What do you tell your little ones about The Jolly One?

DetroitDad · November-21-09, 05:52 PM

I didn't want to ruin the Christmas thread on the Detroit side, but a post over there by one poster who never believed brought up some thoughts.

I've been debating about what to tell my daughter about Santa when she is of age. I really think it's fun [[remember we were tracking Santa on Google here last year?), but also feel kind of bad about just outright lying to her, and then telling her not to lie. What have you guys told your little ones, and how do you feel about such things?

How did you feel when you were little and the jig was finally up?

ccbatson · November-21-09, 06:00 PM

Simple...compare Santa to all other fictional characters whose meaning and value has nothing to do with being an actual corporeal being.

Stosh · November-21-09, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitDad

I didn't want to ruin the Christmas thread on the Detroit side, but a post over there by one poster who never believed brought up some thoughts.

I've been debating about what to tell my daughter about Santa when she is of age. I really think it's fun [[remember we were tracking Santa on Google here last year?), but also feel kind of bad about just outright lying to her, and then telling her not to lie. What have you guys told your little ones, and how do you feel about such things?

How did you feel when you were little and the jig was finally up?

How I found out, was at a Union Christmas party. Santa was up on his chair, and us kids were in line to wait for him. Got to the front of the line sat on his lap, and found that Santa was my grandfather. I must have been 3 or 4.

Sometimes it's just as well as you don't tell her. Honestly, no kid wants the magic to end. And she'll find out [[or figure it out) on her own. I can't concieve of any reason a child would hold it against anyone.

ccbatson · November-21-09, 06:02 PM

I suppose it depends on what you mean by "of age"

**gnome** · November-21-09, 06:30 PM

You never tell them anything other than the truth that there is a Santa Claus and he comes on Christmas Eve. You leave cookies and milk for Santa, because he is hungry, and carrots for the reindeer.

They will find out on their own. You don't need to 'wise them to the world', you keep it up forever. Even when they are 30 yrs old.

Oh, since your little one is too young to understand, next yr have someone record, "ho ho ho, Merry Christmas Suzie!" add in some bells and reindeer sound effects ... then you laydown 10 minutes of dead air and insert your Santa jingling his bells, the reindeer making snorting sounds and then the HoHoHo... The end result will be sort of a mix tape... 10 minutes of dead air, sound effects, then Santa.

The key is to physcally be with your little one when the Santa sounds are coming from the living room. To do that you wake up early and sneak out to start your tapeplayer or cd player, then head into their room. It takes some planning, but the gag is so effective, even after they find out the truth, they will still believe a tiny little bit. oh, one more thing, wherever you put the cookies and carrots, you need to leave a little soot and a torn piece of red fabric as though Santa was in a big hurry.

With enough practise, and the right attitude, you can keep this up for decades.

**Jimaz** · November-21-09, 06:42 PM

If you decide to tell her the truth, be prepared to deal with the possibility that she might spill the beans to other kids whose parents might object.

I figured it out myself once I understood just how preposterous the story is. It wasn't disappointing at all.

Good question for Dear Abby.

dfunkycity · November-21-09, 07:19 PM

The other thread was already ruined by one of th many resident racists on this forum

Retroit · November-21-09, 08:05 PM

Well, since I started this...

If your daughter is intelligent, there is nothing you can do to convince her that there is a man who lives on the North Pole and delivers toys to 2 billion kids in one day by flying through the air with reindeer and breaking into people's houses in the middle of the night by sliding down chimney flues that are too small for him, including houses that don't have fireplaces. Do you really want your child to be stupid enough to believe this crap?

You want your child to appreciate Christmas? Tell her about a little boy that was born 2000 years ago to save us from following hollow traditions.

**East Detroit** · November-21-09, 09:09 PM

And while you're at it, make sure to tell her all the fairy tales and movies and books are lies!

Make sure she's ready for the real world!!!! Also, get her a gun.

**Maof** · November-21-09, 10:15 PM

i didn't say anything to my kids. they will eventually figure it out on their own or when the kids from school start talking. both my kids were in about 3rd or 4th grade when they starting questioning it. "santa" was forgetful and using the same wrapping paper from the year before.

**Ray1936** · November-21-09, 10:20 PM

Some day I'll share the secret with all of you that CCBatson is really a closet liberal.........but not until you're all much older.........

**gnome** · November-21-09, 10:34 PM

Ah Maof, I forgot about the wrapping paper trick. Santa uses only one kind of paper. No one else uses the Santa paper. Very important detail.

**oladub** · November-21-09, 11:22 PM

At age seven, I realized Santa was a fraud when my Christmas present from Santa was what I had discovered hidden in my parents' closet. As soon as school resumed after Christmas, I told the other kids that there was no Santa. They argued with me. My parents received a call from my teacher saying that some parents had called complaining about me doing so.

We told our kids that Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Good Fairy were fun imaginary stories. They got into arguments at school too because everyone else believed in Santa. However, we threw the kids a curve by putting coins under the pillow when they lost a tooth. The kids argued with us that there was a good fairy. We insisted there wasn't.

