Rughugger, I get what you mean about earning presents, but why can't kids earn what they want? I always make a huge ass list every year of things I want, of course I'm not getting it all, but my dad picks from the list, so it's still a surprise(And yes, I have to earn it).
That's just me, but still, parents can't read minds, they need some input on what children want, and the children must earn them.