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

[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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

No it’s not. Nobody was getting a $600 toy back then.

[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?

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.

Nobody is “pissy” then just move on to the next tag when they see an item that costs more than they planned to spend. The anger is a figment of your imagination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sorry, sister — I have done it. I bought an XBoxOne.

[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.

And they can sell it to buy stuff they need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

No it’s not. Nobody was getting a $600 toy back then.

You do realize purchasing power changed over the decades. An expensive item then would have still had the same sticker shock it does now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sorry, sister — I have done it. I bought an XBoxOne.

Sure. You used future tense but we are supposed to believe you have done this. Did you fall on hard times from making bad financial decisions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

No it’s not. Nobody was getting a $600 toy back then.

You do realize purchasing power changed over the decades. An expensive item then would have still had the same sticker shock it does now.

Yeah go ask your parents or grandparents what they got for Christmas in 1952. My parents got things like gloves, candy and an orange.

[Anonymous]

You all keep telling rich parents that Santa should only give the small things and not the Xboxes. So why should the poor kids be asking for Xboxes? Santa only brings little things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sorry, sister — I have done it. I bought an XBoxOne.

Sure. You used future tense but we are supposed to believe you have done this. Did you fall on hard times from making bad financial decisions?

((Sigh). I could afford it then and I can afford it now. I have no idea what the future looks like; however, if I can afford it in the future, I would do it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And they can sell it to buy stuff they need.

If they want to do that, then that’s great. It’s a gift.