Santa is not all sweetness and nice. When a little girl's mother reminded her that she was in danger of being on the naughty list just before Christmas, the child rolled her eyes at her mother and exclaimed, "Again." Santa incites people to push themselves beyond their limits, financially, emotionally and sometimes even physically in an extremely negative way. Parents going into debt that will last all year to satisfy their child's 'Dear Santa' list, distressing tots when forced to sit on the Santa's lap for that supposedly wonderful Santa picture, and at the extreme end of people actually losing their lives going down a chimney just like Santa Claus. Tragedies abound tied to this fearsome old elf. Gifts not received. Hearts broken because they must not have been good enough. In some cases, faith lost. I remember talking to one woman that played the whole Santa thing to the hilt. Then her son grew up and found out in a less than loving way that Santa was imaginary. In this youngsters mind his parents had lied. What else had they lied about, loving him, Christ? She shared her heart break of how her relationship with her son was never the same.
Lie or Magic?
Good list or Naughty list?
The perfect gift or the rotten dud?
How old before they are told?
What fun is crying over the threat of Santa?
The debate rages on today: Santa ~ mystical, miserable, or miracle?
Here are a few links with different opinions:
Santa Claus and Child development
Santa Claus debate
Psychology Today
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-hidden-brain/201001/santa-claus-myths
Tomorrow, I will share what I finally came up with....
One of my favorite Christmas treats are Rice crispy treats pressed into a bunt pan with Christmas Candy. When you flip it over the Christmas candy acts like a decorative wreath. Here is a link to another Rice crispy treat idea:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/kelloggs-rice-krispies-treats-christmas-trees/
I also have a long list of add ins...
M&Ms
Coconut
Pecans
Peanuts
Chocolate Chips
Red hots
Another fun idea also using marshmallows are Corn Flake wreaths:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/christmas-cornflake-wreath-cookies/
Very yummy and easy to make.
4 comments:
Hi Ruth
I agree with what you said about the stress that Father Christmas can bring to children, the thought of a strange man in your bedroom in the dark being just one of them but if approached sensibly Christmas will be a happy time.
My brothers and I were told early in our childhood there was no Father Christmas. This meant no more presents full stop. Christmas Day became just an ordinary day to us. To my father the happy families with their children passing on their new bikes were inferior and stupid because they had fallen into the trap of commercialism. He had no concept that he was depriving us and making us unhappy.
I did not intend this to happen to my children and they have lots of happy memories of the magic of Christmas. When the day came to tell them there was no Father Christmas they were old enough to understand and I think they loved us for the fantasy we had created for them. The only thing missing from future Christmas’s was Father Christmas himself.
Thanks for a great post Ruth!
XX Molly
Thanks Molly, I am glad you found a better balance. :)
I couldn't lie to my kids. My older daughter knew from a very early age the difference between the reality created by "story / cartoon / game / fantasy" and "reality" reality.
I told her the story of Santa - the basic narrative of what kids are supposed to believe, in bedtime story format.
Then I asked her if she wanted to play Santa. She was exctited about that, but insisted I dress up, not Daddy (she was 3 and in a Mommy phase). So I improvised a Santa costume, beard and all, and brought the presents to them. She was thrilled. Then SHE wanted to dress up as Santa. We ended up all being Santas, including the baby.
I think we had all the "miraculous" fun of Santa without actual lies.
I never even mentioned the part of the story where Santa supposedly brings presents only to "good" kids. I think that's child abuse ;)
PA what a brilliant and loving way to have Santa. I love it. Thank you for sharing.
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