DetroitDad · November-22-09, 12:37 AM

All good points.

I don't know, maybe we'll tell her something a little more meaningful. Like how Santa was a real person who is now dead. He would give gifts out of the kindness of his heart, and help the poor. And every year, his spirit lives on as we try to keep the tradition alive, and fill our hearts with good tidings and cheer, and do the same.

Too cheesy?

**Detroitej72** · November-22-09, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by ccbatson

Simple...compare Santa to all other fictional characters whose meaning and value has nothing to do with being an actual corporeal being.

Fictional characters, like from Atlas Shrugged?

**Detroitej72** · November-22-09, 12:58 AM

Since America is being forced to become a secular country, many are shunning Santa who was a real Christian person,[[from Asia Minor, which is modern day, mostly Muslim Turkey) parents are faced with this conundrum: what do we tell little Jack and Jane?

I say, let children be children and keep the spirit alive! We all should believe in the spirit of Father Christmas, hell I'm almost 40 and haven't been disappointed yet...

What's wrong with believing in magic and miracles, unless your a close-minded right wing nut who thinks its all socialism, or an angry person of little faith in anything more than what you can gain off another person's shoulders.

**Maof** · November-22-09, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitDad

All good points.

I don't know, maybe we'll tell her something a little more meaningful. Like how Santa was a real person who is now dead. He would give gifts out of the kindness of his heart, and help the poor. And every year, his spirit lives on as we try to keep the tradition alive, and fill our hearts with good tidings and cheer, and do the same.

Too cheesy?

DD - don't stress about it. just go with the flow. i think if you say anything about santa being dead, she might freak out

**sumas** · November-22-09, 08:10 AM

Santa is alive and well. He is the embodiment of loving caring and giving people. He is with us year round and not just at Christmas.

That explanation worked for my kids when "friends" told them was no Santa. Now that the kids are grown we make no big deal about gift exchanges at Christmas. Throughout the year we buy or get items or meet needs that come up for family and friends. It still fun to help peoples wants or needs with surprise gifts and of course they always come from Santa.

It's not too surprising that I still believe in the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, Tinkerbell too for that matter. I think people need more whimsey in their lives not less. Favorite movie, Miracle on 34th Street.

**sumas** · November-22-09, 08:28 AM

Forgot, second favorite movie is Harvey. Favorite book title is "A Separate Reality". Favorite book series is Harry Potter.

Santa IS magical, his message is love. Love is a feeling or expression, not a tangible item.

Besides, don't worry too much about what to tell your little ones. They find out eventually, then realize their parents love them enough to give credit to someone else.

Stosh · November-22-09, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitDad

All good points.

I don't know, maybe we'll tell her something a little more meaningful. Like how Santa was a real person who is now dead. He would give gifts out of the kindness of his heart, and help the poor. And every year, his spirit lives on as we try to keep the tradition alive, and fill our hearts with good tidings and cheer, and do the same.

Too cheesy?

Why tell her at all? It doesn't cost you anything. And when she finds out, it still wont hurt her.

**gnome** · November-22-09, 09:01 AM

Not being an expert on little brains, but do you really think it's a good idea to tell a two or three year old that Santa is dead when she can see him at stores, in parades, on tv ...

"yes, honey, that man over there is the dead guy I told you about, yes he is dead."

**mauser** · November-22-09, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by ccbatson

Simple...compare Santa to all other fictional characters whose meaning and value has nothing to do with being an actual corporeal being.

dont you mean "CORPORATE BEING".....

heh.

**Ragtoplover59** · November-22-09, 02:11 PM

Santa is dead? ..................Never!
Although many of the family members that I spent so many Christmas's with, have passed, Santa is still very much alive. I never get to see him [[and never have) but he comes each year. He used to come after Thanksgiving, but each year he seems to be arriving a bit sooner than the last.
and each year he brings me the same gift as the year before.......Memories!
Memories of being a child, memories of anticipation of what he may bring, memories of my childhood friends, memories of a seemingly much more innocent time, and memories of loved ones that are no longer alive to enjoy the magic of the season.
Every important person in my life [[living or not) comes to mind during this holiday season.
Unlike other holidays, that I enjoy alone with my own traditions, This is the holiday I chose to reflect on my life, and how it was shaped by the lives of others.
My kids are grown, and while I do not get caught up in the hustle and bustle shopping any more, I do lie in bed on Christmas eve with my mind racing, with thoughts of friends, and family, and of the magic of years past.
I hope you can give the magic of the season to your children, and I pray they can hold on to it throughout their entire lives.

littlebuddy · November-22-09, 02:48 PM

I feel bad that Santa is so important than Jesus to so many people, yet maybe for those who Jesus is not a big deal one way or another, Santa is a good person who rewards good behavior and maybe that is a help for children to act right. In our house Christmas was and is a religious day, celebrating the birth of Christ[[even if it is not the real date), yet Santa was there is a small way when my children were young and it did them no harm as far as I know. I can't even remember if my wife or I told them about Santa or they found out themselves. Santa is a good story, maybe somewhat based on a real person, yet I think the lessons learned can be a great value for children.