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

[Marne]

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?

My eldest DD now 12 started writing Christmas lists when she was 3 or 4. Each year the list gets longer and the last couple of years, she has written several lists, each one being different!

With our youngest DD we plan to give her 3 options for santa presents and thats it. No more stress of seperating the wrapping (santa presents in one colour and ours in another). Also we will explain about supply and demand at a young age! Not all toys can be guaranteed if lots of children want the same toy, but Santa will try and substitute where necessary!

I'm not mentioning lists this year. I'll try and work out one favourite present and the rest will have to be surprises. I've got 4 children so I have to stick to a budget.

I always used to tell mine that, yes, FC and his elves make them or find them in the toy facotry and bring them, but the parents still get the bill! So they can put as many ideas on the list as they like but they can't possibly expect everything on the list because that would be spoilt and greedy wouldn't it? And it's always about what they'd like or wish for, not want.

If you have a rule that the list must be only three or four items though, and you have a problem finding the items you're in trouble. Better to keep it as fluid as possible!

Also, watch out for the highly organised child who presents you with a comprehensive list in early November, you find all the key items, buy them, granny buys them, auntie buys them, there you are feelign smug because you think you are all done, and then on Dec 21st your little poppet announces that what they really want most in all the world is the thing that can only be got in Toys R Us forty miles away and costs £75.

I have told DS's this year that there have been so many new babies born during the year that father christmas is to busy to make hundreds of gifts for each child so he will be bringing them a few things only.

I remember when I was a child I put LOADS of stuff on my list and never expected to get it all, I just wanted father Christmas to have some choice, plus it meant I was more likely to get a bit of a surprise. When Xmas day came I was so happy to be getting anything I never cared if some things weren't there.

Perhaps your dc is more like that than you think?

Of course you don't buy everything on your child's xmas list, unless you really want them to grow up to be a spoiled brat.

FC only brings my DS one present and his stocking. The rest are actually from the giver. He knows that normal people have to buy presents and don't have limitless money and FC has so many children to give presents to that he can only give each good child one present each.

I let my son make lists and have done since he was very little however I always told him that Santa might not get all of his list as he has so many children to supply presents to it would be an impossible task. He is now 14 and still makes a list (I also add he doesn't believe in santa LOL) but does understand that it is a wish list and some items will stay wishes!
Very often he gets cash too so if something he really wanted on his list hasn't been bought for him he will go a buy it himself.

I've never done lists with mine but i jot down anything they mention or point out in the few months before and then buy from that. It usually works out quite well. Theyre older now so they just want cash!

Hate to say it this is in part why I will never allow my children to do the FC thing I dont think. It just causes problems.