What do you do when child asks for something from Father Christmas you don’t want them to have?

[Sunnydaysarethebestdays]

daughter is getting a gaming console from parents for Christmas.
parent has suggested that child asks Father Christmas for a game but instead they are adamant they’d like Father Christmas to give them something else (plastic tat) that you know they won’t play with once the novelty wears off but it’s £60 so a lot of money to waste.
any advice greatly received as not sure how to get out of this one.

I'd so much rather my 9 yo wanted toys than wanted to spend her time glued to a screen, but I guess each to their own!

I say list a few things and santa chooses.

However santa here does the small stocking fillers. Bath bombs, lip balms etc
We do the rest.

I'd far prefer my child wanted to play with Sylvanian Families than be glued to a screen too @MrsSunshine2b

Sylvanians aren't tat, I'd at least try to get her a second hand one.

There are lots of sylvanian houses and things on eBay from 99p.

Can you get the game second hand too?

If so I'd buy second hand as long as it's in excellent condition.

If anything is said, just tell her that Santa recycles gifts as it's better for the environment.

Why would a parent buy a child a present that can’t be used unless FC brings the right thing? What if FC doesn’t bring that thing, because even asking nicely doesn’t guarantee anything with the big man? This is crazy.

My favourite childhood Christmas present was a Sylvanian families caravan. I'm still mad that my mum got rid of it when she moved from my childhood home. It was a thing of beauty. I don't think Sylvanian families count as tat.

I'd try get it second hand if you can (and if you see the caravan while you're looking let me know, might buy myself a Christmas present 😁)

Sylvanian families aren’t plastic tat!

There‘a loads of plastic tat on the market but at least it’s not a one use toy (thinking hatchamals etc) - if you keep the box, you could always resell the sylvanian house once she’s done with it.

Or as other posters said, they’re classic, could be saved for future grandkids etc.

One another note, as a kid, I never got what I wanted for Xmas/birthdays. It was always what my parents thought I should want as they thought what I wanted was a waste of money.

You’ve really put a lot of thought into that little loophole haven’t you?

Jeez it’s not that deep… “we’ll get you lots of other things you’ll love though” ugh, I’d rather do Santa than all that weird grovelling. Are you scared of your own kids?

Well if my child wanted an ak-47 sure not happening but if it is something easy to get I don't need to control it that much if the worse is 'plastic tat' they get that

I don't see why it has to be a thing unless it is impossible or extremely complicated

Nope not scared but know by good experience that if you're saying no to something, offer a “because” or a positive comment. It’s called a shit sandwich and works brilliantly for adults too.

Plus, having a confrontation with my kids over made up bullshit is not something I’m willing to do

Kids aren't kids for long. Let them have the plastic tat. They have the rest of their lives for gaming.

I'd get the house - no point you both feeling that disappointment when she doesn't get it - if it's something she REALLY wants that is.

My ten year old is also getting toys he wants which might not last much longer but I'll take all the time I can with him choosing dinosaurs over gaming.

My DC never on principle get everything on their wishlist. And never anything I disapprove of. Santa and I are always in complete agreement as to what gifts are appropriate. As pp say it's a wishlist not a shopping list.

@Sunnydaysarethebestdays why not compromise and get one of the smaller cottages.
Or this one is on offer at Very.

My dd claimed to believe at 10 too. I finally realized she thought that if she admitted the truth the presents would stop. I don’t recall exactly how I phrased it, but I found a way to point out that present levels don’t change in childhood.

she was relieved, admitted she had known for 5 years, and asked us to start having the adults get stockings because she didn’t like all the focus being on her but she still wanted a stocking.

at 10, I would not get the tat or I would buy it secondhand. If the child was 4-6, I would find a way to make sure that magic moment happened.

Are they not big and bulky?

Mr Claus has to be practical, he will only bring things that are suitable, not too old, or too young that you'll grow out too quickly.

That said if she still plays with her Silvanians then I'd probably get it for her, assuming you have space for it.

My 'I never got from Santa' was a Lego Airport when I was about 10 or 11, 'your getting too big for Lego'. Well I never really stopped collecting or building Lego. Even if I went through a spell of not telling anyone about the little characters that appeared in my collection, because 20-30 years ago it really wasn't cool for adults or older teens to collect lego.

I wanted a doll that my mother didn't like (it was too ugly apparently 😂) so Santa left me a letter saying he was very sorry, but my doll fell off the sleigh and got broken, so he hoped I would be happy with the one he left instead. (I was, of course, and thrilled to get a letter from Santa).

I don’t see that as grovelling at all. I think it’s a great idea.

My girls loved Sylvanian houses, most of them came from Father Christmas and most of them were bought second hand.
Why don't you look on Ebay, they have a lot on there.

We had it last year, DD was only 3.5 but, after I’d already spent up and bought her presents; she announced she really wanted the Frozen Castle that was about £45

She does love Frozen, but that kind of playing with figures/ castles/ small world stuff isn’t her kind of play at all - she’s very into building and role play but not dolls houses etc. I’d bought some lovely gifts that I knew she’d really enjoy. Also, I was trying to stick to a budget.

I explained all about FC not bringing everything etc etc. It went down in price and I considered it again but decided against it still, but my sister said I was mean and she bought it for her!

She doesn’t play with it.

What I was considering doing through was letting her buy it with the Christmas money she gets from her grandparents if it turned out she was very disappointed on the day - does she receive any money she could use for this maybe?

I suggest you do tell her before she starts secondary school. Girl in my form had a rude awakening in an RE lesson.

My 7 year old DGS still believes and loves gaming.

@WytchWay I have sometimes thought of getting myself Mr Frosty but never wanted to be disappointed if he didn't live up to his hype 😂 So you don't have daily slushies with flavoured syrup squeezed over it?!