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?

I explained to my kids that mommys and daddys pay santa for the gifts, this was needed as my son was wondering why some kids do not get any presents or maybe one present. He understands that some familes have more money than others

@BrendaSmall but it's for about 5 years and the sheer joy of fc is reward??

Santa just brings stocking presents and one little gift, everything else comes from us/family

They never get everything on their list, that's insane!! it's a list of ideas not demands.

We focus on lots of fun activities and family time though,.so we spend on theatre trips and skating /skiing etc

I don't think that will fit in the stocking darling.

Santander only ever filled the stocking with our children.

It’s too late now for you but we always did stocking presents from Santa and main gifts from parents.

As a child I asked Santa for a bike and my parents couldn’t afford it so I didn’t get the bike. When I saw other children with a new bike, who I believed were not as well behaved as me, it really bothered me. And in fact it’s what stopped me believing. Hence I did it differently with my children.

I have a funny image of bank employees stuffing children into stockings ....

We always said that although Santa brings presents we pay for them so he was limited by our budget.

I tell my children I send Father Christmas the money that way they understand if kids get fancy computer devices and other expensive gifts it’s not because they have been bad or forgotten it’s just we had less money to send.

We switched to Santa only bringing the stocking when our oldest was older than 7 (when I realised this was a much better idea than Santa brings everything). Also, I wanted some credit for what we were giving! We just explained that it would be different this year. Used different paper and the change was never commented on! Also, you may have a couple more years of Santa - my youngest knows that some people / cultures /religions don't have / believe in Santa, but they do and that's how it is. It doesn't bother them if someone else doesn't believe.