What modern children love from Santa Claus and Sinterklaas: between gadgets, existence, and tradition

The question of gifts from Santa Claus (December 25) and his more ancient "colleague" Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas, December 6 in Europe) is not just about children's wishes, but also about fundamental changes in childhood in the digital age. The modern child is a hybrid creature living at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds, which radically changes the structure of their desires. A gift today is not just an object, but a tool for self-expression, social integration, or an escape from reality.

1. Strategies of choice: what lies behind the child's "I want"

Before moving on to lists, it is important to understand the psychological background:

• Social capital: A child often wants what their peers or influencers have (a certain model of smartphone, sneakers, a game). This is the key to communication, a way to avoid the status of "outsider".

• Agency and creativity: A gift as a tool for creation (a construction set, a set for experiments, a tool) gives a sense of control and competence.

• Escapism and identity: Games, books, merch from favorite universes (Minecraft, anime, Marvel) are ready-made worlds for immersion, where you can try on another identity.

• Experience vs. thing: For children who "have everything," the value becomes not the object, but the experience: a concert ticket, a trip to an aquapark, a master class.

2. Trends of the 2020s: what's on top with Santa (and Sinterklaas)

1. Digital sovereignty and creativity:

• Characterized gadgets: Not just a phone, but a instant camera (like Instax) for creating physical artifacts from digital life. Not just headphones, but noise-canceling headphones — a personal sound space in a noisy world.

• Content creator tools: Ring light, high-quality microphone for streaming, subscription to a graphic editor (Procreate, Adobe Fresco) on a tablet. The child becomes not a consumer, but a media creator.

• Subscriptions as a gift: A premium account in a favorite game (Roblox, Minecraft), a subscription to a streaming service (YouTube Premium, Spotify) or an educational platform. This is access to content and status.

2. Physical world 2.0: analog hobbies with a digital background

• Next-generation construction sets: Not only Lego, but also robotics kits (Makeblock, LEGO Mindstorms), which teach programming basics through play.

• Creativity with technology: 3D pen, a set for creating neon slime, electronic construction sets "Expert".

• Smart toys: Interactive pets (like robotic dogs), drones with a camera that explore the world.

Care for oneself and the environment (eco and ego trends)

• Style and personalization: Not just clothes, but merch from a favorite brand, a YouTuber, or a music group. A set for tie-dye (t-shirt painting), decorations that can be made yourself.

• Eco-friendly lifestyle: A cool reusable thermos or water bottle, a set for growing plants, eco-cosmetics (bath bombs, lip balm).

• Games about emotions and psychology: Board games that develop emotional intelligence, graphic novels about complex feelings and growing up.

Nostalgia of parents vs. the reality of the child

• Classics that have survived: Dolls (but now with changeable appearance and stories, like LOL Surprise), remote-controlled cars, board games (like "Jenji" or "Monopoly" in a digital-physical hybrid).

• Books in a new format: Visual novels, graphic novels, interactive books with augmented reality (AR).

3. Santa vs. Sinterklaas: cultural nuances

• Sinterklaas (Netherlands, Belgium, December 6): Tradition dictates giving small, often sweet or symbolic gifts (surprise) accompanied by a humorous poem about the recipient. This may be marzipan figures (marzipan), chocolate letters, small toys, books. The emphasis is on wit, attention to the individual, and family ritual, not on the cost of the gift.

• Santa Claus (December 25, globally): Gives the "main" gift, often the one that was at the top of the list. It is a more grandiose and commercialized holiday.

Interesting fact: In the Netherlands, there is a concept of "pepernooten" — small gingerbread cookies in the shape of the letter S, which are traditionally associated with Sinterklaas. But the main thing is the "chocolate letter", the first letter of the child's name. This is an example of a gift-symbol that is valued not for its material value, but culturally.

4. What NOT to give: taboos and failing strategies

1. A gift "for growth" or "for the benefit": Boring encyclopedias (if the child is not a fan), "reserve" clothes, developmental notebooks as a gift — this is a violation of the "magical" contract with Santa, who should bring joy, not obligations.

2. A cheaper version of what already exists: A cheap tablet when the whole family sits on Apple; non-cartoon sneakers when the whole class wears a certain brand. The child will read this as not understanding their world.

3. A surprise gift without context: An exotic gift that does not fit the child's interests (for example, a knitting set for a male gamer) will cause confusion. Santa, by the child's logic, should know his client.

4. Hyper-practical things (sheets, toothbrushes). This ruins the magic.

Conclusion: the algorithm for the perfect gift

Guessing the perfect gift in the 2020s is a task at the intersection of psychology, marketing, and empathy. There is no universal recipe, but there is a checklist for a parent playing the role of Santa's elf:

1. Listen not to words, but to context. The child says "I want a new phone." Ask: "What do you want to do with it?" The answer may be: "Take videos" (need a camera), "Communicate with friends" (enough of a messenger on the old one), "Play a new game" (possibly, just an account).

2. Combine digital and tactile. If you give a gaming console, add a themed sweatshirt or poster to it. If you give paints, add a subscription to digital illustration master classes.

3. Value experience. Often time spent together (a ticket to an escape room, a trip to an amusement park, a joint master class on dumpling making) is more valuable than the most sophisticated toy, because it is a gift-memorial.

4. Respect the subculture. To you, an anime figure is just a piece of plastic. To the child, it is a key symbol of belonging to a community, an object for collecting and pride.

The modern Santa Claus (and Sinterklaas) should not be a lone wizard, but a advanced data analyst who reads the deep need through children's requests: for connection, for creativity, for recognition, or for personal space. A successful gift today is not the most expensive thing, but the one that definitely hits this "target of need", confirming that the wizard (and parents) really understand and see the inner world of the child. Perhaps this is the main miracle — to be understood.

Permanent link to this publication: