Will DD be heartbroken if Santa doesn’t bring requested gift?

[underthewestway]

My DD5 has asked for a huge plastic Disney princess dollhouse from Santa. She is not going to get one, partly because I had already got most of her presents and this is a reasonably last minute swerve, partly because I baulk at paying so much money for a huge pile of plastic that doesn’t do anything and experience suggests won’t get played with, but mostly because we just don’t have the space for it atm.

but I feel awful and am worried she is going to be upset at not getting what she wants. I can still remember being that age and wanting things grown ups viewed as rubbish! I have got her a load of Disney animator dolls and am hoping that will be enough distraction. But does anyone with more experience of this have any words of wisdom?

Did you read any posts here?

@underthewestway I don’t know which one she wanted but this one is reduced at Argos if you do decide to get it. I saw a bigger one so not sure if that’s what she wanted. Argos are doing the promo code TOYS20 to get another 20% off that already reduced price. Just if you decide to twitch and get it, takes it down to 119 quid. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3125762?

Santa brings four presents to our DC, the rest are vetted by Mum and Dad, financial limits and value for money apply. Once lists are sent they know changes might not be easily accommodated by the big man.
Our DC expectations are very good. My DD is hoping for the Game of Life from Santa, I'm sure there's plenty of space on his sleigh for that.

I'm hoping at their age it won't be a big deal if they don't get exactly what they ask for. DD (just turned 5) has had a few random whims (for example deciding all of sudden she wanted a Lego friends kit because we bought one for someone else, despite never being interested in Lego in her life until now) but last weekend she asked Father Christmas for a doll that could walk/talk/cry/sleep etc. that basically amounted to a baby. This is not happening. Not only because they don't make one, but even ones that could do half the stuff she mentioned would be £££. She's going to get lots of presents that she'll be excited about so I'm hoping the absence of that specific thing won't matter on the day.

@SquigglePigs

But why are you hoping?! Surely you just said, no, Santa can't bring that and don't you remember you asked for x, y, z already?

It's then not even an issue.

I'd also recommend having the conversation now and managing expectations. That's what we do. We don't just buy them what they want if we know it's a huge waste of money, too expensive, not going to be as good as they imagine etc etc

That’s a bit joyless isn’t it?

You asked for X and therefore you will definitely get X.

theres nothing wrong with, you will get some of the things you ask for if you are good and then they ask for abcdefghijk and then L on Christmas Eve 😂

Sorry I have to disagree here.
I cannot and wouldn't encourage someone to get into debt for a toy. No matter what that toy is. Nobody should be paying for Christmas on credit.

Manage expectations, sorry kiddo, Santa's sleigh is packed, Sorry Santa won't bring things you can't fit in your room, Sorry you've already sent your letter.

Tell her anything that's believable to her. Just don't get into debt.

@Sugarfree23 No need to apologise, each to their own opinion! I'm probably in the minority but I'd happily get into a bit of debt and pull in some extra shifts to pay back, if it meant DC could have what they really wanted for XMas!

Totally agree. Anyone getting into debt to fulfil a toy request of a 5 year old has lost sight of the bigger picture. Please don’t do this unneccissarily .

I think many posters are missing the fact that OP has also said they don’t have room for it. Yes it’s lovely to think of the delight on the little ones face on the day, but quite another things when you are stubbing your toe on the bastard a week later, whilst she plays with a 2.99 stocking filler!

After a visit to son’s paternal grand mother, he is now convinced he is getting a PS5. I didny even realise he knew what it was! There was apparently a conversation, he wrote a letter to Santa asking for it and granny basically told him he’ll get it if he’s good! She has no income and cannot afford it so I’m not sure where she thinks it’s coming from!

I’ve told my son he won’t get it as it’s too expensive and grown up (he’s 5!) but I’m so annoyed at her! She’s buggered off back home over seas now after her annual visit leaving me to explain why he won’t get it.

@UpUpUpU that's really unkind of Granny, does she even know what it is or the cost?

Yip it's not just the cost it's an unsuitable gift for their house - Santa doesn't bring unsuitable gifts.

I do think you need to try to manage kids expectations when it comes to Santa. It's cruel to let them think they might get a huge £££ toy, if it's just never going to happen.

And I say that as someone who caved on a Switch the week before Christmas last year. I'd have stood firm or returned stuff if we already had expensive stuff for him. We juggled birthday and Christmas round a bit.

Sorry Santa only brings 'suitable' toys. He won't being things are too young, too advanced, too big, and he certainly doesn't bring live animals they get too cold in the sleigh and poop on other presents!

She's 5. Now is the time to manage expectations before they set in. I'd tell her now that Santa doesn't bring gifts that Mummy doesn't like.

Has she already written a letter to Santa/been to see him and told him what she wanted? If so then I would explain that he will have already made her presents for this year, so anything big will have to go on her list for next year or maybe she could ask for it for her birthday.

And hope her birthday’s in the summer and she’s forgotten about it by then 😬

Since when did Santa decide things are suitable or not for the Home? I think this says more about the Parents priority than the what the Children really want.
Sorry Ophelia, Santa says he won't bring that Barbie dream house because it doesn't match the Furniture!
I do believe in managing Children's expectations if the present are unnecessarily extravagant but really, kids toys are big, plastic, they take up too much room and are unsightly BUT they make the Children happy. Ultimate priority at Christmas 🎄

It's not really for you to decide what's particularly or worthwhile, Xmas is the time to indulge them, we've all bought overpriced crap because it made them smile.

We've always said that santa just brings the gifts and it's mum and dad who buy them. So even at a young age if it's too expensive, it's too expensive, and they choose something else.

They also don't get anything that they have asked for one week before Christmas because its too late now.

I honestly wouldn't get into debt buying something that's not really worth it. It is just plastic tat and you have no space for and don't think itll even be played with.

Santa absolutely decides if something it too big and not a practical option.

Snooker table in a 2 bed flat with 4 people just wasn't happen!

@Sugarfree23 You've clearly not read my comment, especially the unnecessarily extravagant bit - this thread is turning into Peak Mumsnet now, all the meanies are out

I can still remember being that age and wanting things grown ups viewed as rubbish!

I think everyone can - I wanted a ‘girls world’ and the play dough hairdresser set (maybe a theme?). And I can also remember getting things I did really want and finding out they weren’t as good as the TV ad.

You can manage expectations, and it sounds as though she has lots of other lovely presents.

Letters to Santa are just suggestions in my house 🏠
I have never understood sending off an order, and KNOWING what's coming. Takes away a lot of the fun in my mind

I'd get it tbh

DS when he about the same age wanted a paw patrol tower but as reviews were rubbish DH insisted that we get a different but related thing. He cried 😢

And he is normally the most appreciative boy so it's really stuck with me