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Everywhere you go this week you are likely to bump into more than one Santa Claus. Many years ago when my daughter Lauren did a stint as a server at a large New York City bar, Santa-Con was her least favorite event. Having thousands of drunk Santa’s hitting on her lost it’s charm very quickly.
Of course, everywhere you go this week you are likely to bump into more than one Santa.
While most kids may not give this phenomenon too much thought, some earnest true believers might wonder what's going on.
Hey Mommy or Daddy, how can Santa be in more than one place a one time?
What is the best way to keep the magic alive while not endangering the trust that is so important in any relationship?
For the young kids who ask if the mythical creature is real, you might deflect the questions fairly easily without telling a falsehood if you want to extend the magic for another year.
A simple,“What do you think?” works some of the time. Or, “It is fun to believe in magic sometimes and Santa is part of the holiday magic.”
Keep in mind that once your child gets to kindergarten, believing that Santa is actually going to try to fit down your chimney, rather than the ‘spirit of the holiday magic,’ may result in a shocking disappointment for them when they learn the truth.
There are lots of kids at school, who are eager to share the cold hard facts with your innocent child. It is much better if this discussion comes from you before your kids find out a harder way.
I spoke to several people who recounted that they believed in Santa with all of their hearts and were completely devastated when they learned the he wasn’t exactly a real man. They felt deceived. One person told me that finding the truth was the moment they stopped believing in all magic. How sad!
Letting them know the truth gently doesn’t have to be a negative experience.
For older kids, consider telling a story. Perhaps this one has an element of historical truth:
“Once upon a time in a far off country there was a man named Nicholas. He loved to do good things for other people. What was special about him is that when he gave people presents or did nice things, he didn’t do it because he wanted something in return. He simply wanted to do good things. Lots of times he did it in secret and no one even knew who did something nice for them. Maybe this Nicholas was big and jolly and had a white beard. He became known as Santa Claus. Santa is a symbol of love and magic and hope and happiness. He teaches children how to believe in something that they can’t see or touch.
I am on his holiday kindness team and now you can be too. Really little children might believe that there is one Santa who manages to be everywhere at once. Big kids like you get to know the secret. Team Santa is all the big kids and grown ups who want to help make other people happy. “
Perhaps take the opportunity to help your child be an active member of this awesome team; an initiation of sorts. Is there someone in your life that seems like they need a little kindness? What could you do for them? Is there a little gift that might make a difference? Plotting a secret kindness is the thing that wonderful lasting holiday memories are made of.
Every kid and family are unique. There are families that make the choice to protect the ‘Santa is real’ narrative as long as it is possible. Make whatever choices feel right for you, but if your child asks a direct question, my advice is to find a gentle way to be honest.
One more piece of Santa advice. The photo on Santa’s Lap should be voluntary. If your child isn’t eager to go sit on a stranger’s lap, please don’t force them.
At some point the veil will be lifted from the easter bunny as well as the tooth fairy. If your kids are like mine were, they are going to keep that tooth fairy gravy train going as long as you are willing to play along. The magic doesn’t need to end.
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