Why do people feel the need to tell their kids theres a santa clause?

Question

I know so many kids that know more about who santa clause is than jesus..Is it aweful if you choose not to have Santa Clause?

Answer 1

I have never felt the need to tell my children that there is a Santa Claus, yet they come home with these stories and I am expected to go along with this. I see nothing wrong with telling them the truth that Santa Claus is a story SOME parents tell their children.

Answer 2

People don't have to tell their kids about Santa Claus (there is no 'e' on Claus. A clause is a grammatical term) The advertising industry does it for them. It would be difficult for a child NOT to be aware of Santa Claus by the time all the store windows are put together, TV commercials are presented and the usual run of Christmas movies (all featuring you-know-who) swamp the season. Jesus doesn't have as good press, so it's no wonder fewer kids know about Him.
There's nothing wrong with not having Santa Claus, but it's going to be very, very difficult to get away from that imagery. What we did was tell the kids that Santa Claus was just make-believe (which they had figured out anyway) and we let them play Santa Claus by doing an anonymous good deed, or taking an anonymous gift to someone in need, or to an organization that dealt with needy people. They got a real kick out of that, and I like to think it taught them something. They're adults now, but they are still doing it.

Answer 3

It's not a bad thing to either have or not have Santa. It doesn't really matter. I think it's just a preference. I don't believe in Santa, but I do think it makes Christmas fun. But there are more important themes around Christmas that most people don't seem to celebrate anymore (I know I don't and never really did). I don't really know why people don't celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus. I don't know why my family didn't. It's just the way things happened.

But don't go around saying that the people that don't celebrate Jesus's birthday are bad people and don't believe in the true spirit of Christmas. Christmas is about more than just getting presents, and I think most people that also believe in Santa believe that as well.

Answer 4

It's an American tradition. When you grow up with this tradition, it's something you want to pass on to your children. Believing in Santa is the same kind of feeling kids get when they go to Disneyworld.

I think it's sad that there are parents who purposely ignore this tradition and let their kids miss out on this experience. Who are you to ruin a kid's imagination?

Plus, Santa does exist when you think of the act of giving and sharing. Kids can handle learning the truth.

As a Christian, Santa isn't a conflict. My daughter's know what Christmas is about, and still enjoy Santa.

When you have children, I hope you realize that it is innocent fun, not some horrible lie parents pull on their kids as some here have stated.

Answer 5

Santa Claus embodies the spririt of giving in a way children can understand (you can argue that Jesus is about giving too, but tangible evidence is easier for kids to grasp). Santa gives something for kids to believe and aspire to--something beyong all of us (somewhat like Jesus). What a sad life if the child never gets to use their imagination or just believe. Let them use their imagination and grow.

Also I did realize Santa/Jesus was and either/or choice...why can't there be both?

Answer 6

I told my kids about Santa to inspire them about hope and to teach them that if they did their chores, they would be rewarded. I looked at it as the beginning of the 'work for a paycheck' lesson.

If you choose not to tell your kids about Santa, someone else will probably do it for you, then you will have to explain the concept anyway. Most likely, another kid at school will bring it up, then you run into a possible problem of having your child tell that child that Santa doesn't exist and confuse that child, and create a mess for their parents.

Ah, society, what fun. :)

Answer 7

I think that it would be sad if your kid missed the experience of waiting for Santa Clause to come during cristmas. And leaving him gift lists and milk and cookies. And then feeling happy when they saw it gone in the morning, replaced by gifts.

But when he/she get to the age (around five) when they ask, "is there really a Santa?" be honest and explain it to them. It doesn't do well to lie to them.

I mean, Christmas IS about Jesus.

Answer 8

Well, your question is stated a little bit confusing. I grew up believing in Santa, and it made my childhood magical and a little bit of fantasy and creativity never hurt anyone.
More importantly, I knew we celebrated Christmas because of Jesus' birth and we went to church. You can celebrate and still believe in Santa. I think it was the best part of my childhood.

Answer 9

problem believing in santa is if your family is poor no matter how good you are you will never be able to get all you asked santa for...and this may not apply to everyone but when i found out about it all i could think about mommy and daddy have been lying to me...and i was raised you never lie ......it was a confusing time for me for quite awhile....however the flipside is as a child its one of the most exciting times in your life ...pros and cons you have to weigh them i suppose...

Answer 10

I don't make up or lie to my child about Jesus or Santa Claus..so as I'm clear..Jesus isn't any more real than Santa.
For those of you who give a thumbs down, I guess you believe in Santa too? What is the difference? Oh yes, a book...