4 year old - last minute santa list

[PurpleBettina]

I had started buying for my 4 year old, who until this week had no idea what she wanted from santa. Naturally, now that I've bought some bits, suddenly she has started asking for a washing machine toy that costs 65 euro...it looks huge, and I'm not convinced that she'll play with it much. She also wants a barbie (to add to the pile of barbies that she doesn't play with, presumably!)

Looking at what I've already got, it already feels like a lot but I really don't want to disappoint her on Christmas day! We can afford it, I just didn't want to go overboard - it was her birthday a week ago, and she's already had a mountain of presents.

Anyone any regrets about ignoring santa requests? Or should I stick to what I have and hope she forgets? Also, is this far too much to give? I know it's less than some lists I've seen here, but she'll be getting presents from family as well.

For context, she will be getting:
LoL flyer doll (I could return and swap for the barbie, I suppose)
Charades Board Game
Jigsaw
Roald Dahl book collection
Craft set
Jellycat bunny
Doll carrier and doll seat for her bike
Moana tonie

Stocking with tattoos, stickers, matching game, chocolate

Just looking for opinions on whether it's better to get what they ask for, but you know won't be used, or pick things they wouldn't ask for but you think they'd love!

We've told our son that Father Christmas brings one gift of son's choosing and the rest of the gifts are surprises from us and his family.

He made a list for Father Christmas and we chose the thing we thought he'd get the most use out of :)

If she already has a play house, won’t the washing machine fit nicely in there?

I think that the reason she has unplayed with Barbies is because they're a little bit too old for her. They're fashion dolls so really for preteens.

I'm a great fan of surprise presents. If you give children everything on their list they'll grow up to expect things that are unsuitable or too expensive.

If the washing machine isn't happening you need to manage the expectations. Tell her sorry can't fit on the sleigh, elf's have already sorted your Christmas.

You can't let a 4yo think they are getting something from Santa to let them down, even if you think it's junk.

There was someone posted on another thread that their 4yo had asked for a toy ironing board. Poster though it was a waste and would never be missed but kid was crying 😢 on Christmas Day because Santa missed the ironing board.
They end up "finding it behind the couch" a few days later silly Santa

My 4 year old generally gets second hand / pre loved stuff and doesn’t even notice - you save loads and it’s better for the environment. Money is a finite resource and what I save by getting second hand stuff gives me more to spend on days out / swimming lessons etc.

What did you do @PurpleBettinaas this is a year old

did dd get her washing machine?

She did not get it, and it was not mentioned by her ever again!

I did get her the barbie she asked for, which she did actually play with a lot for a while, so I'm glad I got one thing she asked for.

Her grandparents got her a Sylvanian house, which was a huge success, its been played with daily since. So she had a lovely Christmas, no disappointment at all. I'm glad I didn't get the washing machine, I really don't think it would have been played with!

Ah thanks for updating .

Santa only ever brought one present in our house. Get one off her Santa list if you can afford it or just give one of the ones you've already got from Santa with a suitable excuse for Santa's failure.

Thanks for the update and glad it worked out well! I Just realised that post was from last year. Hope this years wish list doesn’t include too many extra large / expensive plastic items!

eh, 4 is literally the age for dolls.

At 4 I had everything by barbie (barbie wall paper, dream house, clothes, jewellery). By 6 barbie was an embarrassing baby toy I wouldn't have been seen dead with.

My 4 year old has barbies, shes very much in the 'doll' phase but I imagine in a year of so it will be fading.