The Santa Problem

Okay what your teacher said sounds like a much more terrible kind of belief than santa claus :(

Santa Claus is just a tradition like the tooth fairy; they don't exist but is part of our culture. As far as I'm concerned, that's all there is to it, and one day we'll have to face reality.

Origin of Saint Nicholas


I have never given it much thought but, I may shy away from Santa as a real person. The reason being, is Santa gave me a sense of entitlement for simply behaving in a proper manner like I should have. I ignored the other aspects of Christmas like family, tradition,etc in exchange for that new PlayStation or N64. I wasn't behaving because it was the right thing to do but, simply because I wanted things.

Ditto.

It is one of the rare instances where I sympathize with some of deep Christian faith. I may not believe in God, but I do agree that Santa has had a somewhat negative impact on the meaning of what Christmas really is supposed to mean. I see less and less Christmas celebrations that have anything to do with Jesus, or really any spiritual meaning whatsoever. I can see how some people are upset with how much the idea of Santa has taken away with what Christmas really is. However, I would argue that the "spirit" remains the same, but I digress.

I was never told the mousey "is just sleeping". I was either told it was "DEAD." or "see for yourself".

Likewise, I was never led to believe Grandfather Frost was alive and real and bringing the presents. I was instead told that Christmas is the season where everyone wants (and some get) free stuff.

I'm inclined to say I'd do the same with my kids - I hated the feeling of being bullshitted by adults, and as a consequence wouldn't do that to my kids. Possibly.

I don't ever remember being angry at my parents for endorsing the myth, so I struggle to see this point of view. There is plenty of time for a child to grow up and come to terms with the harsh realities of life, and children without the history and values of Christmas have never been properly taught them; if anything, telling children that there is no great custodian of presents risks making them more materialistic, as it shows that normal people can simply go out and buy them. I'm not talking about protecting fragile little minds here, I'm simply saying that there is a period in which they can be carefree and will imagine their own world, and the following period where they realise, through observation and logic, what 'is' and 'isn't' in this world. Why deny them the same, positive experience of every other child for your own satisfaction, or their supposed logical benefit, when most people fed on the myth turn out fine?

If I ever have kids, I will not teach them to believe Santa is real; and I will make sure that my kid trusts me more than some dumb-ass kindergarten.

On a side-note (somewhat relevant): I'm a little unsure if I'll teacher whether or not leprechauns are real. I had some nice adventures as a kid looking for those buggers.

My main lesson when I have kids will be. "Think. About yourself and about things. Think for yourself. Be critical and skeptical to some degree. Accept other people's way of thinking while maintaining your own." So if they believe in Santa they believe and if they don't then they don't and I won't say anything as long as they came to the conclusion themselves.

The current "Image" of Santa Claus was actually created by Coca Cola. Notice how the colour schemes match?

Sinter Klaus (I think that's right) Is the German "Santa Claus" which deliver's gifts to them. The whole concept really boils down to Saint Nicholas bringing gifts to children through the chimney, and leaving them in their stockings.

You've all seen the "Rankin Bass" stop-motion christmas films, have you not? In their "Santa Claus is coming to town" film, they depict Santa as "Kris Kringle" climbing through chimneys and leaving gifts in their stockings because the leader of the city did not like toys.

That movie was probably based on a true story, the stockings and chimney part, that is. (Possibly an anti-western communism that didn't want children to have "fun".)

I, myself, do not know if I will tell me kids, when I have them. I heard about this family once, that didn't ever say that he was real or not, and let the kids figure it out on their own.

Since I'm a First Generation in America, my parents didn't really know anything about Santa Claus.

They heard about it before, I guess, and finally told me that he existed when I was old enough to understand stuff, I think younger than 6. This was the only time they had mentioned it. I knew right away it was a lie and my parents knew that I knew too, but they got me presents that said it was from Santa Claus, however only for one year. It wasn't disappointing.

I guess since there was a culture gap, they couldn't really do the whole gig. And that's probably what I'll do to my kids.

I would probably go along with the lie and tell my kids (if I decide to have any). As several others said before me, it all adds to the "magic" of childhood. After my 7th Bday I knew Santa wasn't real, but it still remained a part of every Christmas we celebrated.

Mommy, why is daddy doing it with Mrs. Clause?

well' just let the kids know who is Santa by themselves.. usually, when a kid reach age of 10-12, he/she will realized that Santa isn't real...

Belief in Santa is a harmless little lie that is a mark of innocence in a child.

I have yet to see a situation where a child has tangible benefits from being told that Santa isn't real. They're all theooretical benefits (ie "he learns to think not just believe" yada yada yada). The child will learn on his own the truth about the situation without ruining his sense of wonder for him. Not to mention potentially ruining other children's sense of wonder, as the child will now insist to other children that Santa isn't real because his mommy/daddy said so (seriously, that's how children will see it and explain it to other children, not becaue they can't come up with evidence that santa exists).

If I ever have children I am not going to shield them from the cruel realities of the world we live in....just to see how they turn out. (Hey if people are allowed to indoctrinate their children into religions before they can even speak I think it's fair if I view my kids as a social experiment.)

What! Santa isn't real?!!??! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

My father is actually German, and sought to combine the two. I think it's a cool idea, to bring a little more joy to your kids.
I think the main reason for the whole santa bit is because many kids cannot comprehend the magnitude of the religious celebration. Secondary, but moving into the mainstream with atheists who celebrate Christmas, is the "home for the holidays" mentality. All little Jimmy knows is that Uncle Mel brought the smelly Nana, and his "special" cousin called from his new home.

Extra gifts are a way to make the holiday special, I could honor that.

I think that with that affirmation, comes a responsibility to set it right through the kid's life. Instill a deep connection with religion (I'm Catholic, fuck you.), and teach the child that family and goodwill are the most important parts of life, and that the holiday celebrates these.

If i have children i would let them to believe whatever they hear, if they ask, i tell them like: "First: I f he is so fat, how can he enter through our tiny chimney?
Second: He has to give a present to every child IN THE WORLD on the 25th before they get up and search for their presents under the tree.
Third: For every child in the world he needs at least one present, and it doesn't matter how light the thing is, he could never fly with so much weight, counting HIM of course.
Fourth: He has to get a presnt every child in the world before the 25th, how does he know or if he does, how does he remember what you like? Besides what he gave you looks like that videogame on the front of the store, wheen you go there, suprise! It's no longer there, what? santa stole it?

That way i teach them two stuffs, that santa doesn´t exist, and to use logic.

On the off chance I ever have kids I plan on telling them the truth about Santa from the start. No way am I going to work my ass off all year so some fat bastard can take all the credit for the Christmas gifts.