How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I'm not talking about little Johnny or Susie making a list of 2 things for Santa. Rather, the lists of 10+ items that a child wants **and expects to receive** for Christmas.

I don't have my own children yet, so I am honestly not sure if this is the norm. One of our nephews makes a detailed list of each item he wants and he knows ahead of time who will be buying him which item (between his mom, his dad, and his grandparents). And if he gets something not from his list, he makes a sour puss face. He's 14 now BTW.

Another niece is too small to write her list, but circles all the items she wants in the Toys R Us holiday book. Her parents encourage her to circle everything she wants. Or they give us a list of what items to buy.

Is this what people do nowadays? I guess I'm just jaded - DH and I grew up getting whatever type of gift was given to us and being so happy and appreciative of it.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I am 32 and I always had super long lists when I was little

I used to mark the JC penny christmas catalog up and then make a written list

my parents made us- and then they would buy most of it- and each grandma would buy a few, aunts, uncles etc

personally I see I nothing wrong with it- I recently had to buy a toy as a gift- and I am 100% clueless when it comes to the hot toys and would appericate a list

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I have NINE nieces and nephews ages 1-10. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the Dear Santa lists - they are life savers.

What I CANNOT tolerate is the Christmas morning: "But I didn't get XYZ."

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

Eh - I HATE lists.

Give me an idea of what the kid likes and I'll do my best. If they don't like it, return it.

I actually *like* to put thought into my gifts though.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

We made lists and circled toys in catalogs but knew we may not get everything and was always grateful or knew to act grateful even if it wasn't on our wish list.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I think it's nice when the kids (or parents even) give you a list so that you can get an idea of what they like or are into, but I do agree that sometimes ppl take it too far.

I have an aunt that purchases everything her daughter wants or anything she thinks her daughter wants and then when we ask what she'd like- she'll say "how much did you want to spend, I have a ton of stuff I can give you" It's a little ridiculous. She won't let anyone shop for her daughter, bc it might be something she didn't "want" and then she'll have to return it.

I always ask "what are they into this year?" Like: power rangers, star wars, princesses, hello kitty and then I work off of that.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I dont have kids or nieces and nephews yet so I can't say.

I don't see anything wrong with a Santa wish list...but throwing a hissy fit over not getting what you want at 14...is just

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

Lists are nice. DS makes one. He also knows very well that it's just a wish list, not a shopping list...

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

Posted by Jenn627

Posted by Deeluvsvinny
I have an aunt that purchases everything her daughter wants or anything she thinks her daughter wants and then when we ask what she'd like- she'll say "how much did you want to spend, I have a ton of stuff I can give you" It's a little ridiculous. She won't let anyone shop for her daughter, bc it might be something she didn't "want" and then she'll have to return it.

I have a family member like that!!!!! I HATE it. She's like that with herself though too - no such thing as "gift" - it's always exactly what she wants. It's so impersonal. Then to top it off, she then asks me for specific things that I want - I don't want anything!!!! If you want to get me a gift - think of something yourself, it's a gift for crying out loud. If I want something specific - I'll buy it myself.

Whew. Sorry to hijack.

Message edited 11/9/2009 1:38:02 PM.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

My nephews are spoiled.. last year, I went shopping with my sister to buy them gifts and she made it seem like I had to buy them all these toys that BTW, they never played with.. so this year, I bought them clothes..

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

Personally, I would not want to receive a list. I don't mind a parent suggesting a gift if I ask them what little Jane or Johnny wants for the holidays.

But IMO, the onus is on the parents (I hope I'm using that in the right context, I can't think of a better word ). You can be the kind of parent who says "Let's make a list for Santa!" or you can be the kind of parent who says "You have so many toys already, and I'm sure you'll get some more, why don't we think of something to do this holiday that will make someone else's Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa a little brighter?"

I don't think either is the right/wrong way to go about things. It's personal preference. But I would never be annoyed at a child for a greedy/excessive Christmas list. It's 100% a reflection on how they are raised.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I love wish lists.

It also makes it a lot easier for my niece or nephew to personally tell me what they want, because when I ask my SIL, she gives me the highest priced items on their wish list. This year I asked out of curiosity.. she told me a $250 lego set for my nephew and a $250 Barbie Dream house for my niece... seriously?? I know I spoil them and would prob get that for them regardless, but to not give me a choice, and throw out the largest priced item is so tacky in my opinion...

I like being given a few choices of things I know they want and making my own decision. Watching them open a gift they wanted makes my Christmas!

Message edited 11/9/2009 1:42:32 PM.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

We don't exchange for the whole family for Christmas, there are too many people to buy for. Everyone buys for my parents though and since we don't have children and we spoil the heck out of them for birthday presents, my sister sometimes will get us something, which we truly appreciate.

However, for their birthdays, I really do appreciate hints on how I can score big for them. We have a budget for each birthday, it is the same dollar amount regardless of age so it is even. Whatever way my sisters get those hints for me, I appreciate. Whether it's a list or a catalog.

Typically, they are not the kind of kids that get upset over not getting something. I'll never forget the Christmas that I went on a hunch and bought the youngest nephew a five foot tall cardboard house that he could color in and decorate with the big bucket of crayons I bought. It was a HUGE hit with most of the kids, young and old, and it cost next to nothing.

Sometimes the best presents are the ones you don't anticipate.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I made a wish list for DD for christmas, for myself. Just to keep track of what I may want to buy her.

I did not send it out to my family saying "here, buy this stuff for my daughter." If anyone asks, I'll send them the link, but I know they will buy what they want to/can afford anyway.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

oh god my niece and nephew make lists out and numbers them in the priority of want. I don't mind lists as suggestions but I do not like saying " i want this number one or I need this" b/s

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I also really hate the 100+ gifts under the tree. It makes me sick. My niece had so many presents that she actually got tired and begged to stop opening them! My other nieces count how many presents they have and make sure they are equal. When they open my presents they will say something like "you got me something more expensive last year"

I dont remember every knowing how much stuff cost!

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

my son's list a few years ago included xbox, playstation AND nintendo as well as a flat screened tv. I think it's just fun to make wish lists and don't think any child actually believes they'll get everything they put down.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I made wish lists for Christmas when I was younger, heck I still do. Wouldn't you rather get/give a gift that someone wants? I always made the lists hoping that I would get what was on it and never expecting it.

I do not see a problem with writing lists. People register for showers and weddings. So what's the difference really? People commercialized Christmas too much anyway.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

We used to go through the toy catalogs and write a list of 25 things, including the name of the toy, the page it was on, and a slight description for Santa.

Santa usually built 2 or 3 things from that list, and then gave us 2 or 3 other toys.

We never got everything we asked for, it was to be used as a guideline for Santa to pick from his 'inventory'. It was shown to aunts and uncles, but we didn't always get what was on the list.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I like them. I also like to make one for DS (he's only 3) Of course I don't mind of people don't buy things on the list, I just like to make a wish list so people know what things he's into and what he could use. I'm appreciative of all the gifts he gets and he is being taught the same.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?

I love them! I have to buy pretty much all my nieces gifts because I buy the gifts from us and my parents too (and they send a lot of money for gifts). I have already started asking them for their lists because I want to get a head-start nice and early this year.

Re: How do you feel about kids' Christmas lists?