Then we watched "A Christmas Story" and "The Polar Express" within two days of each other. And we still didn't have a plan... because well, we didn't really think we needed one yet.
Then Peanut-lover took KK to the mall so she could pick out a pink present for mommy (is it wrong that I put some pink items on hold for them to choose from?) They walked into the food court and there in the middle was Santa Claus.
KK: I need to go see Santa Claus.
Daddy (thinking she just wanted the candy canes he was handing out and calculating just how long the lineup of kids was): I'll buy you a candy cane, let's go.
KK: No, I need to talk to Santa Claus. I need to tell him what I want for Christmas.
So they stood in line for nearly an hour waiting to talk to Santa. This is the little girl who is shy with even people she knows, so Peanut-lover wasn't expecting much.
But, she got to the front of the line and had a nice little chat with Mrs. Claus, then climbed up onto Santa's lap. She told him she wanted matching jammies with mommy (I know, right?!) and a barbie (which she later regretted because she remembered she already had one barbie).
Then a shocked Daddy paid $15.99 for the memory and off they went.
And now she wants us to leave out milk and cookies because that's what Santa told her to do.
We're working on a plan...
It's hard to include Santa and avoid the commercialism while still keeping your focus on the reason for the season, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI really liked being able to leave some milk and cookies for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph - to heck with the other 8 reindeer! ;), especialy because "Santa" would write me a thank you note for the treats.
Also, the Santa only ever brought me one toy and then he gave me some practical things like clothes, shoes etc. (which I never asked for...he just always "knew" what I needed). My family was never really into having Santa bring a ton of stuff, and I was only allowed to ask for one toy from him.
In my house Santa always represented the magic of the season and the connectedness that we SHOULD share all year and in that sense I still believe in him.
However, I also think that it was easier to embrace Santa growing up in an non-practicing Christian house.
So I guess, while Jesus is the reason...Santa is a concept that KK and JJ can easily understand.
KK seems to have a good intuitive handle on what to ask for and how not to be greedy...too bad Santa's elves at the mall didn't share that same philosophy! My cousins were here from England and paid $29.99 to have a picture and a CD of the little guy with Santa!
In my humble opinion....
Emily
In our house the kids are fully aware of the true meaning of the season. They are also very interested in Santa. They understand how lucky they are that Santa comes to leave a gift for them and that not all the kids in the world are as fortunate. We chose a toy each year to give to a local charity and we donate food to the food bank. We talk about the story of Baby Jesus and why we are so lucky to be able to celbrate the season.
ReplyDeleteI follow the kids lead on discussions and feel sure that as they grow they will further grasp the concept of the holiday.
Laughing all the way ...
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty funny! Our parents told us fairly early on that Santa was not real and that they were the ones doing all the work.
ReplyDeleteThat didn't stop us from leaving out milk and cookies for him, though (just what dad and mum needed while wrapping the rest of the Christmas presents). S and I would also write letters to Santa asking him difficult questions which would be replied to in our dad's handwriting with much hilarity. To tie everything together, mum would read us a book called "Santa's Favorite Story" in which the forest animals meet Santa and he tells them the story of the first Christmas ( http://www.amazon.ca/Santas-Favorite-Story-Hisako-Aoki/dp/141695029X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230238994&sr=8-1 ) <-- Hey look! It's still in print!
You can't really get away from Santa this time of year, but you can regulate what role he plays in your own family traditions.
Merry Christmas!
~Shannon