What to Say to Child When She Doesnt Get What She Asks Santa For.....

I would get her to write a letter to Santa, and suggest she include a couple of items you might realistically get her. "Santa doesn't have room in the sleigh for a swingset or a pool. Are there any toys or games you may want him to bring?"

I tell my daughter that since there are so many kids in the world, Santa can only give so much.

She wants a tablet. I explained that big expensive things will have t o come from mommy and daddy, but she can ask Santa for other things, like her fairies or my little ponies, etc.

We've always told the kids that it is a "wish list", not a "get everything on it list". Santa looks at the list and picks the things he feels they will enjoy the most and looks for things that weren't on their list that he knows they'll enjoy.
Santa also follows house rules, so if Mom and Dad does not want something in the house he's going to respect that and not go get it, even if it's on their list.
The kids also know that commercials are always going to exagerate to make something look more exciting than it is, but Santa knows the truth about if these toys really are what they are supposed to be. If he knows it's not going to be good, he's not going to get it.
I've had my kids ask for things that don't even exsist, that they saw in a cartoon. One year my oldest asked for a set of marbles that look like the planets in the solar system because he saw them on Charlie & Lola. I did look to see if they might just exsist because they sounded like a cool idea, but I could not find anything like what he wanted. He asked why he didn't get them, we told him that Santa can't make things that are make believe from cartoons. He's good, but not that good. He took it really well! Santa found something else "spacey" instead and that worked perfect.

First of all., I had been told to ask Santa for gifts. that are toys his elves make in the workshop. And toys he can fit in the sleigh. He does take toys all over the world to every child.

So you can let her know that Santa, will sometimes, pick what he wants to give.

Maybe not a swing set, but how about a tree swing. Or an "air pogo"..

http://www.airpogo.com/?gclid=COjeuqSJkLQCFeuPPAodSREA8w

Maybe not a full sized trampoline, but a smaller trampoline or gift cards to go to a Trampoline place to jump.. etc..

http://www.target.com/p/pure-fun-kids-mini-trampoline-red...

http://www.zoostores.com/shop/catalog/product/view/id/447...

I remember not getting exactly what I had in mind, but being thrilled with the alternatives.

We have always told our kids that Santa won't bring things that parents disagree with or that we can't afford to keep working. For example, I am not comfortable with the idea of a trampoline. So if it were mentioned, I'd simply remind my kids that Santa won't bring something we disagree with, so maybe they need to rethink their list. A few years back, my son also wanted a swing set. We just let him know that mommy and daddy didn't like the idea of a swing set in the yard. They are hard to mow around and take up space. Plus we have so many parks nearby. We were just honest, Santa probably won't bring a swing set, since Mommy and Daddy don't really like that idea.

There are also more affordable alternatives, like others have mentioned. A mini trampoline or visit to a trampoline play place. A tree swing or maybe a see saw type toy instead of a whole swing set. Passes to go swimming.

"santa has lots and lots and lots of children to give presents to so no one can get every single thing they ask for" .. my mom always told me that and made sure at least a couple things that were on my list were under the tree xmas morning.. that way she could say see u got this this and this that you wanted

My 8 year old asked for an ipod. My husband decided we weren't going to get it for him this year. So, what I told my son is that I have been reading articles online that Santa doesn't really like to bring ipods to persons that young, so he may not get one this year. I told him most of the articles I read said that the kid does eventually get one, it just may not be until they're older. That way, I am prepping him for a little disappointment!

Hey, I was thinking on the fly and it was the first thing I thought of! =)

He bought it!

You could also say that santa is on a different budget this year and has TONS of other kids whose mommy and daddy don't have jobs to take care of. That this year, she may have to get some different gifts and wait for the pool for another year....but just think....she will be that much more excited for the stuff next year if Santa can bring it.

I have also told my oldest that Santa will only bring gifts to kids whose parents also have that down in their list as something they want the kids to have. That way, you can talk to her about putting it on "your" list next year - just come up with a reason why! Santa's list is just a wish list.

GOOD LUCK!

