When Santa's list gets more expensive

[jordansmomma]

My kids have always known that there is a Christmas budget and I only spend X amount of money on each of them.
Although DS13 his list is alway expensive, I usually know what he wants way before Christmas so I can take advantage of sales or layaway somewhere.
This year he is getting a game for the Wii, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 under armour sweatshirts, and a trip during spring break to Washington DC, $1500 (that is being split between Christmas & his birthday, and the fundraisers that they are doing to help offset the cost), because frankly I am not into going into debt to make sure my kids get exactly what they want as presents.

One year we got him a PSP, there was a sale at Best Buy, then I ended up getting him 9 games from Hastings. I was very lucky there, I went in one day and they had just marked down there games I spent $59 on 9 games.

DS9 is really easy. He just wants a DSi (I can upgrade his DS at Gamestop, or wait until his birthday in March), Band Hero for his DS, a game for the Wii, when we were in DL last month I bought him a few things.

 

[monkeybug]

Wow, I was allowed to ask Santa for one thing, there was no list. Of course, I once asked for a can of tomato soup so I think I may have missing the point as a kid... (I loved tomato soup and wanted a can I didn't have to share!)

Ha ha!! My little brother used to ask for Velveeta cheese! My mom never bought it but he loved it. He always had a box of it in his stocking. The two of you could have gotten together for grilled cheese and tomato soup!!!!

 

[monkeybug]

My kids always get something from Santa that could be made in a workshop (things like Ice Skates, train table and set...basically nothing that looks to commercial). They are still young though, so I'm not sure yet how we will explain why one of their friends got a Wii from Santa We are good at making stuff up, I'm sure we will think of something.
We buy them the more commercial stuff, but not much. We "do" things for Christmas (sledding, cabin rental, Santa Train, Hershey park, ect.) and that's where we put the most focus (and spend the most money. It's probably more expensive than gifts). I honestly think gifts are one of the last things my kids think of at Christmas, we keep them too busy with all the other things!

 

[Pikester]

At our house, Santa fills the stockings and brings one or two moderately priced presents because he has to give presents to all the little boys and girls and that could be pretty dang expensive. Mom and Dad supply the rest of the presents, including any big ticket items. This makes it easier for me to say, "Well, that item is too expensive for Santa and I'm not spending that much money on it either!"

This is similar to our house. Santa does the stockings and usually a board game for each child. As you said, Santa has alot of little boys and girls to bring gifts to. Mom and Dad give the expensive items (or not) and anything else that we feel they should get. Oh and my kids are DS12 and DS8.

I never thought it was fair for Santa to get all the credit for those big gifts.

 

[monkeybug]

This is similar to our house. Santa does the stockings and usually a board game for each child. As you said, Santa has alot of little boys and girls to bring gifts to. Mom and Dad give the expensive items (or not) and anything else that we feel they should get. Oh and my kids are DS12 and DS8.

I never thought it was fair for Santa to get all the credit for those big gifts.

I love the idea of board games from Santa. I'm going to remember that one!

 

[dismom2]

She alread has an Ipod and a Wii so she asked for somethings to go with those...

Netbook 350

PSP 250

2 games for PSP 80

Camera 100

gymnastic mats 300

Some stuffed animal wow ee or something like that 60

CD/Ipod dock 100

Toy Story Mania for Wii 60.00

Wow---things sure have changed since I was a kid. No way would my kids be getting all those expensive things. What happened to growing up and paying for your own pricey things like that? No offense OP, but I would learn how to say no, and start teaching your DD the value of money---the sooner the better. Kids that age don't always understand the value of money, and it's a very important life lesson; even millionaires need to teach their children that lesson.

As for the gifts looking 'even'...I would do the filler-gift idea.