How to explain budget when they still believe in Santa?

[purplespink]

DD is 7 and still believes, but I think that this will be the last year as kids at school have already said about Santa. She has been very lucky to have lots at Christmas in previous years but that's because she gets sent two sets of grandparents presents as they live in another country, plus me and DH, plus two aunties, plus Santa gifts. However, her list is much more expensive this year. A few things she wants are: switch lite plus games, instax camera with film, baby born doll with accessories. Plus lots of things at the £20-£40 range. How do you explain Santa's 'budget' when she just thinks that Santa can make whatever?

Just say the elves can’t work too much overtime before HR gets involved.

This won’t help you if you went down the Father Christmas makes everything and presents are from him route.
However, this is why I think the Father Christmas is like a magic Amazon man but if you are good he fills your stocking himself route is best.
It’s cruel for children to think those who got an Xbox or whatever is in vogue now are somehow better than them.

Santa brings one present. The rest come from people.

I just used to say “You can’t have all that. Santa has to make presents for all the children in the world, and he wouldn’t have enough to go around if some children ask for too much”. Maybe encourage her to choose one big item, and a few smaller things.

You manage your child’s expectations from the start and teach them to ask for smaller things/one “main” gift from Father Christmas and not to be greedy. Father Christmas has to make toys for all the children!

Explain that Santa has so many children to get presents from each child can only have one main present. Ask her to choose which main present she really wants and if it's the switch explain that will mean no other gifts

Top tip for any parents of young children (3 and under) don't get into this dilemma in the first place, Santa only brings modest stocking gifts, big presents are from you!

Santa only brought the stocking in our house.

I'm bringing my son upto believe that what's in the sack comes from santa. At the moment, these have been cheap things like arts and crafts, small toys. Things under the tree are from me and everyone else

Father Christmas only brings little stocking gifts - that’s logical. How would he fit them in the sleigh otherwise. Anything big or major is from Mummy and Daddy. Presents from Granny etc are from Granny, not FC.

We've always said that father Christmas only brings one 'special' gift so everyone gets something. It's not necessarily the most expensive thing but the thing that they've thought about the most, which kinda helps if another kid gets a nice pair of gloves because that's the special thing to them.
(Also means that father Christmas doesn't get all the glory on Christmas morning 😉)

You don't have to explain anything. She gives you a list, and you cherry pick a few things from it. You don't have to buy everything on the list.

We got a switch as a shared present between dd and ds 2 years ago. We told them that it was off us as Santa doesn't bring very expensive gifts. This year ds has asked for a VR, and when the answer was no he accepted it as he knows we can't afford that.

I’ve always said that Santa just brings one present under the tree, and a stocking of small things. The present under the tree is something within reason, he can’t bring anything too expensive as he’s giving presents to lots of children.

My mam used to tell us that Santa sent the parents the bill 🤣

I've always said that Father Christmas has to be paid for the toys!

Agree with asking Father Christmas for one main present - also nothing electrical and nothing alive! - when mine were little I suggested they could ask for something around £50 (when they were talking about what they wanted, if there was something around that price I would say that’s a good thing to put on your list - not that I was saying find something for £50!) I would say that Father Christmas needs to get something for every child so it’s nice not to be greedy!

Loving these responses.

I will never forget the year my daughter’s (just turned) four year old son was informed of the truth by his emotionally abusive dad 3 days before Christmas. 😭

This! Mine could write lists all day and as long as their arms but they were very much aware that just because it was on the list doesn’t mean they will get it! Santa picks some things off the list and that’s it.

Also same for me. The list are things you’d like. Santa decides what you’re getting though and will hopefully pick a few bits from the list if you’ve been good

In our house Father Christmas fills the sack They know he can't bring more than will fit in the sack, and that the elves can't make electronics.
Something like a board game, a puzzle, a book, art bits, slime, a bath bomb, a little fidget toy, socks, gloves, sweets... under £100 total - usually well under.

The main present (bike/ rollerskates/ electronics etc) is from us and is put under the tree. That allows us to manage expectations - they know they won't necessarily get everything on their lists, and if something they really want is unaffordable we will gently tell them beforehand so they aren't devastated on Christmas morning.

We also buy second hand where we can - better for the planet, and keeps the cost down. Both children want Switches this year so we'll be looking on eBay.

Inflation, shrinkflation and the cost of living crisis also affect the North Pole; these are global challenges- plus Santa Claus is being environmentally friendly in not wanting to overload the sleigh and give too many things which will gather dust on the shelves, so can she focus on one or two things she really would like under a certain budget?

Just like it's not polite to ask granny for something very expensive, it's not polite to ask Santa for something very expensive either. Expensive toys are expensive to make, and Santa is so nice making presents for all the boys and girls!

When mine were young the list items were divided between Santa and family, so gran would ask what have I to get etc, list was always covered.

This! Santa has so many children to bring gifts for. Everything has to be shared with all the other children. Ask her which of her requests is the one she wants the most. Say that Santa loves to give children whatever he can but he can't manage everything!

This is why we deliberately went down the 'Santa fills your stocking' route. (Plus I wanted credit for any great ideas! 🤣)