The Santa Topic... *possible spoilers*
- Thread starter sillysally
- Start date
We do "Santa" with the boys. And no, we don't hold them to "you better be nice and not naughty" stuff. Empty threats get YOU, the parent, into trouble...not your child.
However, as a Christian househould, we also celebrate the birth of Jesus. Contrary to popular belief, most Christians know Jesus was not born on the night of December 24th/early morning on the 25th.
But I explain to the boys that since we don't know exactly when Jesus was born, we just celebrate his birthday that day. So in addition to leaving cookies for Santa, we also bake a cake for Jesus' birthday.
Especially during this time of year, I try to stress the importance of kindness and love towards other people to the boys. I want them to know that not everyone has the material things we have, or the food or necessary items that we do, or even a family of their own to spend time with. So we put together food baskets and buy toys and household items (including medicines! you wouldn't believe how many go without basic Tylenol all because of the cost...), and then we donate them to the church or specific group of people collecting such items to distribute to families in need.
The "Christmas spirit", for my boys, is one in where they go out of there way to show love to others. Now, I urge this all year long, but let's face it - holidays are especially hard for many people.
I almost cried today when Cole hugged the lady bagging our groceries at the local Winn-Dixie and told her "thank you". He does these things so often, and he's such a selfless child, especially for a 6-yr-old. (This is a child that went up to an elderly WWII veteran in a wheelchair at Sam's Club and asked him if he could sit in his lap and ride. He didn't say one thing about the man missing his legs, but rather asked the man all kinds of questions about monster trucks and horses and just jabbered on. The wife was almost in tears because she said children always just stare at her husband and people hardly ever speak to them. Not Cole. He has no fear of people, and loves to say "hi" to everyone we meet.)
However, as a Christian househould, we also celebrate the birth of Jesus. Contrary to popular belief, most Christians know Jesus was not born on the night of December 24th/early morning on the 25th.
But I explain to the boys that since we don't know exactly when Jesus was born, we just celebrate his birthday that day. So in addition to leaving cookies for Santa, we also bake a cake for Jesus' birthday. Especially during this time of year, I try to stress the importance of kindness and love towards other people to the boys. I want them to know that not everyone has the material things we have, or the food or necessary items that we do, or even a family of their own to spend time with. So we put together food baskets and buy toys and household items (including medicines! you wouldn't believe how many go without basic Tylenol all because of the cost...), and then we donate them to the church or specific group of people collecting such items to distribute to families in need.
The "Christmas spirit", for my boys, is one in where they go out of there way to show love to others. Now, I urge this all year long, but let's face it - holidays are especially hard for many people.
I almost cried today when Cole hugged the lady bagging our groceries at the local Winn-Dixie and told her "thank you". He does these things so often, and he's such a selfless child, especially for a 6-yr-old. (This is a child that went up to an elderly WWII veteran in a wheelchair at Sam's Club and asked him if he could sit in his lap and ride. He didn't say one thing about the man missing his legs, but rather asked the man all kinds of questions about monster trucks and horses and just jabbered on. The wife was almost in tears because she said children always just stare at her husband and people hardly ever speak to them. Not Cole. He has no fear of people, and loves to say "hi" to everyone we meet.)
Who says they'll be empty?
For example, I sold enough baby stuff to get the older two boys LeapPad 2's, and then I found a LeapPad 1 on Amazon for just $35, so he got one too. Then I found out you can share the apps between three different devices, so I got all excited that I only have to buy something once. And let me tell you - those things are COOL! I've been playing with one all night tonight. :rofl1:
(I wanted these because Cole will be starting therapy in the spring, as well as begin seeing some new doctors, and waiting isn't Cole's best trait. These will be awesome to help him pass the time without wandering all over a waiting room. And if I buy one for one boy, I must buy one for all. That's a rule most parents know pretty well. LOL)
We do "Santa" with the boys. And no, we don't hold them to "you better be nice and not naughty" stuff. Empty threats get YOU, the parent, into trouble...not your child.
However, as a Christian househould, we also celebrate the birth of Jesus. Contrary to popular belief, most Christians know Jesus was not born on the night of December 24th/early morning on the 25th. But I explain to the boys that since we don't know exactly when Jesus was born, we just celebrate his birthday that day. So in addition to leaving cookies for Santa, we also bake a cake for Jesus' birthday.
