Xmas lists - I've screwed up haven't I ?

[didireallysaythat]

DS1 (11) needs a few things (clothes etc), I've asked him if he wanted them for Xmas, he was happy with that, so that's good. There may be one or two little things which will be surprised, but there's no one big ticket item.

However DS2 (7) (possibly no longer a believer) doesn't want anything. He hasn't written a letter. He's not that bothered - he likes Xmas but doesn't associate it with getting stuff, or doing anything special (panto, Santa at the garden centre, shopping etc). So he'll get stuff but possibly nothing that he'll really, really be excited about.

How could I have done this different ? Do most kids write lists ? I don't... (Stockings come from Santa here so the lack of a letter doesn't matter in that sense). DS1 wrote a letter a couple of times when he was younger, but asked for snow...

One of mine is the same, just buy things they like or give a gift voucher to face shop.

My ds 9 has asked for mashed potatoes and stuffing
And a horse.

DS was like this until he unexpectedly got a phone for Xmas and he was over the moon. There's nothing he wants this year though. Until DD who wants every single advert she sees!

My kids haven't written letters to santa but I know what they want, and even if they said they didn't want anything I'd have bought them one of the things I know they want anyway. You know your kids best though, so if you know they'll be happy that's all that matters

Mine two boys have never written lists to santa, as "he always knows exactly what I want Mummy"

DD's on the other hand, comprised of the majority of the argos catalogue.

Thank you all.

I think I'm suffering from social media. The photos of taking your kids to Xmas markets, panto, posting the letter to santa - it's just not a life I recognise. I've come to my senses. And I'm planning a Facebook and MN free January for my mental health.

All I used to write on my list every year was to ask Father Christmas to make it snow on Christmas Day! Personally I think you've done a good job in raising DC that don't just revel in the materialistic side of Christmas. I'm sure they will be grateful whatever you get them. And I can heartily recommend ditching social media for positive mental health.

Please don't worry about this, sounds like you have two sensible boys!

I always loved Christmas growing up and my parents certainly didn't go overboard with Christmas themed activities, we did a few free things, like decorating the tree together or driving around to see the Christmas lights. We weren't encouraged to write letters to Santa either.

We're not an elf/santa train house and my kids seem to enjoy it too. My kids wrote to Santa at the free Royal mail address and won't be getting much if anything from their lists. DD only asked for one expensive thing so it's tough luck!

A social media break is a good thing sometimes I think!

My dc don't write to santa as they think he has elves that spy on them all year, watching and listening in on all their conversations to figure out what they'd like.

They wrote letters to him last year but didn't ask for anything. Instead, 6yo dd told him all about her nativity play and 4yo dd wished him a happy Christmas

Ours weren’t bothered about decorating the tree or anything. DS is 7 on Xmas eve so he’s already had birthday presents and not bothered about Santa as “he just brings random stuff”. I think I would have a job getting either of them to a nativity or whatever - to DS Christmas is just school holidays and chocolate for breakfast from the advent calendar!