Its not just the thought that counts

Parents who think light of kids' strategies for getting presents are in for a hard time, warn young reporters from Children's Express.

Ill say, 'please can I have that? I don't want anything else'. Then when I know they've gone and bought it, I ask my parents for something different," says James Fletcher, aged seven.

Christmas is a stressful time. Advertisers bombard TV screens, magazines and newspapers with the latest must-have, parents pull their hair out trying to find this year's Buzz Lightyear toy (only to discover on Christmas morning that it is no longer in) and kids drop not-so-subtle I wants into every conversation. But what do children really expect from Christmas?

The anticipation surrounding those mysterious objects waiting under the Christmas tree is palpable. I don't like to ask for presents. I prefer to wait and see what I get," explains Niall, 10.

"My brothers and I get up around 5am on Christmas morning to open presents," adds Chris Fletcher, 10.

But parents be warned. Kids don't believe it's the thought that counts. Christmas presents are about surprise, but also about getting what you really want and not being left behind by your classmates.

"There's a lot of competition at school to have the latest thing. When the Nintendo 64 came out, everyone wanted it. Then the Sega Saturn came out and everyone wanted that instead. You feel left behind if you don't have the same as everyone else. Adults say it doesn't matter, but it does," says Savio Fernandes, l5. "A lot of people are made to feel inferior because they can't have the latest toy or something," agrees Karen Loughrey, 14.

The brevity of the shelf-life designer names, branded goods and even football strips exacerbates the problem. "Reebok is overrated, but Ben Sherman shirts are quality because they only cost 22," says Stuart Fletcher, 15, who has a keen eye for the latest trend. "Football clubs have only one kit which everyone buys for Christmas, then they bring out a new one straight afterwards. It's a rip-off, they charge a lot of money, nearly 50, but you have to buy it to keep up with the team," complains Niall.

The need to fit in and have the same as everyone else is a powerful force. Those who rebel against the pressure of labels and trends say you need to be strong and have a good group of friends to ignore the inevitable teasing from classmates. "If you have a pair of Matchstick trainers, rather than Nike, people might call you Matchstick boy," says Savio. "I don't mind if things have a brand name or not, just as long as they suit my personality and make me happy," says Michelle Ijoyah, 11.

Although children are ferocious consumers and want the latest gimmicks and gizmos, they believe Christmas starts too early and is too commercial. "You get so used to the lights and decorations that there's no point looking at them at Christmas because it's boring by then. They should just do it the week before the big day," explains James. "Adverts are stupid. Especially the ones for things like Action Man and Barbie. Everyone gets fed up with them," agrees Savio.

Kids employ a range of tactics to ensure that parents know exactly what they should be buying at Christmas. "I just beg, beg, beg, and beg until my parents say 'okay, I'll get it for you'. It usually works," confides Chris Fletcher, 12. Others rely on team work to get the message across. "I work with my brother. I drop hints for him to dad and he drops them for me to mum," reveals Savio.

And just in case parents get it wrong, canny children check up on presents as they're bought. "I know where the presents are hidden. My little brother found them and showed me," admits James.

Parents who think light of these strategies are in for a hard time. Children never forget the presents they really wanted but didn't get... even if they eventually forgive you. "I wanted a big turtle car one year but my little brother got it, not me. I was upset and I wouldn't let him play with it. I even tried to break it," says James. "I wanted a puppy," recalls Stephanie. "I dropped lots of hints and my dad said I could have it. I didn't get one because my mum said it would chew up the furniture. I was annoyed and upset."

Despite this generation's emphasis on material goods, youngsters still want and expect to spend the festive period with their family. "You don't always have your family together and Christmas is a time to spend with each other. We go to church in the morning, have a traditional dinner and then we go and visit friends and family," says Michelle. "As I've got older I've learned it's more about family and the giving rather than receiving of presents. I can appreciate that there are people who haven't got family at Christmas," adds Stuart. "The whole party atmosphere and just being able to see everyone is very important," agrees Karen.

About the team

This discussion was led by editors Karen Loughrey, 14, and Julia Press, 17, with editors Savio Fernandes, 15, Stuart Fletcher, 15, and reporters Niall Payne, 10, Stephanie Gomes, 11, Michelle Ijoyah, 11, and Chris Fletcher, 12. The article was published in the Highbury & Islington Express.