FC can get anything because the elves make the toys & it doesn't cost money...

[DoubleDoubleTwigletTrouble]

So DD, aged 10 (yes, I know ) said that she wants a 3DS and a mobile phone from Father Christmas. I said that would be a lot of money and she said "but the elves he make all the toys, even electronics - they don't cost money like they do in the shops, so you can get anything from him!" Other than mumbling "erm, I don't think it works quite like that..." I was completely stuck for an answer.

I changed the subject quickly but what can I say next time it crops up?! Maybe the parts for electronics are very expensive and FC can't afford them?

FC has a budget for each child as he has so many children to sort presents for!

In our house, FC only does stockings, parents and family buy the presents under the tree. We've always said this and now they are getting a bit older, we've explained that we have a set budget for Christmas and they each have x amount allocated for their presents - they can have a mix of gifts or one big one but we cannot go over our budget. They don't know how much we spend on them but they do know that they won't get just anything and they might have to save up and add to their Christmas money if they really really want an expensive item.

I know friends who've told their dc that everything comes from FC and they've asked for more and more expensive gifts. One dc actually told her DM that she knew FC really was real as he bought her a phone and she knew her DP's couldn't afford to buy her a phone! Another dc wanted to know why their DP's didn't buy them anything for Christmas....

Father Christmas makes the toys in this house but mummy and daddy have to send the pennies so he can make them. This was after ds asking why a boy in his class didn't get what he wanted one Xmas ( he was 6 and the boy In question had asked for a play station and an Xbox for Xmas)

FC is/was more like a delivery service here. People sent him the money, the choices, sometimes the gifts and he delivered them on Christmas Eve on their behalf. Only delivers to children too.

I have told my two that parents have to send Father Christmas some money along with their lists - to pay for the toys, for reindeer food, elf accommodation & wages etc!!!!!

It explains to them why they don't get everything and also stopped them being confused as to why we have to donate/buy toys for less well off children at Christmas - they could not understand why FC did not just bring them something anyway.....

Santa CAN make anything that's true but he still has to live by laws and the law says that Nintendo owns the way to make a DS/apple own how to make iPods etc. so he can make them but he still has to pay Nintendo or apple every time he does which means that they are just as expensive as if they were bought in the shops.

Now everyone knows Santa doesn't really do money, so he doesnt have a lot of cash to pay the companies to make these things that were invented. So if anyone asks for one of those their parents have to help out by paying most of it. Santa doesn't like it when this happens, as he knows parents have enough expense at Christmas. He would prefer you to have a doll.
A doll would make Santa happy. When you are a bit older mummy and daddy will save up for a phone for you.

I also have a lengthy explanation about industrial action and inadequate collection bags for if the tooth fairy happens to forget to visit.

Santa brings everything here... I simply can't imagine my dds getting excited and running downstairs for a stocking . The whole pile of presents is the magic in their eyes.

Dds are 6&8 and have never once questioned why we don't bring something. Family presents etc come from the giver though. We just say santa has a set budget so if you have to ask for something expensive, it may be all you'll get! My kids pick quantity everytime! They also know that Santa only picks age appropriate gifts and that he knows them well enough to pick something he knows they'll like!

RhondaJean, you are amazing :o

Well my DD1 is only 5 and I'm desperate to tell her yhe truth!

Hugless, luckily for me DMum told DS that FC sends mummy a bill after Christmas, we have kept this going.

Tonight DS (9) told me it was all rubbish abut getting a bill, DD(6) was listening so I said we would talk at home.

I agreed that some things are made by the elves, but other things are sub-contracted out. We discussed the population of the US and how many kids that might be, then the rest of the world as well.....

I also reminded DS that things like iPads are under patent, so FC can't infringe copyright, so has to buy them from Apple!

Phew, I think I won this round!

Haven't read the thread, sorry. Dc3 is 10 and still believes in FC. I tell my lot that I have to leave money for FC so he can only buy/make with what the budget I give him. Also, if he knows I'm really against a certain toy/item then he won't go against my wishes

I tell the DDs that, by all means, they can ask for anything they wish for and write a list as long as their arm, but that asking doesn't necessarily mean they will receive. Santa knows what is best for each boy and girl and doesn't look too kindly on greediness!

No convoluted explanations required

Dont know if this has already benn mentioned but if you go on email santa you can put in all your childs info and what they want, and you get a letter back to print off. If you put ib expensive things it says sonething like 'the elves work hard and can only make a certain numbet of laptops/phones/ whatever so not every child will be able to get one as they take a very long time to make'
Good for those that still believe :)

So far this year DS (5) wants a time machine and a baby brother. Both of which he is convinced Santa can provide.
I'm pretty sure that I don't want a Christmas eve visit from the hairy old man trying to revive my rather ancient shrivelled ovaries.

I told him Santa basically gets stuff from the Argos/Smyth's toys catalogue and if it's not in there it ain't happening.

That's a good one, Shabby - I'll do that, thanks!

My DD is the most gullible child around. She still believes in fairies and is not at all troubled by the fact that they fly into her room at night and write back to the notes she leaves them. Slightly concerned that she doesn't even query how they are small enough to squeeze through a gap in the window or something, yet they are able to pick up a human-sized pen and write with it I will prob have to tell her before secondary school, so she doesn't get embarrassed - but I can't bear the thought of spoiling it for her.

I discovered when I was 7 that FC wasn't real, when I woke up as mum was removing the stocking from my bed to fill in her bedroom. I pretended to be asleep of course, didn't want to spoil it for her! Strangely it wasn't upsetting. I managed to get a bit more sleep until about 4 a.m. and sneaked downstairs to see if the presents were delivered as well, and mum and dad joined me for the unwrapping of one present only, after which I was escorted back to bed!

I've heard stories of quite old children keeping up the charade of FC because they didn't want to upset their parents, and might stop getting stockings and such! I don't remember having a stocking beyond 13, I got a few small presents in addition to the main ones. We are talking about the early 1970's, when a hairdryer and a new jumper might be considered main presents.

Santa sends a bill.