Santa Claus

[LavendarVanilla]

Is he real? Does he exist? What do you tell your children? Now-a-days it seems to be just a much the trend to never tell them there is a Santa Clause as much as there used to be to tell them there is.

 

[LiberatedChick]

Oh I will certainly tell my children that he exists. I'll tell them what my parents told me...that people who gave you pressies gave the money to Santa and he got them and delivered them. That way they can say thank you to those that bought them gifts and not Santa lol. I used to believe in Santa...the child in me still wants to

 

[karla]

Yes- for our children there is a Santa Claus. I don't see anything wrong with it. To see their eyes and hear their excitement on Christmas morning when they come down the steps and see the tree with all the presents and check to see if Santa ate his cookies and diet coke and to see if the reindeers ate their carrots is priceless.


The thing is we don't let Santa become the entire focus of Christmas. The kids know the true meaning of Christmas and that is what we place an emphasis on. They make Jesus a birthday cake and Christmas morning is the one day of the year they can eat cake for breakfast. We attend church as a family. On Christmas Eve we go to a live nativity. They don't get a ton of gifts, just a few for each of them - because I don't want to focus to turn from Christ to what am I getting.

Just my 2 cents

 

[LavendarVanilla]

Please 'scuse my spelling for "Santa Claus!" ROLF

 

[Oblivious]

Santa Claus is real for kids not adults.

 

[Zoomer]

I still get presents from Santa . My kids think that Santa is real, but they know what Christmas is really about.

 

[Lena75]

Yep, our kids know that Santa brings their presents. I was brought up with Santa and look at me now...... We also tell them (since our 6 year old has now figured it out) that Santa isn't really a person, but he represents the spirit of giving. And Christmas is all about giving and how Christ's birth gave hope and love to the world!

 

[Avaya]

Our 12 and 13 year olds still believe in Santa (or act like they do!) I really do wish we'd never introduced Santa into their lives. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't do it. They can still get excited and joyful over the gifts from us, and concentrate more on Jesus than on Santa.

 

[bliz]

There was a real person who we now call St. Nicholos. He gave gifts and presents to the poor chhildren in his community.

 

[shania]

I've heard of someone giving only 3 gifts to each child, to represent the 3 gifts Jesus got from the wise men. I think this is a good idea because it can be easy to go overboard for Christmas. Now as an adult I can appreciate the fact that my parents didn't spoil me with too many gifts when I was younger, although they never did the 3 gift thing.

 

[Stringaling]

There was a real person who we now call St. Nicholos. He gave gifts and presents to the poor chhildren in his community.

Here is a link to a web page all about the real St. Nicholas. He was a Bishop during the 300's AD in a city called Myra. This page details him and how our modern concept of Santa Claus developed from stories about him. The page has has plenty of info on how to teach your kids about St. Nicholas, including coloring pages, games, and stories. My husband and I are not going to teach our kids "Santa Claus" but we will teach them of the real St. Nicholas.

Here is the link:

www.stnicholascenter.org

 

[Cordy]

No, I will not tell my kids there is a Santa Clause, because it is not true.

My parents taught me that Santa, the Easter bunny, the tooth fairy etc. were are all fictional. But my parents taught me that even though we know they are fabrications, we can play fantasy with them for fun. So I did get presents under the tree from “Santa”, and had fun watching Santa movies etc., but I always knew it was imaginary. It was still a magical time. I just knew the difference between reality and fantasy in the matter.

I just think that as Christian parents trying to teach kids from a young age to discern truth from deceit and wrongfulness, my husband and I should try to be consistent in all areas. How can we teach our kids to discern the truth when we are willingly hiding it from them and deceiving them?

Those are my thoughts.

 

[Why?]

I grew up in a Christian household. We had Santa. My child also believes in Santa. I see nothing wrong with telling a child that there is a Santa Claus. They grow up way too fast as it is, and they soon figure out that 'Santa' is really mommy and daddy. I was never hurt by that fact, and I know my child won't be either. It just adds more mysterious fun and imagination to the holiday.

And Santa is only the nightime celebration in our house. Once morning comes we say Happy Birthday to Jesus, we open presents, and the rest of the day is spent celebrating Jesus' Birthday and our family.

 

[Dzhessika]

Santa Clause is not real no ever has been real hes just a figment of imagination when you're a little kid and gets all excited when you see he left you something under the tree

 

[flounder7786]

i dont know what i would do...but i have a bit of time to think about it...hehe

 

[sonshnes]

My parent's told us from the very beginning that Santa wasn't real. They didn't want to be what they considered lying to us. I never felt left out as a kid when my friends talked about Santa. It just wasn't an issue. We were instructed to not tell our friends that there was no Santa since they might believe in him. When I have children, I plan on telling them the truth right off the bat. I guess I don't ever want them thinking that I lied to them about.

Please note that I'm just sharing my experience...I'm not judging anyone

 

[Andy Broadley]

Hello- we've been here before have we not?

We tell our Kids about Father Christmas, and we don,t think it obscures the real meaning of Christmas at all, which all our Kids know about and we talk about it often. But there is nothing wrong with kids believing in Father Christmas. Let them be Kids while they can.

That's the theory dealt with, now for the practice. As a man I am Father Christmas in our house. Before they go to bed on Christmas Eve each child leaves out a note for Santa, along with a tot of whisky to keep him warm, a mince pie, and a carrot for the reindeer.

We have got four kids! Thats four tots of whisky. Also it always seems that the last of the whisky gets used up a few days before Christmas. Now traditions must be observed or the children will be disappointed. Therefore, I have no choice but to go and buy another bottle (the sacrifices we have to make for our children eh?).

Seriously though, Christmas is a time of fun for children and adults.

 

[mojorising]

deja vu...there is a similar thread. I loved the idea of Santa as a kid...I don't see any harm, and I don't remember even finding out there wasn't one, much less being scarred. It just turned into the idea of the spirit of x mas.
I just want my son to know the real meaning of Christ's birth, and have a little fun, too.

mojo

 

[andiesmama]

yea, we've been here before, but I still like reading about it!! My daughter is 2, she knows about Santa but also about Jesus, & is just learning about the birthday thing....she thinks we should get "baby Jesus" a "Dora birthday cake".....I'm thinking, well, why not???

PS....who said "diet coke" with the cookies for Santa?? That was priceless!! (*chuckle*)...and I mentioned Andy's whisky treat for Santa, he loves that idea!! lol

 

[QustantinahQuaker]

My family never really celebrated Christmas. I remember one year my dad dressed up like Santa Claus as a joke, but nobody thought it was funny but him. I think the best way is just to let them know he's not real and leave it at that.