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Christmas

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Original poster

What do you say to DC who believe in Santa if you don't want to buy them what they are asking for?

20 replies

headoverheels · 28/10/2013 15:27

DD age 6 says she wants an iPad mini. We've already got a family iPad and I think that's enough. But obviously I can't say 'it's too expensive' or 'I don't think you need one' because she is asking Father Christmas, not me!

Anyone got any good wording to say no without making her wonder if he is real?

OP posts:
pookamoo · 28/10/2013 15:29

In our house, santa only brings what's in your stockings. those kinds of presents don't come from santa, he can't bring ipads for all the children in the world!

he brings socks, toothbrushes and matchbox cars!

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 28/10/2013 15:31

a letter to Santa is not a delivery order to be filled, it is just giving Santa an idea of the sort of thing you might like.
It's part of Santa's magic that he always knows the very best present for you, even if it's not the one that you think you want.

Original poster
headoverheels · 28/10/2013 15:32

In our house Santa brings stockings plus one bigger present.

OP posts:
stripeygreensocks · 28/10/2013 15:33

Santa can't bring everything you ask for.
My dc ask for a few big things each and Santa usually brings them one and lots of little extras

Original poster
headoverheels · 28/10/2013 15:33

I like your second sentence Charlotte, thank you Smile

OP posts:
PeterParkerSays · 28/10/2013 15:36

There was a similar thread on here a few weeks ago - I think the consensus was that father Christmas brings toys but ipads are gadgets, intended for grown-ups, so don't count as he can't bring them.

MrsCharlesBrandon · 28/10/2013 15:37

We use 'Santa has a budget' in this house!

DC also know that they don't get everything on their list, it's more for suggestions.

WorkingtoohardMama · 28/10/2013 15:45

In our house Father Christmas has a budget, the children can ask for one thing, up to that budget (it's £50).

He then also brings little stocking fillers.

notso · 28/10/2013 15:51

My DC write a long list for Father Christmas and on the bottom they always write surprises because he always brings some things which are not on the list.
As there are so many Children for FC to deliver to he can only bring some of the things from each child's list.

DaftMaul · 28/10/2013 16:07

I have a friend who has never told her children that FC has a budget. It is now biting her on the bum with her DVD requesting Ugg boots, Kindles and expensive Lego!

My dcs know that FC has to buy presents for many people therefore he doesn't buy expensive items - stockings and one bigger present (often something I have said they can't haveWink).

As a pp said, they can write a present list but they know it doesn't mean they will get everything on it particularly if it is tat

TheOnlyPink · 28/10/2013 16:18

I told my ds (he's 6) that Santa cant bring anything that mum and dad don't agree with when he wanted a wii u. He seemed ok with that and moved on.

Marne · 28/10/2013 16:26

Santa has a budget in our house, I have always told dd1 that we give Santa money ( I had to tell her this as she asked why the starving children In Africa don't get gifts from Santa?), if she asked for something too expensive or something we don't think is suitable than she doesn't get it, when she makes her list we tell her 'it's just to give Santa some ideas, you won't get everything on your list'.

Mattissy · 28/10/2013 16:34

In our house mammy and daddy buy most of the gifts and post them to Santa, he then brings them back with a few other bits and pieces he's added himself.

fuzzpig · 28/10/2013 21:27

It's part of Santa's magic that he always knows the very best present for you

This! In our house Santa brings surprises - stocking fillers plus one big toy (playmobil last year and this year)

I think if you've done wish list/Santa letter type things before then you need to intervene maybe by suggesting that she can't ask for that, wouldn't she rather get a toy instead? And saying "but we already have iPads at home that you can play with" could be enough (I said similar when DD (6) said she would like an iPod touch like her friends had - she was happy with that response)

I like the gadgets being for adults argument too.

Minnieisthedevilmouse · 28/10/2013 21:30

The first two posts cover it all eloquently enough for most arguementative under 20s :)

Need more ammo for under 40s....

Guitargirl · 29/10/2013 14:30

Our DD asked for an ipad last year (aged 5). We don't have one at home, one of our friends who doesn't speak much English showed her his ipad as a way of communicating with her and that was it, that's all she wanted from then on. We told her that Father Christmas doesn't bring ipads for such young children (and then that argument was totally buggered up when 3 of her classmates had them for Christmas!)

elismom · 29/10/2013 14:32

I am telling them that we will do a big list with all the things that they would like and Santa will bring what he thinks will be best for them.
I want Santas letter to be a guide only, not a checklist.

ShoeWhore · 29/10/2013 16:34

Don't forget that Santa doesn't like children to be too greedy so asking for very expensive things won't go down well at Santa HQ. clever of you to ask for the hugely expensive Lego Death Star "for free" though ds

Also Santa might bring what you asked for or he might think of something even better no you are not having a heap of tat either

And he would never bring you something he knows your parents aren't keen on you having yes ds I also know you asked for a dog!

shelley72 · 29/10/2013 18:26

Last year ds asked Santa for a babyShock. I'm keeping a closer eye on his wish list this year..

VoldemortsNipple · 29/10/2013 20:03

guitargirl that's why I always told my dcs we had to pay fc. I also used to say fc only had a certain amount of each toy, so he had to decide who to give them too. It's common here that fc brings all or most of the presents so we needed a realistic answer to why some of their friends got lots and some got very little.

Of course the year ds asked for a puppy, fc couldn't possibly bring one incase the puppy fell off the sleigh. Wink

Now all the dcs are older, they always ask what kind of budget they have before writing their wish lists.

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