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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Santa Question

Ok. I have a toddler and one on the way. We didn't even need to think about the "Santa Issue" last year as he was just a couple years old. Now, we are starting to think about what we want to do.

How do you handle Santa at your house? Do you go all out? Do you have a "Santa-free home?" What has worked for you?

I ask this because of a statement a friend of mine made a few years back. She said that she had a really hard time believing in Jesus once she learned that Santa wasn't real. I don't want to put a stumbling block in our children's paths. I don't want to deprive them either.

Our current thinking is that Santa will be a cartoon figure based on the real life Saint Nicholas. Gifts probably won't come from Santa although Santa decorations won't be "banned." That's about as far as we have gotten.

What does your family do at Christmas?

Labels: Christmas

6 Comments:

Anonymous said...: Audra, while I understand what your friend is saying, my feeling is that generations of Christians grew up believing in Santa and did not have a crisis of faith as a result. We do Santa at our house. Santa brings one big, wish-fulfilling toy and fills the stockings. Other presents come from mommy and daddy or other family members. As early as when my oldest was 2 1/2, I have had him pick out a gift for his little brother, because I want to emphasize the importance of gift-giving, not just gift-getting. My attitude is that giving gifts is all about stepping outside of oneself and thinking carefully about the people we love--what they need, what might bring them joy. That's an aspect of Santa that we emphasize as well. I think that is a great way to talk about how God thinks about us and takes care of our needs, especially in the form of the gift of the Christ child. It's also a great way to talk about how Jesus wants us to show our love for each other, not just feel love.

You might want to consider what stumbling blocks you might encounter when your little one gets older and his friends and maybe even family members get gifts from Santa, but he doesn't. I'm not saying that's a deal breaker, but it's worth thinking about how you will handle it.

Lara Hauser; December 20, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Maria said...: My mom decided she wouldn't tell us, before we were even born, there was a Santa after her niece cried and asked "Aunt Sue", "Why did Mom and Dad lie to me?".

We were always taught about Christ and never missed out on Santa. We were allowed to watch the Christmas specials and I think we even had a Santa decoration or two from a school project. When we were older, long story short, Mom only had $5 to spend on each of us,my brother and me. We totally understood and appreciated even that. I think this is another reason not to teach Santa is real because if hard times come, then what.

Now that I have children of my own, I also teach of Christ's birth and even go beyond that and do not have Santa items in my house. I may have mentioned St. Nicholas. They are also allowed to watch Christmas specials when visiting my mom's; we don't have cable. We have also had the discussion about not telling other children that Santa isn't real, if they do believe. I feel that is the parents' place.

I do not feel we missed out on anything. My husband was reared much the same way and he doesn't feel he missed out either. My kids don't act as if they do and are appreciative of what they receive.

I feel the "magic" of Christmas, as some like to call it, is knowing the true meaning, enjoying family time which includes driving around looking at the lights.; December 20, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Anonymous said...: I have to say, as some who LOVED and still loves Christmas, that there is something that is not the same about it once Santa is no longer real. The "magic" truly is gone. My family did both Santa, and also emphasized why we celebrate Christmas to begin with. Jesus was always the reason for the season, but there is nothing wrong with childhood magic and the wonder that is knowing that Santa is coming that night. I would encourage anyone who asked to do Santa, because it will be this wonderful, magical aspect of the child's life in a world that is taking away childhood earlier and earlier, and Santa puts some of that innocence and wonder back in their lives. Those who claim that they don't believe in "lying" to their children, must never do make-believe with their kids either, discourage their kids from imagining that they are anything other than what they really are. Watch the original Miracle on 34th Street, Natalie Wood plays the little girl perfectly and thta omvie says it better than I possibly could. You can absolutely balance the two: Christ, the true reason for Christmas, and Santa, a wonderful magical man who lives at the North Pole and comes on Christmas Eve. Soon enough they won't believe anymore and the magic will be gone, so I would say to not take it away before it starts.

--Cameron; December 20, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Lynnette said...: I think it is possible to do Santa at Christmas without deflecting from the story of Christ's birth. There are two things that are helping us with this so far. The first is something we do all year round- Bible's and other Bible-themed books are on their own shelf. It's a small thing, but keeps the Truth separated from their stories in one small way. The second is in celebrating the Advent season. Having the whole month to reflect on Christ and why He came rather than "what I want" from Santa and others is huge, especially as the kids are becoming more able to understand. (My favorite book is "Adventures in Christmas by Lisa Whelchel)

However, we have chosen not to do Santa. (I personally don't like that Santa gets the credit for the biggest gift! In addition to some of these other concerns.) We talk about Santa as being a way to give a gift anonymously. And that other people give each other gifts from Santa. We haven't yet run into issues with other kids, maybe because mine are not out there in school around lots of other kids and the families we spend the most time with don't do Santa, either. There are several children's books about where Santa came from and the true story of St Nicholas. We've looked at some, but I don't have any on hand to pass along titles.

