Santa

letal316

I guess it doesn't really matter to our LO's because they are too young to be aware of Santa but is anyone thinking of not introducing Santa into their kids lives? Totally just curious as my sister and DH were discussing this last night.

kendy20

DH and I talked about the whole Santa thing and we decided we would but also would emphasize that it's not just about getting gifts ect. I know some of us on here are not religious but the easiest way we came up with explaining the whole Santa thing is to teach DD that Santa, like Jesus, helps people in need and try's to bring joy and happiness to everyone. We give them gifts because we are also celebrating the birth of Christ and we feel the best way to celebrate Him is to give to others. We obviously are still working on the best way we want to teach her and raise her, but for now that's where we are at.

alyssajanell5

I think we'll spend more time focusing on the birth of Jesus. We will introduce Santa and when he's old enough to understand explain Saint Nick though.

Helmink0804

We're team Santa! We'll be doing the whole shebang of it. The one mall here even does a wake up Santa event where they go in their pjs and help mrs Claus wake up Santa- I can't wait until she's old enough for that!

QOTR

My husband is on the fence, but I want the magic of Santa, the tooth fairy, etc.

spinsoffresonance

No, but we're Jewish. That being said it is impossible to shield the kids from Santa, so while I'm not going to make any efforts to introduce Santa I won't keep him away either. If the kids start asking about Santa, I'll explain who he is, but I won't be the one introducing Santa until they hear about him elsewhere.

ETA I think we'll still have a Christmas tree though because I like them! And the tooth fairy will visit (except that in French it's the little mouse! Oh man how will I ever chose between the tooth fairy and the little mouse?)

lrmrtn

We aren't religious and half my family is Jewish but we're still doing Santa and the tree because I love it.

momthatlifts

Hell to the no. In fact, I plan on going to the fire station, giving them a gift to have Santa bring her when he rides in on the fire truck.

mommar13

For sure doing Santa. It was a big part of both DH and my childhood. Plus I want it to be a way for my sister to still be involved. She's 9 and this year she found out the truth behind Santa, the tooth fairy, etc. I'm going to let her come over and help play Santa so she still gets some of the magic of it. I know DS won't really "know" what's going on this year, but still.

hbird0723

Santa here as well . Heck I'm even doing elf on a shelf lol she probably won't care but I'm excited. Both if us grew up with Santa and we never felt lied to (that's one of the arguments I hear from people I know who don't do Santa) also my husband is a priest so is my dad so we will be making sure she knows why we celebrate Christmas but Santa is still fun and growing up I never felt like it took away from the religious meaning. My SIL talks about Santa but tells her kids he's not real and just for fun so I really hope they don't ruined it for her! I get their reasoning and respect their decision but I just remember how fun it was growing up and want her to have that.

Helmink0804

@Cook251‌ that's what my mom did as well and I'll probably follow doing that as well! We'll do the cookies and carrots. I want to start a baking tradition with her- I know she's too young this year but she can sit in the high chair and watch me, that still counts as doing it together, right? I'm gonna hound my DH to take lots of pictures! I can't wait to see all the Christmas pictures that'll come through of everyone!

Helmink0804

I have to go through my Christmas board and see what I have pinned! I'm gonna snap screen the things I want to do! I want to find a good Christmas/winter bucket list!

hbird0723

When I got a little older my mom and I always made cookies before Christmas and left them out with milk and there would also be crumbs left. My dad actually ruined Santa for me by writhing me a note. He always writes in all caps really small and that's what Santas writing was one year. Way to go dad lol. We always got one big gift from Santa and it was usually our biggest one and always unwrapped. We were allowed to dump our stocking and play with that toy. It bought my parents at least 30 extra minutes we will probably do that too. I am adding elf on a shelf and pjs with some movie snacks on Christmas Eve.

bumpuser10194737

We aren't really doing Santa because we want to keep the focus on the religious aspect, however like @lica001 said, we will talk about Santa when he comes up. For us he will be a fun pretend (they will know he isn't real) part of Christmas and we will still read fun stories about him and watch the Christmas movies.  

