I am hoping that the 'credit crunch' brings people down to earth a bit, and perhaps parents will just have to say 'no', although I dont think it will work for a lot of parents. They too have been brought up to have everything as a 'right'
so their kids have no chance of learning any difference-unless things get so bad that everyone is in the same boat and they realise that the money is simply not there for all the new gadgets and designer stuff.
Apparently the charity shops are on a roll at the moment, but some will shoot themselves in the feet as many of the prices are more expensive that the shops with all the permanent sales now on.
I took some stuff to a charity shop after Christmas and was surprised at the prices they put on them.