Santa or Not?

I'll have to check out those books. My hubby and I had the conversation yesterday about Santa or not. He's not wanting to give it up because he had so much fun with it...So we're still discussing.

Hello Cheryl,

I don't know of any websites that offer good information, I am sure there are lots out there but I do know of 3 books that are really good. My top pick, which is one I actually took an interest in because of it's take on helping Christian parents incorporate Santa Claus into the Christian beliefs of Christmas. It is a very interesting read and think you would especially find it full of information, it focuses a good deal on the true story of St Nicholas, his generosity to sick and needy children, widows and so forth. Really awesome book. Here is a link at Amazon;

Your Child and Santa

Two other books that are a fun family read are;

The True History of Santa Claus

Wonderworker: The True Story of how St. Nicholas became Santa Claus

Hope you find these helpful and again I think the first book is an excellent read for all parents.

Mikki Hogan
Publisher of UniqueParenting.com

Thanks, Mikki. I think a lot of what you said there really does make sense. And I never thought about it quite so much, but I think our family is also one who focuses a lot on the "family" part of Christmas. Even though it's really just the four of us, with very, very little extended family, we do a lot together to make the whole season special.

And you really did sum up what I meant about the imagination part of it! It seems that the innocence of childhood passes way too quickly these days. And to keep the magic of an active imagination alive and filled with happy thoughts and good images, it think that just is soooo important!

Yes, I know Aidan will figure things out soon enough. But I do know he'll take big brother role seriously and really help me make things special for Eli. That's just the kid of brother he is.

Do you have any books or even websites that really tell the story of the real St. Nicholas, especially at a child's level? I know I can do some research on my own, but thought I'd ask if you already had something in mind.

Thanks for the great feedback!

Hello Everyone,

We don't celebrate Christmas in our home at all, for our own beliefs and values, but as a kid we celebrated Christmas. We focused a lot on the "family" aspect of Christmas not Jesus, or Santa. I remember Santa and all that we were to believe but I found myself more annoyed when I reached the age of 8 and found it just silly that so many grown ups insisted that the myth of Santa Clause was real even when their kids started to doubt.

As I am older I see so many families having fun with the idea of Santa and I remember getting presents that were wrapped in a special wrapping paper that was from Santa (even after I knew Santa was just mom and dad, I was the youngest) but my mom always told us the history of St. Nicolas and how he used to give presents to all the children. We never thought he was some magical being, just an amazing man that had a flying sled! I loved to hear the story and found it to be a remarkable one. I then didn't understand why parents didn't just tell their kids the story and leave it at that?

I agree with the fun of imagination, and unfortunately my Morgan won't have any part of it. We tried the tooth fairy concept, and yeah that didn't work because Morgan figured it out when she was 4 and she blurted it out and Aaron, who almost believed seemed disappointed that his little sister had ruined it for him so I pulled him aside and said, even if mom was the tooth fairy, isn't it more fun to believe she is real? And so he has, even today at age 10 he says, "Mom, I lost a tooth, hope the tooth fairy will still come now that I am so big"

On some level he knows it's me, but he believes because it is fun to imagine such a tale. The Santa Clause myth is sort of like that for me, it is a great imagination and fairy tale for the whole family to enjoy together. I am all for family fun and growth and this seems to be a very powerful one. I agree with Elsie that it takes away from the idea of Jesus, but more and more families have removed Christ completely, for many different reasons, and continue Christmas for the sake of family tradition. In those instances the myth of Santa is a fun family game that everyone can get involved in and really enjoy.

For the moms who can't wait for the myth to be over, in my opinion, completely removes all motivation behind keeping it up at Christmas. If the idea isn't enjoyable for everyone then they should move past it and do something else. My mom kept up the "idea" of Santa, and she wasn't enjoying it at all, until at the age of 12 I announced that I didn't enjoy Christmas and found much faultiness in it that just irritated me! Of course there was more to the story but that was the last year my mom was burdened with the Santa myth and the commercialism that has come to be notorious for that time of year. Parents who are doing it for the kids should really just not do it. Chances are the kids aren't enjoying it either.

Cheryl, for your 8 year old with a very logical brain, share the real story of St. Nick and how Santa Clause has come to be what he is today, it really is a fun history to explore. Then tell him what makes it fun to believe in Santa Clause and if he doesn't enjoy believing anymore then he can help mom and dad keep the secret for his younger brother who does enjoy believing. Of course you need to decide when this is the necessary conversation to have, I would suggest the year that he starts openly saying aloud that Santa isn't real!

Mikki Hogan
Publisher of UniqueParenting.com

Cheryl-My husband and I have had this discussion in past years. I was a kid who grew up knowing that Santa wasn't real--my parents wanted us to focus on the real purpose of the season and they also didn't want to ever lie to us so that we wouldn't ever wonder whether or not Jesus was a myth too. My hubby grew up believing in Santa and he thinks it was fun. We haven't really decided yet. I kind of like the way that I was raised, and I don't want to have to lie to Aiden to keep up a myth (even though it is a fun one). I also want him to know that all provision comes from God, not Santa. In my mind, Santa has become a distraction from the true purpose of Christmas and I think hubby is beginning to see my point of view on this. In fact, I doubt the real Santa (St. Nicholas) would have EVER wanted his good deeds to be turned into the story that it is today.

You know, in the church I grew up in, my pastor and his family made a bigger deal out of Easter celebration (that was their christmas) than they did of Christmas. I thought that that actually made more sense, from a Christian perspective...

I don't want to sound like I'm knocking people who include the Santa myth in their celebrations. I don't at all. I think it depends on how each individual feels convicted to act and I don't think I'm any better than anyone else just because of how my personal convictions lie.