Oldie, but goodie from 2008:
No, we don’t celebrate Santa.Yes, we do celebrate Christmas.
Do we care if you celebrate Santa? Nope.
Do you care if we choose not to? Yes.
Of course, I am generalizing when I say “you”. I’m sure many of “you” have no problem with our decision, and maybe even practice it yourself. I just haven’t met you yet. I am generalizing because MOST of the reactions I get from strangers, friends, and some family members are of shock and disappointment. Most of the time I don’t even bring it up, and just smile and nod when the sweet stranger at the store asks my youngest, “Are you ready for Santa?”
You’re probably wondering why we don’t celebrate Santa, huh?First, let me say that we do not discriminate against those who choose to do Santa, The Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Superman, etc., it’s just not our thing.
Why?
Remember, this is just our opinion, and you have the right to yours, as well. We think investing, believing and hyping something to the point of calling it real, but is in fact not real at all, isn’t necessary for our children. We think that a child’s imagination and wonder can still be stimulated without these beliefs. That is all. We don’t freak out if our kids see Santa movies or memorabilia-we just teach them that he’s a made-up character, just like Batman or Donald Duck. Our nine year old still gets just as excited as any other kid on Christmas day, even though he knows we bought the presents. Presents are pretty darn cool all by themselves. I think Santa is so buried into America’s traditions and way of life, that we do not question why we do it and feel obligated to partake in the experience.
Why?
Remember, this is just our opinion, and you have the right to yours, as well. We think investing, believing and hyping something to the point of calling it real, but is in fact not real at all, isn’t necessary for our children. We think that a child’s imagination and wonder can still be stimulated without these beliefs. That is all. We don’t freak out if our kids see Santa movies or memorabilia-we just teach them that he’s a made-up character, just like Batman or Donald Duck. Our nine year old still gets just as excited as any other kid on Christmas day, even though he knows we bought the presents. Presents are pretty darn cool all by themselves. I think Santa is so buried into America’s traditions and way of life, that we do not question why we do it and feel obligated to partake in the experience.
I wonder, why do we get the reaction from others that we do? Why do so many take it so hard? Why is it a requirement to celebrate Santa and am I really harming my children by not doing so?
Maybe you can enlighten me. Do you celebrate Santa and why? OR do you choose not to celebrate Santa and other imaginary characters and why?
Show me some love folks.
Maybe you can enlighten me. Do you celebrate Santa and why? OR do you choose not to celebrate Santa and other imaginary characters and why?
Show me some love folks.
About Mom Spark
I grew up not doing the whole Santa thing and in fact I grew up not celebrating Christmas at all. And I’m fine. I don’t feel like I missed out. I have been celebrating Christmas for quite some time now and once I got married and had kids my husband is really into the Santa thing. I would be happy to not do it but it makes him happy so we do it. I did tell him that if our kids ever flat out ask me if he’s real I would tell them the truth though.
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Sally G Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 9:36 am
@Tamara,
My parents’ response was always to turn the question back around, “What do you think?” They never argued for fantasy that we did not believe, rather taught us to analyze, to consider whether the evidence proved or disproved Santa (or anything else), yet allowed me to NEVER have to “not believe” in Santa Claus, even while making it real for my 8-years-younger sister through “reindeer conferences” to discuss gifts (complete with pawing at the ground and lapping at the salt lick), “helping Santa” by decorating the Christmas tree after I discovered the neighbors (4 kids) doing that (my parents had originally set up the tree Christmas Eve after I had gone to bed; they were glad to make that a family project and get a bit more sleep).
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we have the same exact philosophy, santa is as real as mickey mouse. which is to say, not at all. fun, but fake.
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