I am anti-Santa.
Yep, I’ve said it and I’m prepared for all the hate that will come my way.
I believed in Santa growing up. There were some things about him that didn’t make sense, but I chose to ignore them and keep believing. I loved the idea of Santa. Well, I loved the idea of free presents, anyway.
I believed in Santa till I was 10 (yes, I was a gullible child). When my mother finally told me he wasn’t real – and neither was the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy – I was genuinely shocked. I felt stupid. I felt betrayed. I felt sad. So there wasn’t really any magic in the world. So things don’t come for free.
I swore that I would never lie to my kids about Santa. And I haven’t.
From the time they were little, I’ve told my daughter and son that their dad and I buy presents for them at Christmas, and that Santa is just a myth. (I’ve also told my kids not to spoil it for other kids, and they’re careful not to.)
LISTEN: Holly Wainwright and Andrew Daddo discuss what to do when your kids begin wising up about Mr. Claus. Post continues after.
You see, I have a lot of problems with Santa.
Some children hate being forced to sit on a strange man’s lap (my younger sister would burst into tears every time my parents tried to get her to do it).
Cash-strapped families are put under extra pressure to buy expensive gifts (remember, Santa gives more toys to good kids).
And with some kids finding out the truth before others, there are always going to be awkward situations at school (I have a relative who felt humiliated when he kept insisting to his friends that Santa was real because his mum had told him so).
Top Comments
Why are we all so bound and determined to take all things joyful and over analyse them?..... I would not give up my memories of Santa for anything... The anticipation , the inability to sleep because you could feel the magic of the night . Santa was coming ! Waking up and finding presents laid out under the tree where there was nothing the night before. My parents never laboured over the naughty and nice aspect and we didn't have santa pics taken because it is makes a mockery of stranger danger......We were told that he was a kind old man who once a year took the time to bring joy to children the world over. As children we didn't worry ourselves with the how ... It was magic... good enough for us ...
and I can still recall very clearly how sad I was when I had to let go of the magic.....I was sad for all of a few weeks or so while my childish mind took it all in and processed it ... Being a child however I was soon over it and just relieved to know that the presents would still be making their way under the tree.... Christmas was never the same though.. .Same amount of presents but no magic sleepless night trying to catch a glimpse of the jolly fat man ...Our children will find out soon enough just how mundane life really is... I say let them have the magic for as long as it lasts .
Everyone misses the real point of Xmas... I hate to say it people, but it's the birth of Jesus "christ"mas. Presents (or gift givng) are representative of the wise men bearing gifts with good will to all men. I grew up in a catholic household and the myth of Santa just faded as I got older - there was no shock - but good will toward all men remained, and gift giving made it special! I love the magic of xmas!!