Child has high expectations...

[lemonied]

This is absolutely not a boasting thread.

Last year was awful for everyone and we over-did Christmas gifts to try and compensate. We were very fortunate that I didn't lose my job and wanted the children to have a magical day. They did, which was great, but now my daughter expects to have more this year. Whilst I am still employed, finances are tighter this year, and I have quite a smaller budget. I know that I could shop around for good deals, but I have an issue with the 'expectation', which I know is one that I have set. I tried saying to her about how it may not be as much this year, but it'll still be lovely, and she had a meltdown. How can I manage her expectation?

Also, I know that it's August, but she's a little obsessed with Christmas, mentions it at least once a day and always wants to watch Christmas movies/episodes.

I would just say ‘if he gives you 100 gifts, he won’t have enough for the other children. Santa will bring you exactly everything that you need, like he does every year’ and then start talking about the Christmas tree and the lights and all the other lovely things about Christmas instead.
My 5 year old started talking about Christmas yesterday and also what she wants to wear for Halloween. It’s normal to want to look forward to something.

@ZingDramaQueenOfSheebax people are terrified of saying No to these little emperors.
Therefore, an entitled child becomes an entitled adult
Schools are also terrified of saying No and the entitled child becomes a difficult teen.
Kids need stability,boundaries, disappointments.
They dont need hundreds of bits of plastic os some shite about Santa and his elves and covid

5? She will barely remember. Children say '100 presents' to be amusing.

Tell her she will get some presents and move on. Don't make a big thing of it. She'll be happy with whatever.

If she does throw a bratty tantrum, punish accordingly (naughty step, loss of treats etc), but again, make it brief and quick and move on. She'll forget being so spoilt very fast.

@Mommabear20

Maybe try something like this: 'Hey sweetly! Santa called earlier and said that he was suuupppeerrr busy this year so would like to know what you would like so he can try his very best to get you what you'd like. Can we write down 3-5 things that would make you super happy and then we can make a list of lots of activities that me and you can do together at Christmas so I can make sure I can get them planned in for us! It's going to be so magical and special this year! Im so excited! Are you??' That way she knows it's going to be special but understands that santa is busy this year so there might not be as many physical gifts under the tree

A bit much for a 5 year old?

Santa is a magical idea. Let him stay magic and mysterious. He doesn't make phone calls or contact you to share plans. The kid also doesn't need to be told Santa will, just for once, be considering kids other than her this year, what a weird lesson.

A 5 year old will change her list 100 times between now and Christmas. They don't want to plan 'activities', that's for parents to plan.

No 5 year old's going to listen to that monologue.