Spin on Santa

She knew that Santa didn't make the toys because she saw them in the store.

She knew that Mommy sent Santa money to help with the cost of the toys, and that some kids' parents didn't have any extra money so Santa brought them only what he could afford on his own, and that's why we helped out when we could to buy toys for other kids.

Santa had a magic key that could open any lock that he used for houses that didn't have chimneys.

get the movie the santa clause with tim alan. it is the best at answering all those questions. my kids all loved those movies

I'm a party pooper. I never told my daughter that Santa was real. And I never told her he only brings things to nice kids. I always hated that. There is too much disparity in who gets what.

I talked to her about the magic of Christmas and giving. She had gifts from "Santa" but they were always more like a 'secret' among the family. She contributed too - to putting something in everyone else's stocking.

I have issues with making Santa "real". he's not. There are historical figures that have inspired our modern day Santa Claus that did nice things for people. But one of the main inspriations of Santa (Dutch Sinterklaas) started with a premise, if I'm not mistaken, that involved racism and spanking naughty children. It's used as a way to "get" your kids to behave (shouldn't they behave anyway? Is this the lesson we want to teach during this season of "giving"... that the reward for being "good" is materialistic greed?)

I know, I know..... Not what you asked and I crashed your post. I've been full up with foster kids who get nothing and that HAS to affect them on some level. So, I'm a bit jaded about the message we, as society sends.
We shouldn't be teaching our kids to believe in magic and things that aren't real. If you want to create "real" magic...... sponsor a child who has nothing and buy them a winter coat. Or take a child ice skating or build a snowman. Take their parents, who sometimes have not even a high school education and teach them to use a computer or manage their money or how to cook - whatever their need is. The effects of that "magic" will be felt forever. not just until the presents are opened.

How does he do it all in one night? "Magic" why do some kids not get many gifts and so we donate to them???? Help

My oldest two don't believe any longer (11 and 15) but my 6 yo son does. He's not too curious, though.

I found the movie with Tim Allen - The Santa Clause was a wonderful tool to help with some of those questions that my girls had asked. Questions like, "we don't have a fireplace - how does he get in?", and other such questions were magically answered in this movie.

If your little one is questioning a lot of things, sit down and watch it. It's a great movie and a fun watch - if you all haven't seen yet.

Mine always asks why we cant go to the north pole like we go to Disney. I guess that is one of the down sides to living in a vacation area.

I have always told her that the people dressed as Santa are his helpers, and mom, dad, and a lot of other people help him too. I have been telling her about the real St. Nicholas that is buried in Italy. I don't want her to be upset, since other kids she knows do not believe.

"How is he getting in our house? We don't have a chimney!"

I didn't realize when we bought our house in June that we didn't have a chimney until Christmas came 6 months later. I guess having a fireplace was not even on the radar for me or my husband when we were house hunting! I just tell them he squeezes through the doggie door with the same magic he uses to squeeze through skinny chimneys.

Re: why do kids not get many gifts, that is a hard one. I tend to skirt that one with "we're helping their families out" vs Santa. We don't go overboard with Santa gifts, usually just one, so I think she doesn't worry much about that gift as she does the rest of the presents. When my SD got older she said she didn't believe. I was wrapping a Giving Tree present and said, "I do." In other words, at some point YOU become Santa. I'm not as big or jolly, but a package that arrives out of nowhere? I think that counts.

In our house, Santa usually has 8 reindeer. Rudolph doesn't come if the weather isn't bad. And they eat carrots. I tell her that we visit Santa at his particular office and try to steer her clear of inspecting other mall Santas.

roll with it! answer his questions simply, and ask him questions back! let him spin as magic as he needs into it. i'll bet he has a blast.
but i hear ya, cocomom. your point is well taken.
khairete
S.