Father Christmas

What a good way of 'playing the story', veronica, and what an excellent way to help children to learn to distinguish between fiction and reality.

Libradi, my daughter has done the message from Santa for her children for the last 4 years since she came over here. The two older ones loved it and still do, while the little one is very excited. The only thing is he loves the video message, he likes pictures of Santa but he will not go near him for a photo or get a present!

In the shopping mall recently the two bigger ones had a photo done with Santa but the little one - no way. At the school concerts he refused to go and get his present and sent big brother to do it!

Perhaps he will outgrow it, but maybe not, there are people scared of clowns etc so maybe there are those scared of Santa. Knowing some strange person can get into your house, down the chimney even, and get in your bedroom can be scary I suppose.

burgundy, in another thread you said your youngest GC is not yet two years old. Children of that age are often afraid of/not keen on/reserved with strangers. I would guess that that's all it is with the little one.

Don't worry, Burgundy. When my GD1 was about 4, I took her to the opening of the summer 'Play Palace' at the town hall. Postman Pat, a familiar on-screen figure - was there, with Jess the cat. She had the chance to say hello to him, but chose to hide behind me. She is now a perfectly normal and outgoing almost-20-year-old.

My mother, who would now be 97 if she were still alive, apparently was teased as a child for believing in FC. So she made sure none of her children thought he was real. That didn't stop us having stockings etc etc and I don't think knowing 'it was Daddy really' reduced the fun of it. Like other contributors, I have doubts about any kind of dishonesty with children - I guess most of them cope fine when disillusioned, but for a certain proportion it is devastating and personally I don't think it's worth the risk to those few. So my children also always knew it was Daddy and Mummy. I actually don't know how all my DCs have handled it but certainly one has taken the 'FC is true route'. However he lives in the Middle East and last year ordered most of his presents, including FC presents, to be delivered to me in the UK as I was going out for Xmas.

Unfortunately the luggage system at Heathrow broke down and most of the luggage for my flight on Christmas Eve, including mine, was left behind. So I arrived in the early hours of Christmas morning sans presents. My son had a few things so we faked a note about problems in the production line or something, saying the rest would arrive in due course, and put that in their stockings with the few we could rake up. However when the arrival of the remainder coincided rather closely with the arrival of my luggage, DGC aged 9 & 7 soon sussed it. Somewhat to my relief I must say, as I thought that it was high time they knew the truth!

Like so many issues, I don't think there's a right answer, there are different approaches and each of us makes our choice. Which is well illustrated in the postings on this issue!

I don't think you need to make a big thing of it either way. When mine were small , stockings were from Father Christmas and all other presents were from relatives/ friends. The children just gradually realised that the stockings came from us as well.
No big drama about lying etc.

When my daughters were small, like dizzyblonde children, their stockings were from Father Christmas and all other presents bought by relatives and friends. The stockings remained until they left home (long after they had realised the truth). They are both mothers themselves now and my grandchildren believe the same. Eventually they too will realise the truth, just as their mums did but no doubt the stockings will still continue until they to leave home too.