Advice on What to Tell Kids About Santa

C., I don't mean to be harsh but as a Christian, you have the responsibility to be honest with your children. If they find out you are not honest about Santa, they may not believe you about Jesus.

Our family tradition is to have a birthday party for Jesus with a cake and song and then we exchange gifts.

Love In Christ Jesus,
D.

Well in our family...It is Christmas, a time for giving gifts to those we love. Santa may bring gifts, too, but it is a time for us to show we love our family and friends as well. Gifts don't always have to be bought. Sometimes we make them gifts, like a box of cookies or a special craft (like a t-shirt with a picture of our kids on it). But it is a time for us to live in the spirit of our lord and give to others.

In our family, we also try to share that spirit with others who aren't as blessed as we are. We buy a toy or more for toys for tots. If we know of a family (through the church or one of the organzations I volunteer at) that is in need, we adopt a child and buy that child gifts. We donate food to the food bank or local church. We do other activities that come up through organizations we are involved in.

My daughter just turned 9. She is on the verge of not believing. All of my kids know that Santa brings some of their gifts but some of them are from Mommy and Daddy as well. My daughter asked this year and I told her that most of her gifts come from Mommy and Daddy. She believes that a few special ones come from Santa. But I told her Santa has so many people to deliver to, that he relies on the help of Mommy's and Daddy's to get everything done. Some Mommies and Daddies don't have enough to get their children presents and that is why we help out with Toys for Tots and other organizations. This way we are helping Santa to finish his work.

Anyhow, this is what works for us. BTW, they know that the Santa's at the mall are really Santa's helpers. They go around to listen to the children's requests and share them with Santa so that he can find out what all of the children want. But sometimes, it is the real Santa sitting there. You just never know for sure which one you are getting. ;)

Anyhow, hope this helps.

I tell them Santa is just for kids. They've got to be putting you on : )

I would just tell them that Santa isn't the only one who gives gifts. I give gifts too because I love or care about this person. It's a good lesson on giving and maybe they could make them something as well.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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Are you boys really mentally disabled? I believed till I was like 10yrs of age, and my parents ruined it for me and my brother who was then 7 1/2 yrs old by telling us that he was not real. Niether one of us believed them, so we asked to stay up and watch our parents wrap for the other sibling. At that point we thought it was kind of neat that we knew what the other was getting. My mom said we balled our little eyes out for like an hour, as we asked all kinds of questions on why they never told us....they said it was good for the imagination not too. I agree.

We put a few presents under our tree from Santa to the adults, but we still buy special gifts for all the loved ones in our lives. Christmas is about giving and this is a way we show someone that we care, so that's why we pick out gift for others. It doesn't mean that Santa doesn't bring them a thing or 2 on his own.

That said, I've had a hard time explaining why we need to give to toys and tots and such - they don't get why Santa just can't make whatever he needs with no regard to money.

C.,

I would tell kids the same as you did. then possibly add that we want to show the adults how much we love them on the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who gave us the best gift ever. I would try to tie it to Jesus so they understand that "church stuff" is how we relate to people everyday not just Sundays (you may be doing this already).

I re-read your post several times and still can't tell if you are being serious or if you mean "metally disabled" in a tonguein-cheek kind of way. Sorry, I may be misunderstanding you.

I say as long as they believe--let them! Thanks to two older brothers who didn't oil it for me--I believed for a looooong time! I still remember the day that in O. fell swoop, Santa, Easter Bunny & Tooth Fairy all came crashing down.
I think, at times, my 5 yo is getting suspicious but I always tell him that Santa is real if you believe in him.