WARNING: if you are under 10 years old PLEASE do not read this post. It is really boring. I promise.
I'm taking a cue from my friend Kara B and throwing up a post that I hope will promote some discussion (maybe controversial?). I really would like to hear your opinions on this matter.
With Christmas coming up we have had many adults ask Cadie what Santa is bringing her and if she has been a good girl this year. Although she has no idea what they are talking about (she is 13 months old!) this is starting to worry me. Why so much Santa? Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to deal with Santa at all?
I've started to think seriously about a Santa-free Christmas. But how to do this?
I have no problem explaining to Cadie that Santa represents the spirit of giving, the biggest roadblock that I see is how to keep her from explaining that to others kids.
So there you go - has anyone done this? Any suggestions? Am I totally crazy? Is it impossible?
11 comments:
I have wondered the same thing. Here is an idea for you. We are starting to do a thing where the kids get 3 gifts representing the 3 wise men. One from Santa, one from mom, and one from dad. Then we also do a little stocking for them. I thought that this would help simplify, but I still feel like we are spoiling the kids way too much for Christmas (Sofia got a dollhouse and a kid digital camera for Christmas this year... spoiled). I think Santa is okay in moderation. We never made huge lists growing up, we got what our parents chose for us (they probably did ask us for some ideas). I think that when kids make huge lists and expect to get most of the things on it.... that won't fly for this garage sale woman (unless I can happen to find most of the things at garage sales). I am with you.. this is a hard one. I would love to hear other ideas.
When we first started having kids we wondered about this also, were we lying to our kids? Now we feel it is a fun tradition to believe in Santa. We don't prolong the whole Santa idea, we are open with them as soon as they question it. But it is such an amazing thing to see the kids eyes light up as they wonder what Santa will be bringing them. We look at it like we are able to give our kids gifts anomynously.
good luck lady! i still believe in santa!!!
I am the Grinch. My friends think I am terrible, but we have already told Nixon that Santa is not real (he is only 3 1/2 years old). He still has fun pretending and it hasn't bothered him a bit since he doesn't really know what he is missing. It was way too traumatic when I found out there was no Santa. It felt like all the magic went out of Christmas. I don't want him to feel that same way and I want him to find magic in the true meaning. But I am not saying that it can't be done if you do believe in Santa.
Thanks everyone for your comments. Kara and Becky bring up my main concerns - too much consuming (I'm tripping over toys as it is!), and if I lie about this will my kids believe me about other things. Kara - I like your idea about only 3 gifts. I read in a mommy magazine about doing 3 gifts, one gold (big ticket item), one frankincense (something for the mind like a book or puzzle), and one myrrh (something for the body like clothes). Becky - have your kids asked you about Santa yet? How did you explain?
Courtney - I don't think anyone that knows you would really call you the grinch. How do you keep Nixon from telling other kids?
Eric's opinion: "What's your beef with Santa?"
I hear ya. I've always thought we'd just make a bigger deal out of birthdays and make Christmas smaller and more focused on Christ with giving to others, service projects, a small gift or two. But I've already gotten somewhat sidetracked. I hope to be better next year!!!
Hey this is JoAnna (Dilworth) Ashley... I saw your blog from your facebook :) Hope you don't mind me posting.
I don't have any kids yet, but me and my husband have been dreading the idea of a meterialistic filled Christmas for our children, when we do happen to have them. So in talking amongst many of our friends and family I have come up with ideas to avoid the Materialistic, Santa Everything Christmas.
Our children will only get three gifts for Christmas; 1) Something they want, 2) Something they need; 3) Something Spiritual (pictures, scripture additivies, scripture mastery, christ centered coloring books, etc.)
As far as them receiving presents from other family members because my husband's side of the family has a huge tendancy to spoil... we are going to ask them that if they would like to get our child(ren) a gift for the holidays that as an alternative they take the money they were going to spend and place it in a trust fund in the that child's name, so when they grow up they can use the money for college etc. and the gift from Christmas' past really will have been appreciated and remembered, unlike all the christmas presents that get forgotten a few days after the holiday.
The other thing I love doing at the holidays, even though we don't have children yet, is to read the book "The Forgotten Carols" by Michael McLean and listen to the CD that goes with it. THe book helps put the true perspective of what christmas is about and what the meaning of it all really is. I read it last Christmas with my nephew and 2 nieces (ages 11, 8 ,5) and they thoroughly enjoyed reading it with me.
Ok I am done.
Sorry it was so long, I hope it didn't bore you to death :).
We also don't like to focus to much on Santa. I also think it so fun too. Hunter and Gretch are non believers but love seeing the younger kids interested. They were not scarred at all. Hope that's helpful.
I think that you are only a kid once...kids have the rest of their life to find out Santa, Unicorns, Princesses, etc are not real. But I am going to let my kids believe for as long as they want to. When they start getting really sceptical I will tell them (Mae has asked if Unicorns are real and I just tell her in her imagination they are). Also, we make Christmas Eve completely focused on the birth of Jesus, because once Christmas morning rolls around (Santa or no), it is hard to get the true meaning across. We limit what our kids get...but receiving presents is pretty dang fun--and thats not a bad thing.
So, I'm only leaving a comment, because I agree with the last one. Childhood is such a precious, short period. It is a time of imagination and play. Let your kids have some magic in their lives, they will thank you and it's so fun to see them enjoy it. Don't make them grow up too fast--and letting them believe in something make believe for a time is not lying to them. However, I adhere to "to each his own", just don't mess it up for my kids.
So, I'm back. I actually haven't had a problem with NIxon telling other kids. He still thinks it is fun to pretend, so he goes a long with the whole thing. But I am sure I will have to think maybe next year it might be something I have to figure out!
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