Why do parents lie to their children that Santa Claus exists and brings gifts? Why not tell the children that they, the parents, bought the gifts? Why not tell the kids that their parents had to work for the money they used for the gifts? Is that considered as good education, to teach the kid to lie? Cause, you know, the kid will eventually do the same for his/her own kids...

'Cos it's tradition.
It's also crap.

Hey, are you trying to tell me that there isn't a Santa Claus?

lovemachine said:

Like most traditions its complete and utter nonsense.

I'm just thankful that the tooth fairy really exists.

Satu said:

Because it's nice to believe in magic. Children learn soon enough that Santa doesn't exist. And eventually they learn that they too will have to work in order to buy gifts and generally live. It does no harm to allow them their full quota of imagination during the years when they don't really need to know about some of the harsh realities of life.

Would you also stop children reading novels as well? After all, they're made up and children's books seldom show life as it really is.

Mr7 said:

Indeed. Tradition halts progress.

Haystack said:

Nicely put...

Haystack said:

You tell it Haystack!!

I don't know.
I would never do that.
I remember my parents talking about Santa Claus.
I did not have the heart to tell them I knew they were lying.
It seemed so important to them.
I mean you saw the wrapping paper in the store.
You saw the dolls on the shelves.
You saw the bicycles in the racks.
You saw you Mom thanking your Dad for her gift.
I mean really.
And if there was a Santa, he was partial to rich kids.
No way would I do that.

BECAUSE WE CAN!!!

Ugh. What's wrong with catering 2 the innocence of children. Why must everyone & everything grow up so quickly. Fantasy is good, it allows ur mind 2 wonder, 2 imagine that there is a magic...

My parents did both. They bought all the presents, of course, but some of them were from "Santa Claus" as clearly written on the label. As a child, I have fond memories of that... my dad making "hoof marks" outside on the ground. It was all apart of allowing ur child 2 feel the magic around him.

My now 15 year old daughter came up 2 me and her mom about 3 years ago, and threw her arms around us and thanked us... I said, "what was that 4?"

She said she came 2 realize that after all those years of Tooth Fairies, Easter Bunnies and Santa Clauses, she wanted 2 thank us 4 all the work we put in2 making each holiday special. It meant a lot 2 her, and she has fond memories of it.

I was speechless. I hugged her in return and said that I was glad she enjoyed it, as we probably enjoyed it more, seeing her reaction 2 all the "fantasy".

Now, she helps in the fun with her 2 brothers, ages 5 & 6. They look at these holidays with wide eyes and excitement... they know that something special is about 2 happen. Where's the harm in that?

When we went 2 Disneyland a couple of years ago, watching my 5 year old come face 2 face with Mickey and Goofy and getting a wave from Cinderella during the parade was the best time I had at Disneyland in all the times I went b4. Where's the harm in that?

Innocence only lasts so long. Soon u're an adult. Working, paying bills and taxes... that's the reality!

I could use some fantasy myself... and there ain't nothing wrong with that.

Cloudbuster said:

It's just crap

This tradition has been going for centuries.

Hey, that goes for the tooth fairy, easter bunny...enjoy the bs before you grow up.