Why is everyone pushing Santa Clause?

I never expected this type of response when I started the thread. We've covered several topics in this thread. Thank you guys for all your answers and the discussion...I am learning a lot. :thankyou: BTW, I must admit that my answer to my FIL wasn't really that nice. I gave him a nice sarcastic, "you're right, the kids are gonna stop breathing just because I didn't put up a tree.":rolleyes:

That's kinda funny on 2 level NDN.....Cause trees produce oxygen LOL I heard a story just today about how the gift of the holiday season is in it's meaning, and that all the trimmings and tinsel and trees and legends are like the wrapping on the gift. That most people never open the wrapping to get the gift....and that the wrapping isn't wrong, as long as you find the gift inside. I thought is was quite the parable...and if I find a copy online I'll post it.

Hee hee..I just got this Email from a friend and thought it would be appreciated here given the dicussion: Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all ... and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, mental capacity, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee. (By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.) Happy Holidays,

Can't find the link right now but saw a story the other day from England (I believe) where someone was leaving envelopes of money on cars with parking tickets with a note from "Parking ticket santa". Santa will be paying our house a visit this evening. Merry Christmas & Happy Hannukah

HEHE....I hadn't thought of that. BTW Claud....love that greeting! :p I also love the story about the parking tickets. I guess part of the reason that the "spirit" of Santa isn't that big of deal for us is that, in our traditions, one is expected to do good deeds like that (and anonymous ones being preferable, because the praise should not be for us but the Creator) throughout the year. I guess this makes the concept of singling out a day seem a bit arbitrary. kwim?

I know this is a bit late but I just found this thread.I have to say we do Santa and have from my childhood.I do not consider "telling the child a lie" I agree with DAD it is make belive. I was not angry with my mom and dad when I found out just like I was not angry when I found out that cartoons were not real,or MICKEY MOUSE was make belive,or the things in movies(like Peter Pan,Dumbo, or anyother movie) were not real,that I could not really disappear and that my parents could still see me when they said they could not.It is part of childhood for many.Do you keep your children from watching Barney,Rugrats,Blues Clues,anything like that?It is all make belive.I would be EXTREAMLY upset if someone took my childs dreams away.I had/have a terminally Ill children and when my son found out he could not get wings for his make a wish trip he was so upset not because he was lied to ( when I told him one day he would have wings) but because his dream was taken away.My 13yo dd ( who is terminal) still belives in Santa and that she will get her wings and play with her brother again and see again I dare anyone to spoil that for her!!!Kids need to be kids and not pushed into growing up.I have another 13 yo dsd that feels bad because she still wants to play with dolls and people tell her she is to old for that,WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP!!! maybe if people let kids be kids not dress them as mini strippers,and push them into leaving fantasy land where they should be then we would not have babies having babies.I am sorry to go off on a rant but why cnat people just let kids be??I will not call it a Holiday tree,I will not sit at a table and eat without saying our prayer,I will not let my dd's wear clothes I deem not appropriate,I will not accept things that go against my belives just because it is the PC thing to do.We have the right to raise our children the we we see fit and have our own belive system so you do things your way and we will do them ours.Just do not ask me to change how I belive and I will not ask you to do it either.Just respect each other.

I wanted to correct some incorrections as one of my big pet peeves is people talking about "traditions" that are actually relatively new: When the Puritans first came to the US, they desperately wanted to escape the celebration of Christmas on Dec. 25. That date isn't anywhere in the Bible, and they insisted that people work, and work hard, on Dec. 25 to avoid any appearance of the celebration of Christmas. Christmas was outlawed in many states in the US as recently as 100 years ago. When commercial interests started realizing the potential of Christmas in the early 20th century, that's when Christmas and Santa became a big deal. So the celebration of Christmas has been intricately linked to commercialism in its history in the US. Ack, I am desperately trying to find the link to the New York Times article with this story. I'll post it when I find it!

ah but Blue...some people...like myself don't care about the "legal" or technical definition of tradition that would allow it to actually be a tradition...if that makes sense? I consider anything I do pretty much the same for more than 2 years in a row a tradition...:)

I think she means a tradition of "christianity"? Me too...a tradition is 2 yrs of the same thing or more

I totally agree..incidently that is why I started this thread...because some people were attempting to force me to change mine. I understand that some people love santa...and that is wonderful for them. It is simply not what we do and therefore shouldn't be pushed on my children by adults that should already know how to respect the beliefs of others...not because it appears politically correct, but because they TRULY respect that others are entitled to a different belief. Also, I would like to reiterate that, in my opinion, not teaching the Santa myth as truth is not forcing my children to grow up too soon. It is simply not part of our traditions and not something I feel compelled to include.

Ok, so yesterday, January 4, mind you, yet another stranger asks my daughter "Did Santa bring you lots of presents?" My daughter said "No" and my husband added, "She's Jewish and we don't celebrate Christmas." This astounded the woman, who, with a look of shock and horror said, "You mean they don't believe in Jesus?" Um, no. What's fascinating is that the woman clearly could tell my daughter was from India because she relayed that her granddaughter was named India and got to play Mother Theresa in a play in Catholic school.

blah some people,, i could throw up why are some so self consumed. that woman was not nice. Ani

Spay - I can't believe she said that to you! People never cease to amaze me! My mother's best friend growing up (in small town Alabama) was Jewish (still is actually - LOL). Until *D* (the friend) was old enough to understand the theological differences between Hanukah (sp?) and Christmas, they had a tree in their home and Santa came. They still celebrated the Hanukah though with the Menorrah - and when she was older they did away with the tree. They didn't celebrate the birth of Jesus, just the "holiday", and it made it easier. As *D* got older her friends also understood the differences and it has never been a big deal to them. Not that that is what everyone should do, but sometimes I think we become very intolerant in our quest to be more tolerant - if that makes sense. And yes, we are Christian, and yes my kids also believe in Santa - nothing wrong with a little magic in the life of a child!

I can believe it, unfortunately. Some people just open their mouths and let stupid things fly out. Perhaps someday we will find a cure.

NDN,I agree that people should not push thier beliefs on others.But I also do not appriate being accused of lieing to my children because we do do the Santa thing! My children know the real meaning we celebrate Christmas abd when they are older we drop the Santa thing excpet as I said with HIlliary.But I understand about people pushing things on you and your children.WE homeschool,wear dresses 99% of the time as well as have long hair and a big family so we are constantly being told we should put our children in school,let the girls wear pants,shorts,find a hobby(even though 3 of our children are foster:) )that I should be out working etc.As long as your child is strong in your belief then it wont matter what anyone says to them.