Helmink0804

@Hbird05‌ we're doing Christmas Eve opening a present with a new pair of Christmas pjs and book! I already know which book to do and my mom is going to start a book tradition too- hallmark comes out with a Christmas book every year! This years book is going to be Santas coming to Ohio! I'm excited!

theoryofwhat

Santa up in hurr.
One night to trick my kid into sleeping in her room (a couple of years from now)? Win.

Also, it's a tradition in my family so I'd like to keep that going.

Helmink0804

@SSoegaard2011‌ yup! It even names Ohio big cities!

Helmink0804

It is such a cute book!

Arinias

We decided we will talk about who St. Nicholas was and the fun of Santa but we are not really going to do the whole thing. I am religious and my husband is not, it is not that I have anything against Santa, I just did not grow up with it so I do not feel like I need to bring my son up with it. I still love allt he movies and things though and have a lot of Christmas traditions I love. We always opened pjs on Christmas Eve, and my sisters and I would get up and open our stockings before my parents got up, and Christmas breakfast was always a big thing too.

haylo33

I'm all about the importance of Jesus but you are only a kid once and the excitement and joy I felt as a kid on Christmas Eve is something I wish everyone could feel. Needless to say, I'm pro Santa. I don't want my son to be spoiled or think it is all about presents but I wasn't like that and Santa was a big deal

whimsy515

DH and I are atheists, but we're team Santa. We don't want to take any magic away, and I'm just crazy about the holiday season. I love that everyone is nicer (wish it would last). My Dad gave me a book a few years ago called The Autobiography of Santa. I loved it and loved how it explained his story and how the gift giving thing works. Once DS is old enough, I'll read it to him.

busterbeagle

I'm kind of conflicted on Santa. I think there are plenty of ways to make Christmas magical, and my biggest issue with Santa is the idea that good kids gets lots of presents and bad kids don't. We live in a very diverse area and my kids will go to school with other kids who probably won't really get any Christmas presents, and others who will get a ton. We have awhile to figure out how we will handle it, and we visited the mall Santa last year and even at 22 months, DD was in heaven, but it's a tough one for me. Whatever we decide, my kids will definitely know that some/most/all of the presents are from us.

operaghost

I absolutely hate the holidays so no.

babyaotw

busterbeagle said:

I'm kind of conflicted on Santa. I think there are plenty of ways to make Christmas magical, and my biggest issue with Santa is the idea that good kids gets lots of presents and bad kids don't. We live in a very diverse area and my kids will go to school with other kids who probably won't really get any Christmas presents, and others who will get a ton. We have awhile to figure out how we will handle it, and we visited the mall Santa last year and even at 22 months, DD was in heaven, but it's a tough one for me. Whatever we decide, my kids will definitely know that some/most/all of the presents are from us.

This. Except we will be one of the "poorer" families in an area that has a lot of wealth. I wouldn't want our kiddo to think he's not as special. That, and I find Santa bribery to be tacky. We are on the fence, but have plenty of time to decide before making our decision.

apinkpelican

Helmink0804 said:

@Hbird05‌ we're doing Christmas Eve opening a present with a new pair of Christmas pjs and book! I already know which book to do and my mom is going to start a book tradition too- hallmark comes out with a Christmas book every year! This years book is going to be Santas coming to Ohio! I'm excited!

Already planned to do the PJs but am adding a book now! Great idea! MY even be the same book ;-)

Team Santa here too. But Elf on the Shelf? Not sure I can get behind that shit. Feel like it is a new made up thing. Did any of you do this growing up?

