Cutting back when you still have a "believer"...

[marcyinPA]

How do you do this? Money is extremely tight this year, and we decided to buy our boys one big gift...the Wii. I think we are the last people in our town to buy one, but that's another story for another day! lol

So, they are getting the Wii, the extra controllers, and a couple of games. It adds up, as you know, to quite a bit of money. My 14 year old obviously knows that the gifts are from us, but my 10 year old still believes in Santa. I was thinking about making the Wii system from my DH and I, and the games are from Santa. Santa has always brought more than that...my bad We teach our kids to be thankful no matter what, but you now, they are still kids. I wish I could just break the news to my 10 year old that Santa is US.

I've already told him that Santa is on a tight budget this year because of the economy, and his reply was that Santa MAKES the toys...he doesn't buy them. UGH. Well, Santa has to pay the elves, insurance has gone up, fuel has gone up, etc. etc. My DS wasn't buying it.

Anyone else BTDT with their kids? What did you do?

 

[happygirl]

How do you do this? Money is extremely tight this year, and we decided to buy our boys one big gift...the Wii. I think we are the last people in our town to buy one, but that's another story for another day! lol

So, they are getting the Wii, the extra controllers, and a couple of games. It adds up, as you know, to quite a bit of money. My 14 year old obviously knows that the gifts are from us, but my 10 year old still believes in Santa. I was thinking about making the Wii system from my DH and I, and the games are from Santa. Santa has always brought more than that...my bad We teach our kids to be thankful no matter what, but you now, they are still kids. I wish I could just break the news to my 10 year old that Santa is US.

I've already told him that Santa is on a tight budget this year because of the economy, and his reply was that Santa MAKES the toys...he doesn't buy them. UGH. Well, Santa has to pay the elves, insurance has gone up, fuel has gone up, etc. etc. My DS wasn't buying it.

Anyone else BTDT with their kids? What did you do?

If I was you I don't think I would tell him. Is there any way you can explain to him that as you get older Santa gets less for you? I really have no idea but that a idea. I hope you can figure it out

 

[semo233]

I would push the focus away from the presents and start making it magical by making family time more magical. There is a thread about inexpensive things to do around the holidays. I don't have a link, but have my own list of things I'd like to do that I copied from a thread last year and pasted to a word document:

addressing and sending out Christmas cards
Christmas Smore's Party
Christmas Movie Night
Milk Shake night
Sleep under the Christmas tree
Candlelight Dinner
Reading Bible story leading up to birth of Christ
Game night
Photo album night
jigsaw

appetizer night-Instead of a regular old food-pyramid dinner, we create a table of yummy appetizers and munch all night long! It's fun, tasty, and a great way to get kids to eat new and/or healthy foods.

the longest night of the year--the winter solstice (December 22). To make one, decorate a brown paper lunch bag by tracing a simple pattern in pencil on one side, then punching out your design with a hole punch. Fill each luminaria with about 2 inches of sand and sink a votive candle or tea light in the center. Place the luminarias along a walk, patio or deck, light them (a grown-up's job) and bask in the glow.

give back something to all these good-hearted folks, so for the past several years they've gathered holiday cookies and other treats to bring to the local fire station on Christmas Eve.

To make your own global wish list, ask each family member to contribute at least one idea that would make the world a better place. (Don't worry if the ideas seem overly optimistic--that's the point.) After you've made your list, choose one (or more) that you can actually help to implement

Every year, usually on January 6 (the Feast of the Epiphany and the end of the traditional 12 days of Christmas), her family has a quiet supper before taking down the tree. Beside each plate is a small package holding a single button, which has been chosen for its significance to the recipient: a flower button for a gardener, an anchor for a sailing fan and so on. Each person sews the new button on his or her stocking before packing it away until next year. My friend marvels that her kids are as excited to unwrap their buttons as they are to tear through the packages on Christmas.

Inspired by Eve Bunting's book Night Tree, the Watermans get together each year with friends and family and trek into the woods to decorate a tree for the animals. The evening begins at home, with the preparation of appropriate goodies: pinecones rolled in peanut butter and birdseed, popcorn and cranberry garlands, orange and apple slices suspended from pipe cleaners. Once the feast is complete, the assembled throng bundles up and heads out into the night. Tree-decking is followed by sharing hot chocolate, holiday cookies and Christmas carols.

Each child gets to choose a photo of himself or herself to incorporate into an ornament, which can be as simple as a Popsicle-stick frame or as sophisticated as a decoupaged Styrofoam ball.

