Santa? Yes or No?

[Charlotte91]

Do you have (or plan to have) Santa??

Growing up, we never had Santa. We were always told that he wasn't real, he's just made up. But we weren't allowed to tell other kids that he wasn't real.

It was a Christian home, so Christmas was celebrated as Jesus' birthday.

I remember at the school concert one year.... Santa always turned up at the end when Jingle Bells was being sung. Santa walked in the door and my little brother was there, he was 18 months old. "Santa" walked up the aisle and stopped and said "Hello little boy, Merry Christmas" and kept walking. Abe, my brother, starts yelling "Hi Pop!! Pop!! Its POP!!!". It was my grandfather, lol. He just gave me and my sister, who were in the concert, a wink. We knew not to say anything.

We're not having Santa with our kids. DD was visted by Santa at Christmas, only because she was in the Royal Children's Hospital.

lol, I'm not a grinch! Just don't want to have Santa!

[nothing2lose]

We have Santa (although I tend to say Father Christmas).

I grew up in a Christian home and we had him (along with Easter Bunny) but we also knew the religious significance of the holiday. DD is the same. She is nine and still believes in Father Christmas, etc. (As well as fairies ) And she knows the Christian meaning behind the holidays and believes that too.

I think the world is full of so many horrible realities, a few lovely non-realities are good for balance! It's the kind of fantasy that, in my book, helps make childhood so full of wonder. There's time enough, when the magic stops and the relative harshness of life sets in.

[BlackRose]

I think the world is full of so many horrible realities, a few lovely non-realities are good for balance! It's the kind of fantasy that, in my book, helps make childhood so full of wonder. There's time enough, when the magic stops and the relative harshness of life sets in.

I totally agree! With an 8 year age gap between me and my brother I remember his early christmas' being so exciting for him... and I want that feeling for my DS at least for the first few years!

[Astrid]

We have Santa here. He gives a one bigish present along with a stocking filled for each girl. The rest of the presents are from us and family. I loved the Santa lie as kid and has others have said there is nothing wrong with a bit of fantasy Christmas day is just a nice day for family (and sometimes friends) to get together. Something to look forward to after a long year.

DH and I are not Christian. DH believes there is something, but turned his back on Christianity a long time ago. I was a raised a questioner (my mother was a lapsed Catholic, but loved Christmas), I am spiritual with pagan leanings.

The girls will be taught about all aspects of Christmas, the Christian aspect, along with the pagan side (the date for Christmas was chosen as it was a pagan day of celebration/worship).

[kelebek]

The hardest thing about this stance is other people. We don't really do Santa (DS was 3 in March) and hasn't really been old enough to get christmas but it was hard for me cause everywhere we went everyone would ask DS about Santa and what Santa was going to get him. It is awkward to say that he doesn't come to our house.

I am worred that DS won't think he is good cause Santa doesn't come (you know that line checking his list to see who is naughty and nice) I also want him to enjoy the magic of christmas. So while we don't celebrate Santa and Santa doesn't bring any pressies etc.... we emphasise that christmas is about family and giving etc.... and Santa is just that strange man in the red suit in the shopping centre or at the christmas concert.

Sorry if that wasn't very helpful

[Glass half full]

I understand where you're coming from. For different reasons though. I am not Christian so I feel like a bit of a fraud making a big deal out of Christmas when the true meaning behind it isn't something I was brought up with/choose to believe in. (no offence to anyone, I'm not really good with putting my thoughts into words)
We will do Christmas for the kids mainly because you cannot avoid it all around the shops, friends etc and I don't want them to feel left out. We definitely wont be going over the top with it though.
I think it's great that you're sticking with celebrating the true meaning of Christmas and not the old fat fella in the red suit

[Tinks]

We have Santa. Kids are only little for such a short time, I like to make Christmas fun for them.

[Lenny]

I guess you are the mum - so maybe in your house, you are the boss. If you don't want Santa then that's your choice. Obviously it's something that your parents have gone through with you - a choice they made for you.

I personally think there is no harm in having a bit of fun when you are a child and, to me, Santa (or Father christmas in my house too) is one of the fun things kids can have. We talk to our stuffed toys, yell at monsters, and watch out for fairies. One day the reality will come - but not just yet. I think my kids like those sorts of fun/silly/magic things.

[nothing2lose]

We talk to our stuffed toys, yell at monsters, and watch out for fairies. One day the reality will come - but not just yet.

So what do the kids do when you and DH are doing all of this???

