Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?
I know people who don’t do Santa because it takes away the “Jesus”
I know people who don’t do “Jesus” because it takes away the Santa.
My kids believe in both.
Hopefully Jesus will outlast Santa as they grow up. I guess that’s my job huh.
What about you and yours?
Do you do the Santa or no?
Los
no santa here. my favorite was last year when abs was three and saw a santa poster in wal-mart and said quite loudly, “santa's not real!” so then, we had a big discussion about how that was our family secret. don't want to be a spoiler!
We have 5 little kids and we have taught them that santa is not real. I personally have a hard time with it. I just read a book recently called The Year of Living Biblically about a Jewish man in NYC who tried to live the bible for a year. In this book, he went to visit the Atheists Group in NY and the head of the group said he became an atheist when he learned their was no santa claus and the he wondered what else they told him was a lie. Just something to ponder.
We have taught them about St Nick.
We don't do Santa and keep telling our kids to not tell the other kids so we don't get in trouble.
Our eldest would see Santa all over and understand it was a man dressed up as Santa. However, our second child does believe in Santa. It was too confusing for him to see Santa all over at the stores and it was easier to let him believe. Our youngest is freaked out by Santa so I don't know what that will do to her later on in life.
We did both with our kids and so far they haven't turned out any more warped than me! It's all a matter of priorities. I think there's room in a kids world for make-believe, but up to the parents to guide our kids setting priorities. They are all teenagers now and know the real reason behind Christmas. We have no regrets.
We do Santa. It's just something fun for our little kids to enjoy. Of course, we do stress that the birth of Christ is what really matters at Christmas.
Our 11 year old finally approached me about it 2 years ago, and we had “the talk.” I explained to her that it really is her mom and me, and that it's just for fun. Also, I stressed to her that she was not to say ANYTHING about it to her young siblings. Now she just smiles and plays along…and receives gifts from Santa too.
Yep, Santa is welcome at the Richardson home!
We did the Santa myth for a while – until my daughter (now
figured out we were Santa (when she was about 6). She was upset with us for “lying” to her as she put it. But even when she believed, she always knew and told everyone the real reason for Christmas. This year she's going around telling everyone she's excited about Christmas because it's Jesus' birthday.
that kid… hahaaahaha
When I was 10, my parents told me santa went off to live on a farm with a bunch of other santas where he could have all the cookies and milk he wanted without having to constantly shake elves off his leg. They thought they were fooling me but I know better. He is actually in Cancun chilin with the tooth fairy!
I don't have kids yet but my husband and I plan on letting them believe in Santa. I have fond memories of believing in Santa as a child, but all of us kids still new the main reason we celebrated Christmas.
I have three boys (5,3,1): Here's my fear: Can't see tooth fairy. Can't see Santa. Can't see Easter Bunny. Can't see God. Then one day they figure out three of the four was just a myth. But we were telling the truth about God. Hmmm. tough on a kid. So, we haven't had “the talk” but we are really trying to downplay all the holiday myth stuff. Not an easy task in our society.
Actually, we don't do Santa too. I have a hard time telling my son to believe in Santa because I feel like I am lying to him. I am completely fine if others celebrate the tradition… I just can't do it. However, I LOVE Christmas- passionately! Seriously, it's a sickness because I start listening to Christmas music and watch movies before… before Halloween. ((gasp))
Peace.
We “do” Santa as far as he is a fictional character like Mickey Mouse. We let them sit on his lap and we have Santa holiday decor. But we don't tell them he is real. Gifts under the tree are from Mommy & Daddy (and other relatives). We don't wrap gifts “from Jesus” either. That's just goofy.
We strive very hard to wrap Christmas all around Jesus Christ.
Agree with you, we do both, but our hope is to keep the Jesus going. Already my kids get excited about Santa but also the party for Jesus' bday. Seeing that balance already gets me excited for Christmas even more.
Santa is one of those fun lies. Growing up my parents didn't lie to us about Santa, and I don't plan to lie to my children about him either. St. Nicholas? Yes. Santa Clause, nah.
But to those who choose to do the whole Santa thing, no condemnation from me.
we do santa but we don't over-do santa.
Once we have little ones we plan on having Santa – too many good memories from each my wife's and my childhood. There will be a point which we'll reveal to them the truth (unless they figure it out on their own).
I have a 6-month old. Have gone back and forth on the Santafication issue. I don't see it as a huge deal, because I was a santafied believer in my younger years, and I don't resent my parents for lying to me. But I can't with a clear conscience lie to my kid, either. So, I'll most likely just avoid the topic, and talk about Jesus. When the kid asks about Santa, I'll tell him the truth.
I just wanted to post with the word Santafication. because it's Christian-punny.
i believed in santa growing up. Jesus has outlasted him
We totally do Santa.. I think it adds to the magic and wonder of Christmas. After all, he is a happy soul who goes around doing good for others, and isn't that something that we want to instill in our children? He is not our main focus, but I think he is a fun addition to the best holiday of the year!
We don't do Santa because they get enough bombardment from the sick culture all around us. The message of Jesus is so faint outside of our home that we make Him prominent inside.
Ho Ho Ho!!!!!
I absolutely abhor the thought of deceiving to my girls about anything. Of course I make an exception for fun and merriment. But even then I think the “fun” in the fun-to-lie ratio loses traction over a longer timeline.
Wow! You totally fooled me into thinking this benevolent jolly man, whom I now love, was real for my entire life. Hilarious.
When I found out I was crushed. CRUSHED. And I felt duped. I really felt like an idiot. Not an experience I want to share with my girls.
That said, I have defaulted to my wife's position on this because I have no spine.
peace|dewde
I have three kids. Girl 19, boy 17, boy 15. We have never led them to believe that Santa was real. When they were little “Santa” would bring them presents but as soon as they were old enough to ask if he was real or not (which happened around age 5 or 6) we just turned the question around and ask them what they thought. We would listen to their answer and smile. We never said he was real. By age 10 they had it figured out. Now that they are all teens – Santa still comes.
Our reason for this approach is/was credibility (ours). If we lied to them about Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc. then what else would we lie to them about? Jesus, God, Good vs Bad, etc.
I've asks each of them recently if they would have rather we make them think Santa was real and each has said they are glad we did it the way we did.
I have a one-yr-old and we prolly won't do santa, for same reasons as the others. I think there is a difference between make believe and lying. Glad to hear everyone capitalizing on the Jesus part with santa tho.
Great discussion! I think of Romans 14 when this issue comes up. Let's let other believers do what they want and not make a big fuss. I think the anxiety over kids associating a fake santa with a fake jesus later on may be overblown, but I respect the wishes of those who want to avoid the risk. We're doing santa with our boys, but i can't say I haven't ever wondered whether it's a Gos-pleasing thing.
… er, GOD-pleasing thing. I don't really worship Gos.
We do Santa and tie it back to the real St. Nicholas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas_Day) and then back to Jesus. We tell them Santa is real and his real name is St. Nicholas and all about the real St. Nick, and as each kid reaches the age where they start asking questions, we tell them that the gifts from Santa are really from us, but it's fun to still have things from Santa. So far our 8 & 7 year olds are clued in, and our 5 & 3 year olds are still blissfully ignorant about the cold hard reality that nobody lives at the North Pole but eskimos and researchers. But we all still love Christmas movies and all still get gifts from Santa. We also celebrate St. Nicholas day each December 6
We have “Santa” for our kids, but we also emphasize what Christmas is. We also go trick-or-treating and Halloween festivals. I'm sure for some people we are on a path to hell for having fun during Halloween and having Santa…
Why do people not go to church?
Because the church they know about down the street doesn't allow their kids to trick-or-treat and holds a “fall festival”.
When I was a kid and found out Santa wasn't real, I had figured it out already. I never waivered whether Jesus is real or not. Anyone who did had other issues bigger than finding out Santa wasn't real.
My kids believe in Santa. I'm hoping that will last for a few more years. It's fun.
I don't think it “takes away” from Jesus unless you've done a really crappy job the other 11 months teaching your kids the importance of Jesus.
Yes. We won't lie to them “when” they ask. We stress Jesus, and God's plan, but allow them to enjoy the fantasy and fun of Santa.
For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon
http://www.fredmckinnon.com
http://www.theworshipcommunity.com
We do a lotta Jesus and a little Santa.
We always read the Christmas story on Christmas morning before opening presents, and as for presents, our kids get three gifts from mama and papa, to symbolize the gifts Jesus received, and one from Santa, plus stockings.
While we don't “Do” Santa, my children know St. NIck was a real person, people like him, some people think he's a nice idea for Christmas. Our decision was based on the fact that my kids are autistic and have a tough enough time with reality, not to mention they are TERRIFIED of costumes and folks dressed up and men in hats and glasses.
no. i frown upon lying to children and then actually confessing to them, “oh i lied to you.” no, but really i grew up not doing the santa clause thing, and we always did Christmas on Christmas Eve because we didn't have to wait on santa clause to get here. we were the lucky kids in the neighborhood.
my brother decided to carry on with this tradition as well. so i don't see myself starting any tradition that my nephews aren't doing.
Santa's great. He brings extra birthday gifts for Jesus. And when the time comes that they figure out that he is just pretend … I'll have a book about St Nicholas on standby.
I'm not exactly sure how we're going to handle this. Our little girl is 2 and we'll be challenged with this soon. I understand the argument that if the tooth fairy, the easter bunny, and santa clause are all invisible (and not real) and so kids will believe God to not be real since He is invisible…but that's a pretty wimpy argument to me.
My desire is that my God would be the same God to my kids…one that is powerful, on the move, and doing things that continually refute any doubt that He is indeed real. If I have to hash out similarities and differences between santa and God…I think I've missed the bus.
I told my kids Santa died a long time ago.
That seems to work.
We've kept the Santa thing… it's fun and it's part of the season. They are getting to the age of questions…we just say “It's a fun thing to believe in at this time of the year.” We don't go over the top though…Santa only leaves a few presents…everything else they get is marked on the tag as being from mom and dad. I know a day will come when it will all be over…but for now, we're letting them be kids with fun imaginations.
Wow I can't believe all the people who don't let their kids believe in Santa. I totally plan on doing Santa with my kids and getting one of my more robust friends to dress up and come visit us. My uncle did that for us when I was a kid, and I didn't even need any counseling to mend the relationship between me and my parents after I found out he wasn't real. I think there some things that kids don't mind being lied to about- like what's in a hot dog.
Are you kidding? Heck no we don't do Santa! Why would I want a big fat bearded white guy getting all the credit & thanks from my kids for their Christmas glee instead of ma and pa? We still get them just as many gifts as the big ugly would and we still set them out while they sleep, but we say Merry Christmas from MOM & DAD–you can thank us! Trust me–their wonderment fantasia make-believe junk is not harmed in the least.
We let the kids pretend about Santa and talk about how fun it is to pretend. We talk about how we don't ruin it for others. We have cookies for Santa and I put glitter on the floor from the reindeer, but we always say isn't it so fun to pretend?
We will handle the tooth fairy, easter bunny, etc the same way. Our kids have tons of fun, LOVE making letters to santa and putting out cookies, etc. Might not be a perfect system, I don't know. I just feel like I was brought up in such a materisitic commercialized world and I want to avoid that if I can, and the truth is, I do think that kids don't understand reality and fantasy well, so we try to not let there be any confusion on what is real.
My kids won't believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, democracy;) or any other man-made-myth. I don't ever want them to wonder 'if there is no Santa, what about God and Jesus?” Plus they need to know the true source of everything we have.
My kids are aware of Santa, but we don't hype him up or do the whole thing were we work really hard to convince them that he exists to get them excited, etc. Personally, and I know this will ruffle, I don't like lying so consistently to my kids about something that doesn't matter.
*places on flame retardant suite*
heck yes my kids will believe in Santa, but they will also know why we celebrate Christmas
The Real question is what my Son just asked me “Is Santa black or White?”
Both … St. Nick was a great man. Jesus was THE MAN!
Growing up we did Santa…but knew that it was really about Jesus. I have never felt like my parents lied to me nor did I ever feel like Santa/Easter Bunny/Tooth Fairy were anywhere near Jesus.
We have a 3 year old and “do” Santa, but will tell him the truth if he asks.
Santa is great. I think Santa really teaches a principle that the church is loosing and that kids are loosing with all of the gadgets. That is WONDER, kids have lost wonder. I will never forget the GI Joe Aircraft carrier Santa brought me as a child. I was in awe of how he got it there. Have we lost our Wonder?
Our children's ministry run by my bride is hosting breakfast with Santa this Saturday. Last they had 500 families come to see Santa, have some donuts and hear the real Christmas story from the Pastor.
You know, if you rearrange the letters in Santa you get SATAN!!!!!
Juvenile, I know. Sorry, couldn't resist.
No Santa at our house, pretty much for the same reasons already discussed here. I just don't want to risk telling my kids about Santa and Jesus, and then they find one of the two is not real. Especially when they see the world around them give more significance to the man in red than the Son of Man.
The move away from Santa is one of those trendy christian things. It's the cool thing to do for cool christians and, ironically, neo-traditional christians. For the trendy folks it's mac products, starbucks, se7en jeans, blogs, toms, and we're-better-christians-cuz-we-don't-lie-about-santa-to-our-kids. The neo-traditional christians don't do santa because santa is simply the devil himself. They give their kids apples and oranges for Christmas.
There's a happy medium and it is the large majority of sold out for christ christians that fall in this category. You won't hear many of their voices on blogs though. They don't read them a whole lot.
When my kid actually asks about “the” question about Santa, we'll elaborate. Until them, St. Nick gets the credit for the stuff I buy.
i have no children nor am i married. but growing up my family did santa. we knew Jesus was the real reason for christmas but we had fun with santa. even after we both knew he wasn't really my parents would joke around and try and convince us otherwise, its become a fun family joke these days.
i dont ever remember thinking “well santa's not real, the tooth fairy isn't real, etc etc. so how can God be real?” i dont think a 5 yr old can really process that deeply.
plus its way easier to believe that Jesus is real… because HE IS real. santa isn't real, so it is kind of hard to believe all his extravagant made up stories that every family has a different version of.
Know of Santa. Believe in Jesus. Excited by Santa. Celebrate Jesus. Appreciate Santa. Desire Jesus. that's my goal as a mother.
A friend of mine has kind of set an example for me for when I have kids. He and his wife have decided to tell their kids that there really isn't a Santa but that they will pretend that there is and have fun with it anyway.
I think this is great because kids have really vivid imaginations and it can make for a ton of fun but at the same time the can handle that Santa isn't real.
When Santa & Jesus are people that you can't see and you find out that your parents have been lying to you about one it could set up a situation where you seriously wonder what else they are lying to you about.
I'm just wondering if we might be missing something if we need to add to “the magic and wonder of Christmas.”
i agree with you los.
I'm not a parent yet, but I'm deeply uncomfortable with the idea of lying to my children. It was hugely disillusioning for my little sister when she found out.
Seriously?
That's the most judgmental thing I've ever heard about this issue. It's not a trendy “in” thing to do. It has to do with integrity. Something that most people, Christian and non-Christian, have a problem with in our culture. Side note: look up the stats on students who think cheating is ok.
Bottom line for me, my parents, and most Christians who CHOOSE not to do Santa: it's an integrity issue. I'd rather not knowingly lie to my kids. For ME, that also includes lying by omission.
For you, it may be different, you might see it as something totally different, and I respect that, but I would never enter the discussion and belittle others' opinions as fanaticism.
Do Santa, like I said no condemnation from me. But please don't judge those of us who choose not to as some form of brainwashed fanatics.
Peace.
Santa rocks one gift a year at our house. Usually the big ticket item so I have an out when they ask for other big things.
Just kidding, we let the kids do the Santa thing, but Jesus is the main thing around our house at Christmas.
No believing in Santa here. We do Santa types of things which allows for them to participate in imagination and make believe…just without the lying. (Same with Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, etc…) But, most of the focus is on Christ. And most of the gift stuff is focused on giving…not receiving.
Sometimes I think the whole Santa thing is more for the parents than the kids.
Santa for Christmas… Jesus all year long. Works for us.
We told them the truth about Santa. That he was, that he was good, and that he did what Jesus calls us to do – take care of the widow and orphan. They love to watch Elf, and Rudolph, and other movies about Santa, but we never emphasized him. He was just a story, not someone who brought them presents.
No Santa here. We just figure that Christmas should be about Jesus. Oldest daughter asked if Santa is real and I said no and that was the end of that. She wasn't upset about it.
Once when we were in the checkout line the clerk asked 4 yr old Cassia if she was excited to have Santa come to visit, without batting an eyelash she replied, “Saint Nicholas is dead. and you can't be visited by jolly, fat dead men.”
I still smile at the memory of the clerks face being shut down by a 4 yr. old!
We have the nativity scene next to about 7 santa clause's. We do both. My little brother who is now 10 still beleives, I am so surprised that some kid has not ruined it for him. I knew at age 7. But I am now 21, and santa still brings me a little something every year. It's something kids can look forward to on Christmas. But we do celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus.
I was CRUSHED too and made it my mission to tell ALL kids the truth when I was the tender age of 8. I probably ruined a lot of kid's Christmases that year. I was so ticked off at my parents and it was hard to trust them again. Call me sensitive, but I won't do that to my kids either.
Actually, Wally, it's a deepfelt conviction. You are being a tad judgmental. It's ok with me if you do Santa and the fantasy surrounding him with your family. Really, it is. But drop the attitude on the folks who feel CONVICTED not to lie to their children. Alright. That goes for Halloween and the Easter Bunny too.
Meant in peace & love — not sarcasm and rotten attitude.
Wow. Good thoughts.
I guess I see it like it must be an individual parenting decision. Some kids are bent a certain way.
My kids see me prying and reading my bible everyday. I make sure they see that. The image of their father living a life of Christ should outshine Santa.
365 days a year of that should shape them well I hope.
We do Santa and Jesus
And yes, Jesus is first.
When kids was small they believed that Santa's legend. Now they know it's us who brings the “stuffings”. Just the other day we read the story of St. Nick.
When there are small kids in the house, it's fun to do Santa. It's a Christmas tradition
. Teach the value of “giving 
and also let the kids be kids 
This year my family morphed into elves as they decorated the Christmas tree. They are Santa's little helpers
http://www.amauiblog.com/2008/12/tree-is-up-elv...
And that showed the clerk what?
Just asking…
I agree … 365 days of Jesus. That's what will influence the kids
We emphasize the Bible Story of Christmas, but like what I said on my other comment, we did Santa when kids were little
when my brothers & i were younger, we did the same thing santa & jesus. but b/c myself & my middle brother are several years older than our youngest brother naturally we outgrew believing in santa b/4 he did, so we pretended for him. well, one year our youngest brother (i guess he was 9 or 10) wasn't keen on santa any longer & decided that we should throw a birthday party for jesus. we did! we sang the birthday song & even made a birthday cake! sadly, we don't do this any longer, but why not, maybe we should, it really drove in that jesus is the real reason for the season!
my kids asked this year and we told them the truth. We told them he does not exist. But they will still get coals in stocking if naughty
I completely respect other parents making the decision not to have their children believe in Santa, but when I have kids, I’ll definitely ‘do’ the Santa thing in my house. I grew up knowing why we were really celebrating Christmas, but I also believed in Santa and finding out he wasn’t real didn’t cause my world to shatter around me. Sure, I was upset, but I got over it and when you compare the amount of time I was upset over Santa not being real vs. the wonderful Christmas memories I have involving Santa Claus…well, the two don’t even come close in comparison.
Nor do I continue to harbor feelings of distrust for my parents or question the existence of God. I’m sure that there are exceptions to the rule, but my guess would be that most adults don’t base their belief in God on whether or not they were lied to about Santa- there are probably numerous factors that have played into their current belief system and Santa is not solely to blame.
Jennifer, I would argue that a 5 year old can't process that deeply….thats the point- it isn't deep- it's logical for a five year old. Real things are things that can be seen. Pretend things are things that can't be seen. A child will automatically think what is on tv is real until you correct him. My five year old asks me all the time if a story is a real story or a pretend story, because in his brain- if you can see it, it is real. So, we have to understand how five year olds are developmentally, how they explain the world around them, and cater to that.
My five year old could definately have that discussion with you of the difficulty of why Jesus is real even though we cant see them.
My husband and I plan on doing 3 gifts from us (to represent the three gifts given to Christ) and one from St. Nick. We do not have children yet, but we know that we don't want to squash the imaginations of our children but we won't lie to them either. They'll learn about the real St. Nick. We felt this is a great way to blend our beliefs with a culture our children can't escape.
Wow. I had no idea I was trendy. Um, I don't have a mac, I don't drink Starbucks(because they don't pay a fair wage to farmers…and because I can't deal with paying $4 for coffee), can't afford those jeans, don't even know what “toms” are and I have no illusion of being a better christian based on views of Santa(what is a “better” christian anyway??).
I would agree that there is a happy medium and we all have a responsibility to decide things for our kids that are well thought out, prayed about, and affirmed by others. But to state that people who don't do Santa are some hippy trippy jump onto the next trendy thing is just silly.
I don't have kids yet, but I think it would be fun to tell them that I killed him and he no longer exists. Also, that the one at the mall is an imposter and they're still looking for his killer but they'll never find me.
Then I would start singing…”you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I'm telling you why…” Then stop abruptly at that part.
After a few days, I would say, that Santa isn't real but it's not because I killed him.
Having kids is gonna be awesome!
When my wife found out there was no Santa, she asked her parents if Jesus wasn't real either. That's an issue they have to wrestle with, but I'd prefer not to have my kids question whether I'm telling them the truth or not. We tell them about Santa, and we will require them to respect other people's traditions and not blow it for other kids.
A couple of years ago my nephew (then around
said he was going to try being really naughty because he wanted to see just how bad you had to be to get coal. Because he noticed that he got in trouble a lot and still got presents.
At this, my niece, about 6 said, “Silly, don't you know that Santa is like Jesus? He gives us presents because he's good, not because we are!”
So yeah. I pray that my toddler will believe in Santa.
When I have a kid of my own I plan on doing the Santa thing for different reasons.
1. It is fun!
2. To teach my kids to be generous and about giving.
3. Jesus is always going to be the center.
Saint Nicolas was only being obedient to God. So should we. Coca-Cola and Sears turned Santa into the marketing juggernaut he is now though…
That's interesting. I don't know how I feel about Santa being equated to Jesus though.
We don't do Santa.
The first time my daughter (3yo) saw him, she said, “Noah!”
'Cuz we're super-spiritual like that.
I'm really surprised by how many people said that they don't do the Santa thing! We do and, as a mother who is still a kid inside, I will cherish every minute of my kids' awe over Santa… and, as a mother who is grown up too, LOVE hearing my kids' true excitement and passion about the birth of a Savior!! They make it all brand new and amazing to me all over again!
We did Santa but I knew it was just a Christmas tradition and fictional character. My mom once said something to the effect of: Santa Claus is not getting credit for the gifts *her* hard-earned money bought.
At the age of two I let my kids know that not only does Santa run a sweat shop (think about it guy's. He makes all those little people work 364 day's a year with only 1 day off, but he pay's them nothing) but I also wanted to tell them that I had to shoot Santa because he ate the Easter bunny (My beautiful wife wouldn't let me say that though, because it was a lie).
All joking aside though, I grew up with Santa (and the Easter bunny too) and I have to say I didn't “feel” this way, but I just can not lie to my children and lead them to believe in Santa (or the Easter bunny) and then tell them about the Truth of God and His Christ and not wonder if they would say to themselves, “Santa was a lie, The bunny was a lie. why should I believe in this God or His Christ? I bet Mom and Dad are lying now too. It sounds too good to be true, just like the other ones did.
I just can't do it.
Having attended a really conservative Christian college with a lot of pre-seminary students for a couple of years, this issue is one that has always rubbed me the wrong way. And it's because the “super righteous” there would always say things like, “No way I'm _lying_ to my kids about Santa Claus!”
My parents did Santa Claus with me, my two brothers, and my sister. And we're all grown and all involved in the ministry now and are dedicated Christians. I think I resent the idea that one day of “Santa Claus” can replace the 365 days you spend in the whole year emphasizing and teaching your kids about Jesus and his importance in our lives.
Ultimately it does boil down to a family celebration / tradition. Santa was one of ours. And we grew up quite normally.
Wait. There's no such thing as Santa?
S&(%.
We are trying to figure it out right now. But I think I am convinced that I do not want to lie to my kids.
Our son is only 17 months and we are pregnant with twins and I will let them believe in Santa and I will also let them know that the real reason for Christmas is Jesus. I don't see a problem with Santa he is fun.
I'm with Chris, here. Also, Santa to me is the epitome of everything Jesus is not. Naughty-nice lists, better-watch-out threats, rewards based on performance not on grace, seems like a behavior modification tool more than a nice guy. just a thought.
Christmas is not a commandment, but a choice. In our home we choose to celebrate Christmas. From the beginning we decided that Santa would not be a part of our celebration. This created quite a stir in both of our extended families similar to what happens I suppose when one joins a cult. The reason we chose to leave Santa in the mall instead of our home was for several reasons. One we wanted our kids to know that the gifts were from us! What we discovered and others observed was that our kids were more appreciative of what they did get. Their list was also much shorter than those of the Santa kind.
Another reason we chose to disclude Santa, was I felt the message would get a little confusing later. we tell our children their is this Santa, or Easter bunny, or Tooth fairy and then when they get older we tell them, “We were just kidding…but their really is a Jesus!” That seemed scary to us.
Another reason is we just plain didn't want to lie to our children. We were willing to play Santa like we play Batman, or Spiderman…but our kids knew we were pretending.
