We didn’t celebrate Christmas when I was kid, so I never really understood the whole ‘believing in Santa’ thing. All I knew was that we were under strict orders to not be the jerks who ruined it for everyone else. We were never to tell. I don’t know about my brother, but I never told a soul. One day, just no one believed anymore, and that was that.
I have to admit that I LOVE my kids believing in Santa, and I’m overly sad that it’s going to end soon. I always swore I’d never lie to my kids like that, that I’d never teach them about something as stupid as magical, chubby dudes and flying reindeer, that I was a bigger person than all that. The reality of it is that I can’t get enough of it. There’s something about it that I just find gorgeous and beautiful and meaningful. Maybe it’s just that I never had it, I don’t know.
What I do know is that something happened this year that just bought me a hell of a lot of time, and the story is right this way….
Tagged with: Belief, christmas, Santa
Becky Sue
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 7:10Homework/exams… working/paying bills/cleaning… serious responsibility comes quick in life (while of course there are many who ignore it!)
Im all for letting kids be kids as long as they believe in it… that innocent is so precious!
Becky Sue wrote..Got SNOW ?!
tracey
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 8:56Awwww!! That was so sweet. And did it really cost you $60???
tracey wrote..Calling all blogging superforces…
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 9:00The best part about Santa and Elves is holding it over my kids’ head for weeks before Xmas as a threat to be ‘good little girls.’ Works like a charm.
Maria
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 9:28We did that thing where you could record a video and send it to Santa, and I don’t know how they did it but Santa sent a video email back using the kids name. (My kid’s name is just weird enough that I know they must have customized each one. Plus it was clear he couldn’t understand what Chipmunk asked for.)
Chipmunk watched in complete awe, answered Santa’s questions in a whisper and then waved goodbye to him. It was nuts.
Beats the goofy BAD digital Santa my local paper had on their website.
I love Christmas.
Maria wrote..frugal friday – target, makeup, gear
Jill
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 9:29That is all kinds of awesome. I might have to try that next year. Did you see the online service where you send in a picture of your Christmas tree and they superimpose Santa putting presents next to it? That’s pretty cool too.
Jill wrote..Say what?
OhCaptain
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 9:50Great story!
We are teetering on the brink of a metaphysical disaster. Our 9 year old keeps hearing rumors at school. If she believes the rumors and tells her 5 year old sister, the mess could be Biblical. This year, there was an awful lot of evidence. I’ll let my CommentLuv tell the story :)
OhCaptain wrote..A Christmas Story – The recap and proof there is a Santa Claus
Scout's Honor
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 10:14Those who don’t believe, don’t receive I tell me kid with a sad shake of the head. It’s so sad “Jimmy Jo” thinks he doesn’t exist because he won’t get a god-damned think from a fat guy this year.
So supposedly my 12, 9, and 6 year old believe. And if not, they won’t tell anyone because, doode, they loose a significant present.
Seriously, my 12 year old caught me being a tooth fairy and even dressed up as the Easter Bunny one year for the other son’s preschool because the E.B. couldn’t make it. But, I really think he believes in Santa Claus.
It’s not lying. It’s preserving the beauty of childhood. Preserving the magic.
~Scout’s Honor
http://unitedstatesofmotherhood.com
Scout’s Honor wrote..Best Christmas Ever: Homemade Gifts From School
Rachel
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 10:42That is fantastic.
I love it. I’m all for innocent magic and fairtyales ;-)
Rachel wrote..The Eyes of Texas and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms: Weekly Winners
Lee the MWOB Queen
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 11:09Bring on the lies! Lies, lies and more lies!!!
Lee the MWOB Queen wrote..Goodbye Magical Christmas Break…
Natalie
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 11:17As much as I loathe lying to my child, there is something so innocent and pure about his belief in Santa. I don’t play Santa up, but apparently everyone else does, because he’s bought it, BIG TIME. I mean, we talk about Santa, but not so much that he should be THAT into Santa, you know?
Oh, and I don’t think I know of anyone who was actually scarred from believing and then finding out the truth about Santa.
Natalie wrote..Obligatory
Jim
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 11:25That’s a great story. we have it easy around here since the guy that usually plays Santa know Jacob’s name and where he lives. It’s an easier sell ;)
Jim wrote..He Blogs, She Blogs (vol. 3)
Loralee
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 11:39Eh, I don’t think it has to end-my kids are 12 and 9 and they totally know but we keep up the pretense anyway. Or, I should say THEY do because they dig it so we play along. In a way it’s a little more adorable than when they actually believed, if that makes sense.
