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Original poster

MIL got main present for DS

53 replies

FarFarAwayLand137 · 20/12/2021 09:53

Back in November my MIL asked what DS5 might want for Christmas and I mentioned a Lego train set he had seen in the shops so she got that as a joint present with FIL and BIL.
Since then DS has visited Santa and asked for this and told everyone that Santa will get him a Lego train set. Now I'm worried that on Christmas morning he will be disappointed that it isn't under the tree and Santa hasn't got him the one thing he asked for.
MIL will visit later in the day and obviously bring his present but what do I say if he asks why Santa hasn't got it for him?

OP posts:
Bonnealle · 20/12/2021 09:55

I don’t see the problem, he’ll get it later in the day? Also, there will be some years he’ll ask for something that you won’t be able to get. I think it’s good to try and manage expectations now.

OurChristmasMiracle · 20/12/2021 09:56

Simply say “oh but Santa might have left it for you at MILs, you never know… you’ll just have to wait till later!”

FlibbertyGiblets · 20/12/2021 09:57

Santa knew that granny had got the train set sorted, so he got the [something else] instead.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 20/12/2021 09:57

This is why for us Santa only gets stocking stuff. ALL other gifts go under the tree/from the gifter-this allows thank yous to go to the person who bought the gift.

Skiptheheartsandflowers · 20/12/2021 09:57

Can't the present go under the tree for him to open in the morning? Won't MIL go for that?

Crowdfundingforcake · 20/12/2021 10:00

Tell him Father Christmas can't buy everything he wants so gives hints and ideas to other people so they can perhaps buy something off his list.

Please don't take away the pleasure your Mil will have of giving your DS the train set. She did a lovely thing.

mommal20 · 20/12/2021 10:05

We give all the presents out before Christmas for this reason. My mum and MIL bring the presents the day before we hide them from DS until the morning x

Original poster
FarFarAwayLand137 · 20/12/2021 10:07

@Skiptheheartsandflowers

Can't the present go under the tree for him to open in the morning? Won't MIL go for that?
If I asked MIL I doubt she would have a problem with that as she is fantastic. But I wouldn't want to take away the joy she would get in seeing him open it
OP posts:
Original poster
FarFarAwayLand137 · 20/12/2021 10:08

@Crowdfundingforcake

Tell him Father Christmas can't buy everything he wants so gives hints and ideas to other people so they can perhaps buy something off his list.

Please don't take away the pleasure your Mil will have of giving your DS the train set. She did a lovely thing.

That's a good idea- I might tell him that maybe someone has spoken to Santa and asked if they could get it for him instead
OP posts:
Mumoblue · 20/12/2021 10:10

Remind him before he opens the Xmas presents that Santa has left some for him at your house and some at his Nan’s house. Then when he’s finished opening his presents (and honestly I doubt he’ll bring up the train, he’ll probably be too distracted with what he’s got) say something like “Wow look at all these lovely presents! And you’ve still got MORE presents at Nanny’s house!”

So he knows straight away that he isn’t ‘done’.

That’ll probably do it.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 20/12/2021 10:11

My 5 year old has done the same but with my parents who have already got it. So I’m hoping in the hype of the morning he’ll forget, if not; I’ll say I wrote to Santa to say nanny has
Got it!

Talipesmum · 20/12/2021 10:11

When he mentions the train set, say to him that hopefully he will get it for Christmas, either from Santa or from someone else - he will have to wait and see. And keep repeating that kind of thing. Then, when it doesn’t show up first thing, say “Xmas isn’t over till bedtime” or something like that.

EnjoyingTheSilence · 20/12/2021 10:13

That’s why Santa gets the small presents. I don’t want Santa to get the credit for what I or other family members buy!

Icebreaker99 · 20/12/2021 10:13

Santa knew Grandma had already got it for him. Will your son really care in the excitement of getting what he wants?

FlamingoQueen · 20/12/2021 10:14

Your mil has actually bought something your ds would love - that’s unique on here alone!
Santa can’t bring everything so it won’t do him any harm to know that. It may seem mean, but imagine the surprise for him when he opens the present from mil. Just because Santa doesn’t bring it, does not mean that he won’t get it (may save you a fortune over the years!).
Please don’t pretend that Santa left it at your mil’s house - she bought it and deserves that recognition.

Comefromaway · 20/12/2021 10:18

@MrsElijahMikaelson1

This is why for us Santa only gets stocking stuff. ALL other gifts go under the tree/from the gifter-this allows thank yous to go to the person who bought the gift.
This. In our house Santa simply delivered the presents that everyone else bought and provided the stockings. I asked that family gave us everything the day before. Anyone who refuse we told the kids that that person had not sent their gift to Santa on time.
Comefromaway · 20/12/2021 10:19

If anyone had refused and it was the one thing they had asked/were hoping for I'd have spoilt the surprise and told them though.

LtJudyHopps · 20/12/2021 10:19

Santa knows and sees everything (obviously) so already knew nanny had got him the Lego set - so he got something else!
This year my little sister has asked for a Switch so mummy and daddy have bought it and Santa is delivering it. They want to believe in the magic!

Nearlytheretrees · 20/12/2021 10:21

Santa only brings the stocking but he told granny what you wanted

Theblacksheepandme · 20/12/2021 10:21

FlibbertyGiblets
Santa knew that granny had got the train set sorted, so he got the [something else] instead.

Exactly what I would go with.

Wheelerdeeler · 20/12/2021 10:22

I asked for colouring pencils one Christmas and santa never brought them. I was gutted.

My aunt gave them later in day but I will ne er forget the disappointed feeling.

Tell him he's getting it from mil in advance

madisonbridges · 20/12/2021 10:25

@FarFarAwayLand137. Are you feeling well? You're on MN saying nice things about a MIL who has bought a correct present and who is willing to sacrifice her pleasure of watching him opening her present and you won't let her do that because she's fantastic. Are you sure you're on the right forum? 🤔😂
Yours is such a lovely post.

Staryflight445 · 20/12/2021 10:36

I’d just learn from this experience for other years and buy that yourself in future. Save other gifts for MIL.

SeasonFinale · 20/12/2021 10:45

Never tell anyone else the main present.

If she will let you have it so he isn't disappointed record him opening it and the excitement or even do it over zoom so she sees.

BlingLoving · 20/12/2021 10:48

Around here Santa has secret conversations with me and various aunts/uncles so that they don't all bring the same stuff. Plus Santa mostly brings the smaller things. So the DC are prepared for their requested gifts to take up to a few days to turn up....!