Letters to the Editor
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Not Realistic at all
A Realist said, "It is beyond the pale to tell someone what NOT to buy you or your children. Forsooth! And before we blame today's kids, remember that behind every ungrateful child or acquisitive brat is a parent who hasn't taught their kids what's what"
Not realistic at all! I live in a different country from my family. My kids were for a long time the only grandchildren on both sides and my daughter is still the only girl. My family wants to buy them things. And, guess what? They want to please them. I can suggest things, but the best gifts are ones the giver has thought up. But somethings one kid doesn't like.
If I hadn't put a no-dolls hint on every Christmas list, my daughter would have received hundreds of dollars worth of brand new dolls, handmade doll wardrobes, and my sister-in-law's antique doll house. Money, labors of love and treasured possessions. And appreciated none of it.
You can get a six year old to say 'Thanks' and write a poorly spelled letter. But appreciation for the love that an unwanted gift is trying to express? Forget it!
A blacklist means that the time and effort my family spends buying presents for my kids generally results in pretty good choices. Some great, some okay. But almost never a 'oh, no, not another one of these!'