Not 'doing' Santa

notanewuser

Inspired by another thread........

DD turned 2 in October. DH and I don't intend to ever do the Santa thing with her. We are atheists and intend to handle it in the same was as religion, i.e. it's something others believe, which is fine. If Granny or Grandad want to take her to see Santa then that's okay, as it would be if they wanted to take her to church (as a one off).

We hate the materialism that Santa seems to being to proceedings, and the thought that lying to DD is in any way 'magic'. Xmas for us is a winter festival and time for spending together, not splashing the cash.

We know others that have taken the same approach, and their children have grown up without serious psychological damage. :rotfl:


No doubt I shall be hung, drawn and quartered for daring to stray from the party line!!!

sjlou

All I would be worried about is how she would feel around other children when she's older? Would she feel left out?

A friend of ours has told her daughter that Santa only brings each child one present, as he cant fit any more on his sleigh.
Then when she writes her letter to Santa she asks for something she really would like and doesn't expect a great big expensive materialistic Christmas morning.

In my eyes its each to their own, and everyone makes their own christmas traditions, so good luck with establishing yours with your daughter.

notanewuser

sjlou wrote: »

All I would be worried about is how she would feel around other children when she's older? Would she feel left out?

.

I don't think so. Do Jewish or Muslim children feel they're missing out?

pulliptears

Poor kid. When she gets to nursery/primary and Santa is coming round with presents and gifts how left out will she feel.

pinkshoes

Me and my OH are also atheist, and have a just turned 2 year old.

I actually think that most bible stories after the birth of Jesus are true (or at least loosely based around an event that actually happened!), therefore the story of St Nicholas (a rich man and devout Christian who decided to discretely give his wealth to those in need) is quite sweet and moral.

People got bored of the St Nicholas tale, and he then got re-invented as Santa/Father Christmas - a person who likes to share.

I don't think you have to be religious to do a Santa Stocking. It's just a reminder to children that some people are less fortunate than others, so sometimes it's nice to think of others before yourself.

How many parents and children who give/get Santa stockings actually know WHY they're getting them???

On this basis, my son will be getting a stocking!

notanewuser

pulliptears wrote: »

Poor kid. When she gets to nursery/primary and Santa is coming round with presents and gifts how left out will she feel.

I think you've misread me. It's fine for her to take part, as she will in school assemblies. But we won't be encouraging her to believe it. Ditto the nativity story, Easter story etc.

It's a bit like saying I should take her to McDonald's because other kids go. Or

notanewuser

pinkshoes wrote: »

Me and my OH are also atheist, and have a just turned 2 year old.

I actually think that most bible stories after the birth of Jesus are true (or at least loosely based around an event that actually happened!), therefore the story of St Nicholas (a rich man and devout Christian who decided to discretely give his wealth to those in need) is quite sweet and moral.

People got bored of the St Nicholas tale, and he then got re-invented as Santa/Father Christmas - a person who likes to share.

I don't think you have to be religious to do a Santa Stocking. It's just a reminder to children that some people are less fortunate than others, so sometimes it's nice to think of others before yourself.

How many parents and children who give/get Santa stockings actually know WHY they're getting them???

On this basis, my son will be getting a stocking!

That's a nice way of looking at it too. Historical rather than religious. Like it.

JimmyTheWig

pinkshoes wrote: »

I don't think you have to be religious to do a Santa Stocking.

I don't think the OP is not doing Santa because Santa is religious.
I think their point is they don't want to tell their child that something that doesn't exist, does exist. Which, presumably, is their same logic for not telling their child that god exists.

balletshoes

I see nothing wrong at all in your approach OP - as you say, many other children all over the world (and in our own neighbourhoods) don't have "Santa", or celebrate Christmas.

Just because most of us have grown up with Santa (me included, and I love it, bring on the jolly Coke Santa and all the commercialism you like ) doesn't mean that children who don't have Santa necessarily feel left out - at all.

It is a story - a magical story to a lot of us I'm sure, but its a story nonetheless.

Even folk who do Santa have different ways of doing it from family to family, its a personal thing, so no hanging, drawing and quartering from me - as long as you bring your child up to respect that for lots of their friends, Santa is real and Santa is a major part of their Christmas holiday.

sjlou

notanewuser wrote: »

I don't think so. Do Jewish or Muslim children feel they're missing out?

Santa isn't really the religious part of Christmas is it? I have Muslim friends who whilst don't celebrate the birth of Christ, do Santa with their kids.

podperson

pulliptears wrote: »

Poor kid. When she gets to nursery/primary and Santa is coming round with presents and gifts how left out will she feel.

I don't think it has to follow she'll feel left out. She can still appreciate that a nice man is giving her a present without having to believe in the whole 'north pole/magical sleigh/coming down the chimney' side of things.