Comments on: Santa Clues: How Far Will You Go to Keep the Big Lie Alive?

By: Eddie

Eddie — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:17:47 +0000

My bedroom was at the end of the hallway from the stairway. Every night of the year, my mother would leave one of the hallway lights on in case I needed to use the bathroom or wanted water.

Christmas Eve of my fifth year, I was as always having trouble sleeping and every little sound I heard I would wonder if that was Santa. I was worried that if he knew i was awake, I’d miss out on the presents. Suddenly a shadow appeared on the wall outside my door and I saw the familiar shape of Santa and his hat with the cotton ball at the end! I turned over and forced my self to pretend sleep, a little anxious about my gift situation. Had I closed my eyes in time?

I did not share that story for many years, originally because I was fearful Santa might hear about it, if I spoke it out loud and then later I just forgot about the situation when I learned the truth.

Sometime in my teens I remembered to relate the story to my family about how I imagined Santa’s shadow in the hallway and marveled at how creative a child’s imagination can be. My mother and my aunt began to crack up laughing. It turns out I DID really see a shadow, but it was of my heavyset Aunt coming down the hall to see if I was still awake so they can start placing the presents under the tree. The “cotton ball hat” shadow was actually her hair bun come partially done from her extra long hair and was bobbing as she moved.

I hope you enjoyed my memory. Merry Christmas to you all!

By: shanti

shanti — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:41:23 +0000

she make me mad went she tell me that and santa cluse is not real am 12 now

By: shanti

shanti — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:38:42 +0000

my mom tell me that ever chrimas eve santa clues is real and he do come in the nigh when we are sleeping and i all ways belive her

By: Hyla

Hyla — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:07:15 +0000

We do footprints with magical North pole snow (baby powder)

By: Shari

Shari — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:16:39 +0000

Its all in FUN! Its like a fun little joke. Where is your sense of humor and fun?? You see how long you can keep it going and kids try to figure it out at the same time not wanting to. My 5 yr old looks at the Santa thing very skeptically but plays along with her crazy parents anyway – grinning the whole time. I’ve never met anyone who is emotionally scarred by the Santa lie. In fact, as an adult, its a great source of stories and laughter at the lengths my parents went to. We also use it to teach her about the Spirit of Santa which is all about giving. In my house – if you not believe, you don’t receive. I still believe in the Spirit of Santa.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:02:33 +0000

Two Christmas's ago my Dad dressed as Santa and went over to my brothers house to put presents under the tree. My brother woke his then 5 year old son to peek on Santa. Come this Christmas that boy not only was 100% sure there was a Santa he was completely afraid to not be in bed on Christmas Eve. My sister -in-law is pretty sure that will buy her at least a couple more Christmas's

The subject of weather or not there is a Santa\Easter Bunny came up with my nephew at Easter. Apparently the talk has started at school that they don't exist. I looked him straight in the eye and said to him, "What do you think?" He said, "They're real." So I told him the only thing that matters is what he believes.

By: Sara

Sara — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:40:13 +0000

I think that when kids are ready, they will stop believing, no matter how much "evidence" we give them. I remember when I was about 7 or 8 and I tricked my mom into admitting Santa wasn't real. I didn't feel cheated, I felt smart for figuring it out. I also remember my grandfather, who would come to visit every Christmas, really being the one to perpetuate the Santa myth. At some point on Christmas Eve, he would get really still and quiet and say "Did you hear that? Did you hear the sleigh bells?" Just wanting to hear them was enough to convince my brother and I that they were there. Well past the time we stopped believing in Santa, Grandpa would still try to convince us that there were sleigh bells out there, or that the reindeer on the roof woke him up.

These are such wonderful warm memories for he, and I want my kids to have the same kind of memories from their childhood.

By: LiteralDan

LiteralDan — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:24:00 +0000

This idea has bothered me for a long time-- I would never get this elaborate, because it's too indefensible once the kid finds out.

I like Nathan's idea, but it's too late for me now. I plan to explain to my son (about 4 now and very inquisitive/logical) that Santa IS real, but only metaphorically... or something.

Oh man, I'm anxious about it all over again-- gotta starting planning specifically!

By: Alan

Alan — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:22:22 +0000

Don’t make it a lie, make it a game. We explained to our daughter from the start that Santa was make-believe, and what fun we’ve had with it! It’s now gotten to the point where she doesn’t believe us–she thinks Santa’s real even thought we’ve told her that its make-believe. Our daughter (now almost 8) has turned out to be as whimsical and imaginative as can be, even though she’s past the age where most kids stop believing in Santa. We talk about the factual basis for Santa in St. Nicholas, and about the truth of the Christmas story, but Santa’s all fun and games.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:18:41 +0000

My two year old is terrified of Santa, so we will see if that holds true next year. I never felt betrayed when I found out Santa was make believe so I’m sure I will continue my childhood traditions with my children. As an older child, I knew that if I ever acknowledged that Santa was really my parents I wouldn’t get presents from him anymore. While Santa doesn’t give me presents anymore, I’ve never actually said to my parents that I know he isn’t “real.” Silly, but it seems like it would take away some of the magic from my childhood memories.