I remember waking up and being amazed at seeing all the gifts left for me. I have one year on video where my mum asks "has he been?? and Im shouting YES YES" at the top of my voice. I also say in that video that he has eaten the milk and drunk the mince pie. Yes, I think I may have still been half asleep haha
But the one question I want to ask my readers is - Who it is that the gifts are from? You or Father christmas?
As a child all my gifts were labelled with who the gifts were from, and Father Christmas was the one who delivered them and a few extra toys that he had brought from his toy workshop. I also learnt that If I wanted to buy a gift for my mum or dad, that gift I bought would get sent to Father Christmas and he would deliver it for Christmas. My Nan and Grandad would usually take me shopping and this is what they would tell me would happen.
I did always find it amazing that those earrings I bought my mum one year ended up under the tree and was always thought it was amazing that it was Father Christmas who put them there.
This is the way I teach Lily about gifts. Father Christmas isn't the one who gets her all the gifts, we are and then we send them to him. He also has her list to check off all the items we send to make sure that we have got her what she asked for... Otherwise whats the point in writing a letter to Santa? Right?
Father Christmas will of corse be giving her a few presents, but they won't be anything over the top. Just a few simple nice gifts.
I really want her to appreciate that it is us that get her gifts as I think its important for her to learn appreciation. She knows we go to work to get money and she understands that money buys things.
I understand that maybe children thinking its Father Christmas supplying all the gifts is maybe a little more magical, but no magic was ever spoiled for me.
But the one thing I wanted to write about is how I have seen parents out there asking parents to be careful about telling their children Father Christmas is the one getting all the gifts. In the same classroom of school there would be parents who can afford a lot and parents who can afford a little and after christmas children will be chatting about what they got. Some children may think that Father Christmas is favouring some to others if one child got more than the other and it could be upsetting, especially now with such big presents such as ipads and mega expencive interactive dolls. So I can compleatly understand parents concerns about this one.
So I am very curious to what people do tell there children about Father Christmas and do urge parents to think about other children out there and other childrens parents when telling there child that Father Christmas gets them ALL their gifts.
What do you tell your children about Father Christmas in your home?
My parents told me that father Christmas delivered the presents until I was about 5 or 6. I just don't think they liked lying to me.
ReplyDeleteFather Christmas until they start SCHOOL they always find out
ReplyDeleteThe first year they start there are doubts about father Christmas -by the second and third year there's no chance if make believe
Father Christmas / Santa Claus / Saint Nicholas, a variety of names, traditions, etc. I like the children to know that it is kind relatives, friends, etc who buy Christmas gifts for us. We share information of the traditions of other countries in regards to Santa, etc:- As we do have friends who live in other countries, with a variety of traditions in regards to Christmas, etc. They will know the full truth at some point, so we have aimed to be as honest and factual as possible. Encouraging the children to Respect others beliefs, traditions, etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso keen that the children appreciate gifts, good wishes, etc. Hoping that we encourage them in regards to reciprocation.
Rachel Craig
This really is something to think about! i didnt even take into consideration that children would go to school and compare what they got with each other and think Santa had favoured others more, i may have to rethink our tactics before its too late!
ReplyDeleteI feel all warm & fuzzy now
ReplyDeleteWe say santa brings them his elves make them in their workshops, my son is 13 so knows we work extra hard to make sure we get what they want, I wouldn't say it makes him more appreciative though, he still breaks things and knows we will replace them xxx
ReplyDeleteSanta brings special presents in the morning but the family also share presents around after lunch.
ReplyDeleteI tell my children that Santa brings all their presents x
ReplyDeleteCan be nice for children to receive Christmas from friends and relatives. When young we had friends and relatives living nearby, and sometimes some gifts would be at their home for collection when we visited. Some relatives allowed us to store some toys at their place. So when we visited we had our toys to play with.
ReplyDeleteNice to feel welcome at relatives when visiting. Good to know and Respect those who have shown kindness.
Rachel Craig
What an interesting post. In our house, Father Christmas filled the sack we left on the end of our bed. It was very exciting waking to find a full sack.
ReplyDeleteSeparately, our parents and relatives left presents for us under the tree with labels attached so we could write thank you letters to everyone.
Using Santa as a conduit for gifts from others sounds rather complicated. It's nothing to do with how much anyone can afford; more a case of keeping things simple and ensuring children learn gratitude and good manners when people have been kind enough to give them gifts.
I tell by children that father Christmas brings the presents but that we send money to sent to help him out x
ReplyDeleteSanta gives the presents for Christmas day and we hand out other gifts on Boxing Day personally.
ReplyDeleteNice to consider how we deal with Christmas :- As children learn from what they experience, what they see and hear, etc. We live in communities within society. Maybe we should be thinking of the bigger picture, long term, etc. Christmas is known as the season of Goodwill. It would be nice to think of everyone having a Happy (Merry) Christmas. Yet Poverty exists, Homelessness exists.
ReplyDeleteWishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. Let's enjoy sharing good times, memories, etc.
Rachel Craig
My daughter clocked that presents say love from....(family member) so naturally I didnt lie but it is a dilema
ReplyDeleteSomething that I really don't like is Santa getting all the credit. My little one was being horrible the other day and I told him that how he was being was making me feel like I didn't want to buy him any presents. He turns around and tells me it's Santa that buys them all. Wtf!? He is not taking credit for all of the hard work we have put in to Christmas choosing the ideal gifts, paying for them!! I want my kids to know that its their parents who have bought these cool presents. I'm making sure that even though Santa does give some presents they know we do too. Anyway, rant over, it really wound me up that my kid assumed it was all from Santa
ReplyDeleteChristmas is a time of giving and receiving, goodwill, etc. I believe some Celebrate Christmas truly as Christ's Birthday. Would be nice to know all the various traditions of countries, cultures, etc.
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig