Santa
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=34385
Printed Date: 24 August 2025 at 1:26pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Santa
Posted By: cealz
Subject: Santa
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:23am
|
Ruby has midwinter Christmas at preschool today so after sending her off with her santa hat on it has got me thinking.....
For her last two Christmas's we had decided we were never going to teach her that Santa was real and that she would get presents from friends and family and not from Santa. I wasnt planning to explain to her that Santa wasnt real, just never tell her that he was if that makes sense. This year she will be two and old enough to understand and now I am wondering if it is the right thing to do I know it is only June still but Chrismas will come around soon enough 
Any thoughts on this greatly appreciated  ------------- 
|
Replies:
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:26am
| We aren't doing anything either way. He gets presents and I don't think hes of an age where he cares where they come from lol. I'll just wait and see whether he decides there is a santa or not and just go with that |
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:29am
|
We don't do Santa.
Firstly we celebrate the birth of Jesus and secondly people have gone to alot of effort and put alot of thought into getting the kids gifts and I would rather take the opportunity to teach them about thankfulness and appreciation rather than a non-existant fat man in a red suit  -------------   
|
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:46am
|
We'll most likely do Santa or Father Christmas, eventually children work it out for themselves that he's not real. Personally I think Christmas is all about children and they get the most fun out of it. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: _SMS_
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 11:08am
We believe in Santa in this house  Thats half the fun of Christmas for kids when they are young.
-------------  
|
Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 11:54am
I used to have the opinion that if it's not cold, wet with possible snow then it's not really Xmas I'm slowly adjusting however. It's hard to comfortable stuff yourself silly when it's hot outside 
ETA: We'll probably do Santa. But it does feel a bit weird lying deliberately to your kids. |
caliandjack wrote:Posted By: Jelly
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 12:01pm
|
I reckon Santa is one of the most exciting parts of Christmas as a kid. I still remember one Christmas eve the news was keeping track of where Santa was. They had a map of the world with a sleigh on it and after every story they would do a Santa update. When his ETA was about 10 minutes away (He'd just done Sydney lol) I ran off to bed giggling because I knew he wouldn't come if I was still awake ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
|
Posted By: Renee & Lauren
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 12:04pm
|
we do the santa thing only because we believe it is a great thing to experience in magic as such when you are a kid. We also do easter bunny and yet to do the tooth fairy too ------------- http://lilyslim.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 12:11pm
|
Christmas talk already...geez
I had always intended on not doing the whole Santa thing, but it never really worked out that way. Unless I completely removed my girls from society they were quickly going to get caught up in the whole thing, its hard to aviod it when you see him in malls, on TV programmes, books, christmas parties... he's every where around Christmas. And when Keira started telling me she needed to make sure santa had cookies and milk when he came to visit, I just couldn't break it to her that he wasn't real. My Pop has always dressed up as Santa at Christmas. Arrived in some ridiculous fashion ( like a blow up boat which got stuck in the middle of a lagoon...). And given out presents. We all know that it is my Pop but Keira still tries so hard to believe it is really santa. One day I know she will figure it out for herself. I remember being a child and figuring out, and realy it wasn't that much of a big deal. It is fun to pretend, to keep that innocence, I wish I still believed in Santa! ------------- 
 
|
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 12:12pm
|
We do Santa & Sinterklaas which is the Dutch one & we have that one on the 5th Dec, my boys put their clogs outside & get so excited by it.
We do the tooth fairy & Easter bunny also & they go looking forr the Easter bunny on an egg hunt which is such great fun. We are in no hurry to spoil the illusion although DS1 probably knows but plays along as he enjoys the fun. I remember when I was a kid the great xmas we had & want my kids to have the same great feelings & memories. |
Posted By: Chops1975
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 12:20pm
|
my parents always felt like they did not want to lie to us...so when we asked questions they would tell us the truth.
In holland an even bigger character is 'sinterklaas' he looks almost the same (not fat). In the early days parents would say he and his helpers would take you away if you were naughty...so lots of kids were more scared than anything else...I think sinterklaas is based on a bible character and the story just got bigger over the years...doesn't have much to do with the bible story anymore I think... The difficult thing though, with it being so big in holland and all the other kids thinking he was real...well, we were not supposed to tell them. So I used to think it was so cool that I knew and the other kids didn't.. I still enjoyed all the special occasions when he would show up and hand out presents...i didn't care he wasn't real...Just always wondered who it was behind that white beard...hahaha don't know if that was much use.... edited to add: cool jazzy...we must have posted at the same time...we're still thinking about whether or not to do sinterklaas as well as christmas....i like the whole shoe thing, hahaha ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
|
Posted By: Lulu
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 12:25pm
|
We totally do the Santa thing. One of the best parts of childhood in my opinion is the joy and wonder of those 'impossible' things - like Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. Children don't have to be jaded by our reality. I remember finding out that Santa wasn't real and it was never a traumatic event. In fact, I decided to keep letting my parents think that I believed as it meant more presents! ------------- Lou http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
|
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 12:26pm
|
With our kids at a catholic pre school and school, they tend to keep santa out of it til the last week or so, however its impossible to hide from no matter what you want to do.