And lastly the Story, “Twas the night before Christmas” really bothered me. Read it and see how many characteristics that are unique to God alone are in their. It seems a little to much like idolatry for us. So we excluded.
What we found most amazing was how many people got upset with us for not “playing along” we were in no way condemning to anyone, we even pretended with their kids so as not to violate the parents desires. But it is almost cultic this following of Santa.
My kids by the way are 27, 25, 24 and 9. None of them feel cheated for not having believed in Santa!
Blessings to all,
Randy
We left it up to our kids if they wanted to believe in Santa or not. I stressed the historical story of St. Nicholas. My daughter believes in Santa and I don't think that negates Jesus.
Well said Tony!
No kids yet but my wife and I are discussing the issue. She says no big deal. I don't think its a “big deal” either. But to be personal, I can't give some fat guy in a funny suit the credit for our work. Its not even a case of God getting the glory, just some mythical fat guy getting the credit of fulfilling my kids' material wishes. He gets the credit for filling my kid's heart with happiness and what do I get? The cookies left for the imaginary man. All set with that one…
What do you mean Santa isnt real? [gasp] =)
Yeah, my bad folks. Much is lost in typed media, i.e., tone and facial expressions. I didn't intend to label everyone that stiff-arm's santa as doing it to compete with the trendy folks or with militant fundamentalism motivations. However, I have noticed an increase in people “santa-hating” in order to keep up with the folks in the circles they run with.
I'm not accusing anyone here of that. I'm just saying I've seen it A LOT the past few years. I think another reason for it is that people are so angry with the rampant materialism today they're lashing out at pop culture symbols and barring them from their households.
In the same voice people are saying here, “I won't lie to my kids, but I have no problem if you lie to yours… It's an integrity issue. I have integrity and it's ok with me that you don't.” Yeah, that's not looking down your nose at people………….. I've felt it before at church when casually asking a parent, “so, what's santa getting the kids this year?” and the elitist reply, “oh, we don't do santa at our house”.
Actually, it's not that big of a deal either way. This is turning into one of those arguments that's just silly and causes a pointless riff between folks. How I guide my children spiritually and socially is totally independent of whether or not santa is around during Christmas.
No Santa in this house.
I grew up with my mom telling me that Santa was always watching me and that I had better be good because Santa was watching. When we became Christians, it seemed that she'd made Santa like Jesus. We just didn't want the kids to be confused. I remember the year I found out that Santa was real too… the kids in school told me and I felt so stupid. Then my parents lied about it for another year. The following year I didn't “believe” anymore seemed to be a real downer… like it wasn't special. I didn't want to lie, or make my kids feel stupid for believing in something that wasn't true…
However, as I shared on your facebook, we didn't do a real good job of making some special anticipatory traditions in the place of that. I hope to make up for that now. My older kids have said they're glad that we didn't “do Santa”. They've never ruined it for anyone else… but they do wish that we'd done other things.
I am Santa. At least in my house.
My kids pray that Santa will become a Christian and tell everyone that the Easter Bunny is a myth.
I think we should stress the important differences between the two. Santa gives you gifts because you're good. Jesus gives you gifts because He's good.
We read up on the history of Saint Nicolas which was really cool … he actually punched a man and was dismissed at a council meeting…
to let our children know where the modern day idea of Santa came from because he is everywhere.
In reading all the comments I have three thoughts:
1. Call it what it is! Rather than saying do you tell your children about santa or not … shoot the pink elephant and lets level with the truth…
Do you choose to lie to your children and how do you justify it?
2. the argument that I live Jesus all year long in front of my children so I can lie and it will all be o.k. this time doesn't hold water.
You wouldn't eat a cookie with a smidge of dog poop so why spiritually feed your children with a “small” lie at Christmas? Sure it's culturally and socially acceptable but I'm hungry for God's approval and in this culture I'm finding that good is the enemy of best.
3. Why do I have to tell my children they can't speak the truth? I don't want them to grow up afraid to speak the truth because they might offend someone.
I want them to be loving, kind, considerate but I constantly struggle with how we teach them to compartmentalize thier lives… Be bold, share your faith; but don't tell little suzie the truth about santa because it will offend her.
For children this is politics why do parents get so pissed at the truth?
I'm not talking about mean spirited children who want to hurt another child with the truth, I'm talking about sweet children who when asked say, ” no I don't believe santa is real.” and beware their parents will come and give you the run down after church for it… sheesh.
I guess it's clear… we don't dig santa
Um. Wow.
I take exception to this. I only give apples and oranges on Halloween.
You all just keep your “unbelieving” kid's yaps shut around mine. I've got two or three good years of Santomanipulation left and I'm gonna use it.
We haven't decided yet if we're doing Santa but my dad always says this, “We tell our kids to believe in Santa and we tell them to believe in Jesus. Then one day we tell them there's no Santa. What does that tell them about Jesus.”
It's an interesting thought.
No santa. Love Jesus. My children know that we buy the Christmas gifts. I didn't have the desire to feed them a lie. They are just as excited about the holiday as any other kid.
We grew up with Santa and so has my almost 9 year old son, but this is probably his last year as I'm sure the kids at school will soon tell him. We were fine and I'm sure he will be too.
