You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch

numbersgirl08

Hubby and I were discussing last night whether or not we're going to encourage belief in Santa or not.  Anyone else considering not going the Santa route?

Hubby is leaning towards NOT doing Santa and not "lying" (as he so delicately puts it) to his daughter.  I don't know how I feel.  I see where he is coming from (he is logical and rational perhaps to a fault - he grew up questioning Santa).  But I like the magic Santa gives to Christmas.  I believed in Santa and I feel like I turned out just fine - never was angry at my parents for "lying" to me and didn't have any issues accepting that he wasn't real when I was older. 

I think part of it comes from how over the top his mom was with Christmas gifts.  I think he thinks Christmas would mean more and the gifts would mean more if they came from each other rather than from a fictional character whose sole purpose in life is to provide children with the THINGS they want.

Anyone have thoughts/opinions on Santa?

HeartLikeMine3

I'm probably not a good person to answer this. I have the best Xmas memories as a child many including the excitement and magic that came from Santa, the reindeers and the elfs. I personally wouldn't have it any other way. I never remember getting mad at my parents for lying to me.

JANCANDANCE

What @NurseMommy13 said

riansmommie

JANCANDANCE said:

What @NurseMommy13 said

+1

numbersgirl08

melOHdy said:

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12152347/santa/p1

We'll be doing Santa.  I loved the magic and I am happy that my husband agrees.  Although, his mom seems to think that he thinks santa = satan.  Apparently he joked about it once and it stuck with her.  Santa only ever really brought one big present and did stockings.  The rest of the stuff came from mom and dad.

Whoops - guess I missed that thread a few weeks back.  Sorry for rehashing!

NicoleReed0324

I never was upset about my parents "lying" I always loved Santa and have so many amazing memories. We go crazy decorating for Christmas! Our friend Dave says it looks like Santa threw up all over our house hahaha in particular... I love the grinch! Last year for the first time we made a grinch tree! Here's a picture of MJ with the grinch this year, and last year's grinch tree

ColieAnn31

We plan on doing Santa but not sure if we'll start this year or next. But I agree with everything PP's have said about it being magical

WasNotWas

If you aren't gonna do Santa...are your littles in daycare? Will they be in preschool? Bradley's school is pushing Santa pretty hard. Unless you straight up tell them Santa doesn't exist but some people believe in him it might get confusing in a school setting. And you don't want your kid being the one to ruin it for the rest of them, right?

KellenHi21

riansmommie said:

JANCANDANCE said:

What @NurseMommy13 said

+1

+2

AlsGal01

My husband is like yours and very "anti-lying" about Santa. I kind of want N to believe in Santa. I think my husband will lose out on this one. All the grandparents are all about Santa.

steph_pegasus

We will do Santa presents. Need to discuss with DH, but I think Santa will bring one gift and the stocking, and we will do the rest. Like others, I think he is part of the magic of the season.

LiLi23

Ditto @NurseMommy13!

Stef1210

I was on the fence until I read this article. We'll be doing Santa.

https://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/the_kids/2012/12/the_santa_lie_is_the_big_christmas_con_hurting_our_kids.html

needanustart

I actually for some reason never believed, though my siblings all did. My mom told me I should always keep quiet and not ruin the fun for other kids so I pretty much kept tight lipped about it. Because of that I initially didn't care either way if our kids believed. BUT I have been using the whole Santa is watching bit for the last 3 weeks and it is a miracle disciplinary tool for us. Like my toddler finally listens! So now, Santa is totally magic and real to me too! I'm going to start throwing his name around by August next year.

GraceInCA

I always knew that Santa was made up, but still played along. I knew not to spill to other kids, plus it was fun to get that Santa present or two. We played along for my son, but when he was 6 he told me, "Mom, I know that you're Santa." He wasn't crushed or anything, it was just a fact to him. I told him that not all kids knew, so he should still keep it a secret at school. I'm not sure what we'll do with my daughter. My husband to this day acts like there's a Santa around my son (although my son rolls his eyes), and he really wants to maintain that magical idea for our little one. I'm not so convinced it's important. But I don't think it really makes much of a difference either way. I know he's not real, and I still LOVE the holidays and go all out.

amie444

Santa does no harm and adds excitement to the fun. Since we celebrate with family and friends and focus on that what does it hurt. And honestly I will be teaching my daughter the true story of the holiday and it's pagan beginnings and how it was later turned into a Christian holiday. But that is down the road a bit. I just love the holiday season and sharing the magic of Santa and I so look forward to it.

JANCANDANCE

I second @WasNotWas mommy don't play that about the kids who tried to ruin it for mine.....I'm sure you can imagine how that went over. ;;)

llbta85

We do Santa. Its corney to say but seeing DS get all excited about it is heart warming and magical. My sister and I found poo ut when we were 5/6 and were fine with it so I'm not that worried about traumatizing the kids. There is also a good letter on pinterest or something from parents to their son who found out Santa wasn't real. Their explanation is wonderful.

Cricket81

I am all for anything that encourages imagination and excitement and Santa definitely does that.

CindyRelluh

SANTA FTW! I ask Q what Santa says and she laughs "Ho Ho Ho!"

JANCANDANCE

I see you've taught Q my name already @CindyRelluh

Maelara

I'll definitely be doing Santa childhood seems to be getting shorter and shorter so I want those very few years to be filled with wonder and magic

amberdt03

NurseMommy13 said:

We will be doing Santa. There will be gifts from Santa and gifts from Mom and Dad under our tree, just like when I was a kid. I loved the idea of Santa, making cookies for Santa, waiting and trying to sneak a peak at Santa. It added to the fun of Christmas. So yes, we will be doing Santa!

This.

ilovemarfa

We do Santa in our house but ds1 is very much aware that it is also Jesus' birthday and that's why we celebrate. We attend Mass weekly and he's familiar with the religious aspect of Christmas.

lioness13

I think DH and I have discussed this but I can't remember. I am on the fence. Part of me hates the non Christian focus on Christian holidays like Santa Claus and Easter bunny. Another part of me thinks it is fun.

RissNRuss

We're an interfaith home, so we have Hanukkah and Christmas. Santa will bring one special present.

And I agree with whoever said it- those who aren't "doing Santa" should be sure to teach their children to be respectful of others at school, etc that do.

Beaslejl

I think it's fun too.  I will do the whole Santa and Easter Bunny thing, but we will also be teaching the meanings behind these celebrations as well.  My husband has the larger religious background. His family won't put up Christmas trees because of their beliefs.  We do. We both find it fun, festive, and harmless.  Husband will focus on teaching the meaning behind the holidays with me as support.  I will focus on the magical side of the holidays for the fun and memories of it with husband as support. I also completely believe that it is essential that kids that come from homes where Santa doesn't exist that they are told not to tell the other children.  I'll be so sad if Santa is over way before it's supposed to.  I remember it being such an exciting thing for me as a child and I would really hate for my child to miss out on that feeling because they were told too early.

riansmommie

melOHdy said:

I would argue that having younger siblings kept the magic of Santa alive longer.  Even when I "knew" the secret of Santa, when Santa would bring presents Christmas morning, I would still be really excited because my sister still believed. 

Totally agree!! I'm the oldest of 5 and am 16 years older than my little brother, so I "believed" for a really really long time. Then right around the time my lil brother started to question and not believe I was pregnant with my DD1, so the fun of Santa has never really stopped for me