WWYD re DD (aged 6) present?

[Guitargirl]

We have two DCs - DD will be 6 in Jan and DS will be 4. They both have pretty much all the age appropriate toys for their ages. They have scooters (maxi and mini) and a balance bike. So, Father Christmas will be bringing them 'proper' bikes this year (which we have already bought and hidden away). As a family we are not really up on gadgets as it's not something that either DP or I are really interested in, so for example we don't have an iphone, ipod or ipad. We each have a laptop for work but that's about it. Our mobile phones look like something you see on some retro TV programme. The DCs both have Vtech cameras which they play with occasionally. DD more than anything else enjoys colouring, making stuff and writing. She is doing well in her reading and enjoys reading at home. I would rather leave the expensive technology until they have a firmer grasp of basic stuff like writing/reading/maths. But, breaking out of our comfort zone(!) we have decided to get a Wii as a family present this year which Father Christmas will also bring.

So, now we come to Christmas lists. DS when asked just says 'let's wait and see Mummy'. Fine. DD until a couple of weeks ago was only asking for a Barbie. So, Father Christmas will also be bringing DS various Spiderman/Batman/vehicle type toys and DD different craft type stuff and a shed load of books, as well as the Barbie she has asked for. They will also have some games to share.

But now after playing with one of my friend's ipads a couple of weeks ago, DD now wants to ask Father Christmas for an ipad. I have explained that Father Christmas only brings ipads for older children which she seems to have accepted. Then today we were doing her homework for school which this weekend was 'write your letter to Santa' . After having the ipad conversation last week, she is now asking for 'a dolls house better than my old one'. Her 'old one' is the ELC grand mansion, which she had for her birthday 2 years ago. Am thinking about having a conversation with her about it and see if new furniture and maybe some lights(?) could jazz it up a bit as we really don't have the space for another dolls house. Or the inclination to go and spend money on another one when the one she has is perfectly nice!

But having said that am feeling pretty rubbish that the only things DD has really asked for I am trying to talk her out of. Please talk some sense into me - that's ok isn't it!?!

My dd isn't getting anything from her list either if that's any consolation, but come the big day she will probably have forgotten anyway.

I don't think an ipad is a good present for a 6yo anyway and my family loved it when we ad a family wii a couple of years ago. Is it the wii u that you are getting? Perhaps get her a game or two?

Thanks JJJ, it's the older version of the Wii we are getting , have already got the Disney Dance game and the Mario Olympic one .

I think that if you're getting them each a bike, as well as a joint Wii, you don't really have anything to feel rubbish about! My presents for the teenagers probably cost half that and they aren't getting most of what they ask for. If she's already changed her mind about what she wants, she probably doesn't feel that strongly about them and will forget about it when she sees her bike and Wii.

Can I recommend Maters Tall Tales (Cars) for the Wii our 4yo DS loves this & it has a selection of skills required to complete the games.
I think we have been lucky in that DS only asked for smaller presents on his list Except for the request for a camel (Santa has found a finger puppet for this though)
I think in the excitement of the day they will forget what they ask for anyway so I wouldn't worry about it.

I've got a 4 year old DS and 6 year old DD like you and we have the old Wii.

We have both the games you mentioned and I guarantee you the kids will love them and you will soon be sick of dancing to all the Disney songs with them!

My DD will not be getting hardly anything that she's put on her list as I know full well she isn't really interested in some of the things that she has put, but sees them advertised and likes the look of it!

I'm sure the excitement on the morning and the gifts that they do get far outweigh the disappointment in things they didn't receive.

Have a look ar wii party, lots of little games for everyone to enjoy and you might also want a controller for everyone.

She has no concept of size or cost of present at that age, just remind her that she already asked Santa for the barbie and that he may already have done his wrapping. They are really easy to sway at that age. I used to buy things in the sales that I knew my boys would like and then casually drop them into conversation or accidentally show them the pictures in leaflets or on the computer - they were never disappointed!

Thanks everyone and thanks for the tips re games which am going to get on to this week. I will also try the subliminal hinting re presents - might leave a few catalogues open to pages showing things have already got!

That's the way Guitar girl and exclaim loudly every so often, about those things looking great - I always did it so well that my youngest refused to write a list for a few years on the basis that "Santa always brings me exactly what I want - even when I don't really know what I want, I open my presents, and there it is.....everything I ever wanted!" Had to wipe away a tear at that one.

I read my ds' list with amazement, it was more than a page long with brand names. He just copied every item from a toy catalogue. If he gets anything on his list it will be a fluke!