We like to do a night with a holiday movie and some hot cocoa while we make a popcorn/cranberry garland that we hang on the trees outside for the birds to eat. So fun, very cheap, and the kids like to watch the birds, squirrels and chipmunks stock up for winter. Just be sure to make lots of popcorn because most of it will get eaten by the kids!

 

[Derby4me]

It sounds like your kids are going to have a GREAT Christmas as is. I really wouldn't worry. Maybe you will find some amazing deals, but even if you don't I bet they will be very happy with the gifts. Don't feel guilty, it sounds like you are doing a wonderful job!

Sarah

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Santa only makes some of the toys in this day and age with all the electronic toys and such he has had to outsort to China

 

[DawnM]

Are you sure your 10 year old still believes? It is hard for a child these days to interact with other kids and NOT know by age 10.

We don't do Santa, but I haven't met any 10 year olds that still believe.

Dawn

 

[mum4jenn]

We have always told Dd that we have to send Santa the money to either make or buy the gifts and to pay his elves. We have had several tight years and we tell Dd that we can't send as much money to Santa as usual.

 

[rantnnravin]

Maybe, since so many folks have lost their jobs, Santa has to bring those children an extra present or two, so he's cutting back on kids he knows will be getting nice things from their parents. (In this way, kids are sacrificing/giving to others - isn't that what we want them to learn anyway?)

 

[mcco5543]

I'd just give the gifts from Santa and don't even address it. If your child inquires, the Elves spend extra time on gifts like Wii's and Wii games because they are so involved with electronics and such and Santa thought that since he was such a good boy he deserved a big gift that was more involved to make.

Also could Santa appear in other ways, like could friends or relatives say that "Santa" asked them to deliver his presents for him.

do you do a stocking as well from Santa?

If your son is truly upset could you write a letter from Santa explaining how money is tight up at the N. Pole and how he was such a good boy Santa knew he'd appreciate a big gift instead of lots of little ones. Your son will probably feel very special and you'll be off the hook!

???? Happy Holidays!

 

[NYCDiane]

I'm sure your 10 year old knows there's no Santa and is possibly playing along for YOUR benefit.

 

[Hannathy]

I doubt your 10 yr old believes as much as you think. When my DS was 10 I wasn't sure but thought he kinda did, well my DH told me he had told him he knew but not to tell Mom cause he thought I would be upset! He was playing along for me.

Along those line we have always told our kids that if they get a big gift like the Wii then they wouldn't get as "many" presents as say their brother who was getting legos. I think you are worried they will open 4 packages and be done and it won't feel real Christmasy morning and be over in a flash. If I were you I'd look for some things like classic games that you just haven't got yet on sale or a model, art project. in other words a few things that aren't very expensive to kinda bulk out the morning a bit.

I think they are getting plenty for Christmas so don't feel bad that way! But I do understand how half the fun is watching them unwrap things and when they only have 4 things it is over fast.

 

[C.Ann]

Maybe, since so many folks have lost their jobs, Santa has to bring those children an extra present or two, so he's cutting back on kids he knows will be getting nice things from their parents. (In this way, kids are sacrificing/giving to others - isn't that what we want them to learn anyway?)

I suggested the exact same thing to someone else..

 

[AllesonWonderland]

I was having similar worries when I went over the budget a few days ago. I have 1 budget for christmas eve and what Santa brings Christmas morning. The things the kids REALLY want always come from Santa. But this year, since we're finally caving and getting a Wii, that sucks up pretty much the entire budget. I was wondering if the kids would find it odd that they only get 1 or 2 presents Christmas Eve from us. With gifts coming from Grandpa and their uncles they won't be hurting for quantity. I could be overthinking it... But, that's what we're doing, the whole shebang is from the big guy, and there will be a small gift to open Christmas Eve from us.

 

[rbramblett]

I love your ideas. This year my boys are gonna sleep under the tree and we always do a movie night. One thing I would add is making a birthday cake for baby Jesus. They love to decorate the heck out of it and then we light candles and sing happy birthday.

