[finallyamom0310]

DD loved all three pictures she got with Santa last year. Especially the one where Santa showed up in the Fire Truck (local fire company delivers pre-wrapped gifts).

I am just hoping when we see him this year it stays the same. We also have a book collection with short stories about Santa in them so she reads them all the time.

[joskids]

Our 3 year old is the only one young enough to still believe in Santa. But, as I tell the older kids (ages 8, 10 and 11), "The Spirit of Santa is always alive." Now, though, they know that it is as important to give to others this season as it is to receive.

I'll NEVER forget learning there was no Santa. I was homes sick with the Measles, I was TEN!!! I was talking to my mom about Santa and she said "You don't still believe in Santa, do you?" Christmas has never, ever been the same.

I went to Catholic school and I clearly remember learning about angels. I SOOO wanted to believe in angels that I actually would move over at my desk seat to make room for my Guardian Angel. If it helps me, at this point in my life, to consider an angel still watchiing over me, my own Guardian Angel, then I kinda figure it's better than using drugs, alcohol, or gambling as my vice of the day.

I think a dose of imagination mixed with the reality of those in need makes sense.

[lovemy2boys]

Originally Posted by joskids

I went to Catholic school and I clearly remember learning about angels. I SOOO wanted to believe in angels that I actually would move over at my desk seat to make room for my Guardian Angel. If it helps me, at this point in my life, to consider an angel still watchiing over me, my own Guardian Angel, then I kinda figure it's better than using drugs, alcohol, or gambling as my vice of the day.

I think a dose of imagination mixed with the reality of those in need makes sense.

I agree with you here...For me, it's whatever helps get you through...ya know?

[nurse_reedle]

I am really bothered by assumptions that Christmas without Santa is un-magical, less joyful and all that jazz....or insinuating that anyone that doesn't "do" Santa is saying people who do are bad parents. NO ONE here that doesn't "do" Santa is saying things like that, yet several people who do Santa are saying some pretty negative things. Childhood experiences play a large role in why we choose what we choose...as do our beliefs. To choose to be honest about Santa is *not* depriving our children of anything....magical or not.

[Daisy1339]

Originally Posted by aclee

I want his teeth to chatter...

Aclee, can I come live at your house?!?! LOL!!!! I totally remember the "teeth chatter"!!

I remember my sisters and I getting so excited christmas morning that inevitably one of us would throw up! My mom would just have to guess (and prepare) for which one it was going to be! Even if we didn't barf from being so excited, we wouldn't eat breakfast because heck, who needs food at a time like this?!?! We would live on FUN!

This would make my Mom nutz, because she knew we'd be hungry later while she was busy in the kitchen preparing Christmas dinner.

I really don't remember how I found out there was no Santa. I have a vague memory of asking my Mom, but I'm not sure.

I can't wait till we have children so that I can maybe get that feeling again watching them! Minus the vomit, of course...... LOL!

[melissa_bear003]

Originally Posted by nurse_reedle

I am really bothered by assumptions that Christmas without Santa is un-magical, less joyful and all that jazz....or insinuating that anyone that doesn't "do" Santa is saying people who do are bad parents. NO ONE here that doesn't "do" Santa is saying things like that, yet several people who do Santa are saying some pretty negative things. Childhood experiences play a large role in why we choose what we choose...as do our beliefs. To choose to be honest about Santa is *not* depriving our children of anything....magical or not.

I don't see anyone saying that at all. People are talking about why its important to THEM. Just the same as some people denounce Santa as lying to children, which can offend some who choose to continue this tradition with their kids, so I guess others that choose not to can get offended by people talking about cherished memories and magic they felt when they believed in Santa.
*shrugs*
All in perspective. I haven't read anyone here that attempted to try and tell another parent why they should/shouldn't do Santa with their kids, so I was taking it as being a respectful discussion.

[qs mom]

I think for me and I know for my son, the magic is not in Santa. It is in waking up to a lit up Christmas tree with gifts under it when it was bare when we went to bed.

The joy for us is in excitedly telling grandma what 'he got'. Having dinner with Aunt Peggy and her family. Seeing Aunt Cheryl and playing with Riley and Evan. Having dessert at Aunt Karen's. Playing the snow on Christmas morning.

Santa comes to our house. Santa only brings one or two gifts. I have Q's picture taken with Santa at the mall. So he is part of our Christmas, but not a central focus. I think if we didn't have Santa, it really wouldn't make much difference.

[Fran27]

See... People say that once they learned that there was no Santa, it wasn't the same for them anymore... For kids who don't believe in Santa from the start, the magic won't change.

I thought about it and realized that my BILs don't do the Santa thing... yet it's obvious that their kids love Christmas. Lots of non religious people celebrate it too (I've honestly never met people who don't), so it's really more about the tree, the decorations, and the spirit, than Santa and Jesus, I think.

[lovemy2boys]

Originally Posted by Fran27

See... People say that once they learned that there was no Santa, it wasn't the same for them anymore... For kids who don't believe in Santa from the start, the magic won't change.

Hmmm...That's a really interesting way to look at it...

And you're right - when the gig was up, I did lose a bit of the magic of santa...but I DIDN'T lose the magic of Christmas...In fact, I think many of my friends wish I would tone down some of the magic of the season.

