How to Handle Pricey Santa Requests – It’s that magical time of year when ordinary neighborhoods become images of cheer draped in colorful lights. Children wait anxiously for the jolly old elf who leaves presents beneath the trees of every good boy and girl. Parents locate their favorite gift-hiding spots around the house and ready their budgets for the upcoming gift rush. There’s much to love about this holiday that falls in the middle of what would otherwise be one of the gloomiest months of the year. But for all its enchantment, this festive time of year can also cause significant stress.
In a time of rising consumerism and staggering inflation, many parents face the upcoming holiday season with trepidation. They may wonder how to fulfill Christmas wish lists without going into massive debt. They may also want to teach financial responsibility by refusing to grant unreasonably expensive gift wishes. If you’re one of these parents, don’t despair. Here are a few ways to handle pricey Santa requests without draining the holiday spirit or your dwindling bank account.
Teach Financial Responsibility
Most expensive gift requests come from older children who are no longer content to receive small Christmas toys and baubles. When your child’s list changes from plush animals and action figures to 3D printers and drones, it’s time to chat. By now, your kid probably knows or suspects that the gifts under the tree don’t really come from Santa. But they may still expect you to meet their annual list of holiday demands as you have in the past. This is the perfect time to teach financial literacy for kids.
Explain that nothing comes free, even if it mysteriously appears in pretty wrapping paper underneath a glittering tree. If you’re not yet ready to reveal the truth about Santa, explain that his elves are frugal and wise. They don’t build very expensive toys, so the burden of pricey gifts falls directly on parents’ shoulders. Teach the value of working for something you want and encourage your child to save up for the expensive gift. They can do household chores, shovel driveways, or walk dogs to earn money for what they want.
Explain That Parents Help Santa
If your kids are young and believe wholeheartedly in Santa, the last thing you want is to tell them Santa’s broke. Besides, this narrative will quickly be crushed if their friends receive more toys than they do. To handle this delicate situation, tell them that parents sometimes help Santa fulfill toy requests. Santa doesn’t have room in his bag for all of the toys on every child’s gift list. So, he chooses one or two toys to make for each child and lets their parents buy the rest.
Help your child understand that sometimes parents don’t have a lot of extra money for gifts. But they do their best to find appropriate gifts for their children without exceeding their budget. In this scenario, your child will realize that Santa doesn’t play favorites. They’ll also (hopefully!) appreciate the effort you’ve made to help them have a good Christmas despite financial restraints.
Use Smart Shopping Practices
If you want to fulfill as many of your child’s reasonable gift requests as possible, follow smart shopping practices. Start by refusing to buy a gift at full price. Wait for the item to go on sale or watch for coupons to help bring the price down. Often, popular gift items drop in price on Black Friday or at random times in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
If the item you’re watching is in high demand and never goes on sale, look for a used version. You may be able to find one at a thrift store, neighborhood yard sale, or on eBay. With effort, you may be able to purchase a pricey item in gently used condition for pennies on the dollar. Clean and sanitize the item as needed to make it look brand-new and your child will never know it isn’t.
Allow One “Special” Santa Request
Many families limit pricey Santa requests by only allowing their children to ask Santa for one gift. All other gifts will come from other family members. The gift request on Santa’s list must still fall within a predetermined budget range. Explain that Santa loves to surprise grateful children with nice toys whenever he can. But he has a limited capacity to make toys for so many children every year, so it’s best to ask for just one.
Sometimes, the most well-laid plans don’t turn out as expected. Prepare for the possibility that you may not be able to find the gift on your child’s list for Santa. Popular gifts may sell out long before the holiday season arrives. You can diffuse the situation in advance by telling your little one that Santa may not be able to leave exactly what they want. However, he will always leave a gift that’s made with lots of love.
The holidays don’t have to be a stressful time for families burdened with the rising cost of living. Every parent wants to make Christmas magical for their children. Fortunately, it’s possible to do so without the shackles of debt. Use the tips above to manage pricey Santa requests while still maintaining financial responsibility.