• Home

  • Meet Stacey

    • Work with Me

  • Decor

  • Family

  • Food

  • Style

  • Travel

  • Shop My Feed

  • PRIVACY POLICY

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Posh in Progress

This is Why We Don’t Celebrate Santa Like Most People

By Stacey Freeman 3 Comments

Even before we had kids, we decided Santa wasn’t going to be a thing in our house, not in a traditional way. We both didn’t like the idea of lying to our kids, but I personally also hated how hurt I felt when I found out Santa wasn’t real. I can still remember the exact day, the entire scenario that played out, and how crushed I was. Although we’ve decided not to celebrate Santa like most people, I do still embrace the season and the magic. I’ve found ways to still celebrate, like taking the kids to see him, even if they know he isn’t real.

The major reason I was on board not to pretend that Santa is real is because I really was devastated when I found out he wasn’t real. I was in the third grade, it was summer time, and I was at my neighbor friend’s house. I don’t know how Santa got brought up, but for some reason we started talking about him. They laughed at me because I still believed in him, so I ran home and talked to my mom about it.

I think my mom was in shock by my direct question about Santa, in the middle of the summer, that she lied and said, “of course he is real.” Or something to that affect. So then I ran back to my friends’ house and told them my mom said Santa is real, which just made it worse. They teased me and told me my mom was lying to me. I ran home again, and she then confirmed the truth. Santa isn’t real. I was crushed. I cried and cried. It probably wasn’t just the fact that Santa wasn’t real, it was probably the fact that my mom lied to me.

But here’s the thing, I totally get why she lied to me. I can SEE the magic in my kids’ eyes when they talk about Santa. They know he isn’t real, we’ve told them he isn’t real, but they still wish he was. Just this morning, my son said he wished Santa was real so he could do all of the magic. A few weeks ago, he told me he wished Santa was real because he wanted Santa to do all of my work for me so I wouldn’t have to work so much. My sweet boy, always thinking about everyone else.

So I totally get why parents carry on the Santa tradition. It really is magical to watch your kids have that sense of wonder and joy. I get it. I really do. And there are moments when I am genuinely sad that we don’t celebrate Santa like everyone else does. Because it was magical as a kid, it was so fun to get all excited to go to sleep to see what Santa would bring the next morning. Those 4-5 years when I believed in Santa really were magical.

But what about lying to our kids? Did you feel upset when you found out? I know a lot of people who just figured it out on their own. They weren’t at all traumatized like I was. So for those people, I can completely understand why they would carry on the Santa tradition. But for people like me, who felt crushed and so hurt, is it worth it to potentially put your kids through that? For what? Is this cultural tradition important or is it just consumerism hidden behind a beard? Honestly, I’m not sure I have an answer, but it’s something I’ve been grappling with a lot this holiday season.

So how about you? Do you celebrate Santa in a traditional way? How do you feel about the fact that we don’t celebrate Santa like everyone else?

Tagged With: Christmas, family, Holidays, Santa

About Stacey Freeman

I am a Style Maven, Mommy, Educator, and Traveler.

« I’m Giving Away Two $100 Happy Cards!
Here are 9 New Years Eve Looks Under $50 »

Comments

  1. Bree Fields says

    at

    I agree you have to do what’s best for you. My daughter is 26 and I’m not sure we emphasized that he wasn’t. We just never said what do you want Santa to bring you. I have friends say why should he get the credit when I run & work my buns off to get the gifts.. So again personally I remember getting that ONE doll and it being magical.. I also knew my Mom bought it, not because she told me but it was perfect. The season was and still is warm and loving filled with traditions like wrapping gifts Christmas eve, picking out gifts for special people, parties and exchanges. Lastly she was always afraid to take pics with him and he looked different every time except once he was kinda brown and she happily did so, not by my urging but I think she was in awe!

    Reply
  2. connie says

    at

    I was hurt when I found out Santa wasn’t real. I think I was 10 and had suspected it for a while and then my mom confirmed it in a not nice way. We were pretty poor and there was not much magic in my life. I wanted that magic that other people had! So we handled it a little different with our son. He got to go see one of Santa’s helpers at the mall because Santa and the elves was busy getting the toys ready, so he had helpers that dressed up to talk to the kids. Son also got a couple of toys from Santa which we told him that we paid Santa to bring because he couldn’t afford to give away tons of toys. The rest of the toys were from us/grandparents. We also emphasized that some kid’s parents did not have the money to pay Santa for the gifts, so we (and he) would give money to organizations to help them do that. (We always worked with church, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, Angel Tree to provide gifts for lots of families). When he was old enough to ask, we told the truth. Bless him, he said that he still believed in the magic of Santa….it was something you carried in your heart all year round. This might not work for others but did for 30 years ago!

    Reply
  3. gloria patterson says

    at

    This is one of those damn if you and damn if you don’t things. If your kids ask if there is a Santa and you say no is your child going to go tell the other kids and ruin their Christmas? Me I am all for Santa as long as the child wants it to be. Today with the internet and ever thing else they are finding out earlier that there is no Santa.

    Reply

What do you think? Cancel reply

Hi, I’m Stacey!

Popular Posts

  • Starbucks Egg Bites Recipe In the Oven featured by top LA lifestyle blogger, Posh in Progress

    How to Make Starbucks Copycat Egg Bites In the Oven

  • Doralto the perfect margarita alternative

    The Doralto: The Little Known Alternative to the Margarita

  • 3 Day Water Fast before and after featured by top LA lifestyle blogger, Posh in Progress

    I Went on a 3 Day Water Fast and This is What Happened

  • Summer Eggplant Tomato Pie recipe featured by top LA lifestyle blogger, Posh in Progress

    How to Make This Brilliant Summer Eggplant Tomato Pie

  • This is What Happens When Brother and Sister Share a Bedroom

    This is What Happens When Brother and Sister Share a Bedroom

Disclosure

This site uses selective affiliate links, which means a commission is earned if you make a purchase via the link. The price you pay will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships. We appreciate, and thank you for, your support!

Pinterest

Join Stacey on Instagram

poshinprogress

Writer - Educator - Entrepreneur
Mom Life • Fashion • Travel • Recipes
My new children’s book ➡️https://amzn.to/3rjsXKE

Stacey Freeman, Ph.D.
Memorial Day fashion, but make it chic 💙🤍. Memorial Day fashion, but make it chic 💙🤍. 

New on poshinprogress.com, I’m sharing my favorite cold-shoulder summer dresses. Mine is only $10, and it makes the perfect beach cover up too! 

Shop my favorite striped cold shoulder dresses through the link in stories or here: https://liketk.it/3FYlm

Follow my shop @poshinprogress on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKunder100 #LTKcurves #LTKunder50 @shop.ltk #summerfashion #curvyfashion #curvystyle #coldshoulder #coldshoulderdress #memorialdayfashion
Happy Saturday friends! What are you up to this we Happy Saturday friends! What are you up to this weekend? 

I’m feeling extra grateful to live in LA today. We woke up bright and early, drove 10 minutes, and shot a campaign at the beach all before 8am. 

Sometimes I can’t even believe this is my life. We have built a thriving business that allows me to go to the beach and take photos with my kids. But for the non-influencers out there, it is not easy. It is 24/7 and it’s taken me 9 years of consistent effort to get here. Nevertheless, I am thankful. What are you thankful for today?

By the way, make sure to check out the link in my profile so you can take a peek at my new children’s book, A Thankful Book for Kids, which launches next Tuesday! You can preorder on Amazon today!

You can shop my favorite beach cover ups here: https://liketk.it/3FPUT

Follow my shop @poshinprogress on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKswim #LTKcurves #LTKunder100 @shop.ltk #losangeles #lamom #losangeleslife #la #losangelesmoms #lamoms #beachvibes #beachcoverup #newauthor #newbook #redondobeach
When’s the last time you accomplished something When’s the last time you accomplished something you never thought you would? 

I still can hardly believe I’m a published children’s book author. This isn’t my first time being published; I’ve written many academic papers and even a book chapter with a colleague about museum activism. But a children’s book? I never imagined or dreamed I could.

Now it’s only 5 more days until my first children’s book hits stores! You can preorder now on Amazon. I appreciate your love and support. Link in stories! 

#newauthor #newbook #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #childrenbook #kidsbooks #kidsbook #newrelease #newreleasetuesday
I can't believe summer break is almost here! Are y I can't believe summer break is almost here! Are you still looking for summer options for your kids? 

My kids will be attending @galileocamps this summer, and they are so excited! Camp Galileo is an award-winning summer day camp that uses project-based learning and STEM principles to help develop innovators. They have over 65 summer camp locations across Northern and Southern California, Chicagoland, Denver, and Seattle. They offer innovative camp experiences for kids as young as pre-K up to 10th grade. Plus, they also offer flexible scheduling to help working families. If you're interested in learning more, visit poshinprogress.com to read about my kids' experience last summer and why they are so excited to go back this year. Also, you can save 15% with code POSH15 when you register at galileo-camps.com #ad @galileocamps #summercamp #lamoms #lamom #lasummercamp
Jacaranda season in my new babydoll dress 💜💜 Jacaranda season in my new babydoll dress 💜💜

Not pictured, me trying to walk casually on the sea of jacaranda flowers as my heels continually sink into the grass 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣💜.

New on poshinprogress.com, I’m sharing the cutest long sleeve baby doll dresses for spring. Link in profile or stories! You can shop my favorites here: https://liketk.it/3Frgk

Follow my shop @poshinprogress on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#babydolldress #springfashion #springdress #springstyle #curvyfashion #lavenderdress #ltkcurves #ltkunder50 #ltkunder100
#ad My Gigi is fierce and confident. I'm constantl #ad My Gigi is fierce and confident. I'm constantly amazed by her tenacity and spunk. These are qualities I admire so much in her, and I'm so glad I'm raising a strong girl. It's not that often I see role models on TV for Gigi, but when Nickelodeon sent me the new Walmart That Girl Lay Lay merch, Gigi was so excited because she thinks That Girl Lay Lay is as cool as I think G is. If you haven’t checked out @ThatGirlLayLay yet, head over to Walmart.com/laylay to find all the cute swag so your girl can embody all of the confidence of That Girl Lay Lay too. #ThatGirlLayLay #LayLayAtWalmart @walmart
Load More... Follow Stacey on Instagram

© 2022 Posh in Progress. All rights are reserved.

Copyright © 2022 · Glam Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in