I'm a major Christmas fan! From Thanksgiving until January 6th (the Epiphany) it is ON!!!

[aclee]

Originally Posted by melissa_bear003

I don't see anyone saying that at all. People are talking about why its important to THEM. Just the same as some people denounce Santa as lying to children, which can offend some who choose to continue this tradition with their kids, so I guess others that choose not to can get offended by people talking about cherished memories and magic they felt when they believed in Santa.
*shrugs*
All in perspective. I haven't read anyone here that attempted to try and tell another parent why they should/shouldn't do Santa with their kids, so I was taking it as being a respectful discussion.

I agree with this. I think it's interesting that if we discuss how Santa makes our Christmas magical and special we are somehow putting down those that choose otherwise, but in the same post about how that upsets you, you can also imply that we're dishonest by having Santa as part of our lives. I love Santa and what it adds to our Christmas. I never judged anyone that doesn't have Santa as part of their Christmas...but I do think calling those of us that take part in a tradition that is over 1000 years old (the traditional St. Nick) dishonest, that's a little strange...

For me the "gig" was up on Santa when I was in second grade. As the youngest of 4 kids, I think I found out sooner than most. It didn't change anything. I love Santa. I love Christmas. I still get presents from Santa every year. I bring my nieces to see Santa, and when they are afraid, I will sit right on Santa's lap with them. I would tell Santa what I wanted right to this very day. I can't wait till TY can write letters to Santa

[belleinblue1978]

Originally Posted by melissa_bear003

Aclee, I completely agree with you.

Honesty simply isn't always the best policy, and as I said before, I lie like a cheap rug. I lie by omission, and sometimes flat out if it means protecting my children a little longer.

My only concern is how I'm going to be able to break into their apartments on Christmas Eve once they move out, and still expect Santa to show up

Ya know, pretty amazingly, I'm convinced that Santa mails stuff too... he just leaves it at my mom and dad's. Ok, I'm thirty, and I believe in the magic of Christmas still. My brothers and I all get up at the butt crack of dawn because we can hardly wait to see what Santa brought.

I work with kids everyday that have been robbed of that kind of magic. I may be "long in the tooth" as my mom says, but I'm still going to believe.

ETA: When I mention those kids, I mean robbed of any kind of Christmas because mom and dad are too drunk or high and don't have any kind of money to even buy the smallest things.

[melissa_bear003]

Originally Posted by belleinblue1978

Ya know, pretty amazingly, I'm convinced that Santa mails stuff too... he just leaves it at my mom and dad's. Ok, I'm thirty, and I believe in the magic of Christmas still. My brothers and I all get up at the butt crack of dawn because we can hardly wait to see what Santa brought.

When I mention those kids, I mean robbed of any kind of Christmas because mom and dad are too drunk or high and don't have any kind of money to even buy the smallest things.

Hmmm...I'm thinking of the tactic of, "Santa left your stuff here..." cause that way it'll ensure the kids come home sometime for the holidays, lmao!

And it completely breaks my heart that any child didn't have any magic at Christmas. We've been too broke to pay attention more years than not, but we've ALWAYS ensured that there was something for the kids at Christmas, something that brought them that magic.

[SupaModel]

There is NO WAY I am going to take away the magic of Xmas, tooth fairy, Easter Bunny etc... for DS. Childhood passes so fast and then they the have the rest of their lives to be adults and deal with serious life issues.

Waiting for Santa was some of the best memories of my childhood. Can't wait for those traditions with my child.

BTW - I grew up in apts and I used to wonder how would Santa get in our apt because we didnt have a chimney

[feelingreyt]

I was talking with dd tonight about Christmas. I asked her what she wanted Santa to bring her. She said, remember mom, he's not real. I replied "ya know, sweetie, even though in my head Santa may not be real, in my heart he is. So let's just keep Santa real in our heart, ok. She glowed and said OK! She then proceeded to tell me what she wanted Santa to bring her.
Also, she doesn't believe in the tooth fairly anymore. BUT she lost a tooth tonight, put it in an envelope and wrote TOOTH on it, LOL! Even when we don't believe....WE BELIEVE!

As Christians I want my children to know the difference between fantasy and Religion. If that makes sense. I don't want my children to say, well Santa isn't real even though you told me he was, so what about Jesus? Maybe I'm over analyzing things, but that does concern me. However, I want my kids to enjoy the Magic of Christmas and that does include Santa. Boy, this parenting thing isn't always easy!!

ETA: Parenting is NEVER easy, LOL. But I would not trade being a Mom to my 3 beauties than anything in the World! I love my kids and I just want them to love life, their childhood, ME!

Also, with this being our first Christmas without my MIL, it's going to be very hard. Especially since her B-day is Christmas Eve. If I can keep my DD believing, even just a little bit, I want to do that. I need to do that....for her. Ya know?

[Linny]

Feelinggrt,
I feel exactly the same way about Santa. We've never led our children to believe that he was real. And, our reason for this, and the tooth fairy, and the Easter Bunny, is because we want our kids to realize that Jesus WAS real, what happened WAS real, etc. And, I've vowed I would never lie to my children...never. I'm not throwing any slams at those who tell their kids he's real; it's just not our style.

But, around here, we talk about the 'pretend Santa Claus'....and that's what we say; or, the 'pretend Tooth fairy', etc.........

Sincerely,

Linny