WE got an awesom ebook form the christian book shop that was a very basic story but at the end said we celebrate Jesus birthday which is why we give presents to each other, to show we care. While you might keep Jesus out of it too, it was a good way of simplifying the gift thing. The important thing, i think, is that people who tell their children there is no santa (and you've said you just aren't going to introduce santa) remember that others children do believe and their little one might spoil the fun a wee bit for some of the others. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: princesspumpkin
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 1:17pm
|
I think Santa's a lovely idea, when we were little 'he' gave us our little Christmas stocking pressies, but all of our other gifts were from real people IYGWIM . I remember having a wonderful time putting biscuits & milk out for him when I was wee , and leaving carrots & water for the reindeer...One Christmas Santa rocked up to our family Christmas party in a speedboat - such a cool memory!
|
Posted By: _H_
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 6:16pm
| I cant wait to have kids because they make xmas so special! i dont think it is lieing to kids just pretend |
Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 6:26pm
|
We don't do the Santa thing, but my mother does for the younger brothers, so I let Santa visit Nana's lol.
-------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 6:55pm
|
Good thread, I don't know what we'll do although I had thought about not doing it, it's going to be everywhere and I suppose that is the 'fun' part about it as a kid until you learn hes not real!
I knew the tooth fairy wasn't real when I lost my first tooth and heard my grandparents arguing on what to give me ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 9:06pm
|
We do Santa. We even did it last Christmas when Jude was only four months old. I think it's loads of fun. And I have no problem lying to my kids. In fact, I'm going to lie all the time Especially when they ask me too many "why, why,why?" questions. Like why can't I watch more tv? Because your eyes will go square. Why should I eat my crusts? So that you can grow hair on your chest/ grow curly hair.
And so on and so forth. Yeah, I can and probably will give them a truthfull answer to start off with but kids have a tendency to ask the same questions over and over again. Making up stuff is fun - but then, I come from a jokey, tricky, mocking kinda family. It's always fun to try and make the others in my family believe something outrageous ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 9:09pm
My cousin does this as her boy's birthday is Christmas day, he has his Birthday at home in the morning and goes to Nana's for Santa. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 9:10pm
|
We're planning on lying to our daughter and telling her chocolate is adult only food like alcohol so she won't get addicted to it like DH and I. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 9:29pm
What do you mean Santa isn't real?! http://freesmileyface.net/Free-Babies-Smileys.html">
------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
|
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 9:29pm
|
Hell yeah we have santa at our house , hell yeah I've lied to her .
Not only have I told her there is a santa, I use it regularly to bribe or black mail her . I told her that when babies are born , amongst the stuff mothers get at the hospital , they get santas personal details . And if shes naughty I can give him a call . Oh and that he has invisible elves that hang out in the warehouse all year round ...well, I did tell her these things, but she doesn't really believe in santa so much now , and shes fine , no "my mother lied to me I need to go on Dr Phil " no "I have major trust issues " when the time came for her to no longer believe in him , she was able to appreciate that the idea of santa , becomes the idea of giving . .....But the lies and bribery worked for a while ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 9:30pm
|
they say he isn't Mel, but clearly , they are wrong , there there -------------
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: kiwi2
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:02pm
|
Santa visits our house. I think there is a certain joy and magic in beleiving and when asked by my oldest daughter whether he is real I explained that santa is a fictional being that represents the magic of christmas and represents the giving during this time. Obviously not those worlds but that is the general gist.
However I do also make sure my children know the real reason for christmas. We do not go to church but I feel if you are going to celebrate a religious holiday then it is important to know the real reason. When we were in the middle east we made sure the kids understood all the muslim hols as well as in the USA and learning about thanksgiving etc. It is an education thing. ETA that oldest daughter was 10yrs before we had that chat. |
Posted By: Aprilfools
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:26pm
|
I love Santa! We do it in our house and we call the alarm sensors Santa's eyes.
