This Christmas, as I was spending time with my family, I thought back to the first Christmas I could remember. I was probably about 5 years old, and I remember preparing for the arrival of Santa Claus that Christmas Eve: we made cut-out Christmas cookies and set some out with a glass of milk, we sprinkled oats out in the yard for Rudolph, and we made sure to go to bed super early so Santa had plenty of time to come to our house that evening. When the next morning came, we woke up early to see the cookies and milk were gone, hoof prints were left in the front yard, stockings were filled to the brim, and the Christmas tree was surrounded by presents. Santa had been there during the night, and he had left behind gifts for our good behavior over the past year.
At the time, we had no idea that it was actually our parents that ate and drank the cookies and milk, or that they were the ones that went outside in the cold to leave hoof prints, or that they had left all the stocking stuffers and gifts under the tree labeled "From Santa", but it was one of the most exciting and unbelievable things we ever experienced as kids. The fact that someone we barely knew and only saw once or twice a year would come to the house and leave us gifts for our good behavior was incredible.
Although Christmas isn't really about Santa Claus and the gifts, it is a tradition that many families across the world follow. To some, the idea seems silly and creepy. An old man in a red suit that sneaks into the homes of families just to leave gifts? No thanks.
However, it's not about who Santa Claus is, it's about the values this tradition teaches our children and the joy that it brings into our lives.
Children learn discipline. In the traditional song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," Santa makes a list and checks it twice so he knows who has been naughty and nice. This is motivation for children to respect others, listen to their parents, and to work hard. If they know someone is "watching" their every move, bad behavior is less likely to happen.
This tradition teaches are children to be thankful and grateful. No matter how big or small the Christmas, they learn to be grateful for what they are given, and thankful for what they already have. They also begin to learn the gift of giving, and they begin to show appreciation for their loved ones.
Lastly, Santa Claus is not just exciting for the children; it's exciting for the parents too. For parents, portraying Santa brings a whole new experience into Christmas and parenting. Sometimes, it's hard to find that balance between being a good parent and completely spoiling the kids. This time of year allows the parents to splurge a little bit without going completely overboard, and they get the satisfaction of seeing the happiness these small gestures brought into their children's lives. Additionally, as the kids grow older, continuing this tradition adds a fun, extra challenge to portraying Santa.
No matter how ridiculous this tradition may or may not seem, I will be passing on this experience for my children to enjoy. Growing up with the idea of something that seemed so magical and real made the Christmas season a little more special, and I hope this tradition will add something special into their lives as well.
