At this time of year, questions from our young loved ones come up, such as the age-old one of “Is Santa Real?”, and it can be really hard to know what to say. Do we "lie" (or tell porkies?!) or do we help create magic in their lives? It's a quandary for many of us parents and caregivers, and even for those of you who are pre-kids, this is a concept discussed at length at dinner tables the world over. Let's deep dive into it!
Some of us believe it’s unethical to lie to children, whereas many of us might not have the funds to keep up with the excessive gifts Santa brings. Whatever the reasons for your apprehension, or caution, with the concept, let us start by saying IT’S ALL VALID! There seems to be a million different opinions out there, but, luckily, we all have one thing in common: we all just want the best for those we love.
So what is the best way to handle the Santa situation?
Personally, we think using it as a tool to foster discussion and understanding is probably the best way. The concept of Santa is so rich with potential, but our society is at risk of focusing too much on the consumerism aspect of it all. This Christmas, plan some activities to facilitate discussions with your children, and share how Santa is more than a present giver. Here’s some tips on how:
- Go into the history of Santa.
Christmastime was originally a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who Christians believe to be the son of God. The concept of Santa, however, can be traced to a monk named St. Nicholas, who spent his life helping people. This is such an important lesson for children, and one way you can incorporate Santa in your home without lying. Let them know that Santa isn’t actually a man who visits every house in one night, but a legacy for us all to continue to help make the world a better place. Right now, you are Santa for your children, just like they will be if they have children. Being Santa means we continue the traditions of showing kindness to others, so that we carry on the legacy of St. Nicholas, the first Santa.
If you want to go further with this, perhaps let your children be Santa for their younger siblings or cousins, like we discussed in our 2023 Christmas Gift Guide. Or, get them to volunteer or donate gifts with you, so they can be Santa to others.
- Share how there are different Santas around the world.
The magical thing about our world is that nothing is the same across the globe. Every place has its own unique qualities that make it so special, and this doesn’t stop when it comes to Santa. Teaching your children the different names for the magical man, and even different traditions across countries, is a great way to introduce them to different cultures. You could try out different traditions with them, like cooking different traditional Christmas dishes as we lead up to the big day. Who knows, maybe you’ll find some to adopt for your own traditions! Read this for a more comprehensive list of names and traditions.
Both of these two points, the history and differences between countries, could also be good segues to start discussing religion with your young loved ones. It’s important for them to know that people’s beliefs will differ, but that doesn’t mean they are wrong, or that there is one right answer. Santa could be an easy first step to grasp this, especially when he is portrayed so differently across the media.
- Make it a conversation.
All children are different, so it’s important to respect their own ideas and beliefs, just as we are trying to get them to do with others. So give them the tools to understand the layers of Santa, and ask what they think. They may decide they want to believe in the man who comes down our chimneys, or choose to not be part of the traditions this year. Whatever their decision, having a conversation should make it easier for you to know how to handle the topic within both of your boundaries.
To make any discussions about Santa easier, we highly recommend utilising toys and activities. This usually makes it feel less serious, and gives anyone part of the conversation time to think or collect their thoughts without feeling pressured to speak. We recommend getting your young loved ones to read and do the Usborne Books - Book and 3 Jigsaws Santa, an interactive story about the Western view of Santa, with three 9-piece puzzles of scenes from the book. Or you could partake in some magical christmas painting, which helps support their imagination and understanding of believing in something that doesn’t always seem to be there.
Let us know your thoughts on these methods or ways you approach Santa in your house!