The inevitable happened to us last Christmas – our oldest, 10 at the time, became highly suspicious of Santa.
First came the questions: “So, how does Santa know exactly what I want?”
Then rumors: “Mom, there were a few of the older kids in schools saying that Santa is just your parents.”
Then I was straight up asked by another parent: “Eli told my child that he is not sure about Santa! Have you guys talked to him?”
Truly, it was hard to ignore his persistent inquisitiveness. I, for one, have always prided myself in “telling it like it is”—even with my own kid, but I just wasn’t ready.
I wasn’t ready to let this part of his childhood go. I wasn’t ready for him to be in on this adult secret. I wanted to keep him my little boy forever.
After pondering exactly what we were going to do with all this, my husband and I decided to write him a letter. We gave it to him the day after Christmas (you are more than welcome to use and customize to your own child, as we did).
Dear Eli,
You asked us a really good question: “Are Mom and Dad really Santa?”
We want you to know the answer, and we had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.
To tell you the truth, we do put your presents under the tree, but Mom and Dad are not Santa. We know that you imagine a man with a beard, a big red coat, and flying reindeer. Santa is much more than that: he is the spirit of Christmas that brings the magic to the holidays – the spirit of giving that lives in so many people! Santa lives in our hearts, not in the North Pole. What he does is teach everyone to believe in something they can’t see or touch. This is a lesson you will carry with you throughout your life. You will use this tool to believe in yourself – to believe in things you can’t measure or hold in your hands.
Now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he has filled with the Spirit of Christmas! Yes, we are the people who fill your stockings and wrap the gifts under the tree- just as our parents did for us, their parents did for them, and you will do for your kids, someday. With full hearts, your parents take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.
So, no, technically we are not Santa. Santa is love, and magic, and hope, and happiness. We are on his team and now you are, too! We trust you will help us keep the spirit alive for other kids, who don’t know the story behind Santa just yet.
We love you and are endlessly proud of you!
Mom & Dad
After he read it he said: “Thank you for telling me the truth”.
We are sad this milestone had come, but we are looking forward to his help in spreading the Christmas spirit to his little sister this year!
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