We did ask our Mom one time why Santa brought some kids a lot and some a little and she told us that tax time was when Moms and Dads paid Santa and the elves. She said Santa only brought what your family could afford and some families had to pay Santa on April 15th while others got some of their money refunded from last year. It tickles me now that I know…
I think Santa is harmless, Jessica. As long as Christ is emphasized above all. Too often by others (none that I've seen on this site yet) I hear a bit of legalism in folks when they say a fictional character is going to somehow out-do Christ. My own opinion is that if you're teaching your children the Truth, Santa is just like Mickey Mouse… it adds to the wonder of childhood.
If your 6-year old niece has grasped this concept she outshines many mature Christian adults I know! Her parents have definitely done something right. Good for them. Sounds to me like the 365 days of Jesus have definitely outdone Santa.
Honestly, you do your thing. Us on the other side will do ours. But please don't make this about you're a better Christian because you don't tell your kids about Santa. We have bigger fish to fry in the Church.
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!
No kids just yet….but when our baby comes home from China she will have a BIG visit from Santa! ; ) Can't wait!
wow that is sooo great… love it!
I worry about having to tell my daughter there is no Santa, no Easter Bunny, no Tooth Fairy; and then after it all, will she still believe me when I tell her Jesus is real? Right now, at 4, she knows only Jesus.
4 kids. Never have done Santa. Have a good book that tells them where the Santa story came from about St. Nicholas. How it grew into the jolly ol' fella. Telling them that its our secret and not to ruin it for kids at school. So far so good. Kids are 15, 11, 5, and 3.
But what about the Christians that get pissed off cause you used the word pissed in your comment? Many don't do that.
We have done almost exactly the same thing as DeanCooper – down to turning the question around on them and then answering honestly when they pushed. Right now we have one that believe and one that's old enough to be in on the fun – and he has picked up on the “no lying” thing just fine – he just gets quiet when the subject comes up with his sister or friends, or says “I don't know – what do you think?”
BUT, you darn well better believe that the BEST gifts always came from Mom & Dad!! Santa can gets credit for a little gift and a stocking, but we get the hugs and kisses for the bigger stuff.
Yeah, I agree. It's much better to lie to them consistently about stuff that DOES matter!!
*
When our oldest daughter was two years old, we were out somewhere and I said, “Look, Lauren, there's Santa!”
“Dad,” she responded (and the Dad was said with two syllables…you know, da-ad), “Santa's not RE-AL (again, with two syllables).”
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“I just know.”
With that, our dealings with Santa were over.
* PS. I know what you meant. I am just playin'. Lying is just plain bad. If Jesus is The Truth, no lie can be good.
Yeah…. Wow…..
You know what though? We can figure this all out in heaven. Because regardless of how my family handles the “santa” situation, we'll spend eternity in the same heaven as the people who want to beat santa like a piñata with their holy sticks.
Thanks!!!
we do both – but our boys definately know that we are celebrating Jesus's birthday. as a matter of fact my son had a homework assignment tonight and he had to list 5 things that remind him of christmas – he said “Jesus's Birthday” first – GO GOD!!!!!!!
as a christian mom i also believe in the goodness of people and our power to change the world. i believe that people are good and sometimes tough times just cover the goodness like a blanket.
at our church, Flamingo Road Church in South Florida, we are set to change the world in 22 days with random, sincere and purposeful acts of kindess, joy and generosity. check out thegiftrevolution.com to read more about this. the site is filled with stories of kindess and joy.
wishing you and your beautiful family a very merry christmas.
may your hearts be filled with joy this holiday season.
all the best
jennifer
PS – totally love you ink – your sleeve looks amazing!!!!
We grew up knowing that Santa was just pretend like Mickey Mouse or Donald.. It didn't ruin me and so I do the same with my kids.. They know not to say anything to others though..
We did it for the same reason. We didn't want our daughter to think we might be lying about Jesus as well. So in our house, Jesus is real, and Santa is make believe…but we still have him around. We put out cookies for him, but my daughter nibbles a little before bed, right after filling my stocking. She usually keeps it to herself, because we don't want to be “those” parents, but she knows what is truth and what is make-believe.
(I found out when I was 9…can you tell? I'm still a tad pissed about it.)
Santa, we have left it up to them. Them being my 6 and 8 year old. The question has been asked, and we let them reflect on what they think. A couple of presents still come from Santa and they probably always will. Both my wife and I try to include Santa, but not concentrate on him. We do cookies and eggnog for him and that is as far as it goes. It is fun to see them get excited but I'm sure they have probably caught on. Kids are pretty smart you know.
Jesus is the reason for the season.
I have 5 kids. We never “did” Santa because it was a lie. If Satan is the Father of lies, well…Merry Christmas everybody!
My kids know about the actual St. Nick and why it's fun to pretend.
I don't lie to them, but I do keep them from spoiling other kids by telling them that is between the other kid and his parents.
I think we tend to celebrate what Santa represents rather then what he is.
My big thing is that I want my kids to be grateful:
Christmas Presents come from hard working parents who love their kids, not some fat elf in a red suit who jumps down chimneys! =)
We love Santa in my house. I have two Santas following me on twitter. Scary.
We tell the story of St. Nick, but we won't lie to our kids and perpetuate the whole Santa thing. As a kid I knew my parents were lying and I was wholly and completely annoyed that they would look me in the eye and tell me ridiculous stories about The List and The Chimney and everything else that goes along with it. Christmas is about Jesus' birth, pure and and simple. St. Nicholas would be appalled, I think, if he knew that his simple acts of generosity had become the main focus of Christmas in most households.
