Santa? Yes or No?

[Diamond75]

I love Santa and still have wonderful memories as a child with all the excitement leading up to the big day. I couldn't imagine not sharing that with my own children now.

Each to their own I guess.

[Epacris]

We are atheists and we do Santa. He brings sensible presents like toothbrushes and is always mindful of over-indulgence and waste. One year DS1 opened his present from Santa and started crying hysterically, he was inconsolable. I finally got out of him that Santa had given him children’s scissors, he wanted very dangerous scissors. How could Santa have got it so wrong!

[nothing2lose]

We are atheists and we do Santa. He brings sensible presents like toothbrushes and is always mindful of over-indulgence and waste. One year DS1 opened his present from Santa and started crying hysterically, he was inconsolable. I finally got out of him that Santa had given him children’s scissors, he wanted very dangerous scissors. How could Santa have got it so wrong!

I bet he brought a non-toxic glue stick too! Damn you kid-safe Santa!!!! *shakes fist*

[[M]umma[M]ia]

We will be doing Santa in this house. Kids are only kids for a short amount of time and I love seeing where their imagination takes them. Anything that puts that huge smile on my daughters face is welcome in this house

[NaeNae]

I am not Christian, Hubby is.... in all honesty I HATE SANTA! I loathe that people put SOOOOOOOOOOO much emphasis on him at Christmas time in order to get kids excited. Its not why Christmas is celebrated and there is no reason why the magic of Christmas cannot be celebrated in all its beauty without him.

I hate the pressure to BUY at Christmas time, I avoid the shops. Infact I start my Chrissy shopping next month.

I DO LOVE the idea of giving though, and I LOVE the idea of seeing DD face light up when she sees presents under a Christmas tree. Santa is a tricky one, because I think too much of Christmas emphasis is on him and that he gives presents. We will probably DO Santa, but it will not be loads of toys, Santa can bring 1 special toy wrapped in glittery paper (different to the other presents), but I think his importance will be played down in our house.

I am a scrouge aren't I

[~clover~]

I still love christmas as much as I did as a kid. The excuse to have as much family around as possible, the closeness & happiness it brings. DD1 knows Santa isn't real, but she still loves the thought.
My kids don't get much through the year. Cristmas will always bring them what they need as well as something fun. New school shoes, bags etc.
I don't know anyone that felt ripped off finding out Santa wasn't real.

As Catholic, I do talk to the kids about the real meaning for Christmas as well. DD1 knows about it, DD2 is just learning now

Noone can tell you whats right for your family. Thats your choice

[MummyNaomi]

We are not religious, but for us, Christmas always symbolises the time of year when family make a special effort to get together, with family in 3 states its quite an accomplishment

However, with regards to Santa - we refer to him as 'Father Christmas' (must be the English heritage) and incorporate him into our festivities, its just part of the magic of Christmas. Our parents gave us that magical gift and eventually we worked out he wasn't real - we aren't scarred or spoiled by it, instead we are just keen to share that magic with our DS. DS is a little to young to understand it all yet, but this year it will make some sense to him, and we plan on telling him that Father Christmas will visit on Christmas eve and label a few of his presents from 'Father Christmas', and we already have a tradition of reading 'The Night before Christmas' on Christmas eve, in fact DH did it while DS was inutero.

I think you can have it both ways, its just about talking to your kids about Father Christmas and what Christmas means to your family. I've never heard of any outraged children scarred for life because their parents 'lied' to them about Father Christmas

[bec293]

My bub is still only small but I am thinking of not having santa. Christmas time in Australia is an overload of consumerism and commercialism as it is, and I feel Santa represents receiving.. getting stuff, being rewarded with objects for being good. I am not religious, and Christmas is a religious holiday. I feel Santa loses the true meaning and makes it all about "what did you get???". I will still celebrate Christmas but as a time for giving, with emphasis on making someone happy by making things for them etc, and sharing the day with family and lots of food and fun. DS will still receive gifts, from me, not because Santa has seen he has been 'good'. I'd like more meaning behind it than that

[NaeNae]

I've never heard of any outraged children scarred for life because their parents 'lied' to them about Father Christmas

now you have!! I remember quite clearly the night I discovered the Easter Bunny wasn't real and I remember being so utterly devastated because Mum and Dad lied to us. We always asked them if they was real and they always said yes ....... I am not permanently scarred but the "magic" of Santa and the Easter bunny was gone and I knew my parents would lie to me. It was the worst feeling.

[MummyNaomi]

I've never heard of any outraged children scarred for life because their parents 'lied' to them about Father Christmas

I stand corrected