... to think the gifts received by GCs are way toooo expensive and sophisticated ...

I got more than an apple, nuts and a book from Father Christmas even though we were relatively hard up.

Haven't children always written a letter to FC asking for things that were the 'in thing' that year? Years ago cowboy outfits and guns, dolls and prams (dolls are still quite popular today), Meccano then Scalectrix, bikes etc.

Fashions in toys etc change and wIth the advent of tv and advertising children are obviously more aware of what is being marketed and targeted at them. There seems to be more peer pressure with older children too

However, the traditional bikes, scooters, games are all still popular.
I never noticed if my bike was secondhand or not.

I don't recognise the descriptions above of spoilt, badly behaved, undisciplined children in any of my family, neither my DGC or any of the extended family of great nieces and great nephews or my SIL's extended family.

I certainly wrote my lists to Santa, Jalima, but perhaps he couldn't read my handwriting. I'm still waiting for that Tressie doll, Beatles bag and Dalek costume.

What a lovely, sensible and kind contribution from Nelliemags!

LesleyC I don't think the responses to the OP are grumpy ......



But, of course, granjura can only speak as she finds from her own experience, as can we all

Your letter may stillbe stuck up the chimney Maggiemaybe

I wanted a new ipad this year but I didn't get one and am going to have an enormous tantrum in a minute

Is not "bugs me" an Americanism?

A generation ago "a sleepover" was unheard of here in the UK but we've embraced the phrase because it's so useful!

Sorry, that was to Skullduggery.

If it expresses what you want to say, I see no problem.

Some of my GC got spoiled rotten this Christmas with their presents, mainly inexpensive but plenty of them but all of them are expected to behave nicely throughout the year and this is their reward I suppose. However, I did find it heart warming that my oldest GD (9 years) was so thrilled with her "Cat's Cradle," which was basically a bit of of cord, and spent the day playing with it declaring it her favourite present. Her brother, aged 5, desperately wanted it and, with all his presents discarded for a minute, was equally thrilled with the piece of knotted string I gave him!

As a third and "step"grandparent I am well aware of the purchasing power of the others. I can cope with that as I know there is nothing I can do about it. What does bug us is the one day we are allocated at crimbles while both the others have a week each. Plus another few days at New Year. But that is how it is so I will move on and hang out the next load of washing. ......

I can only speak of my own young grandchildren who were thrilled with their gifts which my curmudgeonly mother would certainly have thought were 'too much'! Eldest granddaughter (aged 6) was delighted and remarked 'Santa knows me so well!'

Riverwalk Yo dude, ya got me.

You are of course, totally free to disagree. .......And if you don't think this thread is 'needed' - just ignore it and be on your merry way
OK
I disagree.
Others may speak for their own DGC but mine do not get to see expensive advertising or produce lengthy wish lists.
And secondly if the only people to comment on a post are those who agree does it not rather reduce the element of discussion ?

But a poster can ignore a thread if they dont like the thread, can they not? .

No pressure or competition - too many grandchildren!

We have seven grandchildren and spend approx. £40 on each of them at Christmas so the absolute top budget is £300. If we had fewer DGs they might have more spent on them or they might not. They know the score, they're not greedy.

I think it is a bit depressing that many children today only want electronic toys. I saw a child about five years old with a mini ipad at the supermarket the other day. My sister teachers year one and year two children and tells me some children have never played snakes and ladders or ludo. It means they are often less able to take turns. My DGS is not quite two yet but i insist on buying him traditional wooden toys and books. I hope he doesn't grow up too quickly. They are small for such a short time i think it is a pity when they are given gaming stations at 5 or 6 as then they never want to go back to more traditional games. Surely teens is early enough electronics.

The most expensive toys programme was really over the top but just shows what is available if you have money and no taste.
We all want our families to have more than we had, some complain it's too much but each generation has said the same thing. I do think children should be encouraged to sort out their toys and give some undamaged and quality things to a charity such as the Salvation Army before Christmas so that poorer families can benefit.
Toys now are more sophisticated and I'm sure our grandchildren will be saying the same thing in 50 years time.

Therefore the best thing to do is buy board games, family ones, and play them.
We always do.
My son bought me the Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit, knowing that my grandchildren, aged 9 to 23, will beat me hollow at it.
I am so pleased the Harry Potter films are on television over the holidays, so I can watch them and refresh my memory before the youngest two return from their holiday, so I at least have a bit of a chance with them. The two eldest beat me easily.
The two daughters in law never liked playing board games. We've won them round and now they are as keen as we are.

We didn't play QI as it would take too long.

Just come back from visiting two of our grandsons and exchanging presents. The older one at 8 has been delighted with all the football things he has had but also told me he has been given Scrabble. He and I play it when he visits. His main present was a tablet which he showed me but didn't get out of the box since his friend was waiting outside with a football!

A good balance there I'd say Funnygran. Technology, sport stuff and language board game. And a good kick of a football.

Sadly I find myself avoiding threads that Granjura is on, because of
her tendency to criticise & dominate the thread & turn it away from the subject matter & make it all about how one speaks writes or expresses oneself .?

I'd be hopeless at Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit, they could enjoy beating me!

The DGD had a 'What am I?' game which we played on Christmas Day, a bit more sophisticated version of the yellow sticker on the forehead game.

Ps we are all children of our times , past present & future, not sure how that works with trying to asses which are / were the best / worst or most beneficial