Is there anyone else who doesn't do the whole "Santa" thing?

[Tink-aholic]

Okay how about this. We are not Jewish. (just using this as an example) Our beliefs are different. If my child says that the Messiah has come and your child doesn't believe that should we call your child a liar? Afterall that is what WE believe. You don't have to believe it but it doesn't make it a lie. Just keep your opinons and thoughts to yourself and we will keep ours. (Not being snarky just making a point.) No need to ruin other people's holidays because your beliefs are different. There are plenty of things that I as an adult don't believe in but I wouldn't feel the need to say anything to someone about it if they thought differently. Your child doesn't have to say something they think is a lie but they also don't have to preach about what they think on the subject. KWIM?

Well said.

 

[DawnM]

Of course not, but he doesn't come to my house and deliver gifts.

We have read an incredible book called Santa, Are You for Real? It is the TRUE story of St. Nicholas. THAT is that we believe.

Dawn

St. Nicholas is not a mythical creature. JMHO.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Of course not, but he doesn't come to my house and deliver gifts.

We have read an incredible book called Santa, Are You for Real? It is the TRUE story of St. Nicholas. THAT is that we believe.

Dawn

That sounds like a nice story. I might have to read that! We taught our kids about St. Nicholas as well, but we do have the whole Santa thing too.

 

[DawnM]

I am sorry. I think I am a bit on edge this year....I didn't mean to be so combative.

I have something with the whole Santa thing going on in my personal life that is irritating the heck out of me....

Go on with your Christmas and enjoy.

Dawn

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am sorry. I think I am a bit on edge this year....I didn't mean to be so combative.

I have something with the whole Santa thing going on in my personal life that is irritating the heck out of me....

Go on with your Christmas and enjoy.

Dawn

I didn't think you were combative.
The holidays are a rough time. So much stress that sometimes it is hard to step back and enjoy the little things. Don't worry!
I hope you have a great Christmas and everything gets all ironed out for you. I am going to look for that book though. It sounds interesting.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Okay how about this. We are not Jewish. (just using this as an example) Our beliefs are different. If my child says that the Messiah has come and your child doesn't believe that should we call your child a liar? Afterall that is what WE believe. You don't have to believe it but it doesn't make it a lie. KWIM?

No, I don't know what you mean. We are not talking about religious beliefs.

If Santa breaks into your home on Christmas eve, leaves presents (that you did not have to buy) and eats your food - please alert the media.

 

[GEM]

Hmmmm.....

I guess we're on the other end of the spectrum. We've told our DS (age 5) that Jesus is a nice story that lots of people believe in and like to celebrate this time of year because some people believe that Jesus was a real and was born around this time of year. And, that the story has some nice and important lessons about how we should treat other people, etc. And, we should always respect what people believe in and be kind about it, even if we don't believe it ourselves. And, of course, that, when he grows up, he can decide for himself what he believes. So, he understands that. But, our Christmas celebration is all about being with friends and family, the joy of giving and sharing, special holiday traditions, etc. Not a bit about Jesus.

Santa, on the other hand, we believe in whole heartedly!

Honestly, I don't believe either story is more far-fetched than the other.

 

[daleswife]

I never believed in Santa growing up and I didnt want to teach my kids about him either....but My DH is a different story. He started telling DD5 about Santa at 1. Where I didnt believe in santa its hard for me to remember to ask her what she wants santa to bring......I always ask her what she wants us to get her for Christmas. I think she knows that Santa isnt real.....but I dont think she wants to break her daddy's heart.....

MY DS2 is a different story....he LOVES santa. But hes only seen santa as a person once. So I dont know whats going on with him.....

 

[daleswife]

My DH and I go one further then not doing the Santa thing.

On Christmas Eve we make a cake that says "Happy Birthday Jesus" on it, we put candles on it and sing happy birthday and then blow the candles out. We give parties for everyone elses birthday, why not baby Jesus. My DD4 has never thought of believing in Santa. She does know not to ruin it for those that do. When someone ask her about Santa she says "If you don't believe, you don't receive" This goes well with our Christian belief also. If you don't believe in Jesus you will never receive him into you heart and into your life.

