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Original poster

If Santa only brings the stocking, why write a list? What do we say now?

116 replies

stillsleeptraining · 21/12/2022 09:40

I read on here that it's a good idea to tell the kids that Santa only brings the stocking, so they're aware of their privilege and it's more equitable with kids who don't get much for Christmas.

What I can't get my head round is how this links to Santa's list. If you write a dream list to Santa and all you get is your stocking, then why bother!

Can anyone make the link for me?

OP posts:
Ohchristmastree311 · 21/12/2022 09:43

@stillsleeptraining I think everyone does things completely differently. In our house Santa brings the stocking which is just little bits and pieces that I think they’d like (nothing expensive!) and he chooses ONE toy from their list. Santa only brings toys, he doesn’t bring electronics etc.

PuttingDownRoots · 21/12/2022 09:45

Santa brings one thing us stocking. He shares the list with your parents...

Alternatively, you can only ask Santa for one thing.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 21/12/2022 09:52

Santa only brings the stockings here. We have rules for the list, no electronics, no pets, no siblings etc and a max of 5 things. So this year dc1 (7) asked for a book about fossils and dinosaurs, a dog soft toy, sweets from another country on Santa's route and a whale. He's getting all of those things with some extra bits.

Ackity · 21/12/2022 09:56

Mine have never questioned that, but as they’ve got older they’ve recognised that Santa brings small things so they only ask for small things.

we have always said because we can afford bigger presents, we buy those and he may get bigger gifts for other children whose parents can’t. This has always been accepted.

I have one friend who only buys one present and santa brings the rest, and another who buys stuff but gives it to santa who delivers it with his presents. no way is the right way, it’s what feels right for you. But personally I go for the least stressful option which is stocking only (which is downstairs!)

aSofaNearYou · 21/12/2022 10:00

In our house Santa brings the stocking and one thing from the list that he leaves under the tree.

Lolacat1234 · 21/12/2022 10:01

We do stocking and maybe one or two presents off the list from Santa.

Newwardrobe · 21/12/2022 10:05

Father Christmas brought all the presents in our house, some he gave to relatives to dish out as he couldn't fit everything on his sleigh.

Rainsdropskeepfalling · 21/12/2022 10:07

We didn't do lists and the stockings were from Santa.

Gatehouse77 · 21/12/2022 10:07

Mine never wrote a list.
We asked them for ideas for family to get them.

Everything from Father Christmas is a surprise - a stocking and a family gift (board games, DVDs, Christmas ornaments).

I can’t recall if they ever asked what lists were for.

CornishGem1975 · 21/12/2022 10:08

When mine were smaller Santa brought the stocking and one or two things from their list.

EllieQ · 21/12/2022 10:08

Santa brings the stocking and one thing from the list. Parents/ other family will buy other things from the list, plus a few surprises.

TeenDivided · 21/12/2022 10:09

My DC wrote Christmas suggestions lists.
We were clear that once on the list it might not be able to be removed, and suggestions lists generally closed at the start of December.

EIfie · 21/12/2022 10:11

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 21/12/2022 09:52

Santa only brings the stockings here. We have rules for the list, no electronics, no pets, no siblings etc and a max of 5 things. So this year dc1 (7) asked for a book about fossils and dinosaurs, a dog soft toy, sweets from another country on Santa's route and a whale. He's getting all of those things with some extra bits.

No siblings 😂😂😂

DS aged three did ask for a baby that Xmas. Obviously not enough notice to provide a baby in less than nine months, but she was there the following Xmas. They both love this story!

liveforsummer · 21/12/2022 10:14

Santa brings everything here - even now my dc are older and don't believe, it's still all from Santa 😆. They don't always get everything on their list so write their main thing then a list of others I can choose from. Both have birthdays close ti Xmas so can use list for that too. You don't have to do things as others tell you you should. Just whatever works for you as a family.

EIfie · 21/12/2022 10:16

Santa brings the stockings, which are pretty much useful and/or essential things - always a packet of pants and socks, nice little notebook, new waterbottles, bath bombs, shower gel, hair bands, stuff like that.
Santa brings a few modest but bigger gifts for under the tree.

One year, both kids really needed new bikes, so they got a wow present that Xmas from Santa of a lovely shiny bike each. But they would be getting them anyway, and I consider them a necessity. They don't expect a big gift like this every year.

Cheesecaj · 21/12/2022 10:16

Santa brings a stocking full of surprises.
It isn't really real / from Santa if it didn't come in a stocking.

Stomacharmeleon · 21/12/2022 10:17

Father Christmas brings the big gift and always has. Stockings provided by us. That's still the same even though they are all over 18. I even have separate paper and tags!

Schnooze · 21/12/2022 10:18

We sent all our presents to Santa so he delivered them, along with some things he’d sorted himself.

BertieBotts · 21/12/2022 10:21

Our list isn't for Santa. But Santa might bring a present or might bring just stockings or it might not really be explained who things are from - TBH last year DS2 was 3 and could not process the concept of gifts being from somebody, any time we said it's from <brother> he tried to give it TO his brother. Of course we told him to say thank you to grandma, aunty etc but he didn't have a clue why.

Santa is fuzzy in our house and IMO it doesn't really all need to make logical joined up sense to be magical and fun.

Pixiedust1234 · 21/12/2022 10:22

Mine wrote a wish list on the understanding that relatives could take one or two ideas. Santa always knows which ideas have been taken.

Most of the "santa gifts" have been items that keep the child occupied until its a decent hour to get up, small toys such as dolls or cars and something edible to keep hunger pangs at bay. Doing it this way means I have never had to wake up before 7am and both children are now adults (who still get presents from santa 😂

LosingTheWill2022 · 21/12/2022 10:23

The idea of counteracting privilege wasn't my reason for doing stocking-filler stockings. It was about managing expectations and developing an understanding of the reality of cost. DD knew that her Christmas list was suggestions for gifts people would buy her. It wasn't an order form.
Getting unexpected, fun, small items from Santa was a 'magical' extra.
I remember writing lists and sending them up the chimney but have absolutely no memory of confusion or disapointment that the Santa gifts were different and fitted into a sock 🤣
The same for dd who is now 18

somethinsomethin · 21/12/2022 10:28

I just do parents buy the gifts, Santa delivers them. Started like 10 years ago when DD asked about some kids getting more / less and I was put on the spot and couldn't think of anything else quick, but actually I quite like it and kept it for younger DD.

He's a big magical poastyy. Grin

Sugarfree23 · 21/12/2022 10:29

It confuses me too, kids go to see Santa and they are usually asked what do they want Santa to bring them?

In this house he brings main gift and some little things. He also magically delivers other things like the postman.

Another question I have one Santa / Christmas being done differently is, if kids are getting presents at Grandparents and probably picking up Auntis presents there too.
Does that mean parents are buying extra fillers to make under the tree look better?

Smartiepants79 · 21/12/2022 10:29

We always had Father Christmas bring one thing off the list and then the stocking gifts. Lists were never secret so family brings the rest.

Smartiepants79 · 21/12/2022 10:31

I wanted my kids to know that actually I had put in a lot of time and effort into their gifts! They didn’t all just magically appear! My MIL used to tell them that the gifts she’d bought had been left by FC at their house. It used to irrationally annoy me!