I think dd is going to be disappointed on Christmas morning and there's nothing I can do.

[Pinkkahori]

She is 10. She made a Christmas list ages ago with 2 main things, a big toy and a new tablet. We've always said the list is what you would like to get and not a guarantee.
I don't think she really needs a new tablet. She has a Kindle Fire and it works fine so I went with the other thing on the list.
For the past few days she keeps talking about when she gets her new tablet but it's just not going to happen.
She is a really good child. Not in anyway troublesome or demanding. She is 9 and a totally Santa believer but i know it's probably her last year.
The toy I went with was expensive and not easy to get hold of.

Sorry I said 10 and then 9. She is soon to be 10.

If she already has a tablet then that's fine, you got her the other present she asked for, she'll be so thrilled with it, I'm sure a new tablet will quickly be forgotten

It's such a shame that Father Christmas doesn't write a letter to the children! "I've just seen you've already got a tablet so I've brought you THIS instead and I'll bring you a tablet next year..." would deal with it nicely!

Can you pre-empt it before Christmas morning and say you bumped into Santa and mentioned her kindle was still working, so you think she will probs get the other thing? Or something like that anyway! I just think If you can change her expectation now it will be easier than a crash on Xmas morning

Thanks for the replies. The letter is a good idea.
The gift I have for her is the LOL Surprise House. She was so excited about it and it was out of stock for ages so I was really pleased to get it.
She is so sensible, thoughtful and easy going. I really wanted to treat her.

Same here, nearly 10 year old DS asked consistently for the same things, then today, completely different when we did a visit to Santa. FFS.

Could you get her a tablet case, or buy her a new game for her tablet?
That way, you could say Santa saw your own tablet was working fine so gave you something to make it better instead.

You have my sympathy, DS7 is getting a new kindle but his old one is slow and crashes, and I've been so tempted to just give him the new one because he is getting so frustrated!

Did you ask her why she wanted a new one?

You could get her the tablet for her
birthday as that’s coming up soon.

Her current one is a Kindle Fire, a couple of years old and quite basic.
She doesn't use it much but i think she is getting caught up in wanting the things she hears other kids talking about. She's hearing stuff about only Apple being cool.
We're just not into that at all but kids get sucked in.

We don't usually do big budget for birthday presents so a tablet would be a lot more than we usually spend.

By the sound of it she’s seems a lovely girl and I’m sure she won’t be disappointed at all. Most kids wish for everything but know they won’t get it!

I have deliberately not asked my DC this year to make a list for Santa as they won't be getting the majority of what they would like.
DC 2 would like plastic crap that has no play value, ridiculously expensive and will be lost within a week. I am steeling myself for the disappointment but I flat out refuse. I doubt they'll be scarred for life like your DD. Good chance she might not even say anything on CD.

In our house Santa doesn't bring something you've already got. That includes upgrades/newer versions etc

DD3 asked for headphones. She already has a set so she won't be getting those.....

Has worked for years with no issues

My DN, who gets a lot was given second on her list two years ago - massive difference between the two items, cost and size, and she didn't say a thing and happily played sway with her new toy. I think her gift sounds great and you've done the right thing. She'll be ok.

Father Christmas doesn't bring electronics here, I made that clear years ago. If any are given it would be from me and DH which leaves room for any necessary discussion.

Is she likely to get money for Christmas or her birthday from other family members? Could she save this and pocket money (if she gets it) to buy a tablet? Any chance you could speak to family about putting money together and buying a tablet from everybody for her birthday?

I’ve told my dc that Santa is unlikely to bring you something if you already have something similar.
Could you say something like this to help manage her expectations?

I had a similar situation with my nearly 10 year old too, I told her how she may only get one thing on her list as all the presents have to be shared out, to prepare her. The one thing she did want and I didn’t manage to track down will be a gift on her birthday instead but I understand how disheartening it is feeling like you haven’t done the right thing especially when it’s their last year. She will be happy about the lol house, many children who wanted it won’t be getting it so she will see how lucky she is and forget about the tablet. Have a great Christmas.

Dd was super impressed with her LOL house. No mention of the tablet at all. She's a good kid.

Good :)

Great news !