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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its best not to buy anything the adults can pawn for cash.
-Grew up poor.

Yeah, why give them the opportunity to buy some groceries that their kids might need more than the junk you plan to give them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its best not to buy anything the adults can pawn for cash.
-Grew up poor.

Yeah, why give them the opportunity to buy some groceries that their kids might need more than the junk you plan to give them.

It’s a pretty poorly thought out plan to get a few bucks. Might as well just play the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But what’s a reasonable price point in 2024? Wagons are $119/$135, Barbie Campers are $90, bicycles are no lower than $80/90.. I mean.. it’s not cheap to get anything!

I buy gifts for a child every year (some years two children.) Not through the "USPS Santa Letters Gift Exchange" (I've actually never heard of that one) but through a different organization. I typically spend between $300-400 per child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But what’s a reasonable price point in 2024? Wagons are $119/$135, Barbie Campers are $90, bicycles are no lower than $80/90.. I mean.. it’s not cheap to get anything!

I buy gifts for a child every year (some years two children.) Not through the "USPS Santa Letters Gift Exchange" (I've actually never heard of that one) but through a different organization. I typically spend between $300-400 per child.

Same here. I have never seen an x-box as a wish though.

[Anonymous]

I believe kids will appreciate any gift. Who can blame them for asking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me, it seems as if it’s nothing more than a sign of the times. No one seems to get a new bicycle or one baby doll or new jacket for Christmas anymore. Everything is technology gadgets these days and everything is expensive! This would be the one chance that kid could have at getting an expensive Christmas gift. If an anonymous donor is buying, who wouldn’t encourage their kid to put that one thing that’s out of their price range on the list?

Why do you get upset when you see the letters for the expensive items?

What’s your opinion?

People want these kids to ask for socks. And just be grateful to get them.

I’m UMC. Santa always brings socks and underwear and my kids are thrilled. They get the fancy bamboo underwear or character socks they wanted. Santa obviously brings tons more but don’t diss socks.

People need to get more creative with their kids gifts. In my neighborhood people just give away like new fancy bicycles- what a good Christmas gift. Or boxes of toys and legos are just given away. I always get my kids toys used as it’s just better for the environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But what’s a reasonable price point in 2024? Wagons are $119/$135, Barbie Campers are $90, bicycles are no lower than $80/90.. I mean.. it’s not cheap to get anything!

I buy gifts for a child every year (some years two children.) Not through the "USPS Santa Letters Gift Exchange" (I've actually never heard of that one) but through a different organization. I typically spend between $300-400 per child.

Same, but the lists are usually varied. There are requests for certain clothes like hoodies and sweatpants or a warm jacket and also toys, sports equipment, toiletries or whatever. So all in, about that much. Sometimes I adopt a whole family and have to buy for everyone and it ends up being more like $1000. The mom wants dishes, kitchen items, blankets, etc. Dad asks for a sports jersey or favorite team shirt. I buy the kids the same brands and types of things I buy my own kids, so Crayola not Rose Art crayons. Have never seen a shoot for the moon gift request. I think OP made that up this problem just to bash people over the hypothetical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me, it seems as if it’s nothing more than a sign of the times. No one seems to get a new bicycle or one baby doll or new jacket for Christmas anymore. Everything is technology gadgets these days and everything is expensive! This would be the one chance that kid could have at getting an expensive Christmas gift. If an anonymous donor is buying, who wouldn’t encourage their kid to put that one thing that’s out of their price range on the list?

Why do you get upset when you see the letters for the expensive items?

What’s your opinion?

People want these kids to ask for socks. And just be grateful to get them.

I’m UMC. Santa always brings socks and underwear and my kids are thrilled. They get the fancy bamboo underwear or character socks they wanted. Santa obviously brings tons more but don’t diss socks.

People need to get more creative with their kids gifts. In my neighborhood people just give away like new fancy bicycles- what a good Christmas gift. Or boxes of toys and legos are just given away. I always get my kids toys used as it’s just better for the environment.

If you are upper middle class, your kids are likely getting their needs and wants met throughout the year. Christmas isn't the only time they are getting things.
That's not necessarily the case with kids in these charity programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Sigh. Do you not know how the English language works? There is no chance you have ever done this or ever will.

Does it matter if I know the English language or not? I afforded it then, now, and hopefully I can in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sigh. Do you not know how the English language works? There is no chance you have ever done this or ever will.

Does it matter if I know the English language or not? I afforded it then, now, and hopefully I can in the future.

Whatever. You got caught in a lie.

[Anonymous]

i saw a list last year and the kid had every expensive thing possibly on the list. maybe if he had stuck to one, he might have gotten it, but putting thousands of dollars on your poor kid wish list doesn't make much sense.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s the same as when people put expensive things on their registry. If you’re well off, you won’t bat an eye at it but if you’re not, it can seem greedy.

[Anonymous]

The program by usps is open to anyone regardless of household income.
You are not necessarily helping a low income family. They could even wealthier than you

[Anonymous]

If someone asks for an iPhone or an x box, I will happily order them a book about that from Amazon

[Anonymous]

If you are not giving for the right reasons, please just don't give at all. No one cares about your judgment or what you deem appropriate for a poor kid to dream of having.