We do give gifts. DD goes through the toy book and circles what all she wants. Then on Christmas day when she wakes up they are out just like if "Santa" had brought them. But she knows that instead of leaving cookies at night it is a big hug and kiss and a thank you in the morning for her dad and I.

I don't think we are being mean teaching her that there is no such thing as Santa, rather we are teaching her the true meaning of Christmas, a meaning that most kids don't get until they are alot older.

Don't ask about the Easter Bunny because you probably don't want to know the answer.

I think you ideas are wonderful. Id love to do that with my children. I do teach them that Jesus is the reason...but their dad teaches them about Santa.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Just because you want to keep Christ in Christmas doesn't mean the kids can't also believe in Santa Claus.

We always had Santa growing up and we continue the Santa thing with our kids. Our kids are 10 and 5. I think the 10 yo knows, but hasn't said anything.

Santa brings a couple gifts and mom and dad bring the rest. We do breakfast with Santa and the yearly picture.

We also talk about Jesus and his birthday , go to church and do the religious thing too.

I don't think its lying , its a little magic and make believe, like Disney World and Mickey Mouse. IMOP, kids are little and innocent for such a short time these days , with our family believing in Santa its part of the innocence of childhood.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

No, I don't know what you mean. We are not talking about religious beliefs.

If Santa breaks into your home on Christmas eve, leaves presents (that you did not have to buy) and eats your food - please alert the media.

What makes a religious belief more imortant than any belief? I think you are just being obstinate for the sake of it. I think you know exactly what I mean. You can have any belief you want. Yours does not trump mine no matter what it is.
Merry Christmas!

 

[koolaidmoms]

We have alway done that Santa is an angel who encourages us to give gifts to others on behalf of Jesus' birthday. Neither of my kids have ever questioned it, 8 and 5. When people ask if they believe in Santa my children tell the questioner that he is an angel. No one has ever gotten upset with us. If I were to lose friends over Santa Claus I would seriously have to question if they were really my friends in the first place. IMHO.

 

[Miss LD]

I grew up not believing in Santa.
Many of my friends did, but my parents always treated him like a fictional character. I don't think it was a big stretch. We read lots of books and we knew about Santa. But, we were told it was Jesus' birthday and we had a cake for him.
It never really affected me. I knew other kids believed in Santa and I never spoiled it for them.
I was allowed to get Santa photos, etc.
My kids are now 4.5 and 8 months.
My son (4.5) believes in Santa, and we've taught him that Santa shows God's love by bringing presents.
I don't really care what others think about what I teach him.
We have friends who celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanza, so I don't think they give a hoot in what we teach our son about Santa.

 

[Sorsha]

Hmmmm.....

I guess we're on the other end of the spectrum. We've told our DS (age 5) that Jesus is a nice story that lots of people believe in and like to celebrate this time of year because some people believe that Jesus was a real and was born around this time of year. And, that the story has some nice and important lessons about how we should treat other people, etc. And, we should always respect what people believe in and be kind about it, even if we don't believe it ourselves. And, of course, that, when he grows up, he can decide for himself what he believes. So, he understands that. But, our Christmas celebration is all about being with friends and family, the joy of giving and sharing, special holiday traditions, etc. Not a bit about Jesus.

Santa, on the other hand, we believe in whole heartedly!

Honestly, I don't believe either story is more far-fetched than the other.

Our families would get along fabulously! We went so far as to spend some time with our DDs examining comparative religions and traditions; Solstice celebrations and beliefs, the ancient Roman Saturnalia, ancient Celtic traditions, etc as well as Christian beliefs. We emphasize that everyone has his or her own beliefs, and that every belief is just as important and as valid as any other. I really think it helps to ground them and give them a sense of how rich and varied other culture's mythologies can be, and helps them to think independently.
We don't encourage a belief in Santa as a jolly fat dude hanging out in the chimney past about the child's age of 7, but we do read the story of St Nicholas, and encourage a belief in Santa as a symbol of goodwill, sharing, and holiday cheer.
Merry Christmas to all!

