When I was a little girl, I wrote a letter to Santa every year.

I didn't ask for much.Sometimes I received gifts that were on my list, and sometimes I did not.I remember one year, the only gift I woke up to was an unwrapped, fully functioning child's typewriter.My mom was a secretary and a single mom, and that was all she could afford to get me that year.I was a little miffed as to why it was unwrapped and just sitting there in the middle of the floor as if Santa forgot to finish the job, but nonetheless, I was very happy to have it; even though it was something not on my list.I used that typewriter for years, enjoying countless hours of letter typing and pretending to be a secretary or even a teacher.The one single item that I always wanted but never received was a Big Wheel.All of the kids had them and I thought they were the greatest thing!Still, I do not recall ever being ungrateful or unhappy about any of the gifts I did receive.When my kids were younger, I did the best I could to get them things that were on their respective lists (within reason), however I also enjoyed shopping for items that they didn't ask for but that I knew would bring them much joy.Some years, the gift giving was lean while others years were rather plentiful.Even as an adult, I have always been grateful for any gift given to me.My grandmother was rather peculiar, and in her old age, she started giving secondhand gifts that she either picked up at a yard sale or things she had accumulated over the years.She would wrap them up individually and present them to us in a large box.Although we usually received random weird things that we would never use, opening those crazy packages from Gram became something we looked forward to each year.It provided much laughter and entertainment as we tried to figure out what she was thinking when she wrapped them for us.Often, the packages included handmade gifts that she created by recycling things from around the house.Mind you, Gram was not the least bit crafty, and we found them to be hilarious while still being appreciative of the heart of the person behind them.With so many people struggling financially this year, more so than in recent years, I know of many families who would not otherwise be able to have Santa visit their homes if not for the generosity of others.I happened to see a couple of Christmas wish lists from some of these families that consisted of a few wants but mostly truly legitimate needs.I found it very interesting that these kids, who most likely still believe in Santa, and could at the very least ask for everything their little hearts desired, ended up drafting truly modest lists for him; lists that could easily be filled by caring individuals who are willing to jump into Santa's shoes despite facing their own financial struggles.Regardless of what they actually end up getting, I know these kids will be completely thrilled to be able to wake up to find something waiting for them beneath the tree on Christmas morn.Subsequently, I witnessed a very disturbing Christmas list exchange between one child and their parents as well.The child (who is older and is long past the Santa stage) presented a list to their mother that included a couple of basic things, but mostly included expensive and overpriced sneakers (of which the kid already owns several pairs) and other higher-priced items.One really big-ticket item was circled, highlighted and had little stars all around it which the child very clearly understood that the parents could not afford.All that was fine and typical for a kid, but what came out of their mouth next totally blew me away:"Here is my list, but I am just telling you, if I don't get that (pointing to the highlighted and starred big-ticket item) I am going to be angry and miserable and you aren't going to want to be around me all day."Are you kidding me?Whatever happened to being surprised Christmas morning and being grateful for whatever Santa brought for you?Whatever happened to "it's better to give than receive" or "it's the thought that counts"?No, our children have become spoiled and entitled and utterly ungrateful and unthankful for that which is given to them, and we have no one to blame but ourselves.We have created little monsters; little monsters who, if we don't do something about it now, will grow up to be really big adult monsters.That kid is in need of a serious reality check, and it looks as if she is going to get one.The parents are looking into having the youth serve, in some capacity, at a homeless shelter during Christmas vacation in order for her to understand what it is like to truly go without and perhaps learn to be content with and grateful for that which she already has.As for that big-ticket item; it ain't happening; not only because it was out of their budget, but also because an attitude like that should not be rewarded or placated, and a mindset like that should not be reinforced.Perhaps a simple lump of coal might be in order this year.