Have you had the "Santa" talk with any of your kids?

Seems like common courtesy to me.

He thought that since he was talking to an adult, who surely knew, that it was okay. He wasn't thinking that another child could be in earshot.

Most of the time they play along with adults too. It's just easier. I'm not sure what made him say otherwise that day.

 

I like they way you put this... I have never taught my girls about Santa. He was just a character in a book to them. And when my dad so wanted to be "SAnta" one year when my oldest was little. I did not say a thing, but she was so scared that we had to tell her that Pawpaw was santa... From then on, until she was five... every Christmas she would ask when PawPaw was going to play Santa...

 

My dd is 7 and I haven't had the talk yet and won't until she asks about it. We were reading a book together and it talked about it, however I asked her what she thought and she told me that Fudge(it was one of Judy Blume's Fudge books but don't remember what one) and Peter wouldn't be getting anything from Santa since they didn't believe in him. I asked if she believed and she told me she does and that's why Santa is going to bring her presents. She gets absolutely hysterical if she thinks Santa is watching and going to take away a present for something. Until she comes to me I don't plan to talk about it with her though. I never did come to my parents about it and honestly have no idea when I put it together, I'm guessing around the same time I caught my parents being the Easter Bunny but I have no idea. My younger brother is 5 1/2yrs younger than me though and I was told I had better never tell him about it so I played along and don't know when he figured it out, honestly he was 20 before I mentioned it to him so I wouldn't ruin his holidays LOL

 

LOL mom2lydia, my parents STILL tell me that Santa comes to their house and will leave me a present, and I'm 25! It's their special way of telling me that they got me a little special present I don't know about. lol Just something silly we do.

 

This is the first year my baby has really got into Santa (he's five) so I think we've got a little while. We don't push it, but at the same time we've enjoyed his excitement this year. He did learn that we are celebrating Jesus' birthday on Christmas - that was even cooler!

 

This year, I was a little sad that DGS age 7 announced one day recently that there's no Santa Claus. We didn't go out of our way to talk about Santa before, or foster a belief in any particular way, but we didn't negate the concept either. I told him that he shouldn't tell other kids who haven't found out yet, because it would spoil their fun (like his 3 year old little brother).

I'm one of those who has a very hard time with Christmas, some years not as bad as others. You know, cry for no discernable reason, be very uncomfortable over not having "just the right gift" for this one or that one... I perk right up once the whole thing is over. I enjoy the music (but not constantly from October 1!), I enjoy the decorations, quietly, I enjoy church, visiting, but there's something about the gifts... I'm perfectly happy not getting any, but I can't stand not being able to give what I want to give, disappointment when what I can afford is SO much less than what I would want to give... well, enough about that.

I have a friend who, although a completely mature adult and sincere Christian, still says, with a twinkle in her eye, "If you don't believe, you don't receive".

Another friend "got rid of" the Easter Bunny at their house, by strowing Easter grass and candy wrappers and muddy footprints all over the living room, and announcing to the children (who were well old enough by that time) that the Easter Bunny will no longer be welcome at their house because of the mess, and henceforth Mama will be in charge of Easter treats! She "got rid of" Santa Claus in similar fashion - she left a note from Santa that he would no longer be coming to their house, because he'd ripped his pants on a nail on their window sill! And sure enough, there was the nail, with red felt scrap attached!

My kids got Easter Baskets and "Santa" presents until they got old enough to leave home. Even "Santa Mouse" presents. Santa Mouse was found by Santa one year, and since then he has accompanied Santa around, in his pocket. SM leaves one tiny gift, something very precious, wrapped in gum wrapper, tied within the branches of the Christmas tree. Depending on the age of the recipient, it might be something like a charm for a bracelet, a tiny sample size bottle of expensive cologne, a tiny nail polish, a collectible stamp or coin, etc. Maybe the key to a desired diary or jewelry box, with directions to finding the diary or box. Maybe a car key... or maybe just a special candy.

 

never have a talk with my kids because I still believe in Santa have too.

 

Growing up in warm and tropical countries, no one had chimneys or fireplaces, so Santa Clause seemed rather impossible. I dont remember any of my friends really believing in it.
I remember it being viewed as a fun myth that parents told their kids, just like stories about Jack Frost, for example.

We do not celebrate Christmas, but I do buy gifts for my Christian friends and neighbors etc. I enjoy the Christmas carols etc. and wish people Merry Christmas...

I think that in recent years, the commercial side of Christmas has become more the focal point for people, than the actual reason for the celebration.