 

[tinkerlisa]

I don't think its lying , its a little magic and make believe, like Disney World and Mickey Mouse. IMOP, kids are little and innocent for such a short time these days , with our family believing in Santa its part of the innocence of childhood.

This was very well put...
Children grow up so fast these days. I just want to make sure my kids are kids for as long as possible. It is hard though...

 

[disneyjunkie]

Not believing in Santa doesn't take away from the innocence of childhood or force a child to grow up too soon.

My oldest niece and nephew were 5 and 6 when they visited WDW for the first time. They knew the characters weren’t real but that didn’t stop them from dragging us to every character line they came across.

They had a blast with the characters and can’t wait to return with their younger siblings.

 

[rt2dz]

Well, we do believe in Santa. I fully, wholeheartedly believe in Santa and so do my kids (I hope!). I do not feel Santa is about commercialism, unless you choose to make him that way, and does not conflict with the true meaning of Christmas in any way. But that is my choice and I fully respect other people’s choices. I just hope that kids who don’t believe in Santa don’t try and destroy it for other kids. You do not need to “lie”, just keep your mouth shut. Anyhow, I’ll tell you how we present Santa, but let me get to the original topic first, so you can quit reading if you’re not interested.

If you don’t “do” Santa, simply don’t do it. You don’t need to tell anyone that you don’t do Santa. Smile and nod. Teach your kids to do the same. If pushed and you need to say something, just say you choose to focus on the religious aspects solo and keep the red suite out of it to not confuse your children. Then you do your best to make sure you and your children don’t ruin anyone else’s belief.

We do the character, but as my kids get older and start to question, I ask them what they think. When they decide that Santa isn’t real, I tell them they are wrong. Santa is very, very real. I tell my kids Santa isn’t necessarily a person. Santa is a spirit and people who possess the spirit of giving and putting others first get the title of Santa. We go over Saint Nicholas, a real person. We read the books The Legend of the Christmas Tree, The Legend of the Christmas Stocking, and The Legend of the Candy Cane books. These are all Christian books and that really put things in perspective. We talk about how people play Santa, and give to others. We discuss that we should always give (and practice it), but that we give extra at Christmas because we can’t give presents to Jesus for his birthday and Jesus would want us to celebrate properly, if we are going to celebrate. The Bible doesn't say to celebrate/remember his birthday, only his death and resurrection.

We volunteer with our church’s Angle Tree mission. We participate in toy drives. We adopt a family. We give to those in need we know—last year we had a good friend lose his job right before Christmas when his company went under unexpectedly and we baked them Christmas cookies and a big grocery store gift certificate. He had been in a car accident and spent 8 weeks on unpaid medical leave right before to boot that depleted their savings. They have no idea where it came from, but it helped get them through the holidays until he found another job.

Both our church and the kids’ preschool does Happy Birthday Jesus parties that they participate in. The Church one is a big family thing at a Christmas tree farm. They roast hotdogs, make s’mores, and have a huge birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday, Jesus. Kids also give presents for a toy drive. It's a real birthday party.

My kids are also taught about other holidays of other religions. They are taught that while we don’t believe in these things, we respect others’ beliefs. After all, my kids have friends of all sorts of religions and my brother is agnostic. And I feel that if you lose friends over this, either you aren't respecting the other side or (more likely) they weren't really friends in the first place.

 

[RN01]

With my older kids we did the whole santa thing. Around 1st grade they asked the "santa" question and I told them the truth. Now with my 4 year old, she is terrified of santa. I'm so tempted to tell her that santa isn't real but I'm afraid she will tell the kids in her class. Not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I know I always felt guilty lying to them.

 

[allison443]

I can't imagine this becoming a big issue at work (unless you work at the North Pole ) Why are you discussing religious beliefs with your co-workers? It seems like that topic could be pretty easily avoided...especially if you think it could be affecting a promotion!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I can't imagine this becoming a big issue at work (unless you work at the North Pole ) Why are you discussing religious beliefs with your co-workers? It seems like that topic could be pretty easily avoided...especially if you think it could be affecting a promotion!

It's funny but I was wondering that too. How can you not get promoted because you don't believe in Santa? Where do you work?