[Miss.September]

We have Santa and we love it. I remember the feeling as a child that Santa will arrive, the excitement, the anticipation. I remember starting to realise that he wasn't real, but not wanting to admit it because it was so much fun.

Whatever you decide, Charlotte, it really doesn't matter. As long as it matters to you and your family

[Cass72]

I still believe in the miracle of Christmas - the love, the giving, the sharing, the peace.

In our home everyone gets a present from Santa. I still go to mass on Christmas day (I love midnight mass) and happily combine catholicism with santa. Have you ever read the story of Saint Nicholas? To me christmas is about family (and, if I'm completely honest: the food and the presents!!!!)

Whatever you decide is of course completely up to you. Don't feel pressured to conform to anyone's way of thinking - do what's right for you and your family.

[krysalyss]

We kind of do santa in that he gets a santa sack etc but we don't pretend that he is actually real. We told DS that santa is a game that we play at xmas. And we also said that people like to pretend he is real so we all join in and pretend that too. A couple of xmases ago DH played santa so he got to see someone that he knew dressed up as Santa. When he sees Santa in the shops he says "there's A santa" as if santa is an animal in a zoo. LOL! So for us it is a balance where he can have some fun but we haven't done a big elaborate fib. We play pretend games and imagine different things so we aren't against make believe at all. Its just I do try and be as honest as I can with him and it seemed crazy to start lying about something as silly as santa. He half believes it anyway because of what other kids say at kindy.

[Cranky Kitten]

We have santa. It started for me when DD was little as I had older stepchildren (my XP's kids) that believed in santa, so I couldn't really rip that away from them and do my own thing. But over the years, I've found my own meaning in the traditions, DD loves the charade and the magic it holds for her, which to me is something special - an innocent belief that will pass as she gets older, but hopefully not *too* soon.

But I do agree go with what works for you.

[~ Mylitta ~]

I still believe in the miracle of Christmas - the love, the giving, the sharing, the peace.

Me too! Everyone in my family still gets a Santa sack filled with presents, and my youngest brother is 22!

My hubby and I are not religious (spiritual and have our own beliefs, but don't follow a particular religion), but we still love Christmas and celebrate it as a time to spend time and love with family. Sure, you can do that everyday, but I'm sure you all know how quickly life can fly, so it's lovely to have a special time at least once a year to really remember how wonderful and special time together with family really is, and to celebrate it with sharing and giving.

For us Santa just symbolises the nature of giving at Christmas time. The kid's will always get a Santa sack of presents, BUT all the best presents always come from Mummy and Daddy (can't let Santa take all the credit ).

Childhood is such a magical and imaginative time


PS. I must still believe in fairies too, because there is a particular garden in the city that I adore, and everytime I go I always look for fairies. I guess if I totally didn't believe in them I wouldn't bother looking hehe.

[~*Kat*~]

We have Santa and we love it. I remember the feeling as a child that Santa will arrive, the excitement, the anticipation. I remember starting to realise that he wasn't real, but not wanting to admit it because it was so much fun.

Whatever you decide, Charlotte, it really doesn't matter. As long as it matters to you and your family

Exactly what I would have said!! Its fun for a while for them and its magic and the land of make believe and for my kids I like them using their imaginations. Each to their own though. I was raised as a Christian and I have my beliefs and my children will also be given the option to believe what they feel is right for them but while they r children I like to have fun with them.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I guess because i found out about Santa not being real very early but its never been about that for me. Its weird but christmas time there is just this smell in the air, maybe its the tree and the decorations that make that "smell" but its the only time of year that i get to sit down with my family and have a great day. We get so into it, i love making my family happy so we exchange presents and we laugh and joke then stuff our faces lol

So for christmas for my family will be the importance of family, we will have santa but he wont be the main person in it same goes for the easter bunny. the tooth fairy no i wont do that as i thought it was silly when i was a little girl.

[feeb]

I love the magic of Christmas Santa reindeers snowmen etc etc it was always a huge thing in our house growing up but always knew the true meaning of Christmas as well! I love shopping in the city at Christmas there is such a great atmosphere.

Kids are only little for a short time so I will embrace all things magic I can.

[Asparagus and Lemons]

We were very similar to you Charlotte, my parents always told us that santa was a 'game' so they would always wait for us to go to bed before they put presents out.
I don't think Christmas was ever ruined for us just because there was'no santa'
My grandparents were always so mad at my parents for not'letting us beleive' in santa. My cousins however believed in santa till they were in their teens.. How embarrassing..
I won't be encouraging santa because I believe its a bit cruel to trick vonrable minds.