How do you confess that Santa is not real and still keep the christmas spirit alive?

Question

My kids are 12 and 11. I was pretty good at keeping them believing these last two years. I bought them present made out for some made up name one year. One year I helped my kids set up a secret camera and take a photo of of red hat (like the big foot pictures). Another year I bought one of them two of the identical presents (apparently I forgot to tell santa I got that one too) :)

Well, My darn ex finally told them santa isn't real. We were driving and I told them they better be good, because you know who is watching jokingly. My daughter said, "Santa isn't real. you're santa Mom told me after christmas last year.

How do you explain santa and still keep the spirit alive. I remember when I was younger, my mom would let me help her wrap presents and put things out for my younger brothers christmas eve. They don't have any younger siblings in my house.

I took them to NYC this weekend. they had fun... but it didn't seem the same...this is kinda depressing.

Answer 1

Tell them about St. Nicholas that lived thousands of years ago. Tell them about Jesus.

While St. Nick may be dead, Jesus isn't.

So, the tradition of giving-started by St. Nick has continued to this day.

And as long as they believe in that tradition, they will continue to get stuff.

Answer 2

Right now I am sure Santa is angry at me. I wrote the BEST ANSWER and instead of submitting it, I decided to do the research thing on Yahoo. Of course, my wonderful BEST ANSWER dissappeared from my PC.

I will not write that entire long answer again. I do not think you can "explain" Santa very well to a young child when you are contradicting their beliefs, probably taught and reinforced by you. My daughter has never forgiven me for telling her "the truth about Santa" after one happy Christmas. She likes to bring it up now and then even though I told her this 20 years ago. Hmmmmmm????

The best part of Christmas for us was having the family together and exchanging gifts, having good food, meeting or visiting friends, and going to Church. I wouldn't give that up for any Santa Claus.

By the way, do you remember when you were told about Santa? What made you happy at Christmas? I'll bet the kids will be just as happy as you if they have a peaceful, loving home to celebrate the day. I like The Christmas Carol as it shows that some people do not have a Merry Christmas and others make it one, no matter what the circumstances. Having had the experience of both Merry Christmasses and really awful ones, I vote for Merry Christmas!

Answer 3

Explain to them that now they know the secret, it means they get to play Santa too. Help them plan gifts to surprise someone they love, or maybe do an Angel Tree or Toys For Tots thing with them.

Also, tell them that there was a real St. Nicholas, who loved to give to those less fortunate than he, that his story was the start of the legend of Santa, and that Santa is a symbol for the spirit of the holidays - the joy of giving. If your family is short on cash so that giving gifts like that is not easy, perhaps you can volunteer together for some worthy cause, like a soup kitchen or the humane society. Or organize friends and family for caroling at a nursing home.

It won't be the same, innocent, naive fun that it was when they were younger and believed like Linus believes in the Great Pumpkin. But it will add rich, happy memories that your kids will remember for a lifetime.

Answer 4

well everyone will eventually find out that santa is not real, its the part of growing up.

To keep the spirit alive, you could do what you do at christmas (exchange gifts, decorate the house with festive decorations) and encourage the kids to have a great time.

After all, the kids still will get great gifts from you (and now they know it's you who gave them all the great gifts). and it was you who set up all the festive cheer. They just thought it was someone else giving the gifts, that's all.

When I found out that my mom was santa, I didn't 'lose the festive cheer' or 'abandon' christmas or anything (i don't think anyone does that)

Plently of people don't believe in santa but still have the Christmas cheer.

Don't worry, the kids will come in terms that this Christmas might seem a bit different but it's still Christmas will all the gifts, lights, and xmas trees. so i think the 'cheer' will probably be there.

Good luck

Answer 5

Christmas is not all about Santa! Well, Santa may not be real but he shows very good Christmas Spirit and you should also. Christmas spirit is all about staying Positive, giving Presents, Love, Family, Honesty...etc you can start by leaving your mind off SANTA for this Christmas even-though he holds a big part on Christmas day. Focus on showing Love, decorating, playing in the Snow because its gonna be a White Christmas and Enjoyyyyyyy!! :) PS;; MERRY CHRISTMAS

Answer 6

It's about the spirit of giving, not the spirit of the fat man who sneaks into your house and steals your cookies.

Do you make cookies for Santa together every year? Keep making them, but eat them together, or drop them at your neighbors' doors like a Secret Santa sort of thing. Hand them out to friends. Give presents to friends. Maybe donate toys to shelters and things. Teach them to give, not just to idolize the guy they GET from.

Besides, I think 12 years old is old enough to know the truth. I'm sure they won't be heartbroken. Your only problem now will be motivating them to be good, even if Santa doesn't give them anything.

...Wow. I think that's the most ridiculously optimistic thing I've ever said about Christmas spirit. Happy Holidays~

Answer 7

Santa has never really been a big part of our Christmas's, I'm not a scrooge, just never really go into it, but I am way impressed with your efforts, that is awesome. I'd just tell my kids if they don't believe in Santa, then Santa can't bring them presents. That way the three of you can go on pretending together.
You could also take them down to the firehall, or wherever your community does there toy drive gift wrapping and let them wrap away, its fun, spirited and service. The true meaning of Christmas.

Answer 8

I just explained this to my Godson. Tell them that Santa isn't a real person, but he is a real spirit. Just like God isn't a person but that doesn't mean he/she doesn't exist. And the spirit of Santa is in people, and when they're older they'll get to be Santa themselves. Take them to the Post Office on 34th St to get a Santa letter, so they start becoming Santa. I'm sorry they had to hear in such a lousy way, but all is not lost. Let them know it's a grownup's privilege to get to be Santa, and they'll pick up on the magic of it. Keep your enthusiasm, and make like the jig is up, now they have to start becoming Santa themselves.

Answer 9

Did you ever tell them about Jesus ?

Even though his birth date isn't really Christmas Day- it's probably in September or around the first week of October- it's the spirit of the season - Jesus and joy - that is important.

We celebrate Christmas not because of Santa Claus but because of Jesus.

When you sing the carols and give the gifts, remember the reason for the season and the Christmas spirit will always be alive.

Answer 10

dont mope, it wont help the situation. You can pull out the Aristotle logic and say you cant prove that Santa Claus does exist but you cant also prove that he doesn't, thus its subjective.
Or you can just explain Santa's not real but its fun to believe

or tell them that their mom is a lying B--- aby that's why she doesn't get any presents from santa anymore

Or depending on your beliefs express the true meaning of christmas... or explain pagon holidays of indulgence

Or tell them it's an excuse to shower them with unnecessary gifts....

Or .... I'm gonna stop now. lol

(I like the one above me better)

Answer 11

Read the famous editorial "yes viginia, there is a santa claus" it will give you some great ideas.

It was written by a paper editor who wanted to be honest, yet delicately handle a question posed by an 8 yr old, and he wanted to answer it in a way that all readers would appreciate. Its still an outstanding piece of journalism after 110 years.

"The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see"

http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/