I think it's important to teach children the real meaning of Christmas but I also feel that Santa helps to grow a childs imagination. When Harper is older we intend to talk to him about those that are less fortunate and so on but while he is really young I'm not going to spoil the idea that the world is perfect. There will be plenty of time for him to do his bit to put the world to rights and he will learn soon enough that the world is full of people who are less fortunate, unkind and selfish. At the moment we'll concentrate on what and who is good because there is still plenty of that around. If any of that makes sense. I also think that a child who is told that Santa isn't real also need an explanation about who Santa is and where the idea of Santa comes from and perhaps be told that it needs to be kept a secret as there are lots of kids who do believe. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:31pm
yah , this is what we do too -------------
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: Chops1975
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 10:54am
|
I really don't see it as lying...that's what my parents thought...Holland is so about 'doing the right thing'...one of the many reasons for leaving, hahaha
and telling your children the truth at all times was so of that time I think... I believe it is cool to have some magic in your life as a child... plenty of time later to find out people suck ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
|
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 11:01am
|
Santa comes to our house. Andrew is at that age where he will probably find out in soon that he isn't real (knowning the school he is at I think it could be this year). He got all excited last year about it and that got Josh all excited. I am going to tell him thou not to spoil it for Josh when he does find out he isn't real cos Josh needs to experience the buzz like Andrew did. Tooth Fairy hasn't come to our house yet (and still a while away going by Andrew's lack of wiggly teeth), but we will do that one too. Only thing we havne't seemed to of done is the Easter Bunny. We given them the chocolate and so does the family. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 11:11am
------------- 
 Oct 11
|
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 11:24am
|
Doesn't Santa have email and a website these days? I'm happy for my kids to be kids for as long as possible, agree with Chops they'll find out soon enough the world sucks. No need to break it to them early.
------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 11:45am
|
There was a great article by nigel Latta in either this or the last littlies magazine about honesty and your kids and a few issues back one about this specific "lie" . Basically he said that kids dwell on things so if you are brutally honest about everythng you are over burdening your child.
I tell my children the birds are santas birds and they tell santa if they are good or not, it keeps them in line. I also tell My kids about Jesus and God and some people could see that as a lie as well,. since there is no concrete evidence. its about asking them to have faith in something magical. We tell all sorts of wee lies daily...he/she went to heaven (when they most likely went the other way) eat your crusts for curly hair, eat your porridge so you can be an all black, don't make that face or the wind will change and you'll be stuck like that etc etc etc. Not exactly life harming or damamging.Plenty of time for the harsh realities of life when they grow up. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 11:59am
Yep I agree with this!! ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3)
|
Posted By: Chops1975
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 12:52pm
WHAT!!? that can't be a lie
(never heard it before so thought it was funny as my hair is as straight as straight can get) ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
|
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 1:07pm
|
Love Santa, the Easter bunny & the tooth fairy! Oh & don't forget Santa's Elves that come to Grandma's place & leave presents every day up til Xmas!!!! ( we don't do chocolate advent calendars we do a reusable one with little things like stickers & hair ties)
OMG did I get stuck in a big lie with the last tooth fairy when I forgot to get change!!! She believed me though PHEW! Kelly, now wish I'd thought of "they get santas personal details . And if shes naughty I can give him a call . " I use it to bribe Alia all the time when it gets close to Xmas
On the other hand we do religious Christmas as well so she knows both sides of the story. I hope that in a few years she'll have as much joy in seeing Cooper still believing as we do in seeing her believe, only thing I'm gutted about is that Santa seems to have forgotten me in the last 6 years  ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: sweetpea
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 1:17pm
|
If we ever have kids then it has gone without saying between the two of us that Santa will be a big part of xmas time. Its hard to avoid so might as well go with the flow. we will let them find out the truth in good time kids have to have majic in their lives and something to believe in.
Having kids around you makes christmas ------------- http://daisypath.com"> 
|
Posted By: sweetpea
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 1:19pm
|
as an aside as we often go away for xmas to our hoilday home we still get santa presents in the morning its often chocolate. ------------- http://daisypath.com">
|
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 1:21pm
|
Maybe you've been a very naughty girl AandCsmum? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 3:34pm
|
I'm not planning on sitting my kids down and explaining that Santa isn't real or anything coz thats just mean lol but when I was growing up Santa was just a play character that showed up for the Brownies christmas party and stuff. I don't think it made Christmas any less magical for us though. We got to sleep under the tree with all the lights twinkling and eat caramel popcorn and my parents would read us stories. We absolutely loooooved christmas! I think magic has more to do with your own attitude. -------------
|
Posted By: MrsEmma
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 4:32pm
|
We will definitely be having Santa come to our house!
