One Christmas when we were younger, my mom had the bright idea to have my dad dress up in a Santa suit and sleep downstairs by the tree, so that when we woke up in the morning and came downstairs, we’d “catch” Santa in our house and be able to tell the big jolly guy thanks for the gifts. Or something like that.
Well, my two sisters and I woke up and found “Santa” in our living room. My two younger sisters got downstairs first and stopped in their tracks at the dude in all red sitting on our couch.
“Santa…?” my youngest sister, who had to be about 3 at the time, said. I came barreling down the stairs and made a beeline to the presents. I had to be about 7 or so and clearly didn’t believe in Santa any more. “Hi, Dad,” I said. Why is he wearing that Santa suit? I thought to myself.
My dad sighed and pulled down the beard and said, “Hey, girls.” And we all knew it was him.
My mom fussed at me for the longest time because I spoiled the surprise by just outright refusing to believe that my dad was Santa.
I don’t remember if I ever believed in Santa. I was a very skeptical child. I knew my parents went to work to make money, I knew they listened to me when I asked for certain presents – why would I believe they were outsourcing the job to a fat dude at the North Pole (wherever that is)? And if Santa DID bring me and my sisters presents, why were certain spots in the house “off-limits” once we hit mid-November – hiding presents, maybe?
So when I had kids, it wasn’t important to me to keep the mystery of Santa alive. I never had them write letters to Santa, but I never outright told them that Santa doesn’t exist. For Christmas, we focus on being thankful for our blessings and enjoying extra time together (and the food – can’t forget about the food!). We make our gifts thoughtful and we celebrate Jesus’ birth and all that entails. I’m also teaching them the importance of giving back – you should see how fast they run to put their money in the red Salvation Army bucket.
In our house, Christmas is just what I feel it should be. I understand the magic and the mystery and think it’s cool. I figure as long as my kids don’t tell the other kids that Santa doesn’t exist, then we’ll be all set.
What about you? Do your kids believe in Santa? What are some of your Christmas traditions?
I’ve struggled witht his idea too. I never beleived in Santa, and when it was around Christmas time, I would search my home for the gifts (finding it easily until my parents moved them to my grandparents home).
I don’t feel it is importsnt to teach my daughter about Santa, then Christmas (in my mind) will only be about the presents, and I want her to learn so much more.
As for traditions, we like to donate toys and cloths to families who are struggling. Not saying we’re better off (cause we all struggle), but spreading the good cheer doesn’t do any harm.
We never had traditions like that when I was growing up and Santa was definitely not a big deal. So now I dont feel the need to continue that tradition with Aiden. But he’s been hearing all about Santa at school and this past week he’s been talking about how Santa is gonna love our Christmas tree and how Santa is gonna eat the ginger man cookies. He even asked that we buy santa some more cookies when we went to Target. He’s getting it from somewhere, but certainly not from me.
Santa was always a bit deal in our house…along with the true meaning and giving back. My mom actually told me that God and Santa worked together. I believed until I was ten, and then didt want to stop believing. I found out accidentally while watching an old episode of Dennis the Menace. Lol. I definitely plan to carry on the same traditions with my kids. Even now, there are gifts from “Santa” under the tree and I’m 31. Shoot you’re never to old for Christmas magic.