I have three kids and we just kind of take it easy about Santa. We watch polar express, we read santa books, we call deer reindeer but haven't emphasized that their presents come from Santa. They come from us. I am definitely not having the elves show up and do naughty tricks like a lot of moms are doing!!
We just keep it simple and try to deal with all the tears when we are buying other people the things she wants and she has to wait until Christmas. We like to bring up the story about Saint Nick and get them to think about giving to others and helping other people feel good.
didn't mean to come across as having a holy stick
I just think we are asking the wrong question
I'm actually a non-stir it up, run from conflict person
so it was great to let out years of frustration
sorry if I didn't live up to my name in my earlier post
Hmmm…I guess that's how she knew.
I don't think anyone talks about Santa for just one day out of the year like so many of the commenters seemed to indicate (1 day out of the year we talk about Santa, the rest of the year it's Jesus). If you “do Santa” in your family, it's gotta be a good month out of the year that you are talking about it with your kids.
So many people in the comments talked about feeling upset when they found out that Santa wasn't real. Even some of the pro-Santa folks said that. That's unfortunate and unnecessary.
One other thing I noticed is that many of the people who don't pretend Santa is real seemed to have really well thought through reasons, and the people that did “do Santa” seemed to have more of a “why not” type of approach.
This is such a good question. I want my kids to trust me and not feel betrayed. I believed in Santa till about age 6 when for some reason I just stopped. It wasn't traumatic or anything.
I think I'll tell them about Santa but probably not hype it up. Maybe show him more as the spirit of giving at Christmas than as the reason for it. That way some of the fun Christmas magic is still there but it's not the core reason for it.
I was prerry angry when I discovered that my parents lied to me about Santa. I just took it so hard that they so blatantly lied about it (I was a very serious child with strong values for truth). I suppose it was because when I reached the age of doubt, I kept asking them questions and they kept finding creative ways to make me believe in Santa. During financial difficulties one year my mom said, “kids, we don't have much money so Santa isn't bringing much this year” and I said “well, what does our money have to do with it since Santa gives toys for free?” My mom said, “Santa doesn't give toys for free. He comes to your door with his hand out looking for payment and if you have no money, he leaves no toys!” So, I was disillusioned to find that Santa was just another money hungry soul who happened to have flying reindeer! All in all, I just wish they had told me the truth when I asked instead of continuing the whole charade. So, I decided to just tell my kids the truth about Santa whenever they asked.
I think the point of the “1 day of Santa” and “365 days of Jesus” is that if I am truly bringing up your children in a Christ-centered home, there should be no question in my children's minds who is real and who is not.
My kids were upset when they found out My Little Ponies didn't actually exist. They're kids! And that's okay. They got over it eventually and moved on to the Smurfs.
It's not that we have so much of a “why not” approach as we think sometimes the controversy gets blown out of proportion. I have heard several people people say they were upset (making it sound like they were actually traumatized) and that they didn't like perpetuating lies to their children (I do believe make believe is harmless). To say there IS a right approach and there IS a wrong approach IS wrong. Parenting styles are different and I believe it's best to just respect each other's varying styles.
What?!?!?! Santa isn't real????
I will not lie to my kids. Of course, my kids will probably be the ones to ruin it for other kids. Oh well.
I think there would be a question about who is real and who is not if you TELL them that Santa is real.
Have you thought about how or when you will have that conversation with them about Santa?
…The conversation about Santa not being real
Hey man, I know I am late getting in on this, but here is my deal:
I am not into telling my kids to believe in things that can't see that aren't real (i.e. Santa, Tooth Fairy, etc) because I wonder if they will (consciously, subconsciously) lump God into that category too. Anyway, we tell them Santa stories, and watch Rudolph, but we give and receive gifts from each other, not from the fat man in red. That's my 2 cents worth.
You are on a path that will make you a better man of God. Santa, like many other symbols and celebrations, of this time, are based in the pagan world, but have been sanctified or weakened by the passage, of time. Never cease in your instructions, to your children, that they will experience the true reason, for this traditional observance, of the birth, of our Lord.
I have always told my children about Saint Nicholas how he lived years ago and did good things for children, and we remember him today with Santa…but, that Jesus is the one who really gives us all the good gifts that we have in our lives, even the ones on Christmas…so I let the “believe” if they wanted to, but, they always knew the history of where both Jesus and Santa came from…now they are 15, and 18 and Jesus still RULES! (in their lives)
I have 3 boys (11, 10 &9). The oldest decided this year that he doesnt believe in Santa anymore and took hand writing samples from me, his Dad and his PaPa (my Dad) so that he can compare it this year to the gift tags. He gave me a “test” and I had to put my answers in written form. I KNOW he doesnt believe anymore and he knows it but there is still that 1% that keeps him wondering… They've been asking for a couple of years off and on and when they ask me if hes real I tell them “Santa is real for anybody who believes in him, he's not for those who don't.” So anyway, I've decided to take the 2 oldest aside and tell them the truth and get them to help me play Santa to the 4 year old. I mean its time..they've had a good run right? 11 & 1O…
oops sorry!! the youngest is 4 not 9!! typo