Kids will get gifts whether they're naughty or nice

Parents say behavior isn't really a factor in gift getting.

By Rebekah Schilperoort - MSN Living Editor Dec 6, 2012 9:08PM

Although the threat of Santa knowing if you've been bad or good might come in handy to keep kids in line during the holiday season, it turns out to be an empty one. A new study finds that Santa (read: Mom and Dad) will give children presents whether they've been naughty or nice.

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USA Today reported about a national survey Walmart conducted of parents and kids, asking various questions about holiday gift giving and getting. Eighty percent of parents said their kids will get the same number of gifts, regardless of their behavior. But Santa's hold still works over kids: 62 percent surveyed said they believed they'd get more presents if they were nice over naughty.

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Mom Amber Plante told USA Today that she'd rather her two sons have fond memories of Christmas morning, rather than using it to teach a lesson: "I'd rather my boys have fuzzy memories of happy times ripping open their presents, not of being harshly taught a lesson that, frankly, could be taught any other day of the year."

Does your kids' behavior influence how many presents they get? Do you tell your kids that Santa's watching?

Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez/Getty Images

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120Comments

Best

taylor sutton (theinsanity)

Dec 9, 2012 3:34PM

I say no. I gave my daughter $50 to spend on her mother. She in turn bought her something from the dollar store and spent the rest on herself. When I heard of this I withheld her gifts and gave her the equivalent. A $1.16. And I let the rest of the family know of what she did and that I was not proud. Loved her. But not proud. Lessons need to be taught.

The spirit of Christmas is about giving. Not receiving.

Just to let you know. We are still the type to give our mailman and paper(boy) delivery person money on Christmas.

Sad to say we now have an entitlement society that think they don't need to earn anything. And nothing should be withheld from them. And a minimum wage job is below them.

Previous replies

J.J. Park City

Dec 9, 2012 9:05AM

Of course not - and the snotty little brats who don't really deserve anything will continue to get whatever they please because the parents or guardians don't know what discipline is.

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Duramax-6-6l

Dec 9, 2012 3:58PM

And that's exaclty part of the problem in America today...Poll result show that 60% said yes to the question, REALLY, and where are the consequences for their actions, this sense of entitlement has gotten way out of hand, the ONLY thing they're entitled to is; 1) Food, 2) Clothing, 3) Shelter, ALL other thing in life are earned, not just given...holy crap America, WAKE UP...

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JOHN D 1234

Dec 9, 2012 12:07PM

THAT IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH KIDS. THEY KNOW THEY WILL GET ANYTHING THEY WANT NO MATTER WHAT THE HELL THEY DO. THEY SHOULD FOR THEY TELL THE PARENTS WHAT IN THE HELL TO DO ANYWAY AND THE PARENTS SAYS YES TO ANYTHING THEY SAY.

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Frog 247

Dec 9, 2012 12:47PM

All you are telling them is it is ok to miss behave you still get what ever you want . And when they reach adult hood they'll take what ever they want That's what's wrong and that's not avery good example to be setting

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puppcry

Dec 9, 2012 9:35AM

Children are continually rewarded by their parents for bad behavior and Christmas is just one of those occasions. Parents do nothing to encourage good behavior and discourage the bad. Kids know their parents will always cave because their mentally and emotionally too exhausted to do otherwise. The parents also don't want to look like schmucks to their friends and relatives. As for telling your children that Santa is watching, mine were never allowed to believe in Santa. They needed to be more concerned that God was watching.

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kitty mommy

Dec 9, 2012 4:12PM

There are 364 other days of the year when these "parents" should be diciplining their "lil darlings"................and if they aren't what good would not giving them Christmas do??? The overindulgence has already done it's damage!!!!!! Kids don't have enough chores to do nowadays to keep them busy and out of trouble!!!! Parents are trying to give them "everything" and are giving them NOTHING but a future of heartache and dependence on others!!!! Give them Christmas and give them chores to do every day , and quit giving them money when they ask............if they haven't earned it, they don't get it!!!!

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Dragon Lee

Dec 9, 2012 4:36PM

I feel that in the prsent day people have forgotten what Christmas really is. It is not about getting gifts, the toy companys have put this in your heads to make them rich. Christmas is about spending time with your family and celebration about Christ our lords birth. He came to this world to save us from death. All he ask is to believe in him and you shall live forever in paradise. Not to spoil your children with toys. Wake Up America!!!!!

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Kids will get gifts whether they're naughty or nice

Parents say behavior isn't really a factor in gift getting.

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