The Santa Clause: Keeping festive wish list expectations under control

Teaching your children that the festive season is a time for giving can help keep their Christmas wish list under control, writes Ciara McDonnell

BLAME the television, those pesky billboards or that suspiciously heavy toy catalogue that thundered through your letterbox in recent weeks, Christmas has begun. Most of us begin to sweat when our kids begin to parrot their seemingly endless list for Santa Claus, but with advice gleaned from the canniest of experts, we might be able to help you save Christmas after all.

Fashion Blogger and mum of three Emma Carty saves all year round to prevent financial strain during the Christmas period. “We have three kids and I work part-time, so Christmas tends to be a scary prospect for us,” she explains. “Since the children came along I have religiously put €50 away a month, starting each January. This ensures that I have a pot of €600 when it comes to Christmas spending.” Emma sits her kids down in October with a toy catalogue and a marker and encourages them to tick the things that they would put on their wish list. “I find this the handiest way to siphon off presents to aunts and uncles who inevitably text us, looking for ideas.”