Personalized Santa Letter.

I understand your intention, however I'm not sure I would involve "Santa" in being scolded for not taking care of last year's toys. For starters, it would be a bummer on Christmas morning to be told essentially 'You could have gotten more toys but you didn't deserve them... If only you appreciated your toys more... You were good but not good enough.'

Secondly, what potential message does this set you up for next year? I mean, let's pretend he immediately stops abusing his toys during 2011--He will expect the motherload next Christmas--But if you can't afford it, then the message is reiterated in his mind again: You were good for a few toys, but not good enough.

I think you should preserve Christmas morning as being a 100% feel good moment. As far as presents go, give what you can afford. But you shouldn't mask budget strain with a personalized letter from Santa. That is not going to make a happy morning for a 5 yo.

I'd suggest more of the truth than blaming it on Santa. One of these days, your son is going to realize that there isn't a Santa...and remember this letter. He's going to be confused.

It's totally your call whether you're ready to tell him about Santa or not. But you can certainly talk to him about respecting his toys. I totally agree with you -- kids don't need TONS of toys! And if you want more quantity than quality (b/c they'll probably be torn up), then either go to the dollar store or look for the super good $5 gifts in every sale ad right now. You don't have to buy several $40 gifts -- especially at this age. Buy some fun underwear or pajamas that he'd really like -- and that you'd have to buy anyway.

Take him to see a shelter or someplace where kids are that don't have much. It may make an impact on him to either care for others or to at least start taking care of his own blessings. Keep the real meaning of Christmas & don't stress over wasted money. Good luck!

My personal opinion is that it's mean for Santa to write a child a letter telling them they were bad and aren't getting much for Christmas!

Instead I would have Santa write a letter that reminds your son about the true spirit of Christmas--giving. You can have Santa let him know that there are many poor children in the world who don't get toys, and your son should feel very lucky to receive toys for Christmas. You could also have Santa remind him that he's watching and that he should be a good little boy and put his toys away and treat his things nicely.

I wouldn't get into the number of toys or the amount of money spent. Probably he won't even notice if there are fewer things this year.

One thing you could do during the year is pick up the toys that he leaves out and won't put away and put them in a box. Don't let him have them back. This will teach him to put his things away. On Christmas you can give back the toys you took away in addition to his Christmas gifts with a note from Santa to remember to put his toys away!

I rally like what the others have said. I think also would be a great time to set a different precedence at Christmas. Teach it is better to give than to receive. DO some charity work together. I changed my CHristmas when I married my husband. His family did only 3 gifts and tied it into the three wise men story. It definitely gave them a better understanding of what Christmas is all about.

You should take some of the toys he has that he does not play with and donate them somewhere that would take gently used toys. He will start to understand it is better to give than to receive! Then he has less toys to play with and the ones he has become more important to play with.