We have the kids help pick out gifts for other family members- particularly the dollar store to fill the stockings. The number of presents under the tree is another issue for families to consider. Minimizing the stuff helps keep the focus of Christmas where it ought to be. I know that a lot of people choose three, like Jesus. I heard a new theme idea for them this year- one you need, one you want, one to give away. It's really making me think!

We made cards in Cub Scouts this year for a nursing home. The best part for me was when Zachary drew a Nativity inside each and every card. The front usually had a tree, reindeer, and/or candy cane. But when it came to the essence of each card- they all had baby Jesus. That's the meaning we're trying to pass on in the midst of all the chaos that Christmas has become.

I think the biggest thing for little ones to understand is that Jesus is absolutely a real and living Person. That He's not someone we pull out at Christmas and Easter, or once a week on Sunday. He's with me each and every day. He loves me, He provides for me, He has saved me. If you're talking about these things all year round, I'm not sure it matters so much what other traditions you choose to do- from Santa to the Tooth Fairy- so long as you have a Christ-centered home throughout it all.; December 21, 2009 at 8:12 AM
FrofinStitches said...: My Family has a good mix. I'm expecting my 1st so I can't tell you about what we will do.
but growing up..
My parents have 4 children. Boy(28),Girl(me,26),Girl(25), Boy(20) if you notice there is a pretty good gap between the 3 oldest & our younger brother. My family is really big on tradition, but my mom is a history buff as well. She encouraged us to research things.
A few things we did.
1. 1 christmas list on the fridge with our names & 5 places to put what we want for each person (recently found out she would steer us to what she had already gotten) Giving us only 5 spots & not allowing a huge list kept the "I want"s away.
2.The big present came from "Santa", As we got older and when my little brother got to the point of being old enough not to believe in Santa anymore My mom asked us older 3 if we wanted to keep the Tradition. We decided to keep it, because it separates the big gift from the others, and it's always a surprise, because she doesn't put them out till Christmas eve.
3. We do Christmas Cookies as a family.
4. Dad reads "Twas the night before Christmas" The traditional version, the redneck version & the Cajun version.
5. Dad reads the birth story & one or a few of us reenact the story using our figures from the nativity. (This started when we were much younger to make easier to understand, plus most of us have ADD or ADHD, so tactile is better)
6. We look a lights & sing carols while doing so (some traditional, some not so)
7. We buy gifts for one another. On Christmas morning we open gifts one at a time (excluding when gifts need to be opened at the same time, like when me and my sis got robes from my mom)
8. We get a puzzle Christmas eve & work on it as a family till we finish it (usually about the time school starts back)
9. We watch various Christmas Specials (Peanuts Christmas, Garfield Christmas Special, What a wonderful life, etc)
10. We buy a live tree every year, this is partially because mom hates fake trees & because we blow-it-up on New Years Eve (did I mention ADD? We're also Pyros) I do not suggest trying it at most homes, alot of safety stuff & rules are required, plus we live on 42 acres. We also know alot about burns (younger brother is a burn victim and no it wasn't from a tree) and the younger brother is also a pyrotechnic (The theory among the women of the family is that it is because of being a burn victim that he wanted to be a pyrotechnic*shrugs*)
We have a LOT of traditions, but we still know that Jesus is why we have Christmas, the other stuff is just fun. My parents have always encouraged us to look into these things. How many 26 year olds know that Christmas was more likely in Fall, or that there was no stable (it was actually a cave), Mary never rode on a donkey (really 9 months preg? have you EVER ridden on a horse?), No Inn keeper is ever mentioned, etc.
Santa (St. Nick) was a real person, who died many many years ago. He was a priest or a monk... can't remember which. He spread the love of Christ, he cared for people & the poor children. So I see him as a positive person to teach my children about, so I don't see it as lying to them. When they are old enough they can learn the real story of Santa without competing with their faith.; December 21, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Anna Davis said...: My children also believe in Santa, well my younger son does, the 14 year old believes she knows it all. We also celebrate St. Nicholas on the feast day which is Dec. 6. I don't see anything wrong with letting your child believe in Santa as long as they know the real reason for the season. I think some children are devastated when they learn there is not a Santa, but for most children it's a part of childhood. I think we make our children grow up to fast, they need this time of make believe and magic, they need to use their immaginations waiting to hear reindeer hooves on the roof. Childhood is so short let them enjoy every bit of it. We always have one "big" gift from Santa and the rest are from us. If my son starts going overboard with what he wants to ask Santa we remind him that Santa only brings one thing and that their are children in the world that don't get anything and he should be grateful for what he gets. That usually reels him in. We spend a lot of time at our church as well and so I'm grateful that my children have had that up bringing. I think it's all in what you decide, and how far you let them go with their beliefs. However, I do believe that childhood should be full of wonder and magic, and imagination, and we take all that away from them way too soon. :) Goodluck!!; December 21, 2009 at 12:19 PM

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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Santa Question

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