Especially during this time of year, I try to stress the importance of kindness and love towards other people to the boys. I want them to know that not everyone has the material things we have, or the food or necessary items that we do, or even a family of their own to spend time with. So we put together food baskets and buy toys and household items (including medicines! you wouldn't believe how many go without basic Tylenol all because of the cost...), and then we donate them to the church or specific group of people collecting such items to distribute to families in need.
The "Christmas spirit", for my boys, is one in where they go out of there way to show love to others. Now, I urge this all year long, but let's face it - holidays are especially hard for many people.
I almost cried today when Cole hugged the lady bagging our groceries at the local Winn-Dixie and told her "thank you". He does these things so often, and he's such a selfless child, especially for a 6-yr-old. (This is a child that went up to an elderly WWII veteran in a wheelchair at Sam's Club and asked him if he could sit in his lap and ride. He didn't say one thing about the man missing his legs, but rather asked the man all kinds of questions about monster trucks and horses and just jabbered on. The wife was almost in tears because she said children always just stare at her husband and people hardly ever speak to them. Not Cole. He has no fear of people, and loves to say "hi" to everyone we meet.)
However, as a Christian househould, we also celebrate the birth of Jesus. Contrary to popular belief, most Christians know Jesus was not born on the night of December 24th/early morning on the 25th.
But I explain to the boys that since we don't know exactly when Jesus was born, we just celebrate his birthday that day. So in addition to leaving cookies for Santa, we also bake a cake for Jesus' birthday. Especially during this time of year, I try to stress the importance of kindness and love towards other people to the boys. I want them to know that not everyone has the material things we have, or the food or necessary items that we do, or even a family of their own to spend time with. So we put together food baskets and buy toys and household items (including medicines! you wouldn't believe how many go without basic Tylenol all because of the cost...), and then we donate them to the church or specific group of people collecting such items to distribute to families in need.
The "Christmas spirit", for my boys, is one in where they go out of there way to show love to others. Now, I urge this all year long, but let's face it - holidays are especially hard for many people.
I almost cried today when Cole hugged the lady bagging our groceries at the local Winn-Dixie and told her "thank you". He does these things so often, and he's such a selfless child, especially for a 6-yr-old. (This is a child that went up to an elderly WWII veteran in a wheelchair at Sam's Club and asked him if he could sit in his lap and ride. He didn't say one thing about the man missing his legs, but rather asked the man all kinds of questions about monster trucks and horses and just jabbered on. The wife was almost in tears because she said children always just stare at her husband and people hardly ever speak to them. Not Cole. He has no fear of people, and loves to say "hi" to everyone we meet.)
Just because we do the Santa thing doesn't mean Hannah doesn't know that gifts and things aren't also given by us. She helped me pack up bags full of food to donate to the mission and bags full of toys for a local organization
Practicing lOve and givIng and selflessness is top priority(wrll after celebrating Jesus' birth) but Santa is a super fun little extra that brings us all so much joy. And like Linda posted... It is amazing how kids will sometimes focus on keeping it alive for their parents even when the truth comes out for them. Kids are truly amazing beings
I definitely do Santa, just relate it more to Yule when possible. He is, for us, the energy of the season manifest in a character. So, yes, we give presents from "santa" but as the kids grow older they will understand we do that to honor the giving energy. I like it, to me it makes it bigger than just a present exchange. And we do also give presents from "mom and dad" as well.
We do tooth fairy and Ostara bunny as well.
We do tooth fairy and Ostara bunny as well.
Oh yeah... don't really do the naughty/nice thing here either since I know I will not be able to withhold the presents I have for her LOL. I also don't want to taint the season with a "be good or else"
discipline is everyday stuff not the special stuff like Christmas. she may lose out on allowance money or have something taken away but not Christmas
discipline is everyday stuff not the special stuff like Christmas. she may lose out on allowance money or have something taken away but not Christmas
I got the Santa threat when I was little. Nothing about being good or thankful or whatever. Just the threat to do whatever my parents told me to do "Or else". Same with the Easter Bunny. Birthday presents. So on so forth.
I can't remember a time when I believed in him as a kid. Not sure if my brother ever did, either. Same goes with the other holiday characters. The most I ever believed in was my Grandmother's food.
I can't remember a time when I believed in him as a kid. Not sure if my brother ever did, either. Same goes with the other holiday characters. The most I ever believed in was my Grandmother's food.
