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At what age and how do you tell children about the truth of Christmas? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I'm writing this as someone who has mostly lived in the US and Canada. Personally, I find the whole "lying to children about Christmas" thing just a bit weird (no judgment on those who enjoy this aspect of the holiday). But because it's completely normalized in our culture, this is something many people have to deal with.

Two questions:

What age does this normally happen? I suppose you want the "magic of Christmas" at younger ages, but it gets embarrassing at a certain point.

And how does it normally happen? Let them find out from others through people at school? Tell them explicitly during a "talk"? Let them figure it out on their own?

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago (3 children)

I'm ok with Christmas presents, but not with with Santa bullshit. Same with Tooth Fairy or anything similar. What's the point?

Also, if your kids know you're the one giving them their presents, maybe the will appreciate you a bit more.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

I prefer the idea of "santa claus" as a personification, similar to "mother nature" or "old man winter." We humans seem given to celebration around the winter solstice, gathering together somewhere warm, sharing a meal, exchanging gifts, making merriment. Illustrating this phenomenon as a jolly old man that travels the world spreading good cheer works for me. I'm fine with "holiday spirit" wearing a goofy bright red suit and having a distinctive laugh.

I'm also pretty okay with addressing presents "from Santa" for the gift giver to remain anonymous; the legend of the histoical Saint Nicholas heavily involves anonymous gift giving, so I'm okay with carrying out that reference in the modern day.

I'm not sure how useful it is to lead children to believe that there's literally a man that commits hundreds of millions of reverse burglaries every December, especially when a lot of the specific details and trappings of this were made up by retail marketing in the 20th century.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Yeahhhh, I did not care for the "Santa toys" as much as I did the ones from my parents. I still regret that to this day. If it stopped working or I lost it I'd think it was okay because it was free.

Though, in grade ~2 i told everyone i could go work in Santa's work shop if I tried more new foods....

[–] [email protected] -1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Completely agree with you. I'm definitely underqualified to speak of this, as I have no children, but I have a masters degree in pedagogy, started a PhD in pedagogy years ago that I never finished and briefly worked as a teacher, but I've never once in my life saw as little as a proper article with any proof that belief in Santa is in any way beneficial to a child's developement.

Moreover I honestly believe it's detrimental. Such belief often leaves children in poor families disappointed and resentful when they see their friends get much more impressive gifts. On top of that such belief leads to ungrateful and entitled behavior in children as they believe they are owed a present, without understanding the sacrifices their parents have to make to buy this present.

Tldr: Please don't make your kids worship capitalist mascots, if you want them to have a magical childhood just read them a book or spend quality time with them.