How do you tell your children they can't get everything they want for CHRISTMAS?

Question

My three year old son is always asking for all the toys he sees. Thanks to the stores!!!!! I am tryin so very hard to teach him about others in need (I still think he is a bit young for this concept) So I have told him about "Santa's List" ! Would love to hear some of your ideas and theories!

Answer 1

From a very early age we have told our kids that they cannot have everything that they want. They know that there are kids that do not have as many toys as they do. Every year our kids will go through their toys and we will go and give toys to organizations that help needy people and families. They are learning that it is better to give than to receive. They know that toys are not a need but a want. This is something that you have to teach them from a very early age. We make a wish list with our kids every year and then we send it to all the relatives. There is ALWAYS more on the list than they will get, but they usually forget most of what was on their lists when birthdays and Christmas roll around. I'll still hear "I want that for Christmas!", but they forget about it quickly.
We also highly limit their exposure to commercials. When we go to the stores and they see toys, they like to look, but since they have not been conditioned to get a toy every time we shop they have learned not to expect it.
I know that it is hard to explain, but you have to start now. You might want to have him pick out toys for Toys for Tots (Toys R Us is matching toy donations right now!!) or have him pick a name off the Christmas tree at local stores and have him help pick out presents for a child or two. Also, have him help you get rid of the "baby" toys. You could donate them to your local women's shelter or Goodwill. Make it a happy and fun experience and he will begin to understand and remember. Also, if he sees you give (cheerfully!), it will be a lesson re-enforced.

This works for birthdays too! It especially works for my family this time of year as we have 6 birthdays between Dec 2 and Jan 3!

Answer 2

My 3 year old is doing the same thing. It's just the age and the TV commercials. She says..."I want that" to everything...lol. Don't worry they just like what the see it doesn't mean they want all of that. Just pick what you think she really wants, mine consistently says she wants a kitchen set and a Baby Alive doll. The 2 year old says he wants, cars, cars, car, trucks...lol, anything to do with cars and yes trucks too.

When my older kids (ages 23 & 25 now) were old enough to really want too many expensive things I told them that we pay Santa for the toys because it helps him and then other children that don't have any money they can get some toys. I remember that I told them they had a $100.00 limit then I spent $150.00.

One other thing I did to mine every year. The big toy they wanted the most, I would tell them "I don't think you are going to be able to get that its very expensive" so it was so exciting when they opened that one present we told them they couldn't have.

Answer 3

My son was always taught that Santa brings one big gift and stocking stuffers. Whatever you do, do not get your child in the habit of being overindulged on Christmas, then he will come to expect the same every year. Stop this behavior before it it to late.

Besides do you want you child to be totally petrified when he finally learns that Santa is not real. If you start buying all of this stuff from "Santa" he will expect it from you after wards

Answer 4

I just listen to my son say what he wants. Then I buy a whole bunch of presents for whatever his current favorite characters or likes are (currently Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Bob the Builder, & Thomas the Tank Engine). Then I divide them by two, giving some on his birthday which is the end of Nov and the rest for his holiday presents.

Yes I believe children are only children once and they should be spoiled

Answer 5

Don't tell them they can't get everything they want.
When you are at the store, talk about the things he wants and say that he will probably get a couple of those things on xmas. In this way, he recognizes what he will get, instead of what he won't get. He will also stop asking for so many things, since he has been assured of receiving something and he knows when it will happen.

If you want to teach him about giving to others: Every year, we buy a gift for a child and donate it to salvation army. The child's request comes on a ribboned card that can hang on the tree. We save these and hang them on our tree, every year.
I tell my son that the other boy's mom is unable to go shopping, so we are helping. He is old enough to understand about unemployment and low wages, but don't tell this to your 3 year old.

Answer 6

My husband and I have decided not to make Christmas a big deal by telling our kids (2 & 3 years old) that they get one large gift from Santa and their stockings. They also get one medium size gift from Mom and Dad. We figure if we stick to our guns, our kids will believe that this is the way things are in our house.
We are also buying gifts for poor children this year. I plan to take my girls with me to help me pick out gifts. I want them to understand that this is the only way some kids are going to get gifts.

Answer 7

Santa has to deliver gifts to every child in the world, so he doesn't have room to bring so many gifts to one child. Our kids know that every year, Santa will fill stockings and bring 3 gifts under the tree. (Three Wise Men.....number of gifts that Baby Jesus got.) They can make their list as long as they want, but they can only expect Santa to grant 3 wishes.

Answer 8

Well, in my family the way it always worked was one gift was a given. If there were any additional ones they were all pinned to grades, cleanliness of our rooms, behavior (means no picking fights with my sisters), etc. AS to how to stop him from asking for everything, the best way is to refuse to walk down the toy aisles at places like WalMart or Target. or not take him on shopping trips. Kids have a short attention span, and their memories of what they ask for can be short as well. So listen to what it is they ask for the most and get that. The rest...well, grandma can probably pitch one in, etc.

Answer 9

i does no longer get her a digital key chain. i bought an exceedingly advantageous one for my husband final twelve months and it broke in each week. How a pair of digital image physique somewhat. you additionally can get her seat covers for her vehicle, Braketron vehicle cradle for her iPod, steerage wheel conceal, vehicle organizers, a good looking trash can that connects to the seat, returned massager for the motor vehicle, cup holders, cool floor mats, action picture or stay overall performance tickets, any advantageous rings, a advantageous makeup kit, handbag,

Answer 10

he's still young, so id say just start imposing discipline; make it clear that he gets a certain limited number of presents and then if hes especially good give him a small present or good behaviour, but dont overindulge him from a young age or hell expect it for the rest of his life!