Should Parents Tell Their Kids The Truth About Santa Claus
"Mom, is Santa Claus real?" (my daughter at 4 years old)
"What do you think? (always a great counter when unsure how to answer)
"No, I don't think he is real." (she has always been a critical thinker)
"Santa Claus is like... Mickey Mouse. He is a fun character that we enjoy around Christmas time, but he is not real like Jesus." (and with that, the Santa conspiracy had been exposed)
Did we want our 4 year old daughter to become a Santa Clause atheist at 4 years old? No, it would have been fun to enjoy the make believe magic of Santa for a little longer. But, we were determined not to perpetuate the lie any longer than our children were willing to suspend reality.
Many Christian parents debate whether or not they should tell their kids the truth about Santa Claus, and if so, for how long? Let me be clear, neither your kid's salvation, nor their enjoyment of Christmas is in jeopardy no matter where you land on this sensitive topic.
Let's consider a few of the arguments for and against bringing the Santa Claus experience down a chimney near you-
Arguments for incorporating Santa Claus into your family Christmas-
1) Celebrating Imagination & Wonder- Santa can represent childlike joy, generosity, and the magic of the season.
2) Shared Family Memories- For many parents, Santa traditions create warmth, laughter, and continuity across generations, strengthening family bonds.
3) Avoiding Legalistic Exclusion- Some children grow up feeling they were robbed of a part of their childhood because their parents refused to participate in a harmless Christmas tradition.
4) Unintentionally Ruining Another Family's Christmas- When your kid starts telling all of their friends in Kindergarten that Santa isn't real, things can become very emotional quickly.
Arguments against incorporating Santa Claus into your family Christmas-
1. Truth & Trust Concerns-Some parents worry about intentionally promoting something that isn’t true. When children discover Santa isn’t real, they may wonder what else parents have exaggerated—including matters of faith.
2. Competing Focus with Christ- Santa can unintentionally overshadow Jesus. Christmas can drift from celebrating the incarnation to fixating on gifts, behavior, and rewards.
3. Performance-Based “Goodness”- The “naughty or nice” narrative may subtly teach moralism—earning rewards through behavior—rather than grace, which is central to the gospel.
4. Consumerism & Entitlement- Santa can reinforce a gift-centered Christmas that fuels comparison, materialism, and expectations rather than gratitude and generosity.
Here is the bottom line- The mystery of Christ is of far greater value than the magic of Santa.
Whether you participate in the Santa Claus experience a little, a lot, or none at all, what is most important is putting Christ at the center of your Christmas experience. As you go through your Christmas traditions, take notice of how much of your focus is on getting presents instead of giving praise to the greatest gift of all.
Finally, do not let Santa Claus come between you and your wife... (no, I am not talking about Mommy kissing Santa Claus under the mistletoe last night). It is important for each of you to be on the same page about your enthusiasm for the Santa Claus experience. If your wife has reservations about Santa Claus, than play it cool and don't go over the top with it yourself. If your wife thinks a little Santa would bring some Christmas magic, don't act like the Grinch because you don't agree. The best thing for your kids is to see you and your bride joyfully celebrating the birth of Christ as a family.
Catching you kiss under the mistletoe isn't a bad thing either!