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

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

What a lovely, sensible and kind contribution from Nelliemags!

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.

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 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.

For clarification, it wasn't the word toooo that bugs me but the phrase 'way too' instead of far too. I want my DS to learn English and not American English and this is one particular phrase that seems to be used far too often for my liking.
Surely, some of you have pet hates that irrationally annoy you and get in the way of normal conversation, it is it just me?

Back to the discussion.

Well I do skunk around in playgrounds and classrooms and I can tell you most of my charges are far less grumpy than some GNs here.
Of course there are those children who receive expensive presents and do a bit of showing off to their friends, but their lives move very quickly these days and any resentment is short lived.
As for iPhones, iPads etc, we need to embrace progress and introduce them early. The problem is, as Nelliemaggs said, ensuring their correct usage and warning of the dangers.

We were quite poorly off, expected, and got, not a lot for Christmas (though thanks to grandparents did better than nuts, an apple and a book) but better off kids got new bikes, train sets or dolls' prams which we only if ever had second hand as and when they became available
I spent £30 per DGC this year on practical presents suggested by their parents and remembered that in the 80s £30 was what I spent on each of my own DCs for their 'big' present, a Playmobil pirate ship for instance, a Lego set, a lower price bike. I have just looked up what that £30 equates to today and it says a bit less than £90 which is about an average price for a bike and also the least you could hope to get away with for a motorised car for a 5 year olds and is a bit less than was spent on my DGC by their parents this year. The children are in the lucky position of having four divorced grandparents so 4 more presents came their way from them.

Electronic gadgets are a whole new ball game and expensive and the oldest of my six has reached the age where her parents feel a mobile phone is more of a protection than a luxury and that is their choice. If a child needs a tablet for homework then no doubt that will be bought, probably by better off grandad. I trust my DGCs not to waver in their affection for me because two of the other three grandparents can afford to buy them the electronic game of their choice.

I am feeling very chilled having stayed up really late last night to restore the kitchen to its usual state after a family get together, dishwasher emptied and yesterday just a happy memory while I enjoy a lazy morning with a mug of tea and a mince pie. I certainly don't feel like criticising anyone for spending what they can on presents at Christmas. If you have it then share it but it would make sense to run it past parents to be sure that it is acceptable. They are the ones I feel sorry for as they have the job of policing what their children are up to on their iPads or game consoles.

We got my grandson a batman robot which he loved, and had asked for. Then he opened a cheap Star Wars light saber we got for a few £ in Tesco. He really LOVED that! It just shows, it's got nothing to do with the cost of the gift.

I regret the loss of surprises, this getting what you want for Christmas seemed so sensible, when we started to be able to afford choices, now it is the bloody kybosh on surprises.......sad. Kids are turned into clerks ticking off what they received from their list.

I paid for my GC to go and see Santa, they hated him.....but were THRILLED when Elsa, from Frozen visited them at home and read them a story and blew some bubbles......anyone in Reading area with kids that age would be wise to book her, she was great and affordable.

The magic has turned into tick boxes.........grrrrr but we can all avoid it.

It is never unreasonable to have opinions, the alternative is unthinkable.

A hand basket's a bit small, Iam. Handcart?

I'm going to try to avoid being one of those grandparents always harping on about how good the past was and how today it's going to pot.

Well said, bbbface. Me neither, I hope.

Yes, the OP is unreasonable.
Granjura's addiional post at 8.55 adds to the original criticism that somehow the world has gone to hell in a hand basket. To add on criticism that children today lack discipline is imo just to make a Big Moan about everything.

Exccept that 60+ years ago, all we did get were the apple, nuts and a book.

Ooh dear, a few hangovers by the sound of the grumpiness on here this morning. Ignore the thread if you don't like the premise of the subject. I think it is entirely appropriate and agree with it.

And in another 50 years, and iPad, I phone and drone will no doubt seem very moderate and instead the gifts might be a hover board and similar.

It's what happens as time passes. I'm going to try to avoid being one of those grandparents always harping on about how good the past was and how today it's going to pot. No one wants to hear that when you're 10.

*10 year olds in play ground:*

*What did you get for Christmas then?*

*A kite and a pair of rollerblades and a new anorak.*

*What? i got an I-Pad, A top of the range Drône, and the latest Apple phone...*

Don't you see that 69 years ago, some grandparents such as yourself would be bemoaning children receiving the "kite, pair of rollerblades and new anorak", and saying that in their day they were happy with a "a yo-yo, a chocolate and a book"

Perhaps the OP was poorly worded too- I didn't mean 'our' grandchildren- but more this generation of youngsters.

We have swung so far to the opposite re discipline, from far too much to far too little, in many cases. And I fear so have we (as a generation) with the one of our grandchildren- because we didn't have much, we want them to have it all.

Just as for discipline, I do think things have swung too far to too much- and that a generation of quite spoilt children, with huge expectations, is being created. I fear for those parents who have to 'compete' and get into debt at Christmas as they just do not have the money to 'keep up' - and the possible bullying that can follow. And yes, I find it sad, but also worrying that our GCs are bombarded with advertising for expensive Christmas toys from October onwards.

You are of course, totally free to disagree. But I am not sure you have to be rude or unplesant about it. Adn if you don't think this thread is 'needed' - just ignore it and be on your merry way. Simple. Merci.

My GD has an iPhone - given to her when my DS upgraded to the new model. I should imagine that this is the way that a lot of children get them. No extra expense involved other than a pay as you go Sim card that she pays for using her pocket money. Not quite the subject of this thread, but could explain why, at first glance, it looks as though today's children (or some of them) have it all.

Interesting point, Ankers. Ten years ago was the last Christmas before the financial world imploded. I wonder if many people are back up to the spending of ten years ago.
Those people looking at those rocking horses and dolls houses were certainly not living in straitened circumstances.

My middle grandaughter wanted us to watch that programme the first time it was on, granjura. She soon stopped watching and started texting instead - not on an i-phone.
I actually can't believe how many people have i-phones, let alone kids.
We were so pleased that rocking horse did not sell.

I havent the faintest idea why there cannot be lots of grumpy threads,or lots of any sort of thread.

I cant think for one minute that gransnet are going to complain!

granjura, I would say that I dont know people personally who do that, but I dont doubt that they exist.
I do slightly question whether, now the country is a little more straightened economically, whether it is as true as it was eg 10 years ago.

Aren't we all a bit too (or even toooo) busy and happy at this time of year to spend time carping about either presents or each others' posts.
New Year Resolutions soon!

I'd love to hear which of my posts on this thread you consider to be 'unpleasant' granjura.

I'm getting rather fed up with your constant criticism.

grannyp- I wonder if this happens a lot with divorced couples, trying to outdo each other. And perhaps with sets of granparents doing the same...