do you get the kids anything they want for xmas

[babyonbord]

i don't want to start a massive argument, i appreciate that everyone has different opinions but i am wondering if there are any likeminded people out there when it comes to buying your kids presents at christmas. My feeling is that as long as i can afford it (i understand some people cannot and that's different) the kids will get whatever they ask for regardless of how "overpriced" it is or whether they have 50 similar toys. i remember growing up how horrible it was being dissapointed on christmas day (which only happened when i didn't get the barbie mall i wanted but didn't actually exist) so i've got my ds1 everything he wanted and then some, as far as me and my dh are concerned the kids get what they want as long as it is physically doable regardless of how we feel about the toy.

My DS's don't watch adverts, we watch tv through netflix or DVDs - they don't have a list of things they want. Oldest asked for a surprise and youngest wants a fish.

I seriously hate marketing that targets children, I think it's obscene and should be banned.

Having said all this we will wander around toy stores together so that they can get ideas and stuff. There is almost no pestering when we do and I wonder if that's the lack of adverts too.

No I don't buy everything they want. I do buy the one thing they really really want usually and then I buy a selection of things I'd like them to have and some of the other things they have asked for.
If I bought everything it would cost me a fortune, there isn't enough room in the house and lots of it wouldn't be played with.
I do make an exception for books though so every book asked for gets bought but that's mostly because I love buying and hoarding books and don't think anyone can ever have too many books.

One year DC wrote lists of what they wanted for their birthdays.
Out of the Argos catalog.
I suggested they add it all up (numeracy exercise).
Came to over £1000 per child.

I've never bought everything that my children wanted. I didn't get everything I asked for as a child, and except for the year when my grandparents got me some toy farmyard animals (long past the age when I might have played with them) I don't recall being disappointed. But then we didn't do Father Christmas and we knew that we were writing suggestions for family, and we in return would be buying presents for them from their lists (or more often making them somethign we thought they'd like).

When dd was small she wanted every piece of rubbish advertised, and I'm afraid I was quite vocal about their rubbishness, so she had no illusions they might turn up under the tree That said I've bought some tat in my time too. I'm not totally sure that small children really like a huge pile anyway, it can be a bit overwhelming.

That's a good point insanity - for those of you who do buy huge piles of toys for your DC - where do you put them all? I go some friends' houses where you are falling over all the crap toys, and hardly any of it seems to get played with anyway

the kids have a playroom where most of it gets stored (with the exception of outdoor toys which are in the garden) we have a couple of those trunki trains really good for storing bits and bats, mine have no where near started asking for 1000 pounds worth of stuff i think if they did there might have to be lines drawn up but it would depend on what it was i guess. I agree with you on the book front insanity i love books, the children have hundreds, i love reading to them, i know the gruffalo off by heart i've read it that many times, i couldn't believe that survery saying that was it 1 in 4 children don't own a book thats ridiculous, theres a rule in my house that within the bounds of reason i will buy the kids what they want for birthdays, christmas and easter (at the moment this only applies to my eldest as my youngest is only 5 months lol) but it has to include at least 2 books.

Pretty much yes. DD writes a wish list with help from catalogues. We buy her most of the things she would like or delegate them to the GPs (they would rather buy her what she wants rather than a suprise). She still gets suprises because if she says "Sylvanians" then we get to chose families, houses etc.

We did baulk at an ipad last year (she is only 8) but she got an ipod touch and that has been marvellous.

She is usually very sensible with her selections. If she goes over the top in terms of quantity we hold things back for her February birthday.

We don't buy each other anything - all pleasure stems from what we buy DD.

She doesn't put "ponies" as she has two already and we're looking for a third!

Mine get some of what they ask for usually the main Gift , my dd wants a MAC computer , other wants a 500 quid phone , I cant afford any of them so they wont be getting them although dd1 is getting a lovely present for xmas she wont be dissapointed , dd2 has a phone just a little cheaper , I wont pander to expensive tastes or wants , I dont think xmas is all about stuff and things , but each to their own im not a total scrooge and i enjoy xmas but i have a budget that we stick too ,

Mine get everything on their lists - but the lists are heavily edited by me before being deemed acceptable for Santa! ds is 11 now, so doesn't believe in Santa anyway so it is easier to say some things are too expensive. Even dd, who at 9 says she believes, will accept a "no - it's too expensive / junky - Santa won't bring that".

more or less yes, we get them what they want. we're sneaky though. every year we tell them to not be greedy as its not nice and only to ask santa for 2 or 3 things you really want (1 big/expensive thing)
so they do that, we get the 3 things theyve asked for and then probably another 4 or 5 things (a game, book, dvd, barbie etc). they are always delighted and cant believe they got more than they asked for. see? sneaky!
the big things this year are a dolls house and lego city harbour. both about £60 each. the teenager though is more expensive unfortunately as his big thing in past years has been an xbox or electric guitar etc. this year he hasnt asked for a big thing though so weve got him a kindle as his big thing. think hell be pleasantly surprised as he hasnt mentioned it.
having said all that, as we have 3, and youve still to fill their stocking with fun sweets, games and chocolates which comes to about £30 per stocking, we feel we have over spent this year and will need to rethink next year as i think its a bit much. maybe it wouldnt be if it was 1 child but times that by 3, plus the tree, the christmas food/drink, cards (havent started, might not bother this year), outings... its just getting too much.
right moan over, back to being excited!

yep i pretty much get my dds what they want but i'm very good at 'suggesting' things to them that i know they would like and that i would like to buy . this year they have got everything they asked for from either us or family except the DS my 6yr old dd asked for! I know she isnt desperate for it and feel we can get away without one for another couple of years til she's older.

she is great at playing with toys so i dont mind - it'd be different if i got them and they went untouched

DD (age 12) writes a list of things she'd like. We stick it on the fridge and pass ideas on to friends. Unfortunately, she won't be getting GHDs, a Blackberry and a rabbit this Christmas ... well she might get one of those, but don't tell her . The list often remains on the fridge and becomes a birthday list ready for the Summer.