5 yr olds usually change their minds on what they way constantly. Sit down with your daughter and have her write a letter to Santa about what she wants. When she says swing set say "Oops that won't be able to fit in Santa's sleigh. What else do you want that his elves can make and will fit in his sleigh?" Make sure there's at least 5 things on the list so you won't be stuck trying to track down that 1 hot toy that's been sold out since October.

Have Santa send a letter in the mail in a red envelope.

The letter can say something to the effect that he talked to the elves and they just can't make it happen to send a trampoline, or a pool, or a swing set but they are currently working on some similar items. You can talk to her about Santa's workshop is for making smaller toys.

Instead you can have Santa send the following:

You can always get pool passes from you local YMCA or rec center for the summer..or even winter swim. Put some goggles, diving sticks and pool toys in her stocking or wrapped up. You and the family can go swimming together this winter or summer... great family memories.

Get a few passes for her to go to those trampoline jump places.

Just a thought!! I know how hard it can be when you want their wishes to come true..but they are asking for unattainable gifts.

Good luck and best wishes for still having a magical Christmas.

If she really keeps asking you if she'll get what she ordered from Santa, you could say something like this:

"I think you need to know something, Sweetie. You can ask for something you want, but that doesn't *always* mean that you'll get it. Sometimes we want things that aren't right for us, or that need to wait until another time. Anything you find in a stocking or a package is a gift, not an order (or a duty). So I think you'll be glad for what you are given on Christmas day, whether it was what you asked for or not. Surprises can be nice."

It would be nice if we grownups could remember this, too.

"But Mommy, Billy told me Santa Claus brings us everything we ask for!"

"Billy may not realize, Sweetie, but he's mistaken. Be kind to him."

I'm not sure my two (12 and 9) even believe fully anymore....however they haven't come out and said as much. But what we have told them over the years is they can ask Santa for what they want but they have to understand that the population of the world grows every year and that is millions of more children Santa has to supply gifts for sooooo don't be too upset if he can't get you everything on your list. We have never had disappointment (visible) when they didn't get what they wanted.

Barbie has a pool, A dollhouse with a swingset? How about a mini trampoline as in the indoor exercise kind for adults? Santa can totally modify the request, use your imagination. The lego girls sets also have a pool with little dolls, then Santa didn't exactly say no. Don't say anything... its on him, not on you :)

Give your daughter a target or toys r s ad to cut out things for her list. I'm sure she will find some more "acceptable" ideas!

I tell my DD that anything she asks for, including what she asks Santa for, are WISHES and not "gimmies". If Santa and/or Mom and Dad do not get her what she wished for, she needs to appreciate what she gets anyway. I also tell DD to bear in mind that Santa has a lot of kids to buy and make for (I got tripped up when she said, "But don't the elves make stuff?" and I said, "Well sometimes Santa buys things, too.") and she can't be greedy.

These are all life lessons. Which are much easier to learn when mom & dad are there to hug you and help. Let's face it, this is only the beginning of a lifetime of wanting lots of things that you can't get now.

Begin to prepare her now by telling her about you childhood Christmas wishes - things you asked for, things you got, etc. At this age kids love to imagine what Christmas was like when mom and dad were their age. Show her photos, ask grandma and grandpa to share stories too.

Enjoy - Christmas is so much fun at this age!

My daughter has been saying things that she wants for a while and while LaLa Loopsy dolls were mentioned, so we other things. We did get her a LaLa Loopsy doll but just gave it to her for her birthday. She just wrote her list for Santa and listed only one thing (although there is more than one of them)...so, although otherwise done, we went and got a LaLa Loopsy doll. I couldn't not let her get the only thing on her list to Santa (because she's only 6 and only listed one reasonable thing). If she had many things on the list, I wouldn't have minded something not being gotten.

In your case, if you can't get her any of the things she told Santa, can you type and mail a letter "from Santa" and indicate that while she's been a good girl, those big items will not fit in the sleigh this year because they are just to big for Santa. If you know a few things she does like/would want you can mention something like "I know you like dolls and legos along with other great things so I know you will still be happy with what I have picked out for you".

