Christmas dilemma??

[JMP]

Ok, here is my problem....I am finding more and more, that every year the kids are asking for what is "popular" as deemed by the kids in their class or the insane amount of toy commercials pre-Christmas. Every year is the same, we buy *the* toy of the season, it is played with for two weeks, and then goes to the toybox graveyard. This year, the kids are asking for things that I KNOW they will not play with, but my dd says that that is what "everyone" wants and there is fear that she will be the only one without said toy. I don't want to be a big meanie, but I'm frustrated with throwing money to the wind. I have tried to have a grown up type talk with both the kids(8 and 6)about choosing things that *they* like/want ,as opposed to what someone else says is cool, but its still hard for them to wrap their heads around. I don't mind spending a lot on an item for them, if its something they will make use of and enjoy.....how do you deal with this issue???

[kattnipp]

Our girl is only 2 1/2 but we have yet to buy a toy for her that is deemed popular. We buy what we know she will like.
When I was growing up there were 4 of us and my parents bought what they knew would get played with the most and not just because it was popular. I think you should talk to them and tell them to make a list of things that would be nice to have and come Christmas morning they will see what they got. Then buy what you feel you want to. Or maybe tell them that this will be the last year of buying something just because others say it is cool, if the item goes into the toybox never to be seen again you will from then on buy items you want them to have and not necessarily what is cool or the "it" item of the year.
Good luck as this has to be hard to figure out which is the best thing to do.
Annette

[Amethyst]

I usually get the kids what I know they will play with. I do try to get what they ask for as well but if I know it won't get played with I just don't see the point in it. So far they have not seemed dissappointed as they are so busy enjoying what they got. We focus a LOT on the holiday and that gifts are only a small part of the holiday and how lucky we are to have what we do. My dd has been the only one without certain toys. She doesn't wear lululemon or la senza girl. We have talked about this and mostly it is not an issue. I point out all the things she has others don't and usually the desire is fleeting and they are on to something else. It is hard because we don't want our kids to be dissappointed but in some ways that is life.

[Sunnygirl]

That's a hard one. It may be better to get them what you think will work some of the time, but I remember my parents always thinking they knew better than I did what I wanted and they often didn't. There are things to this day I wish they had bought for me

At the same time, it's not necessarily good for kids to always get everything they want.... but I find it soooo hard not to do that.

[chopped_liver]

Well sounds like something's gotta change here or it's going to get worse as they get older!
I really can't recall dealing with this too much, but we don't have cable so they aren't brainwashed with commercials.

I wonder if it's the age too. I'm pretty sure that was when I had to deal with the Pokemon onslaught.

I don't have an answer except...the inmates don't run the asylum.
You may have to really put your foot down.

[Nightcrawler]

My dd knows the rule...if you ask for it you are not getting it. I have tried to always instill in her that Christmas is about family and friends getting together and celebrating having each other in our lives...it is not about the gifts. This does get harder as she gets odler and now that she has older stepsiblings. But that rule stays the same if she asks me for something she saw on TV or something her friends have and she wants the answer is "NO". Luckily for me the kids at her school so far have not been influencing her that way. We will see what happens as she gets older.

[scottish phantom]

having a want and need list helps out lots too. Get them to write out what they really want, then see if it makes it to the need list

[JMP]

Thanks for the input everyone. I have two great kids and they are not greedy or demanding in anyway. They understand the true meaning of Christmas. We always ask for a "wish list" around this time and thats where the "cool toys " thing arises. They don't get tons of stuff for Christmas, so thats why I want them to love what they do get(and still love it long after Christmas has passed).