that mum and dad might look over the list with a view to purchasing something.

For us, this means no whining in the shops, I have control over the cost and practicality of the choices, and the grandparents have plenty to choose from.

Any questions are met with a vague 'I don't know, because it's magic.'

huffpuff75 · 03/11/2010 12:48

I used to get a letter back from Santa Claus saying that he was terribly sorry, but there were no Kerplunks/Buckaroos/Barbies left that year as the elves had been very busy. Sooty fingerprints and everything. But then I knew that the list was for ideas only and had fairly realistic expectations of what I might get. My DH on the other hand was given a marker pen and the argos catalogue by his gran. Caused no end of problems.

I would explain that although the elves do make the toys FC still has to buy the materials to make the toys and there is only so much an elf can make in a day. Work/elf balance and all that.

mamatomany · 03/11/2010 12:49

Love work/elf balance ha ha

MrsTittleMouse · 03/11/2010 13:05

Ah, this is why Father Christmas only brings the stocking in our house. That way, you can only ask for a small present that will fit in the stocking. Also it means that we get the credit for buying the big stuff and they are properly grateful.

Of course that doesn't work when they are teenager and diamond earrings and iphones will fit. :) But it works for us for now.

KittyFoyle · 03/11/2010 13:10

Ours write lists (7 and 5) and know they might get some of the things. DD1 (7) always writes two or three things and then writes 'lots of surprises' so that's easy enough.

mrsruffallo · 03/11/2010 13:12

I tell the dc every year that Father Christmas only brings 5 presents, and wht he brings will be a mixture of what's on the list and surprises

IWillCountToThree · 03/11/2010 13:13

My DD1 (6) said the same dietqueen! We said it doesn't work like that. We then told her she could write as long a list as she wanted, then FC would choose what to bring.

Thankfully it's her birthday on the 28th so at least we have birthday ideas too!

Currently DD2 (5) wants everything on tv.

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 03/11/2010 13:15

ds's write a list, we do the same as others tell them it is to give father christmas ideas he decides what to bring

ruthie76 · 03/11/2010 13:39

we do a list and then it is approved by daddy who is a close personal friend of santa. It is then posted away (i.e. mummy's bag) and split amongst family members who then choose what to get DS. He is an only child and only grandchild so he is spoilt rotten but we try to keep it to a sane level. He doesn't get everything on the list but at least he gets what he wants rather than granny's going to buy something totally wrong!

CardyMow · 03/11/2010 13:52

I've always done it that Father Christmas bring the stocking stuff, and the presents under the tree are from family. Saves any questions like that. My DC do write a list of things that they would like to have for christmas from parents/family...but they are told that they will not get everything on thier list, it is for ideas only. They usually pester you the most for the things they want the most anyway!

We also have price limits on toys, as in they need to have at least 4 toys that are under £10 on their list (for my relatives to buy them ), and one that's between £15-£20 (from Nanny), and the rest...well, they know in reality that if they ask for any individual present over £50, they're not going to get it! And they are almost 13yo, almost 9yo and 7yo.

NKinDXB · 03/11/2010 13:52

I think lists should definitely only be done as suggestions for FC / family.

We've always had stockings from Santa, presents under tree from family and friends. I'm going to continue that with my DCs.

Hard work maintaining the whole FC charade isn't it, when everyone tells their kids something different!! I was amazed how DS bought into it (3 last Christmas) as he's pretty suspicious and smart. Very cute. Hope school hasn't turned him cynical this year.

Takver · 03/11/2010 14:05

FC round here doesn't (or rather didn't - dd now 8 & no longer a believer!) run to anything that doesn't fit in a (small) stocking - generally at the hair clips/felt tips/tangerine level. DD's FC letters were generally pitched at that level though slightly random - one year she asked for some mixed nails for her toolbox . . .

Anything else comes from us or relatives - and dd can ask, but she knows very well she may or may not get

Oldjolyon · 03/11/2010 14:12

In our house, FC only brings little presents, costing up to a maximum of £10, although most of them cost about £5. 'Big' presents come from people - us, grandparents, uncles etc, so we get the glory for them :).

As we buy the big stuff, its easy to say that we can't afford to get everything. However, I do let DD put as much as she wants on her list, and then I choose what to get from it - as this then allows me to disregard the tat.

DD1 has only got two things on her list this year - nail polish, and the barbie doll with the puppy swimming pool (which I've disregarded as tat). DD2 has loads on her list...half of which I've disregarded on grounds that she already owns it!

fairydust · 03/11/2010 14:29

my childrens lists have over 100 things on them each they know they can write as much as they want down on the list and that father christmas chooses what he thinks is best for best plus a few extra surprises.

ArcticRoll · 03/11/2010 15:09

Am I the only person whose children have never done lists?

BadPoet · 03/11/2010 15:12

I generally have a good idea what dd will put on her list, or nudge her in the right direction. If there are any surprises when she does write it then I pass them on to the gps, luckily she's bought the whole 'Oh FC must have known that you were getting one from granny' line so far. I mean, if he can tell if you are naughty or nice then surely he can monitor my MIL's shopping...the problem with dd is that she asks for things from her imagination and we flail around each year trying to work out a)what she means b)if we can get something like it.

DS is 4 and this is the first year he really 'gets' it I think. Although when we talked about a letter for FC he said 'I think I'll send the letter H' (his sister's initial)

nappyaddict · 03/11/2010 15:13

Mine hasn't.

Does yours do a letter to Santa ArcticRoll and waterlooroad? DS is 4 this year and I thought about him writing a letter to Santa saying he had been a good boy, what especially good things he had done this year and that he was looking forward to see what he would bring and he would remember to leave him a cookie and some baileys again

Indith · 03/11/2010 15:14

Tell her the list just shows Father Christmas the sort of things she likes but he likes to surprise boys and girls.

piscesmoon · 03/11/2010 15:19

I always made it clear that it was a wish list and Father Christmas had his own ideas-and so did Granny etc.

MollieO · 03/11/2010 15:23

The price of items on ds's list range from £100 to £500. He will be lucky if FC brings him one and that will be the cheapest.

ClenchedBottom · 03/11/2010 15:56

Arctic - our DC have never done lists or letters to FC - apart from the hopeful 'Thank You!' note that DD left for him last year with the mince pie and port...

Each to their own of course, but lists dont't sit comfortably with me.

UnquietDad · 03/11/2010 15:57

Make it clear that the list is just "an idea of what you like", either for FC or you (depending what stage of belief they are at!)...

DreamTeamGirl · 03/11/2010 16:06

Actually we have never done a list either although DS did right a letter at school asking for a batcave
He got it too.

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