Santa Claus

These are very early days to think about that, and might be controversial but my husband and I have different religions and he was not raised celebrating Christmas. I was always uncomfortable with the idea of Santa Claus with my niece and nephew so I had a chat with my husband about it. And his perspective is: it is weird to tell a child that an old man comes into the house at night and that's okay because he brings gifts. Articulated in that way, I completely agree that it is strange. Though, we do want to continue to celebrate Christmas, but maybe find an alternative on the Santa Claus part. Does anyone have an idea on how we could make it so both of us are comfortable with it? I do understand that some people are very traditional and won't like this post, but I celebrate Christmas for the birth of Jesus, and to gather with family. Though there are other children in my family and I don't want to impede on my relative's education and beliefs, hence why I am looking for a middle ground.

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Could maybe come up with the idea that christmas fairies/ elves bring presents rather than Santa Claus? I'm originally from the Czech Republic, and our tradition is different. We don't 'believe' in Santa Claus, but we have baby Jesus bring presents, and that's on 24th December rather than 25th, google it to read more if you like :) But I get where you are coming from, because once my little boy arrives, me and my partner and I will have to deliver 2 sets of Christmas' 😂. My partner is British, so santa claus and morning presents are part of his culture. Hope this helps somehow :) xx

I saw this online some time ago, parents taught their kids that at Christmas they ‘gift’ someone else, eg by helping an elderly neighbor shoveling snow or something like that. I liked that idea, as it means that kids don’t just expect gifts from a magical person, but instead they’re in charge of ‘giving gifts’ as well. I’m similar to @Markéta, I’m also originally from Eastern Europe where we celebrate and gift on Christmas Eve, but also we get like one little gift under a pillow on Dec 6, my husband wants a traditional English Christmas with gifts on Christmas Day, and I also like the idea I just mentioned, so we’ll probably end up with some weird mix of everything 😅

Its nice to have a mix of different things, I feel like it may open eyes for children and be accepting of different traditions/cultures/beliefs :) xxx

I’m not a year round practicing Christian but i was raised as one. I want my kids to understand why Christmas exists by taking them to the Christmas services, I don’t see the point in celebrating Christmas if you don’t go to the church services? Defeats the whole point. My non religious partner just loves going to the midnight mass 😂 But present wise I think we are going to do Christmas presents from us on Christmas morning. but then a little stocking from Santa ( food and little bits like that) so the focus on Christmas morning isn’t the fact that Santa is bringing presents. Maybe you could find an alternative way for some things from Santa to be delivered ? Like left by the door or left at a relatives ? growing up I had multiple presents that Santa left at my grandmas house over the years because for my grandma for Christmas Santa thought she’d like to see me open them. Then Santa isn’t coming into your house but is aware of child’s existence.

We are planning on having Santa in our household, but our broad plan is to teach it like everyone is "Santa" bringing gifts and happiness and sharing time together. We're hoping that will help them get excited to do things for other people, and make it less of a shock realisation later on! ❤️

@Steph I like that idea, saves the heartbreaking news xx

Another thing I read about and am definitely doing is that "Santa" won't bring big gifts. We might, but Santa brings little things. This is so kids whose parents can't afford bigger things don't think that they were bad and so Santa didn't give them the same level of gift as their friends!

My husband and I are both Christians. But my family aren't. His family are but live abroad in Pakistan. My husband knew nothing about exchanging gifts etc on Christmas until he came to the UK. In his country, his family have food, go to church and come home that's it over the Christmas period and the children do the nativity. That's it. He said absolutely no way will we tell our son about Santa and this was very hard for my family to swallow. It caused a lot of issues this year actually as my son is getting bigger now and our boundaries are stricter. He knows Santa but not the purpose of what other children believe of Santa. Santa is just a fictional character is the route we are taking and Jesus is the reason for the season. ❤️ Xxxxx

Whether you tell them or not they’re more than likely going to know/find out about him at some point. Whether it be from TV or school. You could say that Santa just clicks his fingers from the roof (or from the North Pole) and the presents magically appear (if you’re not comfortable with the idea of “him” coming into your home”

Also, children don’t really think too much into it. I never did as a child. I just thought about the presents. And even then, come Xmas morning all the gifts say from mum and dad on them anyway so you totally forget about Santa so to speak anyway😂

I celebrate Jesus’s birth as well!! I have seen people do a Jesus Birthday cake for their children and they sing happy birthday To Jesus on Christmas! And they say that they are getting gifts because it is a celebration! I think I am going to do the same. Then you are able to remember what it is actually about while not lying to your children.🤗🙌🏼❤️

Thank you for all your answers, this is actually really helpful to have all these ideas and point of views 🥰xx

Of course! Jesus Be with you sister!🙏🏼❤️🥰

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