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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.

By Rebekah_Schilperoort Dec 6, 2012 9:08PM

by Kate at Parenting.com

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.

Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez/Getty ImagesMore from Parenting: 9 unique holiday traditions

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
Dec 9, 2012 7:50PM
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Of course everyone should get toys no matter how horrible their behavior.  It's not like it would lead to entitled horrible adults or anything.....
Dec 9, 2012 7:42PM
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the parents that give the kids what aver they want even though they get in trouble or whateveer it may be giving them stuff is like a reward for bad behavior and will keep doing it

Dec 9, 2012 7:15PM
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Thanks to this article, my son just found out there is no real santa clause, hes six.
Dec 9, 2012 6:52PM
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Who picks "Im Not Sure"???? Its a simple yes or no question people!
Dec 9, 2012 6:51PM
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I'm a teacher.  I see parents buy their kids anything they want all year, not just during the holidays.  It's "easier" one told me to give Junior what he wanted instead of telling him NO and disciplining as a parent should.  I also had an 11 yr old boy with a credit card in his name that Mom paid for because she didn't want to deal with him on a parental level.  People.  This is not just during Christmas.
Dec 9, 2012 6:38PM
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Depriving your children of Christmas gifts isn't discipline.  It's depriving them of memories and holiday joy that comes ONCE a year, a day that is supposed to be magical.  For older 'kids' (and I mean those that are 14 or so), that's another story.  I have young ones, and my 5 year old has her moments and I know as she gets older, there will be more.  The thing is, kids need to be THANKFUL.  Most are not and just expect everything they want.  That's when they need a talking to, and if they are still ungrateful, then some action needs to be done.  My husband and I leave a letter from Santa in the kids' stocking, and depending upon their behavior, certain things will be added, espeically if they need to try a little harder to behave.
Dec 9, 2012 6:36PM
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You have 364 other days of the year to teach right from wrong, good from bad, what ever you wish to call it. If you haven't taught them by that time you may want to rethink your approach to raising them. I would like to think that at least one day in the year the people I care about are willing to forgive me, But then I could be wrong
Dec 9, 2012 6:35PM
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So, is this study saying that all naughty kids were naghty the ENTIRE year?!?!  I hardly believe that all NICE kids don't misbehave at least once, and all NAUGHTY kids don't behave well at least once through the year....What a stupid study...

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