Loralee wrote..Sideblog: Best cats of 2008
Ree
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 12:32stop.making.me.cry.
no. don’t. I really don’t mean it.
Ree wrote..Mute Monday – W
kat
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 12:38It’s wonderful you brought the magic to him. My sister did that for me when I was 7, and it lasted until I was 11…and my 6th grade teacher told me, in front of the whole entire class, laughing at me, that Santa wasn’t real.
I have hated that woman since.
I still love Santa, and I love the idea of the magic he brings. I will bite your head off if you DARE suggest Santa isn’t real around my kids.
But once the oldest is a teen, he will be informed that I’d better believe he still believes in Santa, or Santa will stop coming for him…
Zak
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 12:47That is so rad! I love your kids.
Zak wrote..Look What I Can Do
nonna
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 14:41i have just never understood the whole “i’m not gonna lie to my kid” philosophy. being 2 of 5 with a big gap between the 3rd and 4th kids, we obviously knew the truth the whole time the little ones were growing up. i would never, ever have dreamed of ruining it for them. i remember taking them outside on christmas eve looking for rudolph’s nose up in the sky. luckily there was always an airplane or satelight flying around up there and we would all rush back inside to get to bed before he got to our house. those are treasured memories and i don’t understand how anybody could think that it is mean to let children believe in something magical like that.
i’m so glad you won that contest and got to keep your son’s belief alive a little longer!
nonna wrote..seriously, i have nothing sunday
Mama Bee
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 15:14Hi there! I gave you an award today on my blog! (http://tinyurl.com/8ljbot)
Mama Bee wrote..I’ve Come For My Award
Courtney
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 19:16I think that believing in Santa is a sweet thing and not cruel at all. I read the phone call story and it was so so so sweet!
Courtney wrote..A Book Review Of Sorts: Blood Noir
Genie
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 22:51When my brother was around 10 and losing faith he got a present from “Santa” that my mother found in a thrift store – one of those rows of metal balls hanging that clack back and forth like you see on people’s desks (no idea what they’re called and already tried googling “executive ball clacker” at my husband’s suggestion with no luck).
Apparently he had been pining for one but never told a soul and when he opened that gift he suddenly believed all over again.
We don’t have kids yet but when we do we’re totally lying to them about Santa.
I think it’s important to believe in magic so long as you find a way to keep the magic going as an adult. You helped me play Santa this year and I’m forever grateful!
Genie wrote..Expression: making my mark through Excel and hair products
Tara R.
Monday, 5 January, 2009 at 23:00That was awesome. I’m so glad you captured that moment in pictures too. Priceless.
Tara R. wrote..He looks just like… who?
Sarah K
Tuesday, 6 January, 2009 at 0:41S;
Hey. I have never read your blog b4 (saw the link to it on Aimees) but love that I came to this b/c it is so great. Jack is on the fence this year as well and i wish I would have known about this. Jackson at school told him there was no santa (jerk). So anyhow, the other day we had a couple of my old girlfriends over for dinner and they are NEW moms and they were both saying that they would never perpetuate lies like Santa to their kids (they think they know it all right now) and Bill and I nearly came unglued. Anyhow, point being, that I am sending them the link to this as you are far more eloquent than I.
Maybe see you sometime in DEN.
xx, Sarah K
Kori
Tuesday, 6 January, 2009 at 9:30I am a liar too, and proud of it. Life comes up and kicks you in the ass soon enough, might as well work hard to keep the magic going as long as possible.
Kori wrote..Recap of 2008
Gnilleps
Tuesday, 6 January, 2009 at 12:04If I couldn’t have it, neither could anyone else. I loved explaining how God was going to kill people for celebrating a pagan holiday. heh
That said I will KILL the first person that ruins my little girl coming out in the morning to make sure the reindeer ate all their cookies. 1of3 is getting smart, but in the proud tradition of the Carroll’s I can lie with the best of them.
Jaina
Tuesday, 6 January, 2009 at 13:42That was such a beautiful story, how neat was that? You have me all teary.
Jaina wrote..I’m A Katharine
Carrie
Tuesday, 6 January, 2009 at 16:47I love that there are so many ways to keep the magic “alive” whether you are 3 or 35….it’s just fun to play along!
Carrie wrote..Alone
Judith Shakespeare
Tuesday, 6 January, 2009 at 17:10We’re totally that way about Elvis… :)
Judith Shakespeare wrote..… Ahhh. MILF. I get it. Sort of.
Her Bad Mother
Tuesday, 6 January, 2009 at 18:23I’m all about lies. Lies are the new truth.
Her Bad Mother wrote..Clockwatching