Do you believe in Santa?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-08-2004
Do you believe in Santa?
12
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 7:10am
Good morning.
I hope this isn't a touchy subject, but I met a two ladies recently who told me they didn't let their children believe in Santa. One woman said she didn't like lying to her children, the other said she didn't want Santa to get credit for what she did. They got me thinking about it. Are there other moms who don't believe in Santa? While we try to keep Jesus and giving as a big part of Christmas, there's just something fun and magical about Santa too. I guess I just wish I still believed : )

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2004
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 8:55am

Hi:)
I think it's kind of BS that moms tell their kids Santa isn't real...I ALWAYS believed in him and I would ask my parents,(even when I was like 13), and they would still say there is a santa claus. haha. It was fun when I was a kid, and thinking is there really a santa?

I will definantely never tell my son that santa isnt real, it would ruin the fun!
Katie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-23-2004
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 9:46am
I have a friend who feels the same way, says his church told him don't lie to his kids. His wife is furious that he told the kids that there is no Santa, or Easter Bunny.
Not to start a debate, but I told him to read his bible, because he is lying to his kids, by telling them the Christmas story. In Matthew it says that the wise men found the child in the house with his mother. Not exactly what we all learn in church. He said that was different. I laughed!
My son told me there was no Easter Bunny, I told him if he didn't believe, he wouldn't get a basket. He still believes and he is 11!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2004
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 10:50am
I let my children believe in Santa.
I lived through being told there was a Santa and finding out later there was not.
I don't let the HUGE things for Xmas be from Santa, but he does bring about 30 % of the stuff to them.
I think it is up to the parents and how they feel. Can't really judge anyone for doing it or not doing it.





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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2004
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 11:12am

I was devistated when I was told there was no santa. My father thought I was old enough to know, and I balwed!
DH and I completely agree about never lieing to our children. Santa does exist, just not in the way a lot of ppl say. Santa is a combination of many ppl through the generations who have given a lot of love and meaning to a very special time of year,Christs Birthday. My children will know that the spirit of Santa lives in all of us every time we think of others before ourselves, and that the fella in the red suit is there to remind us of that. They will however have the freedom to beileve what they wish, and we will make sure that they don't spoil it for thoes who have not been told the difference. I want my children to have a deeper understanding of christmas, and all the wonderful and magical things in life. I don't want it to be limited to greed and the whole "be good or santa won't bring you any preasents" part of christmas that has seemed to take over the holiday.

Natalie
EDD 6/14/5 #1

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2004
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 3:25pm

My parents are from another country and they didn't "do" the Santa thing when I was younger so I grew up watching shows about Santa and what he did but I understood it was just for tv, not real life. I'm loving being able to make Santa come alive for my kids. We're awaiting a phone call from Santa (through our park district) on Sunday, and we made two special visits to Santa at the mall--once just to talk and once for a picture. My dd asked for her Thomas and Friends toys that she wants and she's just thrilled with anticipation. She loves Christmas songs and everything associated with this time of the year. We also do a countown til Christmas.

Since we're Christian we do talk about the Baby Jesus and his birth story. I stress that is why we have a celebration in the first place.

--Christina

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2004
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 3:41pm

We told Essie about St. Nicholas and the wonderful loving deeds he did for others. Then, I told her that he died a long time ago, but that some people still pretend that he's alive and do loving things in honor of what he did.

I stressed to her that, no, Santa is not still alive and that some people make-believe that he goes around giving gifts and take pictures with people dressed up like him. And I was very careful to remind her that other children believe he is real and it's up to their parents to tell them the truth some day.

We also rent "The Boy Who Became Santa" which is a cartoon explaining about the bishop's good deeds.

The season is still one of magic and joy, though. For us, the focus is on it being Christ's birthday. As Catholics, we've been in the season of Advent, which is getting ready for Christmas, so we've been prepping for the Ultimate Birthday Party. Essie's very excited about making a birthday cake for Jesus and putting up balloons and the like. We also get gifts from the charity Christmas tree at church and she gets to pick out some pretty gifts and necessities to give those in need. And we still give one another gifts, but the focus is not about who receives what from whom.

There are so many non-Santa-ish celebrations for us. There's this wonderful, charming little drive-through Nativity scenes where I live, plus there's all the winter celebrations and still lots of good-spirited Christmas movies and hot cocoa with marshmallows and snuggling.

~ Maria, mum to Essie (age 4) and Miguel (2)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 3:41pm
DS (age 9) flat out asked me if there was a Santa. I felt I owed it to him to tell the truth. I said if he ruins it for his sisters (age 3 and 5), he wouldn't get anything for Christmas. So far that's worked! I believe you can keep the Christmas spirit, by giving to others and remembering the less fortunate and remembering the story of the very first Christmas. I do think that our society has gone way overboard with the Holiday season, and too many people forget what it's all about.
Avatar for jennyberm
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 4:21pm
My kids, 3 and 1, haven't asked if he's real yet but there seems to be a lot about that on tv so I'm sure it will come sooner rather than later. Anyway, I plan to tell them what my mother told me: Santa is real. Santa is the spirit of Christmas and though he may not be a real person, he is the magic of the season that lives in every one of us. I was always very happy with that answer. Never disappointed or disillusioned in any way. In fact, by the time I asked I pretty much already *knew* so it was a wonderful way to hold on to the fantasy a little longer (like 30 years, lol).

Jenny

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Cassia (7/15/03)



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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 6:06pm

My dad grew up believing in Santa, and was devastated when he found out the truth. As a result, I was never raised to believe, and always felt like I missed out on the fun. DH believed in Santa when he was little, and wanted to do the same for our kids. I finally agreed, and at first it was a little awkward, but now I'm having as much fun with it as the kids. Being a Christian, I am always sure to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas as we believe it.


I think you just have to be sure to explain it in a way that they understand when it comes time to tell them the truth. I'll definitely make sure that

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-25-2004
Sat, 12-18-2004 - 2:00pm
Do I believe in Santa? Absolutely...Santa brings me Jammies every year. I am the oldest by 9 years, so Santa was ALWAYS a part of my growing up, he never went away...now I get to play the role,a dn it is so much fun! The only thing I changed from how I was growing up is that Santa is bringing the clothes, and stocking stuffers, everything else is from mom and dad.
Tracy
Mommy to Zachary 7/26/03

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