Do you believe?
By GreenMoo
@GreenMoo (11833)
November 19, 2012 3:20am CST
My youngest recently announced he no longer believes in Father Christmas. He says it has been me all along. I'm shattered.
Do you believe in Father Christmas?
Despite his new found knowledge that Father Christmas is really me, he insisted that we write a letter for Father Christmas last night and leave it out along with some sweeties and a glass of something warming.
I find his 'just in case' attitude touching. What if his older friends have been fibbing to him?
5 people like this
12 responses
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
19 Nov 12
As a professional Father Christmas, I can only say that this always happens eventually. Children usually cope with it very well and don't feel 'let down' or 'cheated' but think of it as a 'grown-up game' and are rather proud to become part of the grown-up end of it, on the whole.
When I dress up in my red, fur-trimmed robe and beard, I really do feel part of the 'game' and actually BECOME Father Christmas - I definitely feel connected to the 'spirit of Christmas' (it is hard to explain that but it is probably true for all the best 'Santas'.) My father used to do the same for us as children, so I probably learned it from him.
I was highly amused by this sign at the Ideal Homes Christmas Exhibition! Hope that you (and your son) enjoy it too!
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
19 Nov 12
How wonderful, owlwings! You just brought back the best memory for me! My father was always the Santa Claus at the children's Christmas party at his work. They got him a fantastic suit and, because he was a really big man, he needed no extra padding ;)) They held the party in a big hall, showed cartoons for the children, had lovely food and then we all had to sit in our chairs and wait for them to call our age group and gender. We would line up, one by one, and sit on his knee, ask in hushed tones for our special wishes, and then receive a gift and a candy cane. My father adored each and every child... and, for some of those families, the gifts received at that party were the nicest things they would have at the holidays. The company was very generous.
My mother used to always tell the story of the one year when I was maybe 4 or 5 years old... it was my turn to sit on Santa's knee. I leaned in close to whisper what I wanted for Christmas -- and I got my necklace caught in Santa's (my father's!) beard. Naturally, I pulled back - trying to tug it free - and both my parents were panicked as they were afraid I'd pull his beard off enough to see he was really my dad! LOL He always wore white gloves, too, so I wouldn't even recognize his hands or his wedding band.
I've always been proud that he gave so much of himself to making children happy... and I thank you, too, for what you do :))
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
19 Nov 12
I think that it is a well established fact that Father Christmas exists. Every year shops and Christmas cards are liberally scattered with images of the man. So therefore he must exist. We believe in this house absolutely and I go further and say that not only does Father Christmas exist but that there is hard evidence to. Every year around this time I can catch a jet to Lapland and visit the man at his home. I suspect that he lives next to the Easter Bunny who hides up there. When the Easter and Christmas seasons are well out of the way they retire to the south of Spain to play golf. Your son is very sensible to write a letter to Father Christmas. If he doesn't how will he know what to bring him?
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
19 Nov 12
Of course I believe! I will always believe, no matter what. In my house, the stockings are always out on Christmas Eve and are always filled on Christmas morning. My youngest kid, mind you, will be 30 this Christmas Eve. 
When my son, who was born with a very logical mind, was about 5 or 6, he asked me "Is there really a Santa?" When I answered, for the fifth or sixth time, "What do you think about it?" He suddenly jumped up and said, "There's not! You've been telling me that all along!"
It took some convincing after that, but he never told his little sister. She just gradually figured it out.
Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas... whatever you call him, is for real and he lives for everyone who believes.
When my son, who was born with a very logical mind, was about 5 or 6, he asked me "Is there really a Santa?" When I answered, for the fifth or sixth time, "What do you think about it?" He suddenly jumped up and said, "There's not! You've been telling me that all along!"
It took some convincing after that, but he never told his little sister. She just gradually figured it out.
Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas... whatever you call him, is for real and he lives for everyone who believes. 1 person likes this
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
19 Nov 12
I always told my kids that if they believed he would come...so they are grown up and still their stocking are filled! It is sort of a coming of age when they don't believe anymore...but you must be happy he had the just in case attitude! LOL....
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
19 Nov 12
That is so cute! I remember when my oldest asked me about Santa and my policy was and still is always to tell the truth. I did tell him that's why I always told him the story of St. Nicholas--because while Santa is fictional, the joy of giving and the birth of Christ is not. Both kids were quiet for a few minutes then the oldest asked about the Easter Bunny. After pondering that, the youngest said "you don't mean to tell us that the tooth fairy isn't real, either?!" LOL, it was funny! To my credit, I did not laugh.
I remember learning that Santa is not real and wondering who was lying, if they were lying, and why they should lie. Kids are very suspicious, their little minds racing to cover all circumstances so to cut their losses and increase their gains. When did we lose this wonderful attribute as adults? 
1 person likes this
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
19 Nov 12
I know it feels like for a parent if the kids find something like this out. But it's the law of nature and humanity. I believe that he could find it out himself, not necessarily because someone else told him. I personally found the Christmas tree-to be in the pantry when I was 3... so, who knows.
But as for believing... like... I don't believe in Santa per se as a person who visits every chimney in one night to give gifts out. But I do believe in what he represents, and that all the Santas all around the world, for example mall Santas bring joy and Christmas spirit everywhere, and I believe in that, I believe in Christmas love and Christmas spirit and that happiness Santas bring us.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
19 Nov 12
I remember when my daughters were young and started to tell me that their friends no longer believed in Santa Claus. It was a very sad time because my two really WANTED to believe. You can just tell, I find, when they are struggling to deal with the peer pressure but, on the inside, they aren't sure.
My response was to sit them down, talk about what Christmas means in our family and to reassure them that "You will ALWAYS have a Santa Claus." Granted, that Santa Claus is me... but I will always do my best to make the season special for them, no matter how old they are.
I think a lot has to do with how the holidays are celebrated, too. For instance, to this day, my girls never see a single Christmas gift in the house until they wake up Christmas morning and everything "magically" appears under the tree. I mean, they are young adults now, not children, but it's important to me to preserve the magic, wonder and excitement of Christmas for as long as I can. Also, I sign every gift tag, on every present, "Love, Santa xo" just as I always have. To some, it may seem silly but, to me, it feels right :)
Oh... and when we arrive home from Christmas Eve dinner at my sister's, where we go every year... my daughters still set out cookies on a plate, with a small glass of milk, and a couple of baby carrots for the reindeer ;)) Nothing like nibbling on carrots in the middle of the night, I tell ya! 
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
19 Nov 12
Oh it is simple. Tell your son that there is a Father Christmas but he needs helpers. And you are one of his helpers. Father Christmas is always there when a person gives a Christmas gift.I found out that my dad bought my Christmas gifts when I was about 8? 9? But I still believe in Santa Claus.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
19 Nov 12
Yes! Father Christmas is love,pure love and joy. Haven;t you given a gift and felt so happy because you made another so happy? I'm the only Jew in my family but I love celebrating a secular Christmas. I mean less Jesus and more gift giving. It isn't about the watch or sweater but an expression of love. Santa is a symbol of this love. That's how I see it.
@BarBaraPrz (51838)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
19 Nov 12
I never believed in Santa. I do remember one Christmas season being taken (with my sister) to a large department store by my mom and aunt and their wanting me to get my picture taken with the fat man, but I refused. My thinking was, "Why do you want a picture of me with this stupid stranger?" I might have been three or four at the time.
@BarBaraPrz (51838)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
19 Nov 12
I've seen it several times, both the classic in b&w and the colorized version, and the remake with "Mr French" aka Sebastian Cabot. Neither version has made me believe in the fat man. He doesn't believe in me, so why should I believe in him?
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
21 Nov 12
It happens. We all found out that its not real. But I think he is doing that because he really wants to make sure. I bet that he will be sleeping lightly and try to catch you in the act. Then he will know for sure. And yes, I am sure some of his friends are talking to him about it.
@adnileb (5287)
• Philippines
20 Nov 12
That's so cute. Sorry to say that because you're shattered by what he said.
When I was a kid, I don't believe in Father Christmas or Santa Claus. As you know, I am from the Philippines and most movies with Santa Claus are from those countries with snow. So at that time, I just knew that there will be no Santa Claus here in our place.
But my mom used to tell me to hang a sock on my door so that the moment I wake up, there's some money inside from Santa Claus.
I knew that time that they just pu it there and they're laughing at me.
So, they're busted, really, there's no Santa Claus.
When I was a kid, I don't believe in Father Christmas or Santa Claus. As you know, I am from the Philippines and most movies with Santa Claus are from those countries with snow. So at that time, I just knew that there will be no Santa Claus here in our place.
But my mom used to tell me to hang a sock on my door so that the moment I wake up, there's some money inside from Santa Claus.
I knew that time that they just pu it there and they're laughing at me.
So, they're busted, really, there's no Santa Claus.
@natliegleb (5173)
• India
20 Nov 12
i do believe in it because there are some evidence behind it and its original for sure ,its trustworthy,for all friends
