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Updated: Dec. 3, 2020
Originally Published: Dec. 6, 2019
Let me share a little story: I believed in Santa Claus until I was twelve. Eventually, I began to question the notion of a cheerful, rotund man sneaking into our home to leave gifts while we slept, especially after my siblings and I stayed up all night and heard nothing. Then, there was that one time in ’84 when I rummaged through my mom’s closet and discovered a Peaches ‘n Cream Barbie, only to find a “From Santa” tag on it come Christmas morning. Yet, I clung to the belief in Santa because it was woven into the festive magic that I cherished.
My parents always made a big fuss about leaving out cookies and a beer for Santa. Yes, beer! After all that present delivering and chimney navigating, he surely didn’t want another glass of milk. One year, my dad even brought in “reindeer droppings,” claiming Rudolph had an accident while munching on a carrot. And there were always notes from Santa, penned by my mother with her left hand to disguise her writing. These moments were among the highlights of my childhood, and I am grateful for the effort my parents put in to make every holiday special.
I wanted to create the same experience for my children. I’ve woven elaborate tales about a man in a red suit for as long as I could. In fact, I even used him as motivation for good behavior, starting from late summer. It was rewarding to see how this fictional character brought joy and comfort to our family. I have no regrets about my little white lies.
If you find yourself judging me for perpetuating this myth, rest assured that according to Dr. Emily Thompson, a childhood development expert at Sesame Workshop, I’m not a bad person. Let’s face it, many adults believe in detox teas that promise weight loss, so why not allow kids to enjoy the magic of Santa? Dr. Thompson explains to NPR that engaging with these imaginative figures can enhance children’s development.
Of course, there comes a time when questions arise, like “How does Santa get in without a chimney?” or “Why is Santa using the same wrapping paper we bought from Target?” Here’s a little tip: stash some unique Santa-themed wrapping paper in a hidden corner of your basement. Your kids will be thrilled to see their gifts wrapped in that special paper each year.
Dr. Thompson mentions that you don’t always need to reveal the whole truth right away. Pay attention to your child’s questions and gauge their curiosity. A good response could be, “What makes you ask?” This approach allows you to assess how much they really want to know.
Revealing the truth too soon can take away the magic they’ve cherished for years. Learning about Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and other mythical figures can be a gradual process that unfolds at their own pace. Don’t feel guilty for maintaining these traditions; you’re simply preserving the wonder they’ve known for so long.
You’ll recognize when they’re ready to move on to the next stage of their lives. My youngest once shattered the illusion one morning after losing a tooth. He had feigned sleep while I placed money under his pillow. The next day, he rushed downstairs, exclaiming, “Mom, I know the Tooth Fairy is you! If she isn’t real, then Santa isn’t either!” He was furious, and so were his older siblings.
I came clean, explaining that while Santa wasn’t a real person, the magic of the holiday spirit was very much alive. Parents create these legends to share the joy they experienced as children and to pass that joy onto their kids. The following year, the gifts from Santa vanished. They no longer cared about the elf that moved around the house, and when they lost a tooth, they simply asked, “I lost a tooth, can I have my money now?”
While it was bittersweet to let go, it also felt liberating. This didn’t diminish the holiday spirit; it allowed us to create new traditions, such as opening one gift on Christmas Eve and filling each other’s stockings—something Santa used to do.
Now that my children are teenagers, I miss those days of hiding Santa paper and crafting notes to them using my left hand. Yet, even though Santa has faded from our celebrations, the magic remains, and ultimately, that’s what truly counts.
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In summary, it’s perfectly fine to allow children to believe in Santa and other mythical figures as part of their childhood experience. These stories can bring joy and create lasting memories, with the understanding that the essence of magic can continue in new forms as they grow.