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LO is too little to understand yet, but I will tell her Santa is real, because that is how I grew up. We have a tree, decorate, buy gifts, read Christmas stories (religious and fun) etc. We will, however, teach her about the season of giving and the birth of Jesus as well, even though we are not that religious, I think it's important she knows WHY we have Christmas, and that it's not just about gifts.

A similar thread was started a while ago. I do think its controversial because those who do encourage their kids to believe often are upset with those who don't because some kids tell others and parents taken it really personally.

My parents didnt ever tell us Santa was real because my mom had severe trust issues with her mom as a result. She hated the idea of lying to us. I adopt the same idea and we won't be doing the Santa thing except for fun.

We plan on incorporating Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, etc. It's fun. When they get old enough to suspect (or another kid tells them they're not real) we'll tell them the truth and say something to the effect of "well if you don't believe in him, then you won't get a present from him...". That's how I grew up and I didn't mind finding out Santa wasn't real at a very early age. I kept my mouth shut so I could keep getting the presents.

As for other kids, we'll teach our kids to not spoil the truth for their friends.

It's all a big hoax!!!!!

@Anagram: I actually think, and I'm sorry if this offends anyone, that santa is the antithesis of Christianity. Now, I know many Christians who still do the santa thing - but I feel it's turned secular because those who didn't/don't celebrate Christmas for the Christian reason wanted something to celebrate as well. I also think that often santa is elevated to a similar level at God (all knowing, everywhere at once, etc). Just a thought
I don't want to cause controversy - this is a personal matter for each family.

@mrs. wagon: I am a Christian too (heyy!!) and so it definitely plays a part in why we are personally choosing not to do it. I was reading a really interesting article about it that discussed the more spiritual side of santa and it included many thoughts I hadn't even thought of before... however when I presented the article to my small group at church they brushed it off because they said kids don't actually think into it that much... so idk... but either way...
DH didn't celebrate santa growing up (his mom did teach the real story of St. Nicholas though) and he feels really strongly about it and I'm just "meh".

My mom always made it more of a game or a joke so I honestly never felt left out.

@mrs. wagon: it is cool - but it's sooo freakin scary!! I remember facing severe anxiety in my third trimester when I all of a sudden realized I am more than likely deciding my child's fate through every little choice I make and I will be held accountable to God for my parenting decisions and holy sh*t that is a lot of responsibility! even little things like santa - it's like "WHAT DO I DOOO!?!?!"

@mrs. wagon: oh agreed. I would go nuts if DH and I didn't share the same beliefs! It's so much easier when we agree. And for the most part we do. And what we don't agree on - I can usually convince him muahaha.

Nah. I'm not going to be a grinch about it, but I'm not going to push it.

We're not religious and will be doing Santa. I think it's fun and pretty magical when you're a kid, for a few years at least. My husband's not that into it because he doesn't want to lie to our children; personally I think that's taking it too seriously. I think we'll try to mostly emphasize the idea of family, togetherness, and generosity, and for a while, Santa will be a part of that.

I strongly dislike the whole "You have to be good or Santa won't bring you any presents!" thing that some parents say to their kids to try to get them to behave, though. I think it's kind of mean and misses the point of teaching good behavior. Also, young children can't cognitively understand the connection between the two. Anyway, that was a tangent...

I'll be telling my kids about Santa, the tooth fairy, easter bunny and all that great stuff. There is something so much more magical about it. I was raised thinking Santa was real and it never took away from the real reason for Christmas and I have no trust issues with my parents.

Oh, also I wanted to note: I thought I didn't want to introduce the whole "you'd better be good or Santa won't bring you any presents" thing, but I found myself doing it this year now that he's old enough to understand a reward system. Not because I want to bribe him into being good (which I actually end up doing on a daily basis anyway with gummy lollipops for bedtime and popsicles if he finishes his dinner) but because I find myself not wanting him to get a present just for absolutely nothing. I want him to receive a present knowing that he earned it by trying as hard as he could to be as good as he can be. For that reason we haven't opened all his birthday presents yet either from his party-- I want to introduce them gradually, not all at once, because then I feel like he'll feel he is owed a big pile of presents randomly. I love to give him things, but whenever I give him something I tell him what it's for. Either it's a special day because it's his birthday, or because I'm so proud of him for being good at school at week, or because he gave me a kiss and a hug (heh). I guess I'm all about teaching my kids to earn things rather than expect them to be handed to them. That might seem a little harsh... but in the terrible twos and troublesome threes I think it's a good tool!

We’re atheists and definitely will be telling LO about Santa. IMO, it isn’t just about “Santa” as the guy who brings you presents if you are good all year long; but “Santa” represents the whole spirit of the season: that we are thankful for what we have, that we are thankful for the gifts we receive and that we try to help Santa to make sure that every child has a little something special this time of year (and year round).

Santa is a magical idea for little kids. The world is serious enough and they will get into the real world quickly enough; I like the idea of saving something magical for them.

@blackbird: I'm in the same situation. I grew up not believing, and my DH did.

I don't really want to do Santa, but my husband does. I'm not sure what we'll do when the time comes yet.

DH and I are both agnostic and definitely plan on telling our child about Santa. I loved waking up Christmas morning and running down the stairs to see if Santa came. I loved writing him a letter every year and putting it in the mailbox. I loved baking him cookies and leaving carrots out for the reindeer. I cherish those memories fondly and cannot wait to create similar memories with our LO.

Our issue will be whether or not we let our parents push the religious aspect of Christmas onto our LO. Both of our parents are religious (DH's parents are Catholic and my stepfather is a non-denominational minister) so obviously the religious aspect is important to them. However, we are pretty firm in not pushing any religion on our child until he/she is old enough to make the decision for his/herself. That is going to be the challenging part for us.

We plan on doing Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and all those imaginary, magical creatures that come along with the childhood that both DH and I had.

@mrs. wagon: haha, it's always about incentives, eh? DH is already working on an incentive system for LO...she's going to be his economics experiment!

DH and i never believed in Santa Claus (i grew up in a religious household), and for the most part, i don't believe a lot of my classmates believed in him either. I'm more afraid of the parents who think DH and i are grinches for robbing our kids of the Santa experience...and getting the judgmental eye from them! I told DH that he's welcome to do it, but i just can't summon the enthusiasm for it.

We'll let them believe in Santa, but we focus on the birth of Christ in our house. I won't mind if other children tell them Santa isn't real since everyone has a different belief system and I plan on teaching my children that as well.

I totally will! I think it's all in good fun and LOs don't believe for long anyways.

We're Jewish so Santa won't be coming to our house, but LO will obviously know that Santa exists from her friends, going to stores, etc. so she will know that he's real.

I just don't trust that my 3 year old will be able to keep the secret that he's not real from all of her friends, and I don't want her to be the one to ruin it for the other kids. My LO will be going to the temple preschool so hopefully we won't have to worry about it too much.