I've ignored my kids christmas lists - now I'm getting nervous.....

[allmytimeonmumsnet]

DS was easy. He just wanted lego and thats what he's got. The girls were harder.

DD1 (7) insisted they write letters to santa and they were awful. She asked for Baby Born Boy (she has never played with dolls) and a few games plus a big chocolate snowman. She has got the snowman but I ignored the rest. She likes figuring out things on her laptop. She loves music and watching films - so we got her a nano. Fab present I think.

DD2 (4) is even worse though. She asked for a dog with shoes, a cat that sings and a baby that poos!!!!!! What kind of a list is that? She has loads of dolls and I hate the idea of spending so much on one of the gizmo ones. So we got her a DS because she constantly fights the others for theres. She will love it. Its just she didn't think to ask for one. But she is telling everyone she is getting a baby annabel now.

I don't know what to do? I've overspent already - don't want to fork out more but will they be disappointed that they didn't get their list?

Its all because Ganny lets them watch pop and boomerrang and they are reciting the adverts but I'm starting to feel bad about ignoring them now. I know they will love what they have got and they are not greedy kids. But I am still scared they will want to know why Santa has ignored them. Do I tell them he has run out? Do I write them a letter from him explaining his actions? Have you ignored your kids requests and if so how do you deal with it?

I think it depends on the child and, like all these things, placing arbitrary "until they are x age they will not play with/be given y" is a bit dim. I know DS1 will adore his camera and, I hope, it will set him up for a lifelong enjoyable hobby. Leaving it another year to get him one won't teach him anything.

Some children won't show any interest in cameras at this age. Some children would break them instantly. We have a Wii already, but I don't expect DS1 will play with it for a good while yet. He has no knowledge of what it does, which suits me.

I'll just add my bit .....
7 is way too young for a Nano, 4 is also too young for a DS. DS is more suitable for a 7 year old, a Nano is more suited to a 11 year old.
Also, I agree with Hunker re: digital camera, my DD1 is great with mine, she takes blinding pictures and always wants to use it whenever I have it out. I went to get her one of these Fisher Price kiddie tough things but thought it's prob take a crap picture

Yes hunker you are right about the arbitrary age thing but this thread is full of just that. And although I said I wouldn't get a digital camera for a 3yo I suppose I meant my 3yo (and also DS when he was 3) but I did encourage PIL to buy DS a CD walkman when he was 3 (nearly 4)and I am not sure that is any different to a nano really apart from in terms of price.

So I am probably proving your point on the age thing, by saying I would buy a cd walkman (for DS but not for DD) but not a digital camera.

DS1 had a CD player for his bedroom for his first Christmas. He was 8mo

DS2's having one for his 2nd birthday (he's still in our room!).

ditto, hunker, ditto...

Well DS (the one who just asked for lego) has suddenly decided to write up his list. Started off OK: Lego this, lego that, but then progressed on to lots of wood, hammer, nails, barbed wire!!!!! chicken food, incubator, chickens. Hmmmmmm now tell me I should get him everything off his list! I mean how do you wrap barbed wire safely?

I think a camera is OK for any age, presuming you spend what you think is reasonable for the age group. Toy versions are usually useless. DS had a camera when he was 5 and loved it. It is still surviving at 9 and he's taken some fab shots. You know your kids best

I just don't get all this judgement about who should give what and at what age. I would never do that do anyone. How would you feel if someone told you you had got the wrong thing? Its so hurtful. We all know our kids and all kids are different. My neighbours DD is loads older than mine. No way would a nano ever last with her but I am confident that mine will love and care for it. But there are other things that might be "suitable" for her age group that would be wasted, ignored or trashed. All kids are different after all.

oh hunker, agree about the CD players - ds1 and dd share a room, so they have a CD player, ds2 who is 19 months has a CD player in his room. They are listening to Carols from Kings College

DD had her CD player for her first Christmas (possibly before) - so about 6 months! Still goin strong

I had a walkman from a very early age (or I used one at least - i remember being sat in a shopping trolley with earphones on listening to a story tape