I would push the focus away from the presents and start making it magical by making family time more magical. There is a thread about inexpensive things to do around the holidays. I don't have a link, but have my own list of things I'd like to do that I copied from a thread last year and pasted to a word document:

addressing and sending out Christmas cards
Christmas Smore's Party
Christmas Movie Night
Milk Shake night
Sleep under the Christmas tree
Candlelight Dinner
Reading Bible story leading up to birth of Christ
Game night
Photo album night
jigsaw

appetizer night-Instead of a regular old food-pyramid dinner, we create a table of yummy appetizers and munch all night long! It's fun, tasty, and a great way to get kids to eat new and/or healthy foods.

the longest night of the year--the winter solstice (December 22). To make one, decorate a brown paper lunch bag by tracing a simple pattern in pencil on one side, then punching out your design with a hole punch. Fill each luminaria with about 2 inches of sand and sink a votive candle or tea light in the center. Place the luminarias along a walk, patio or deck, light them (a grown-up's job) and bask in the glow.

give back something to all these good-hearted folks, so for the past several years they've gathered holiday cookies and other treats to bring to the local fire station on Christmas Eve.

To make your own global wish list, ask each family member to contribute at least one idea that would make the world a better place. (Don't worry if the ideas seem overly optimistic--that's the point.) After you've made your list, choose one (or more) that you can actually help to implement

Every year, usually on January 6 (the Feast of the Epiphany and the end of the traditional 12 days of Christmas), her family has a quiet supper before taking down the tree. Beside each plate is a small package holding a single button, which has been chosen for its significance to the recipient: a flower button for a gardener, an anchor for a sailing fan and so on. Each person sews the new button on his or her stocking before packing it away until next year. My friend marvels that her kids are as excited to unwrap their buttons as they are to tear through the packages on Christmas.

Inspired by Eve Bunting's book Night Tree, the Watermans get together each year with friends and family and trek into the woods to decorate a tree for the animals. The evening begins at home, with the preparation of appropriate goodies: pinecones rolled in peanut butter and birdseed, popcorn and cranberry garlands, orange and apple slices suspended from pipe cleaners. Once the feast is complete, the assembled throng bundles up and heads out into the night. Tree-decking is followed by sharing hot chocolate, holiday cookies and Christmas carols.

Each child gets to choose a photo of himself or herself to incorporate into an ornament, which can be as simple as a Popsicle-stick frame or as sophisticated as a decoupaged Styrofoam ball.

We like to do a night with a holiday movie and some hot cocoa while we make a popcorn/cranberry garland that we hang on the trees outside for the birds to eat. So fun, very cheap, and the kids like to watch the birds, squirrels and chipmunks stock up for winter. Just be sure to make lots of popcorn because most of it will get eaten by the kids!

 

[amamax2]

I suggested the exact same thing to someone else..

I know several children who still completely and absolutely believe at 10!

We have always only given one gift from Santa and the rest from us with the explanation that we can afford to buy things, and some families don't have any money for presents, so we've told Santa to give extra to those families instead. Our children, while not always "happy" when they see the multitude of presents their friends may get from Santa (whom they know can also afford to buy things), have understood that helping others is important too.

So I agree with the others - tell your son that this year with the poor economy and so many more who cannot afford to get anything for their kids, you've told Santa to bring him fewer things and give more to others who won't be getting anything from family and friends. Santa can only make so much in the time frame he has, but the need is greater this year.

 

[jemgumby]

Wow, I am very surprised that today a 10 year old would still believe in Santa. My DD is 9 and says that only 3 kids in her class believe Santa is real......

 

[mum4jenn]

Wow, I am very surprised that today a 10 year old would still believe in Santa. My DD is 9 and says that only 3 kids in her class believe Santa is real......

Believe it or not there are still innocent children out there. I think it is fine for older kids to still believe...there is no sense in making them grow up any faster than they need to.

 

[jemgumby]

Believe it or not there are still innocent children out there. I think it is fine for older kids to still believe...there is no sense in making them grow up any faster than they need to.

Oh don't get me wrong, my DD is still "innocent" and still very much a child. She just doesn't believe in Santa Claus and never has! I am sure there are ALOT of children out there that are innocent but still don't believe in Santa (as evidenced by the other comments posted)!!!!

 

[momx2]

=mum4jenn;34479528]Believe it or not there are still innocent children out there. I think it is fine for older kids to still believe...there is no sense in making them grow up any faster than they need to.[/QUOTE]

I'm really hoping you misspoke here. I would hope you don't believe that 9 or 10 year olds that don't believe in Santa aren't innocent???

 

[LisaRay]

I have a 10 year old boy that still believes!
I just assumed last year was the last year for Santa and I have been very very shocked that he still does.

When I was little it wasn't the kids at school that told me it was all my older cousins at the big holiday get togethers!