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Christmas

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Original poster

When family have bought an item that was on list to Santa

40 replies

LindaBlinda · 10/12/2021 09:30

My eldest is 9 so we're in the dangerous territory of over questioning about Santa.

One of the items on her list to Santa is what she's getting from my Mum. It's a big gift.

How would you personally answer the question about how Santa knew not to bring it?

I'm thinking maybe Santa/Elves can check Amazon orders? In case my flouncy/magical "he just knows" reply doesn't quite cut it this year.

Just before the typical MN replies start - I know in the scheme of things this isn't a big deal, but we've had a crap year and worrying about these little things is a lovely distraction.

OP posts:

Misspacorabanne · 10/12/2021 09:34

Could you just say that your mum wanted to buy it as a Christmas gift, and asked Santa's elves if that would be ok? Santa agreed and crossed it off the list once he had received it, and will bring the other items and perhaps a surprise gift in replacement of the gift from your mum?

Howmanysleepsnow · 10/12/2021 09:34

Well, he watches everyone, doesn’t he? How else would you have had 9 christmases without a duplicate present?

RunRunGingerbreadMan · 10/12/2021 09:35

Personally I wouldn't go into details, I think it actually makes it less believable. I would probably do as you said you wouldn't and just say that he is magic and he knows. I'd refuse to say any more about it than that. That's just what I'd do though.

Stompythedinosaur · 10/12/2021 09:45

I think too much detail makes things easier to unpick. I tend to say I'm not sure how he knew, but he does seem to know these things.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 10/12/2021 09:48

That's why Santa choses one idea of the list and shares the list with family.

toastofthetown · 10/12/2021 09:55

I agree that the more details you give the less convincing it all sounds. Saying that he must have just known is more believable than your extended family negotiating with Father Christmas and elves. Also, especially at your daughter’s age, I’m not sure that making up increasing elaborate fiction to extend her belief in Father Christmas is the kindest thing to do. I think that children have an easier time with finding out that Father Christmas isn’t real if they gradually come to that conclusion on their own. She probably won’t ask ask, but if she does then a ‘oh that’s interesting, what do you think?’ is probably the best approach. I’d be very surprised if at nine years old she hasn’t seriously considered that Father Christmas isn’t real.

Nevertime · 10/12/2021 10:09

I don't think the thought will occur to your 9yo. They just assume parents, GPs and Santa know everything

Scarby9 · 10/12/2021 10:13

If she says anything ( which she may well not):
'Was that on your list to Santa? Good job he didn't choose to get you that, then, isn't it? What would we have done with two?!'

JassyRadlett · 10/12/2021 10:14

My 6yo is very analytical and into how things work; he’s just asked ‘so what do you do, does Santa email you to say what he’s giving to make sure you don’t get that one, or do you email him to tell him what you’ve bought?’

As he so elegantly gave me an out, I went with the latter option. We’ve always said, though, that we share his Christmas list with his grandparents too.

FabriqueBelgique · 10/12/2021 10:15

The same way he knows everything else.. he just knows!

MintyCedric · 10/12/2021 10:18

Santa has a team of secret service elves, headed by Director Malcolm Tomte, that keep an eye on everything Christmas present related.

mafted · 10/12/2021 10:19

Will they even care who brought what?

Toastytoads · 10/12/2021 10:22

She is 9? It's not an issue is it?

Babdoc · 10/12/2021 10:22

It was much easier when the kids were young in our house. Santa just filled the stockings. All the tree presents were from named family members. I wasn't going to let some imaginary fat bugger in a red suit get all the credit!

NoSquirrels · 10/12/2021 10:24

If asked, at 9, I’d say “Hmm, good question. What do you think?”

Then depending on what they said next I’d either go with the flow praising/agreeing that their idea might be it or I’d allow that scepticism was fair enough and yes, it doesn’t seem to make se we, does it…

They’re 9. I wouldn’t be denying FC but I wouldn’t go with confirmation he’s real either. In my experience this close to Christmas all children “believe” - even if they don’t really

BigWoollyJumpers · 10/12/2021 10:27

At 9 she probably knows already, but it's fun to keep up the pretence. I always said something along the lines of, Santa liases with all the Mums and Dads and we agree between us what are the best presents for him to gift, and what Mum and Dad would like to gift. And that way we don't all buy the same things, and you get everything you asked for. We do share gift wrap though .

Pickles89 · 10/12/2021 10:40

I think too much detail makes things easier to unpick. I tend to say I'm not sure how he knew, but he does seem to know these things.

This. And at 9 I'd say it with a bit of a smile and a wink . Definitely don't dig yourself into a hole with stories of your mum knowing the Elves or Santa checking Amazon. It's better to very gradually and subtly make Santa a game the children are involved with during the preteen years than lying through your teeth and then having to 'Sit Them Down' and break the news before secondary.

witsendeverytime · 10/12/2021 10:45

I agree with pp - don't concoct a ridiculous story. Your child has more than likely twigged anyway and is just humouring you. She wrote a wish list and it doesn't matter who fulfills it.

asha456 · 10/12/2021 10:46

I've been asked a few questions and my default is always something vague, reflect the question back, shrug ...
-wow! This is amazing eh?

I wonder! What do you think?
I don't know

-Hmmm!

Definitely don't go into detailed lies. She's 9. I mean I think 9 is a pretty normal age to work it out. It will feel better for her to work it out herself rather than feel that you duped her with elaborate lies.

lesenfantsdelesperance · 10/12/2021 11:09

This is why all the gifts don't come from Father Christmas. Does your child think that grandparents don't buy gifts? Just tell them grandma had bought it first.

Practicebeingpatient · 10/12/2021 11:26

Santa is magic. That covers everything.

Alwayswonderedwhy · 10/12/2021 11:29

Do you actually say presents were from Santa?? Why not just go with Santa delivers the gifts, that way your child gets to thank the people that actually bought them rather than thinking Santa just pays for them.

Thegreencup · 10/12/2021 11:34

I'm definitely buying into the less I tell the kids, the better it is.

"I'm not Santa, I don't know how he does it?" is my blanket response.

My eldest it 8YO and I reckon he's starting to work it out. My youngest is 6 and his best friend is from a non-Christian family. Which makes for some interesting conversations around this time of year.

WorraLiberty · 10/12/2021 11:35

@lesenfantsdelesperance

This is why all the gifts don't come from Father Christmas. Does your child think that grandparents don't buy gifts? Just tell them grandma had bought it first.

Yes I've never got this.

What do kids who believe all gifts come from Santa, make of all the relentless Christmas toy adverts on TV?

Mine would ask Santa for one gift (and we'd add some small stocking gifts). The rest of their presents came from the actual people who took the time to go out and buy them.

Suretobe · 10/12/2021 11:38

Keep it short and sweet. ‘Santa knows stuff.’

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