Last year before Christmas I was so excited to hop on the Elf on A Shelf bandwagon. The last day of November, we cuddled up and read the story together as a family. It was so sweet and I was thrilled to be starting a new tradition for the holidays. After the boys went to bed, my husband and I found a great spot for our little elf buddy. When our oldest woke up the next morning, he looked around for the elf excitedly, but when he saw a little, stuffed animal on the shelf and his face sunk a little bit. He asked where the elf was and I assured him that was indeed our elf friend. He looked at me and said, “Mom, that’s just a stuffed animal. You and Papa just put him there.”
Magic. Gone.
I pretty quickly realized there wasn’t any use reasoning about the stuffed toy that was hidden in our living room. Even though I was slightly relieved that I wouldn’t have to remember to move the elf every night for the next month, I also realized that he might not see the magic in other Christmas traditions (like a big man in with a long white beard…) for long.
As we are coming into the final weeks before the holiday, I’m really focused on trying to keep our own magic alive this time of year for my oldest. My son is four and a half, he is silly and spunky, but he is the most logical child that I’ve ever met. This summer when we took our first trip to Disney World, he was so excited to meet Buzz Lightyear. He gave him big high-fives and smiled, but as we walked away he looked up at me and said, “That was cool, but was that’s just a man in a Buzz costume, right?”.
Last year, he had a lot of questions about how the elves actually make the toys, how Santa goes to all of the houses in one night when it takes us two hours just to fly to Colorado, and on and on and on. So, I know the question is coming. Maybe this year, maybe next year, I’m not sure. But I do know that my little guy is growing up way too fast.
So, here is my plan for when that precious boy looks up at me and asks the dreaded question, “Is Santa real?”
Above all, I will be honest. Because I don’t ever feel comfortable lying to my boys. And sometimes the truth is sad, or hard, or confusing (or all of the above). But I’m going to be honest. But if he is asking the question, he probably already knows the truth. No, Santa isn’t real. But Santa embodies the spirit of giving and being able to selflessly give gifts to those we love or those who need it most.
I’m going to focus on what is real. Our special traditions are real. Our family (across the world) is real. The spirit of giving is real. I’m going to tell him about everything that the different religions celebrate this time of year. I will share stories from his first Christmas, and the special holiday celebrations I had growing up. We will always keep telling stories and singing songs.
I will also bribe him to keep his mouth shut. Because let’s be real, I’m already dreading being the Mom of the kid who spills the beans to all of the other six-year-olds and I sure want to keep the magic alive for my youngest (he’s only two!) for as long as possible. I’m not sure exactly how this one will go down, but I will need to help him keep his new findings on the DL.
I’ll encourage him to become Santa too. I will challenge him to think about someone who needs a Santa Surprise. Is it his little brother? A friend from school? A neighbor? Is there someone who is sad or lonely this year? I’ll challenge him to think about who needs extra love and I’ll help him become a Santa to that person.
As sad as I am that he is growing up (wayyyy to fast), I am proud that he is curious. I’m excited that he asks questions and wants to know everything about the world around him. It’s a good thing that he always wants to know more about everything. I don’t want to stop him from growing and finding out more about our world just because I am not ready to let go of some things yet.
This time of year is about SO much more than Santa. Whatever you are celebrating this year, I hope that your holiday season is full of special traditions and quality time as a family.
