Santa Claus

[craftyashley]

I don't know, I think it's fun for kids to have that magical anything can happen outlook in their childhood, when fairies are real, and Santa brings you presents. It seems like they'll have enough time to be realistic in the real world. Kids have such great imaginations, why not let them have the fun?! By the time they get to a certain age, they tend to kind of catch on... I don't see the harm in a little magical fun. But I have heard of a friend's husband that was really traumatized when he found out it was just imaginary- but I think he's more of the exception than the rule.

[Mother of Mine]

I'm so torn with this subject! I don't want to "dupe" my son, but I don't want him to miss out on what almost all other children experience! I think I will go ahead and sign Santa's name...but I don't know how 'in detail' I will get with him. My husband wants to go all out with Santa, it's just the way he was raised. And since we just moved and he is away from everyone he knows...I want to make this Christmas extra special for him.

If that is your belief...or non-belief...Go with it. I would just make sure your kid isn't the 'little jerk' that spoils it for other kids. Lol. I don't think it's bad at all.

[Willbearsmom]

About Christmas being ""commercialized"" if you actually look at the history of the holiday, even with Santa and all the marketing and what not, never before in the history of the world has Christmas been sooo focused on it's namesake, Christ. It used to be a holiday for drinking and all sorts of tom foolery But you look at it now and it's all about giving and more focused on Christ and the spirit of it than it ever has before! So in my oppinion I am so glad that on Christmas my kids get to look forward to Santa and I don't have to worry about people drinking as much as they did when the holiday first came to be.

[Bec caV]

I think it really depends on 1) how your kids are as far as handling real vs imaginary and 2) how much you commercialize Christmas.

I was not traumatized and neither was my husband when we found out Santa wasn't real (I was 10, I stumbled on it by accident, but I already knew in the back of my mind he wasn't real). I suspect our son will figure it out a lot sooner. He's very analytical even at 11 months but very creative. I think he'll enjoy the Santa thing until he figures it out but won't be heartbroken.

Both of our families we feel put more emphasis on family and giving rather than Santa. I really remember little of the presents we got but remember more of the family get togethers and things like baking cookies and decorating the house, as well as the family togetherness since the whole extended family would get together.
If you put less emphasis on getting 'the loot' (as my stepson called it) and more on doing things together, most children will learn that Santa isn't the big deal of Christmas very early on.

I worked with a girl who stressed over Christmas one year because she couldn't buy her kids tons of toys. I told her not to worry about it. They will remember more the love and traditions than the toys and probably grow up less greedy for it. It broke my heart to see her upset over material things because she was a wonderful and loving mother with 4 wonderful kids (and a single mom!). I felt her kids would love her more for the memories rather than the gifts.

With my son... his birthday is December 14th. It's always going to be hard for us and makes it more important to me to make Christmas about traditions and love rather than presents and getting things. His birthday will be more important gift giving than Christmas, I don't want him to feel he has to share his day with a holiday, so we will make sure that Christmas isn't commercialized (but he's still getting plenty of presents! )

[mort20]

I like my child to enjoy Christmas and everything that comes with it. From the celebration of Jesus' birth to the gifts.

[mommy42boys]

We will be doing Santa at our house but we aren't really going to push it. When a child is ready, he or she will realize the truth on their own. More importantly, our children are learning about baby Jesus, generousity, giving to those in need, and being with family. There are so many other aspects of Christmas that you can concentrate on without flat out telling your child that Santa is not real. Especially if all his friends are getting gifts from Santa, you don't want your child to be the scrooge who tells all his friends Santa is not real.

[Saphira]

No way!!! I couldn't imagine not believing in Santa Claus or not teaching Roo about the jolly fat man!!!! I believed in Santa 'til I was like 11. Then I told my mom she better tell me the truth or else I wouldn't speak to her again. She was adamant about letting me believe 'til I was like 26, when she'd 'sneak into my house' she said. Lol.

It's just fun!!! My mom, one year, threw a present from Santa on our back porch saying he must've dropped it the night before. I still remember what it was. A pretty pink pony with a bejeweled hindquarter and blue stockings on its legs. It's just the spirit, the fun of it. Getting to add more presents under the tree and telling your children there is a place in the north pole full of elves making toys all year long in a factory. And flying reindeer. The idea of magic existing. It's a nice feeling, it makes Christmas morning that much more exciting. I used to run out into the living room and eye the presents under the tree, with careful consideration of the beautiful handwriting that stated 'Santa'. I could understand if I wasn't raised to believe, then maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal. But people forget, there really WAS a Kris Kringle and because of HIM we honor him every year on Christmas by saying he brought toys to our little ones. It's just fun! And I was so disappointed to learn there wasn't a Santa. You better believe Roo will know him! And I'll let her believe as long as she likes. 'Til she comes to me and threatens me to tell her the truth!