https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:16:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1282493 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 12:36:33 +0000 Sunderling 1282493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think my parents might have sort of half-assed the Santa thing in our house... The presents were always labeled as being from my parents or family friends or whoever, but I think they might have put one under the tree from Santa? When I was around 5 or 6 I noticed that the handwriting was my dad's, and he tried to tell me that Santa got him to wrap the present, but I was like ..no, the present is actually from you. I didn't care at all, I really don't think they put much effort into making Santa believable before that year either.</p> <p>Christmas has always been my absolute favourite day of the year in any case, from when I was a tiny child up until now. In our house Santa will be a fictional character, like the mascot of Christmas or something, but I really don't think that will spoil the magic for our kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281697 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 13:42:13 +0000 BKCaribBaby 1281697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am sort of like you in that I grew up with a non-American parent. My mother didn't emphasize Santa Claus. She didn't go out of her way to make him seem real; she just never really spent tons of time talking about him. I stopped believing in Santa fairly early (around 6 maybe?), and I STILL loved Christmas to point where I often not sleep the night before. I don't think Santa is a necessity to make Christmas special.</p> <p>DH has the opposite experience, so this is going to be something interesting for us to navigate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281669 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 13:13:23 +0000 mrsjazz 1281669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will have no problem lying to my kid. :wink: I just think I have a different take on Santa since I didn't grow up believing in him. It's funny that it's a big deal to people when other people choose to not have "real" Santa. Not everyone grew up with Santa and our lives were great! :silly: Our choice to not have Santa be real has nothing to do with lying. Santa's going to be in the realm of Big Bird and The Little Mermaid. I think Santa is magical but that you don't necessarily have to believe that he is really going to climb down your chimney to bring you toys if you've been naughty or nice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281573 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 11:31:45 +0000 sorrycharlie 1281573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: lol agree! i felt cool, like a grown up</p> <p>I wasn't traumatized at all. we'll be doing santa :)</p> <p>eta: I get that literally it's telling your kids a lie..or whatever. but really, we are all going to lie to our kids at SOME point..maybe a serious lie, maybe a white lie, but yeah. no biggie :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281545 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 11:04:33 +0000 Kimberlybee 1281545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Growing up in a Buddhist home, my family didn't really know the story behind Santa. They knew about Christmas honoring the birth of Christ because we were visited by countless missionaries (who ended up being some of our dearest family friends) but Santa was never explained to us. When I was 5 (kindergarten), after everyone was asleep, I set out cookies and milk for Santa by the window because we didn't have a fireplace. I woke up Christmas morning to find it untouched and no presents arrived either. In my young mind, I concluded that Santa only visited Caucasian kids so I was really sad. Then my parents tried to comfort me by saying Santa only visits very ill kids and that I am healthy so I should be thankful. So basically I thought Santa was real but only for certain kids. </p> <p>I will definitely have Santa incorporated for my baby for a few years just so she can have that experience. The truth will come out anyway so it will be fun while it lasts. We did it for our niece and nephew who lived with us and seeing their excitement was worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281526 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 10:48:04 +0000 .twist. 1281526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't get traumatized after finding out Santa wasn't real. In fact, I think I felt like I was in on some crazy secret! Haha </p> <p>So Santa is real in our house, and when the kids find out or ask we will explain it to them. How exactly? I'm not sure yet... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281437 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 09:27:04 +0000 Maysprout 1281437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the imagination side of Santa so we'll be telling the stories and try to make it magical. I set up leprechaun traps in my backyard and even neighbor kids who made fun of it got into it, I always had a pretty wild imagination and I love that part of childhood. DH says he never remembers believing in Santa so we're not going to force her or be super adamant but we're story tellers so we'll still tell lots of stories when she doesn't believe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281385 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 08:29:49 +0000 looch 1281385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it is also Important to see what your child gravitates towards. Some kids are really matter of fact and if they don't believe, they can't be forced. Some kids are more into fantasy and would accept it. I think it depends and you can't draw a hard line until you see how it plays out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281379 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 08:26:06 +0000 Ra 1281379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281375 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 08:19:01 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1281375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: Good morning pal :happy: I get your point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281370 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 08:13:38 +0000 Ra 1281370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I think wanting the focus to be on the religious aspect, and wanting the holiday to be more meaningful, is different than not wanting Santa JUST for the reason that it would be "lying" to your child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281368 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 08:08:54 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1281368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: I won't go as far as saying I will never lie to my children. White lies and age appropriate explanations often require fibbing. Santa is on a different level of lying or better put misleading. He's a hoax. While I'm all for having a water bottle for "monster spray" so me and a LO can get a restful night's sleep, I don't want them believing in a man that visits only good little boys and girls leaving them presents. I remember the Christmases when I didn't get everything I wanted and felt like I must of have done something wrong and ended up on the naughty list. By reclaiming Christmas as a religious holiday- celebrating the birth if Jesus (in winter albeit)- the focus will be on Him and not just on Santa's visit. I grew up with a very secular, Santa focused, retail holiday. I want something different and more grounded spiritually for my own kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue/page/2#post-1281336 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 07:19:01 +0000 Ra 1281336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Santa is real in our house. Santa made Christmas so magical and I was not at all traumatized when I learned my parents were Santa.</p> <p>I also see no problem with "lying to my kids." I find it hard to believe that there are parents who are never going to lie to their kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1281175 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 22:32:45 +0000 HLK208 1281175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Santa is real in our house! I loved Christmas and every Christmas tradition in my family while growing up and I could feel how much my parents cared about us to keep the story going! My mom dipped my dads work boots in the soot from the fireplace and tracked it through the house while we were asleep. All of my sisters and I thought it was so funny that Santa made a mess in my parents house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1281167 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 22:19:44 +0000 singingbee 1281167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: this. </p> <p>My parents had to tell me because I was gettig give an age that my mom was worried I would be teased. I wasn't upset when I found out. </p> <p>Funny story:@MamaBehr: one year Santa brought us a Nintendo. My second sister, who was 8 at the time and beginning to question the real ness of Santa, exclaimed that now she knew that Santa really existed because there was no way my parents would have bought us one. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1281164 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 22:15:57 +0000 boots 1281164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Santa is real in our house :)</p> <p>Growing up, my parents went way out of their way to bring Santa magic into the house for Christmas. It was SO much fun, and I look back so fondly on those memories. I wasn't deeply offended when I found out the truth.</p> <p>DD will be 9 months this Christmas (well, on the 26th), and I am already having so much fun with the holidays.</p> <p>I do want to add though, that there will be no naughty/nice incentive. That part has always weirded me out, and is something I didn't grow up with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1281046 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 21:05:33 +0000 lawbee11 1281046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I hate that, too. Especially because the brattiest kids always seem to get the most gifts. I think I am going to tell our LO that "Santa gives to those that give" and make it a tradition to donate some of her toys/clothes each year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1281036 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:57:28 +0000 regberadaisy 1281036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a similar upbringing as you. So for me the issue of Santa isn't so black and white. I think you can still do Santa without having to "push" it.</p> <p>Growing up I knew of Santa and it was cool to have Santa a part of Christmas. But I guess I always kinda knew he wasn't real. In my house he didn't bring me gifts, we didn't leave cookies out for him, etc. But he was still an enjoyable part of Christmas for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1281032 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:54:55 +0000 irene 1281032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: @looch: Same here!!! I dislike the idea of lying to your kids about this mythical character so that they will be good for however long just so they get gifts. That's a wrong motivation. </p> <p>@MamaBehr: You crack me up -- That is the most awesome response ever... haha!!!! We are still undecided of what to do but I think somewhere along that line would be pretty cool. We'll see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1281013 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:39:17 +0000 JerricaBenton 1281013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Santa is real in our house! Heck, my mom still says Santa is coming for my brother and me! I'm pretty sure I knew he wasn't real around 5 but I still had fun pretending for my brother and playing along with my parents. It never occurred to me to be upset with my parents for giving us presents and creating all that magic! There's nothing like that time for little ones! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280988 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:19:58 +0000 looch 1280988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: that is my issue as well...same with elf on the shelf. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280986 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:18:37 +0000 shopaholic 1280986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: This is what I plan to do. </p> <p>@irene: Grew up in a Chinese household where nothing was ever real. No gifts, no Santa, no need for a tree even some years. It flat out sucked the joy of the season for me while everyone else around seemed so happy and celebratory. I plan to just play along for as long as it seems LO is into it. They're only so innocent and full of wonder for such a very short period of time - it will make me happy to make LO happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280968 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:03:58 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1280968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: yea I don't mind talking about Santa and having fun with him but I hate the whole "be good for Santa so he can bring you presents". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280918 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 19:32:10 +0000 Mamasig 1280918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: same here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280850 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 18:38:28 +0000 sunny 1280850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Santa is real! I figured it out when I was 7 or 8 and I was asked to keep quiet so I wouldn't ruin it for my younger brother. I felt I was being trusted with an important secret! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280652 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 16:47:33 +0000 NavyRN2012 1280652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Santa is real in our house. Finding out happens when they're older and usually find out from a friend or cousin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280618 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 16:27:23 +0000 mrsmate 1280618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are going to treat Santa like any other fictional character, like Elmo or Barney. I just don't believe in lying to my kids like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280589 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 16:11:01 +0000 psw27 1280589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrbee - I came to the same realization. My brother tried to tell me that my parents were Santa but I didn't want to believe him....then I realized the handwriting matched up. I wasn't too devastated but it would have been nice if my brother had let me believe a few more years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280575 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 16:06:52 +0000 mamimami 1280575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>PS to answer your other questions, here is how I found out. My dad's work partner would call me every year to ask what I wanted for Christmas. I noticed, Santa's voice sounded like this person I knew! That was maybe age 5ish?</p> <p>And, now that my son is almost three and in preschool, he has started bringing up Santa a lot. I've sort of discussed this on the boards a bit but basically whenever he brings it up, I ask him what he thinks about Santa, and then I tell him gently that Santa is pretend and that his presents will come from mom, dad, his grandmas, etc. I feel sort of like a killjoy but what can I do, right? This is what we have decided to do and I hope over the coming years it will pay off for our family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-santa-claus-issue#post-1280560 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 16:03:17 +0000 mamimami 1280560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was pretty disappointed when I found out about the Santa conspiracy :) somewhat earlier than the other kids. We aren't doing Santa, for a variety of reasons, mostly the religious vs. commercial thing. I know Santa is fun and magical and all that, but he's 100% about the presents. That's his bottom line.</p> <p>I hope this decision will not traumatize my own kids LOL. </p> <p>Either way is meh to me. But I do get sort of annoyed about all the emphasis on Santa... like at my kid's preschool when he was asked to write a letter to Santa! Ummmmm, we sort of improvised on that LOL </p>