Social worker’s plea to parents not to give expensive Santa gifts goes viral

Social worker Megan Dunn has posted a plea to parents on Facebook, urging them to not let Santa Claus get the credit for the pricier gifts they place under the Christmas tree – and it has really hit home for many who are recognise the important message behind the post.

“I can not stress this enough”

Megan’s attention-grabbing post was loud and clear and typed with the caps lock button firmly tapped on to emphasise her point.

“I can not stress this enough. STOP TELLING YOUR SANTA AGE KIDS THAT THEIR IPADS, AND IPHONES, AND 200 DOLLAR TOYS ARE FROM SANTA,” she wrote. 

Not that she is at all concerned with Santa getting all the credit for your hard work, it’s much more important than that.

“CAUSE SOME FAMILIES CAN’T AFFORD THAT. LITTLE KIDS WONDER WHY THEY GOT SOCKS OR A COAT OR HAND ME DOWN TOYS FROM SANTA AND OTHER KIDS GOT AN IPAD,” she explained.

Not good enough

At the heart of her message is a concern for the financially strained parents who are struggling to give their Santa-believing kids a magical Christmas on a much tighter budget than others.

Megan says it’s utterly devastating for children – and their parents – when a child asks for something from Santa that their parents can’t afford to gift them. It is especially confusing for their little ones when they see their friends receiving fancy, expensive gifts from Santa but their wishes have gone unfulfilled. Megan has had to comfort many parents whose children have been gutted to find they aren’t “good enough” to receive their Christmas wishes. 

“Children view Santa as this person they can ask for whatever they want so long as they have been good,” Megan explained further in another Facebook message.

“They wait all year to ask Santa for that one gift because even if they realize they are poor, they truly believe Santa has no limitations or socioeconomic status. When they wake up on Christmas and see they have not been given that gift they are heartbroken.”

Disgruntled parents

While thousands of people have responded positively to Megan’s message, there’s also been a few grouchy grinches who have been upset by being told how to handle the magic of Christmas in their household. Many of these parents believe it’s fine to let Santa get all the credit, a sentiment also echoed by lots of our Babyology readers recently, who want to make the short time their children believe in Father Christmas as magical as possible. 

For those families who are struggling financially though, even just one Christmas where Santa doesn’t deliver the goods can be incredibly tough.

A Christmas miracle

Despite the negative comments, Megan’s post has clearly touched the hearts – and wallets! – of many, with hundreds of generous people donating funds to help Megan spread the Christmas cheer to many of the less fortunate families she works with. In just one week the total amount raised is at almost $10,000 – how awesome is that?!

Even with the naysayers, Megan is still adamant that parents should take her advice, but she stresses that doesn’t mean you can’t spoil your kids either.

“People can and should buy their children whatever they choose and I would never say otherwise,” she later clarified. “I simply asked that the expensive gifts say ‘from parents’ and not from the ‘almighty Santa.'”

A new Santa strategy

Sounds like a simple tag swap job to us! Looks like lollies and trinkets are on the big guy this year. And if it’s too late to change your approach this Christmas, there’s always next year to rethink your strategy next year.