Lots of great answers; I particularly like Momma W's idea.

The other thing that I do with my daugther is tell her that Santa can't bring everything in his sleigh and that he also LOVES to bring surprises that she might not even know that she wants yet since he knows the kinds of things she likes.

It's important that she understands that Santa can't get everything that every child wants, but he listens and tries to do his best.
Just like mommy and daddy.
And you can always remind her that those things probably won't fit in a sleigh!

Tell her that Santa was being nice to her - bot there is no way that any of those things could fit in his sleigh so the elves don't even make those things. Tell her that in Santa's workshop, elves make toys, etc.

I told my daughter that Santa would not bring her things that he knew I wouldn't allow her to keep.

We handle these things much like S.B. does below.

Two years ago our daughter wanted a puppy...we told her Santa wasn't giving live animals that year, not because we didn't want to have another dog but we just couldn't afford it at the time. Last year,she wanted a DS...we told her that we had talked to Santa and let him know that we didn't think she was old enough and needed to prove that she could take care of something that expensive. She's now taken care of the American Girl doll that Grandma bought her...so she's getting a tablet.

This year...we luckily didn't have to "come up" with an excuse. We could actually afford the items they both want.

Have Santa write her a note explaining that the item she asked for couldn't fit in his sleigh, or that the NORTH POLE (which is very cold you know) just doesn't usually make but he talked to her mommy and daddy and ((put in here what she is getting or that you will be getting it when it gets warmer.))

One year we went to a waterpark resort for xmas eve/xmas and "Santa" left the traditional chocolate santa with a note from him saying the rest of the presents were at home waiting for us but he wanted to make sure we knew he had come.

Every year growing up, the first two items on my list (rated with 5 stars!) would always be 1) a pony, and 2) a TV. I never ever got either, but on Christmas morning I was so excited I never cared. I just figured Santa had good reasons for giving each child the presents he did. And it was all so magical and so much fun! Santa gets to pick which gifts he brings. I don't think every little thing needs to be explained. Merry Christmas!!!

When my son was talking about what he wanted to put on his Christmas list, I reminded him that 'it's okay to ask, however, remember that Santa gives each child what *he* wants to give them, and he may already have something picked out for you because he has lots of kids to plan for."

I think that's the crux of what we want to teach him anyway: how to appreciate that a gift is what Someone Else chose to give you-- and how nice that they took the time to think of you,no matter what the gift is. I'm 100% sure Santa is not leaving a lightsaber or a robot to clean Kiddo's room in that stocking, but he is getting a couple of neat things, and that should be enough, really.

Each year we make a list, mail it off at the big mailbox down the street, and then go out for pizza. Silly tradition, but I think that making it more about the tradition/ritual than about the list itself just provides context. And Santa didn't hit the list last year, it's okay. (We do make Santa sound very overwhelmed at our house, too-- "think of ALL the kids he has to have a present for! That's so many, he must start planning what he wants to give to kids MONTHS ago." I'm sure this will work until he gets wise and decides to start sending the letter in July or something.:)

Tell them that Santa has to okay all gifts through mom and dad to make sure they aren't already getting them and that you said no to the requests. Makes you the bad guy and not Santa.

We bought the kids tablets, they got them already and they love them. Our little grandson is asking Santa for NOTHING except a DS....ummmm, tablets are so much better.....

Anyway, I have been telling him that Santa is not bringing him a DS since he has a tablet. That it costs too much to buy all the games a DS requires. I can't afford to spends hundreds of dollars on games that can be free on the tablets by going to the Android market.

I just tell him that when Santa asked me I said no. He needs to talk to me about what can go on his list this year....

I don't know if you simply can't get these for her or don't want her to have them or live in an apartment and can't have them because of that but...

Since you live in snow country as I do you can tell her that those are summer time toys and maybe the Easter Bunny could bring her one of them.

Or you explain that Mommy and Daddy don't want her to have them because they are not safe or the landlord won't allow it ect.

I would start addressing it now not Christmas morning. Simple Santa does not bring everything you want especially big things.