Oliver is pensive lately. He’s got Christmas on the brain, and he’s constantly rethinking his wish list, plus trying to make heads or tails about whether Santa really exists or not… I can practically smell his grey matter scorching.
Over the years, we’ve covered why all the mall Santas are different from one another, and how he gets in if someone doesn’t have a chimney, and what happens if there’s a fire going overnight… doesn’t he get burnt? Sometimes the same questions pop up again and again – he’s checking to be sure about some things. He’s on the cusp of not-believing, but I know he still wants to.
He: Mum?
Me: Yes, my darling.
He: I think Santa works pretty hard.
Me: *smirking* Yes, yes he does. Especially at this time of year… you know how much he as to look after…
He: I know! He has to do everything!
Me: Well, he’s not alone, of course…
He: I know he has elves and stuff, but he has to be in chaaarge, and he’s got to make sure they eeeat, and he’s got the reeein-deeeer and everything… and he has to know all the languages… he had to study a lot, I think.
Me: Maybe. But that’s why Santa is Santa – he can do all these things and more. And all in one night! He’s amazing. I have no idea how he does it. *shakes head*
He: It seems pretty impossible though.
Me: I know. But that’s why he needs so much help. And he’s magic.
He: I know. But like, really magic?
Me: Sure!
He: And he can watch ALL the kids in the world at the same time?
Me: Time zones. No everyone is awake all at the same time. Some people are fast asleep right now – it’s the middle of the night in China.
He: *unsatisfied* I know.
Me: Don’t worry so much, Boo…
He: But, what about Santa?
Oh, how I loathe when they begin sentences this way…
Me: Yes? WHAT about Santa?!
He: Well, he works so hard for everybody else, doing everything, remembering everything… does he get presents from anyone?
Me: I think Mrs. Claus and the elves probably all exchange gifts. It’s kind of a family thing.
He: Oh. *thinks* But I’d like to give him something. Just something small. To unwrap. Unwrapping things is nice. You know, it’s fun.
Oh, my heart. Sweet boy!
Me: Unwrapping things is nice, and what a nice idea… but, you know, I think that’s what the cookies and milk that we leave for Santa is for – to say thank you, and so he can have a little snack before he flies off to the next house. And only a few – Santa eats cookies at every single house on his route. That’s a LOT of cookies!
He: And reindeer carrots.
Me: Yes.
He: But I think I’d still like to give him something else.
Me: Like…?
He: Maybe even just some of those chocolates… you know, those ball ones, in gold paper with that nut inside…
Me: You mean the Ferrero Roche chocolates?
He: Yeah! Just that little pack of three… is that how it comes?
Me: Yes, they sometimes come in threes.
That is, if you leave three behind from your party-size box of four hundred that may or may not be stashed under your bed…
He: So, can we leave some for him?
Me: Sure! That’s a really kind thought, Oliver. Good for you. I’m pretty sure those are Santa’s favourites. Do you want to wrap them yourself?
He: Naw, you can do it.
Me: Pardon?
He: *giggling*
Me: You kill me, man.
He: *giggles harder because I said man*
Really, I just want him to remain a believer for just a little while longer… he’s nearly eight, so I know time is fleeting, but in the meantime, I love that he’s a kind-hearted kid.
So tell me – have you been busted as Santa yet?
In our house, Santa doesn’t bring gifts for those who don’t believe. Never having had the discussion, my 19 and 18 year olds still get gifts from Santa. My 11 year old was pretty sure Santa wasn’t real until last year, when Santa brought what she asked him for, but didn’t tell anyone or show her letter to anyone (a Maplelea doll, that I learned about right here on UrbanMoms). I’ll maintain the illusion as long as they are willing to play along.
Awwww! So adorable! My older one is almost 12. He’s almost certain that Santa is fabricated (ALMOST). He’s totally on the fence and we totally play it cool and always throw it back to him. “What do you think? And whether or not he’s real, meh! Are we having fun?” And ever year he asks me “do you believe” and I always tell him..”I always believe”.
By the way, our family leaves out a small tray of sushi for him. that’s our tradition! awesome read Tracey!
Two years ago I told my then 10.5 year old because he was starting to get inside the head of his 6 year old sister. I took him to Starbucks and we had a “grown-up” chat about it. I was sure he knew 100% but he wept like a baby! It broke my heart and I felt like the biggest dream killer. Especially when he cried, “And the Easter Bunny too?!”
But once he got over the initial reality of it he admitted he had been pretty sure and now he takes great pleasure in preserving the secret for his sister and little cousins. I have to say though, my daughter is not quite 9 and I have a feeling this may be our last year. She is asking A LOT of questions.
Enjoy it while you can! This year I am going to adore spending Christmas with my nearly 3 year old niece and 1 year old nephew. Magic all over again!
I think my 10 yr old is really onto something, but then he’ll say something that gives way to the fact that he still believes…I don’t know about him. I figure if he does still believe then this is the last year for him. Then that’s it. No more presents. You don’t believe – you don’t get.
Totally kidding on that by the way!
The 9 and 4 yr olds are total believers. I have a few years left with them I think.
Too sweet.
I was having a slightly different conversation with my 5 year old today. He wanted to know if Santa was around when there were dinosaurs and what kind of presents he would have gotten them…
I love this Tracey…your little man’s adorable.
In my house, my 12.5 year old and 10.5 year old sons seem to have adopted the same US military “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. I don’t know how much of that is for the sake of their 6 year old sister, and how much is self-preservation, but I just go along with it. When I see all three of them sitting still for a photo with a strange man in a red suit, I believe in magic, too.