I've been thinking a lot about Santa and his contribution to Christmas. Last night I posted on facebook that we've always told our kids that we buy their gifts. We talk about Santa, we look for him at the end of the parade, but it's certainly not the focus of our Christmas discussions. It brought a lot of interesting opionions and thougths from friends on facebook and it got me to thinking... My view on Santa has nothing to do with religion. I am not opposed to people telling their kids about Santa. It's just not that important to me. Neither Ysmaille or myself grew up in a household that "believed" in Santa, so for us it's just not a big deal. I know that sounds like we are total humbugs. Let me assure you... we're not! Here are the traditions that are important to us... making sandtarts and letting the kids decorate them, picking out our own real Chrismtas tree and cutting it down, putting up our nativity made by Haitian artisans, reading the Christmas story form Luke 2, and spending time with the family we love. Santa is only on the sidelines of our Christmas celebration.
With that said, my precious almost-four-year-old has a devout belief in Santa this year. When I reminded her that Daddy and Mommy buy her gifts she said, "you are tricking me, Mommy. I know Santa buys my gifts." So guess what? We're going to roll with it. If believing in Santa makes her happy and makes the holidays a little more magical I'm okay with that. As for me, I'm just looking forward to the look on her face when she sees what we bought her, whether she thinks it's from me or Santa.
i love your parenting style, mel. and i love how you have room in your holiday for her hard and fast belief in santa. so many moms sway their kids to one side or another.
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