Santa Claus

I recently had a mom friend blog a "warning" to her mom friends/family that they are not "doing Santa" in their house.  Of course my gut response was "What??  Why not?"  But I actually had a conversation with an ex-coworker who I respect a lot about this very topic before I even had kids.  Both women said that they didn't like the idea of lying to their kids, that they didn't need a Santa to get the feeling and meaning of Christmas.  I can see how "doing Santa" can seem like lying.  I can see how people wouldn't want a fictional "Santa" taking the credit for all the wonderful gifts their kids got (just a note that neither women used this as a reason, but I have heard it from others.)  I can see from a religious stand point that "Santa" takes away from the meaning of Christmas and what is really being celebrated (by most).  However, this is if you "do Santa" just to "do Santa." In my house, it was always said that if you said you did not believe, then you did not get Santa presents because you did not get the reason behind him.  It took my a while, but I think I figured it out.  I think that "Santa" is more of a feeling or an action, than a person.  You know that happy, bubbly feeling you get in your gut when you think of your happiest memory?  That feeling, to me, is Santa. 

I will be honest that I get caught up in the buying of gifts, and wanting to get the boys soooo much stuff (really, how much does a 6 week old need??)  I get caught up in who's getting who what, and will my gift be good enough.  I also get caught up in how much we spend on people and making things "even".  I get caught up in wanting gifts and hoping that they get the "right one".  But in the end, I just want everyone to get that feeling.  I just want everyone to be happy.  I want my family to be together. 

Will Santa visit my kids.  Yeah.  Because for me, one way I get that feeling in my gut is thinking of the excitement of Christmas morning and waiting for Santa to come.  I want my kids to get that feeling, and I think that knowing they are getting that feeling while be another memory of mine to evoke that feeling. 

Is one way better than the other?  No.  Each family is different, and what works for one might not work for another.  Oh, Santa does visit my ex-coworkers daughter.  And my mom friend is already thinking of ways to keep her son from "ruining" Santa for other kids. 

photo © 2007 Vanessa Pike-Russell | more info (via: Wylio)

Did Santa visit you?  What helps you get into the Christmas spirit?

Thank you Darcie for the info for Wylio, it's super easy!