what do you tell your kids about father Christmas?

I enourage Harvey, to believe in Santa and he does its a magical time of year for him and we go and see santa every year it will stay that way to my child stops beleiving in father Christmas me and my man go to extra lengths to make it look like santa came into our apartment. my Christmas as a kid were ruined by my dad. Here is my story.


On Christmas Eve when I was probably 5-years-old, my father told me there was no Santa Claus and that I could stay up with the adults and help put the presents out but I was not to tell my younger brother the truth about Santa.  Christmas was never quite the same after that.  The magic of going to bed with anticipation and then waking up to presents was gone.  I also remember thinking, "So, when you are a certain age they tell you there is no Santa Claus.  When you get older, do they tell you there is no God? It seemed that God and Santa Claus were a lot alike--both watched you all the time to see if you were naughty or nice.

I tried to make it magical for my daughter but she is very opposed to Santa and the idea of him breaking into your house and leaving presents. She already told me and DH that Santa is NOT allowed to leave her anything. :*( But we still won't tell her Santa isn't real. I think traditions are good for kids and build anticipation and wonder.

I tell his is real and comes every year for as long as you REALLY believe in him. My parents let us believe for as long as we believed and that was fun. Finding out on my own that he was a myth as not traumatic or upsetting for me, I just kind of grew out of it.
We put boot shaped snow tracks leading from the fireplace to the tree, we take bites of the cookies and drink the milk and the leave a note thanking the kids on special "north pole stationary" for being so kind. And we leave carrots for the reindeer which we always get rid of before morning. it's so fun.

My family doesnt do Santa at Christmas. Never have. The kids know the presents are from family and what Christmas is celebrated for. But for us its a religious holiday.

DD is 5 and knows Santa isn't real. It's not a problem for us because we don't celebrate Christmas at all in any form.

<blockquote><b>Quoting OmegaDucks!:</b>" I tried to make it magical for my daughter but she is very opposed to Santa and the idea of him breaking ... [snip!] ... :*( But we still won't tell her Santa isn't real. I think traditions are good for kids and build anticipation and wonder."</blockquote

my son loves Santa  

We do santa. Knowing he wasn't real never stopped me from being excited for christmas. lol I could hear my mom putting the presents under the tree.

Quoting Tyannemom2kids:" <blockquote><b>Quoting OmegaDucks!:</b>" I tried to make it magical for my daughter ... [snip!] ... isn't real. I think traditions are good for kids and build anticipation and wonder."</blockquote my son loves Santa  "

I wish my daughter did. Its one of the things we looked forward to. The Easter Bunny is a-ok though. Of course the cuddly animal wins over the giant bearded man.

We never went through the Santa conversation...When Rue did finally ask last year, we explained that he wasn't real.

But she still likes to get involved with Santa Claus. We still take them to the mall to tell Santa what they want for Christmas, and I don't think it's decreased the magic of Christmas at all. It has made for some funny moments though, like last year when we took the girls to the mall...I remember the guy dressed up as Santa asked her what she wanted for Christmas, which caused her to reply: "I know you're not real, and that you just dress up as Santa Claus, but could you tell my Mama and Dad that I'd like a puppy?"

That was absolutely priceless!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tyannemom2kids:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting OmegaDucks!:</b>" I tried to make it magical for my daughter ... [snip!] ... isn't real. I think traditions are good for kids and build anticipation and wonder."</blockquote my son loves Santa  "</blockquote>



My son loves santa too!! He was so worried he would get hurt or burned coming down the chimney so he makes us put out the fire, clean out the ashes and soot, and replace the metal grate with a couch cushion so Santa has somewhere soft to land. He also makes sure the floo is open for him. Lol so sweet.

thanks everyone for your comments    

My mom was pretty good at keeping it going.
I thought there was a Santa until I was in MS and the only reason I found out is because of those douche bag kids that ruin it for everyone else.
I'm letting my kids believe it for as long as possible. We watch Santa on the website when Christmas comes and watch him on his route. We write him letters and bake cookies for him.
It's a fun thing to do.

<blockquote><b>Quoting InkDMomma:</b>" My mom was pretty good at keeping it going. I thought there was a Santa until I was in MS and the only ... [snip!] ... website when Christmas comes and watch him on his route. We write him letters and bake cookies for him. It's a fun thing to do."</blockquote>


awww that's great you let ur kids believe in santa.  

Quoting Tyannemom2kids:" <blockquote><b>Quoting InkDMomma:</b>" My mom was pretty good at keeping it going. ... [snip!] ... and bake cookies for him. It's a fun thing to do."</blockquote> awww that's great you let ur kids believe in santa.  "

It's just so innocent and fun. I know everyone has their own way of doing things but what is the harm in letting them believe in some kind of magic? Kids have to have imagination and Christmas time is always so magical and fun.
I never want my kids to lose that.
I had smurffy holidays when I was younger, every holiday I dreaded because I knew how it was going to go. My family ripping eachother's faces off and screaming and smurf all day.

<blockquote><b>Quoting InkDMomma:</b>" It's just so innocent and fun. I know everyone has their own way of doing things but what is the harm ... [snip!] ... I dreaded because I knew how it was going to go. My family ripping eachother's faces off and screaming and smurf all day."</blockquote>


yes you are right if kids believe in santa and so they should