Yes, my DDs do.

They are allowed to ask FC for 3 items, the letter gets posted and then magically appears in their sack all crossed off on Christmas morning.

Perhaps it's because my children only watch cbbc, that they haven't seen many adverts or asked for much. This year's requests are for:

Dd1: horrible history DVD, something tatty teddy and bubble gum.

Dd2: dressing up dress, something tatty teddy and bubble gum

I don't allow them bubble gum, so Christmas is the only time they get it

Our children have always wrote or were helped to write lists. They always had a few things off of the list but not everything. Although as they got older we did have to do a separate list for them to give MIL as she tends to get everything or nearly everything. Our DDs are now 19, 22 and 24. They never ask for anything really expensive and actually would like MIL to stop buying so much but that's another story. I think Christmas is more than just getting presents.

Hopefully not... But my eldest is only 4 and (thanks partly to having no tv channels) hasn't reach the stage of asking for particular things, apart from a snow white dress as they have them at nursery/school.

I'd like to think I will be moderate when the time (Xmas lists) comes though.

I like the idea of limiting the number of items on the list - gets them to prioritise early :o

Firstly OP you really need to look at your grammar and sentence structure. I've made it through the whole thread but you have given me a head ache. It's very poor.

Now that's out of the way:

I do tend to get them pretty much whatever they ask for but I also do have tight boundaries.

As an example, DD1 has been "hinting" at a laptop / ipad for several years. We have at present three laptops, a netbook and a desktop pc in the house. But I have still bought an ipad for her birthday this year (27th) because - she really wants one, I know she will use it lots, and she is now old enough to take care of it and appreciate having one which belongs to her alone. She has started secondary this year and I feel the time is right. She will still be under strict supervision when using it, but Ive had great fun finding accessories she will love (Ion Piano Apprentice anyone?) and I cant wait to see her face, because I have consistently said no previously she hasn't even really bothered asking this year.

All DD1 asked for for Xmas is books and CDs so I've got a bit mad and bought her loads.

DD2 is 7 and would ask for everything in sight. I have bought almost everything (using vouchers, 3 for 2s and special offers) plus a 3DS and all the stuff I always get, books, sweets, a full stocking of bits and bobs, pjs, bedding, clothes, etc. But some things which I think are either over priced, will break quickly, etc, I have said no to. I did buy that blinking Fur Real cat which I am sure will be played with about twice, but I am a big sap, I admit it.

No. DD1 is 5 and DD2 is 20 months, so too young in my opinion to really know what they want. I have observed them for the past few months to see what they like when out shopping, at Nursery, on TV etc.

I have a tight budget through necessity, but would probably do the same if I had the choice. I give ideas to relatives who have a bigger budget than me.

DD1 has been on about a Huggle Buddy for months, and also an Ariel and Belle Barbie type doll. I know these will be well loved and she will be getting them, but the Fur Real type dog, pony and rabbit would be a waste of money, so she will not be getting them!

I suggested MIL got DD2 nappies (already has all DD1 stuff) , and she thought I was joking

NO-madness. I get some of it.

i get some not all , they wrote a whopping list at beginning of month and left it on the fireplace overnight for the elves to take it, it kept remaining on the fireplace so i kept saying they had to rehash it and made suggestions like the horse and cart was maybe a bit much or that probably santa thinks some item is pure crap as it has poor amazon reviews - when it was reasonable the elves took it.

I try to get what my children want but I talk them out of certain things if I know they are a waste of money / tat ( if something has less than 3 stars on Amazon reviews for instance - I will read out the reviews and explain why not) or if i think it is inappropriate ( like a tv for their bedroom etc)

rhondajean what an insufferable pedant you are

I got confused by your post Rhonda, I thought you meant your dd was turning 27! :o

I don't celebrat Xmas so I don't know if it's a must to give presents, is it a must as far as faith is concerned? Anywys I do give presents to my kids throughout the year randomly surprise them . On a festive occasion I tke them to the store and let them choose. But this doesn't happen every yr on that festive day. I've done that so if we ever experience hardship nd can't buy gifts, the kids won't feel like they missed out. But thy will always get a special meal, and time spent with family and friends. As thy get older I will get hints as to wht they want I'm sure, but I'm always on a budget and woudn't go over it.

I understand why some parents feel the need to give their children whtevr they want especially If they never got much when they were young. I never got anything, I dont remember presents. I remember getting new outfits but toys my parents couldn't afford it. It didnt upset me because it ws the norm or mny families i knew.Looking bk don't feel like I missed out or my parents loved me any less. Actually I remember us always having a great meal with all those we loved.

Noone else found that difficult to read at all?

Honestly?

No sentences, no structure, the grammar - call me pedantic if you want, Im just grateful that you, hmc, are capable of three syllable words. Sadly not a properly structured sentence though.

Apologies for being confusing about the birthday Ponty, I hadn't read it that way at all but can confirm she is not 27!