I remember lying in bed on Christmas Eve when I was young, my parents used to hide all our presents in the roof space and they would go up to get them, I'd think it was Santa's sleigh & reindeer that were making all the thuds and noises on the roof above my bed and would get ridiculously excited about it!! I want DS to experience the magical side of Christmas as much as possible while he's young. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: cealz
Date Posted: 02 July 2010 at 3:01pm
|
Thanks for all the replies ladies . Think I'm even more confused now!
Babe, I think I was thinking along the same lines of what you do, like Santa is a part of Christmas but not the one to bring the presents . Hmmm lucky its stil a few months away (lucky for my wallet too hehe) -------------
|
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 02 July 2010 at 4:15pm
|
What we do is (remember I have an older child, lol) have a small santa stocking which we will up woth small things, like hair ties, bubble bath, facecloth, small cars, candy canes etc, to the value of about $20 and thats what "santa" brings. Mr 5 now wonders about why santas sleigh has bikes and stuff on then and why stories have santa brigning kids big stuff so we told him that we buy the things for santa to bring, and they are gifts form us, but santa looks after them so there is no peeking...seems like alot of effort and porkies but works well for us! (and really adds to the magic thing!) ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 02 July 2010 at 7:25pm
|
Yeah we do a santa sack (pillowcase) but it is filled with small knick-knacky stuff and a few lollies. We used to get underwear and socks in it as well. The main thing in it though was a water pistol for the Christmas Day waterfight!
The "real" presents are from family etc. Santa is kind of a small appetizer whereas the family stuff is the main course. We used to have an awesome awesome Santa Claus book (its now in tatters from being read so much). It explained everything about Santa (although perhaps not a true account ) - including a story about George Greely (Greedy George) who kept asking Santa for too much, so the next Christmas Santa ended up giving him a lump of coal instead. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 02 July 2010 at 7:52pm
|
My friend's parents really did give her only coal one year ...they aren't the most nurturing of parents mind you .... -------------
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: kiwi2
Date Posted: 03 July 2010 at 9:21am
|
In our family once the questions started we just use "if you don't believe you don't receive" as an answer to the question is he real. This got us another 2 years. Really its for me not the kids I just love doing it. My older daughter who "knows" really gets into the excitement of keeping the magic alive for the younger ones.
I do also use it as a naughty tool. My common saying from about now to christmas is "God sees everything and he tells me and santa." |
Posted By: kiwikid
Date Posted: 04 July 2010 at 6:29pm
|
I think its quite interesting if you do Santa, what he actually brings in the way of gifts - so many variations. In our house growing up we had a stocking / pillow case / sack that had small toys, underwear etc and all the cool stuff was from Mum and Dad and then later at the family event there was no Santa, he was just for Xmas morning with your sack of goodies but the main stuff was from Mum and Dad.
In other families I've since discovered sometimes all the presents, from water pistol to trampoline was from Santa. DS has a lovely Santa sack, its kinda pillow case sized and we do things like colouring in things / stickers / cars / spinning tops / cheap DVD or CDs / bath toys / sand pit toys and then maybe one nice wrapped present (last year was his baby boy doll). Everything else is from the person gifting. Obviously he was only 18mths last Xmas so didnt have much of a clue but we have a nice hard back book of Xmas stories that we read every day in December so he'll catch on. This year I will find a nice simple Christian book that explains the birth of Jesus that we will read. I also believe if you are going to celebrate a religious holiday you should know its origins... last year on a UK forum there was a post that seemed sincerely asking about why we celebrate on the 25/12 and 'something about this person called Jesus' could have been a troll but it seemed geniuine  ------------- 
|
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 05 July 2010 at 12:23pm
|
I'm another who believes in the magic of Christmas..i love it all esp the family getting together etc:) It honestly never occurred to me not to do Santa...for us it will be part of the fun..this year will prob be the first Ethan gets it I guess.. can't wait:) I remember hearing 'santa' walk in and luckily for my parents my dad was dressed in a santa suit..i shut my eyes so fast and was so excited lol... i have great Christmas /Santa memories and want that for my children too
mind you my Mum loved doing the santa thing and wrapping everything .. we had a stocking of stuff and sometimes a big present too.. :) we will prob do little things from santa and a few bigger things from us.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 05 July 2010 at 12:42pm
|
kiwikd, perhaps it was because a lot of the rest of Europe celebrate Christmas on the 24th, not the 25th?
In my house everything was from Santa, DH's was the same so I think that's what we'll do. I don't really care if my kids think I paid for it or a magical person brought it for them as at that age they've not really got any concept of money/cost anyway. We now know how much expense and sacrifice they went to and of course appreciate it. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|