Santa's naughty and nice lists

[RJDiogenes]

Once I understood that presents came from my parents (which I did while still young, given that my parents never bothered to hide it overmuch, so probably around 5-6), we used to enter into a discussion quite early in the year as to that years' present-budget, to be subsequently divided as I saw fit between my birthday at the end of summer, and Christmas (I usually preferred to back-load it 2:1 towards Christmas, though in hindsight, this may not have been the shrewdest way to split it). The total would be dependent on what I got the previous year, though I learnt the benefits of indexation and other cost-of-living adjustments very, very quickly!

Once the total was agreed upon, I could start determing what presents I wanted and then put the contract out to tender (also known as telling mum which shops to call to see if it was available and at what price... ).

Let me guess: You asked for Excel.

Quicken.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

When my kids were younger (they're 13, 12 and 10) and our house looked like a Toys R Us warehouse I told the kids that they would only get more toys if they sorted out some of their toys they no longer wanted. When they still believed in Santa Claus they knew that grownups gave them presents, too, so we'd make a point of all of us dropping off any gently-used toys at charity shops, and I explained how families who weren't as lucky as we were would be able to buy their children the toys these toys because not everyone could afford new toys. My kids not only learned how lucky they were but also how easy and satisfying it is to help others. To this day my kids will give me stuff to "put in the next charity bag".

Nice, Maclaus.

 

[trampledamage]

When my kids were younger (they're 13, 12 and 10) and our house looked like a Toys R Us warehouse I told the kids that they would only get more toys if they sorted out some of their toys they no longer wanted. When they still believed in Santa Claus they knew that grownups gave them presents, too, so we'd make a point of all of us dropping off any gently-used toys at charity shops, and I explained how families who weren't as lucky as we were would be able to buy their children the toys these toys because not everyone could afford new toys. My kids not only learned how lucky they were but also how easy and satisfying it is to help others. To this day my kids will give me stuff to "put in the next charity bag".

Nice, Maclaus.

Agreed. Something else I might try next year.