My parents did the Santa thing, they never really threatened behavior with Santa, we we pretty good kids, the only thing I remember was going to bed on Christmas Eve otherwise he'd skip our house if we were awake lol
I stopped believing pretty young though (around 6) and we talked about it and she told me not to ruin it for my brother, so I played along and even helped them. I distracted him at the store when she bought presents from Santa, too I remember my friends being MUCH older than me and believing, but I never said anything to any of them because I didn't want them to lose the fun because it did take the fun out of it for me knowing like that
If I ever had kids, I'd probably do the same thing, pretty laid back. But I do want them to really know the religious importance of Christmas, I wish I would have.
I know a family that goes all out, making Santa footprints in the house, reindeer poop, the whole nine yards. I thought the Santa footprints were creepy personally (lol) but the children (they're adults now) were MAD as heck when they found out their parents not only lied but went to extreme lengths to decieve. It's interesting hearing everyones perspectives on it.
I stopped believing pretty young though (around 6) and we talked about it and she told me not to ruin it for my brother, so I played along and even helped them. I distracted him at the store when she bought presents from Santa, too
I remember my friends being MUCH older than me and believing, but I never said anything to any of them because I didn't want them to lose the fun because it did take the fun out of it for me knowing like that If I ever had kids, I'd probably do the same thing, pretty laid back. But I do want them to really know the religious importance of Christmas, I wish I would have.
I know a family that goes all out, making Santa footprints in the house, reindeer poop, the whole nine yards. I thought the Santa footprints were creepy personally (lol) but the children (they're adults now) were MAD as heck when they found out their parents not only lied but went to extreme lengths to decieve. It's interesting hearing everyones perspectives on it.
This drives me insane. Once my cousin's kid was 5 and up EVERY Christmas my cousin would threaten to take Christmas away. Starting in November. "Do you want to have a tree? Do you want to have presents? Because you're going to get it all taken away. Do you want to ruin Christmas for everyone?"
/facepalm. And no, she never actually took Christmas away and there's very valid reasons her kid is awful.
/facepalm. And no, she never actually took Christmas away and there's very valid reasons her kid is awful.
I was always told that there was a Santa, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!
When I was 6, I really wanted this toy called GoGo The Walking Pup for Christmas. I opened all of my toys and was disappointed that she wasn't under the tree. My dad was all like "wait- there's something in the fireplace!" Apparently "Santa" forgot to put her under the tree. It's one of my favorite Christmas memories
We always left cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. My parents wrapped the "Santa" presents in different wrapping paper to make it more believable.
My parents never used Christmas or Santa as a threat against me. I knew about the "naughty and nice" list, but I figured you had to be REALLY naughty to not get gifts.
My parents told me that the Santas in the mall were "Santa's helpers." Santa is obviously very busy and can't leave the North Pole until Christmas Eve, so he sends his "helpers" to find out what the kids want. Haha.
I believed until I was 10. After that, I always helped my parents play "Santa" for my little sister.
I definitely want to do the whole Santa thing with our kids. I just think it's too much fun to not do it!
When I was 6, I really wanted this toy called GoGo The Walking Pup for Christmas. I opened all of my toys and was disappointed that she wasn't under the tree. My dad was all like "wait- there's something in the fireplace!" Apparently "Santa" forgot to put her under the tree. It's one of my favorite Christmas memories
We always left cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. My parents wrapped the "Santa" presents in different wrapping paper to make it more believable.
My parents never used Christmas or Santa as a threat against me. I knew about the "naughty and nice" list, but I figured you had to be REALLY naughty to not get gifts.
My parents told me that the Santas in the mall were "Santa's helpers." Santa is obviously very busy and can't leave the North Pole until Christmas Eve, so he sends his "helpers" to find out what the kids want. Haha.
I believed until I was 10. After that, I always helped my parents play "Santa" for my little sister.
I definitely want to do the whole Santa thing with our kids. I just think it's too much fun to not do it!
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Do people really threaten to not have Christmas if their kids are bad or don't do certain stuff?
When I say I'm going to use the naughty/nice thing I mean I'm going to remind my kid "santa is watching" and good behavior gets rewarded and give them opportunities to have good behavior noticed - like a letter from "Santa" saying how it was nice that they've been sharing so well at school or something.
Not like "if you don't quit whining we're not getting a Christmas tree and SANTA ISN'T COMING TO OUR HOUSE THIS YEAR." People are INSANE.
When I say I'm going to use the naughty/nice thing I mean I'm going to remind my kid "santa is watching" and good behavior gets rewarded and give them opportunities to have good behavior noticed - like a letter from "Santa" saying how it was nice that they've been sharing so well at school or something.
Not like "if you don't quit whining we're not getting a Christmas tree and SANTA ISN'T COMING TO OUR HOUSE THIS YEAR." People are INSANE.