Helmink0804

Didn't have elf on the shelf growing up but I think DH and I would have fun with it.

gutsysneakers

kendy20

I saw this really cool idea last night, you get 25 Christmas story books and wrap them individually, put them in a basket under your tree or wherever and each night the kids pick one to open and read. That way they are getting Christmas bedtime stories each night and gets them excited about reading and Christmas :-)

deanna1313

@Babybarlow2014‌ wait?! You can order from scholastic on your own and not through a school?

hbird0723

KellyQ116 said:

Helmink0804 said:

@Hbird05‌ we're doing Christmas Eve opening a present with a new pair of Christmas pjs and book! I already know which book to do and my mom is going to start a book tradition too- hallmark comes out with a Christmas book every year! This years book is going to be Santas coming to Ohio! I'm excited!

Already planned to do the PJs but am adding a book now! Great idea! MY even be the same book ;-)

Team Santa here too. But Elf on the Shelf? Not sure I can get behind that shit. Feel like it is a new made up thing. Did any of you do this growing up?

No it's new I think but I did it with my kindergarten class (everyone celebrated and I got permission) they loved it! It was really easy too. I didn't do anything too crazy just moved him around the room. Once he got into the marshmallows. I kind of like the idea of him giving the kids ideas of good deeds they can do to help others out.

hbird0723

@Babybarlow2014‌ can you have them sent to your house now? I know I still have an account from teaching but they would get sent to the school. Or do you order them through a teacher?

deanna1313

We are definitely doing Santa! I can't wait until LO understands christmas both the religious and Santa aspects of it. I'm so looking forward to christmas lists, baking cookies, visiting Santa, movies, leaving cookies out for Santa, food for the reindeer and etc!!!!!
We also plan to start a tradition on Christmas Eve of opening one gift and it's PJ's, a book and maybe hot chocolate and marshmallows. Something special. Not sure if is rather read "The Night before Christmas" every year instead though.

For those people who are concerned about your child finding out that Santa was a lie when they are older there is a wonderful letter on Pinterest about the truth about Santa. It's really sweet and is a nice way to explain it without saying "we lied!!!" I'll try to find it and add a link.

whimsy515

I didn't have Elf on a Shelf as a kid. I did grow up in the same house as my Grandparents, and my Grandma had those creepy elves everywhere. I hated it, but I do like it when people get scary creative with them....

gutsysneakers

Lissiehoya said:

Are people going to take their babies for a picture with Santa this year?

Absolutely. I don't care about the line and I'm secretly hoping she thinks he's creepy. I think the best photos with Santa are the ones with the kids crying....does this make me a terrible mother? Eh.

MerryLove

My aunt has taken a picture of her daughter with Santa every year (she is now 15) and each picture has a different frame. In December she puts all the pictures out in order. Some of the pictures she is happy, some grumpy/scared, some clearly embarrassed. It's funny and cute - everyone loves looking at the pics every year and even my cousin loves it now.

apinkpelican

MerryLove said:

My aunt has taken a picture of her daughter with Santa every year (she is now 15) and each picture has a different frame. In December she puts all the pictures out in order. Some of the pictures she is happy, some grumpy/scared, some clearly embarrassed. It's funny and cute - everyone loves looking at the pics every year and even my cousin loves it now.

Love this idea

Helmink0804

Definitely taking for Santa pictures! She might not remember but that's what the picture is for!

lrmrtn

My mom friends swear by elf on the shelf as a way of discipline/ bribery/blackmail for good behavior during the holidays!

flockofmoosen3

We are team Santa as well. We plan to also emphasize that it's not all about getting presents.

I would love to incorporate a christmas tradition of doing some volunteer work when she's older or donating to a charity of baby girl's choice. I've never done anything like that before but I want to teach her to make compassion a joyful habit. I know that sounds pretentious but I didn't grow up like that and I wish I did.

deanna1313

@Babybarlow2014‌ great! Thanks for the info. I'm hoping on scholastic's website now!

deanna1313

Definitely visiting Santa every year and having his picture taken with him. We have a garden center near our house that has a great set up with Santa and even real live reindeer in a room full of huge lit christmas trees. It's pretty awesome.