The USPS Santa Letters Gift Exchange, why do people complain when kids ask for expensive items like XBox, iPhones, etc?

[Anonymous]

This is why I switched to new/unwrapped toy drives instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why I switched to new/unwrapped toy drives instead.

What is the difference? Are there less nice gifts at these?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it seems greedy. I also think a lot of people assume the parents will take it over and either use it themselves or sell it for rent money. No one is going to sell a Barbie doll or matchbox racetrack.

Also, many kids spend way too much time gaming and not enough time reading and learning. Why encourage that?

Lol. No one is afraid that the parents will sell it to put a roof over their kids' heads. The concern is that the parents will sell it to buy drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I switched to new/unwrapped toy drives instead.

What is the difference? Are there less nice gifts at these?

You pick what to bring. You’re not shopping from a list for a specific kid.

[Anonymous]

Which is why it's better to just donate money to a charity who buys the toys. Or buy gift cards.

Also, don't offer to buy stuff for these exchanges if you're doing to be offended at how much it costs. Just give a financial donation. Why? Because the only reason you "want to shop" is to make yourself feel good. It's really not about the other person at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which is why it's better to just donate money to a charity who buys the toys. Or buy gift cards.

Also, don't offer to buy stuff for these exchanges if you're doing to be offended at how much it costs. Just give a financial donation. Why? Because the only reason you "want to shop" is to make yourself feel good. It's really not about the other person at all.

Why? Because you’re wrong. People have good intentions but they aren’t always much better off than the recipients. No need to attack the people trying to help. Are you a donor or recipient, by the way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which is why it's better to just donate money to a charity who buys the toys. Or buy gift cards.

Also, don't offer to buy stuff for these exchanges if you're doing to be offended at how much it costs. Just give a financial donation. Why? Because the only reason you "want to shop" is to make yourself feel good. It's really not about the other person at all.

Why? Because you’re wrong. People have good intentions but they aren’t always much better off than the recipients. No need to attack the people trying to help. Are you a donor or recipient, by the way?

NP. Then don’t buy an expensive gift. But don’t get pissy at the child, who has no idea who you are or your financial situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which is why it's better to just donate money to a charity who buys the toys. Or buy gift cards.

Also, don't offer to buy stuff for these exchanges if you're doing to be offended at how much it costs. Just give a financial donation. Why? Because the only reason you "want to shop" is to make yourself feel good. It's really not about the other person at all.

Why? Because you’re wrong. People have good intentions but they aren’t always much better off than the recipients. No need to attack the people trying to help. Are you a donor or recipient, by the way?

I would add, as someone who worked in international aid, I found many “good intentions” people frustrating. They were focused on wanting to help and the experience of donating, but also very controlling in how they helped. Some people thought poor people should happily accept worn out crap, for example. Or ignored what was really needed or requested. Their experience of just “trying to help” or “good intentions” was way more important than the person being helped.

Poor people also participate in popular culture. Of course the kids also want expensive toys and phones and PlayStations or whatever— upper middle class 10 year olds also want that! And like many children, they also don’t understand the expense or the ability of the gift giver. So keep that in mind if you’re irritated by an expensive list. You’re not obligated to give a kid an iPhone. But don’t get all mad at a kid for being greedy, a word I’ve seen at least once in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Saw something about those lists for kids whose parents are in prison, and the parents make the lists, not the kids. The writer said a lot of the parents in prison are only like 18 so they ask for a Playstation because they want one. They're perhaps not mature enough to think about the fact that their little kid actually needs socks and underwear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saw something about those lists for kids whose parents are in prison, and the parents make the lists, not the kids. The writer said a lot of the parents in prison are only like 18 so they ask for a Playstation because they want one. They're perhaps not mature enough to think about the fact that their little kid actually needs socks and underwear.

Let’s be honest - No kid ever is asking Santa for socks or underwear. The purpose of a Santa drive or wishlist is to get the fun stuff. The toys!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which is why it's better to just donate money to a charity who buys the toys. Or buy gift cards.

Also, don't offer to buy stuff for these exchanges if you're doing to be offended at how much it costs. Just give a financial donation. Why? Because the only reason you "want to shop" is to make yourself feel good. It's really not about the other person at all.

Why? Because you’re wrong. People have good intentions but they aren’t always much better off than the recipients. No need to attack the people trying to help. Are you a donor or recipient, by the way?

I would add, as someone who worked in international aid, I found many “good intentions” people frustrating. They were focused on wanting to help and the experience of donating, but also very controlling in how they helped. Some people thought poor people should happily accept worn out crap, for example. Or ignored what was really needed or requested. Their experience of just “trying to help” or “good intentions” was way more important than the person being helped.

Poor people also participate in popular culture. Of course the kids also want expensive toys and phones and PlayStations or whatever— upper middle class 10 year olds also want that! And like many children, they also don’t understand the expense or the ability of the gift giver. So keep that in mind if you’re irritated by an expensive list. You’re not obligated to give a kid an iPhone. But don’t get all mad at a kid for being greedy, a word I’ve seen at least once in this thread.

Today’s iPhone is probably the equivalent of some fancy radio a kid asked for in 1952 or some wagon or ranger toy.

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t make me angry but it is unfortunate that kid is not using the chance to get something they also want, because no one is buying the iPhone 16 for them.

[Anonymous]

We stopped doing the angel tree because the requests were getting unreasonable. The material for volunteers suggested spending around $100 per kid but the requests would be for items costing way more. I understand that kids (or their parents) may want those items - who doesn't want a free ipad or gaming console. But if I wouldn't buy it for my kid why would I buy it for someone else's kid. I started to feel taken advantage of so we'll look for another way to do something charitable this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because people think poor kids should be happy with whatever they get.

I think all kids should be happy with whatever they get. The holiday gift grab is depressing. None of these gadgets are good for kids and most, if not all, just require that you spend more and more money to actually use them. And then they’re obsolete in no time.

I don’t look at it as a gift grab — rather, as asking for something they are unlikely to ever get. If not asking Santa, then who would they ask? When I can afford it, I will buy that gaming system for them! It brings immense joy to children and offers them the opportunity to participate in conversations with those that have them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because people think poor kids should be happy with whatever they get.

I think all kids should be happy with whatever they get. The holiday gift grab is depressing. None of these gadgets are good for kids and most, if not all, just require that you spend more and more money to actually use them. And then they’re obsolete in no time.

I don’t look at it as a gift grab — rather, as asking for something they are unlikely to ever get. If not asking Santa, then who would they ask? When I can afford it, I will buy that gaming system for them! It brings immense joy to children and offers them the opportunity to participate in conversations with those that have them.

Oh sure. Some day, when you can you’re totally going to do that. Until then you’re going to shame people into doing something you don’t do either.