Christmas is right around the corner and I'm really torn on this issue. Santa has become so commericialized and has started to be used as a way to replace alot of the real reasons behind why we celebrate Christmas.
I'm starting to see kids seeing Christmas as the "season of what can I get" rather than the season of giving. My daughter will just be shy of 2 this Christmas and I don't know if we should tell her about Santa.
On one hand I don't want her to grow up and think that I lied to her. And I really want to focus on this being about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
On the other hand I don't want her to feel like she got cheated out fo the excitement and imagination of believing in Santa. Also its such a big thing with many families and I don't want her to be the one kid who spoils it for her classmates down the line.
I just can't seem to decide which way to go on this one..........
2007-09-29 16:33:35 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
let her beliv ein santa claus until she is old enough to find out he ian't real its like par tof there childhood pretending there is santa
2007-09-29 16:41:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My kids know about Santa, but view him the same way they view Dora or Sponge Bob, a made up character.
We do talk about the traditions behind Santa, who St. Nicholas is and his story, which is pretty awesome.
As Christian we try to put the emphasis of the day on Jesus' birth. We have a cake for him and sing Happy Birthday. But, we still read "the Night Before Christmas" and watch movies like the Santa Clause.
I've taught my kids to simply say "Santa doesn't come to our house, my mom and dad give us our Christmas gifts". It's never been an issue in school.
2007-10-01 12:56:53 · answer #2 · answered by Salli B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am 56 years old and I still am Santa crazy! Santa comes on Christmas Eve at our house after everyone is asleep...I wouldn't change it for the world! But as my son grew up, now age 24, his most favorite decoration in the house was the Nativity scene! From the time he was 3 he helped put up the Nativity scene, which gave me the opportunity to teach him about the real meaning of Christmas......We also read many Christmas Stories, many of them having nothing to do with Santa Claus, and of course many of them did too......My suggestion is to take your daughter to church, celebrate Advent , teach her how other cultures celebrate Christmas, and make Christmas Eve services at your church an annual event....and read the Christmas Story from the Bible before she goes to bed on Christmas Eve....make some family traditions here...I don't think Santa is such a bad thing to teach a child...teach her about giving to those less fortunate, and in the end she will have a fairly good insight as to the meaning of Christmas! When the time comes and she asks, Is Santa really real......tell her every little girl and boy have their own Santa, who loves them very very much. That is what my mother told me, and I was not heartbroken...I had already pretty much figured it out by the time I asked......but I chose to keep Santa in my heart, and by doing so, at times I still feel like an innocent child of 3 or 4, believing in all the magic of Christmas.....You also may want to limit Christmas gifts, so the I want, and what will I get will be less limited....friends of mine celebrate 12th night (the 5th of January) giving only one gift on Christmas Day, and one each night until January 5th! This has many advantages due to the savings on After Christmas Sales! Sometimes it also works out better for parties and celebrations as well! Good luck in your decision..hope this helps!
2007-10-03 01:14:57 · answer #3 · answered by Sherrie B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say yes, tell your kid about Santa. It makes the day even more fun for a kid. I mean, how exciting is it to get a present from someone you don't even know personally? How disappointing would it be if you were the only kid in school to not get a Christmas present from Santa? And yeah, tell her why Santa gives presents on that particular day....especially if you go to church. It's the most magical time of the year for a kid....even though it mentally screwed me up for the rest of my life when I found out there really wasn't a Santa......lol....just kidding.
2007-09-29 23:51:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is something very magical, innocent and wonderful about believing in Santa. I think that there is nothing wrong with teaching your child that Santa is one of God's helpers on this earth who likes to bring happiness to children.
Even though I believed in Santa as a child, I always knew that God was the "magic" behind Santa. I always thanked them both for my presents.
What could be better than promoting the spirit of giving? Santa originally was a man who gave gifts to the poor children (Saint Nicholas) and we celebrate his generous spirit still today.
There is no way your child will ever be upset with you when she finds out Santa is not real. It is the most wonderful part of being young.
2007-09-30 00:51:42 · answer #5 · answered by Rebecca C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should emphasize that the birth of Jesus and the best gift ever (eternal life for ppl who accept Him as their personal savior). It's ok to mention Santa Claus and that he was based on a very nice man, Saint Nicholas who gave gifts of oranges and coins to ppl at Christmas. It's not so nice to lie to kids and say that Santa really lives in the North Pole and climbs down chimineys with a bag of toys, because it can be very disappointing to kids when they find out. It's also wrong to take advantage of kids' trust in you by telling them a fictional Santa is true. Your daughter can enjoy Santa like she enjoys Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and I am sure that she will respect and thank you for telling her about the baby Jesus.
2007-09-30 02:38:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm one of those people who's constantely going on about how fake christmas is but I would never deny a child the feeling they tend to get around christmas time.
If it were my child I'd tell them the true story behind christmas and exchange presents but wouldn't go so far as to tell them Santa Claus is real. I kind of think christmas will lose something for her once she finds out Santa isn't real.
2007-10-05 15:21:53 · answer #7 · answered by Undead 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa teaches kids to love, have hopes and dreams and compassion for others, who are less fortunate. There's is no reason to rob a kid of Santa or the Easter Bunny, etc. One day she will be old enough to ask questions and understand the "real meaning" of the holiday. Then she will still enjoy the "memories of the fun" of the holidays. The one "holiday" I would not allow is Halloween, as it represents all things evil.
2007-09-29 23:55:02 · answer #8 · answered by Great Grandma 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a way to balance the true meaning of christmas with the commercial side of christmas. My parents told us Jesus was the real reason for Christmas but santa was a nice man who was happy and really loved Christmas.
2007-09-29 23:42:01 · answer #9 · answered by Lov'n IT! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Teach that Santa is the spirit of giving- fine. But otherwise be prepared to have to answer why Santa brings nice presents to some kids & nothing to others- also someday when you can't prvide some impossible gift you don't want your child to think it was cause they were not good- We always let our kids in on the secret & let them "play Santa" too. Also they knew tha Dad & Mom would always try to get them what they wanted if possible. Lying to little children isn't something that I do, that's why my kids (& now grand-kids) always know they can belive me.
2007-10-07 22:34:39 · answer #10 · answered by tattooedwilla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give her the fun of Santa. But tel her Santa chose christmas to give out presents because he wants to show his love of Jesus to everyone. You can make it a day for Jesus by having a birthday cake for him. On Christmas eve. Or Reading the Christmas story from the bible Christmas eve or morning. Also remind her that Christmas is a time of giving. That is what Santa is doing. Like the wise man gave their gifts. God gave us the best gift of all. His son.
You sound like a very caring mom. Who knows what is best for her daughter. So when you hear other kids saying give me give me. You know she won't be one of them.
a way you can do the giving part. Is donate time to a homeles shelter, A soup kitchen, Animal shelter. Things like that where she can help out also.
2007-09-30 07:16:55 · answer #11 · answered by pandazoogurl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