How do you select things off kids' list?

[bubblylocks]

If your DC make an extensive list, how do you refine it so that you know what you're getting (assuming their list is massive and you don't buy the whole thing)? TIA

What will they actually play with?
What will they still be using in six months?
What will be an investment?
What will they need?

For example, a new bike? Absolutely. The super blasting nerf gun that shoots pellets over a range of 30m that he saw on telly? Not a chance.

Ask the kid to shorten their list. Say Santa has limits.

I always consider which of the items I have space for. Also I know my kids pretty well, I know which items they'll actually play with and which will get a look over before being chucked in the loft to gather dust.

Stuff I know Is a fad.. I don't bother with
So last year bikes and this year Lego etc

The stuff that will get lots of use.

My kids get to ask Santa for one thing and us for one thing. I told them that long lists make them look greedy and Santa very sad! Assuming I can get both items it means they aren’t disappointed.

Maybe you could ask your kids to rank them in order of preference?

Split the list into categories-
Active toys- bike, skateboard, scooter etc
Role-playing type stuff- dolls, kitchens, playsets
Creative-crafty kits, arts stuff
Everything else

Then pick one or two things out of each category. That way you end up with a good variety of things and not end up with really similar presents and it's easier to narrow it down

I try and avoid toys that are really similar to toys they already have. And make sure it’s stuff that we have storage space for (within reason).

The rule for my kids was always a 3 item maximum on their final letter to Father Christmas.
They wrote extensive lists in the run up of course, writing down everything they saw on adverts etc.
But they always knew they had to choose their top 3 to go on the final letter. It made them really think about what they actually wanted.
I always kept the rough "working lists" and bought way more from them than the final 3 choices (and plenty of extras they didn't even know they wanted!) - then told the dc they must have been extra good this year for Father Christmas to find out what else they wanted.

Pass ideas onto grandparents.
Disregard anything that will be s five minute wonder.

Although this year one DD has given me a list off... Carrot seeds.

My kids only ever write down two or three things. I’ve never been presented with a list long enough to rank items into separate groupings etc! They know Santa will bring them one thing. I might get another from their list if I know they will really use it.

We kept the lists short, so we could get everything. Tbh ours were useless at list writing so we usually had to say 'what about...?'

I always asked mine to put it in order of what they wanted the most.

I tell my children to pick one big present and two small ones. Helps them focus on what they really want. I usually get what is on the list (within reason) and some surprises.

Our lo’s get everything they write on their lists but we don’t buy it all ourselves. We split it into:

The most desired or special gifts come from Santa to our house, the other things that may well be a fad are given to grandparents to buy (from Santa).

We veto items that are too big to store, ride ons/giant teddies etc.

I get the things that already go with what we've got, things that I'm pretty sure will get a good amount of play out of, or the thing that they absolutely would be the happiest the world to recieve. pretty

My daughter wants Lego Diagon Alley. It's £370 and she purposely didn't ask for it for her birthday last week because she knows how much it is so said she'd ask Father Christmas because he doesn't have to pay for it. Good times!!

We've always gone with, "ooh, wouldn't an electric trainset be cool?" [on sale in X shop]
"Wow, that marble run looks fun!" [Saw it in Lidl last week]

Ad infinitum.

This year he's got his heart set on a PS4 which is doubling as bday/Xmas cos we're not made of money and he was born in December. Other than that, it's Minecraft stuff all the way (PJs, book, washbag, top trumps). Plus random stocking stuff for his bike, glow in the dark Nerf bullets, light-up laces etc.

He has been known to put random stuff on his list such as a flying car, trip to the moon, rocket socks, a duck....

'Encouraged' them to write to Santa with only three requests and the catch all..'and lots of surprises'.
Never disappointed ( we'll maybe once, when the requested Harry Potter broomstick, really didn't fly!)

One santa gift, which has to be smallish (and around £20) cos Santa only brings one toy plus the stocking, his sleigh has to carry everything you know... then everything else goes on their rolling birthday/ Christmas list,and I pick what I think they will play with most. They know they won't get everything but I also split their lists between grandparents/ aunts/ uncles etc. Part of how I choose is based on whats on offer as well!

Sorry to jump on this thread but @elQuintoConyo can I ask where you found the Minecraft washbag please? Thanks

Our children ask Santa for one gift and us for one gift. Everything else we just listen out for clues.

Shuffle local supermarket, I'm in Spain.

They may have them in Amazon, or Etsy.

We got DC in the habit of only asking for 3 things on Santa lists.

So then Santa can generally fulfil their wishes and we don't end up overrun with stuff.

I of course also hear what they want in addition and get the bits I think aren't a waste of money.