How do you explain it? I never had to think about it....

[Disney1fan2002]

When I was a kid, Christmas was a magical time! My mom was an expert at doing her shopping while we were in school, and hiding whatever she bought, so we really truly thought Santa brought everything. There was not one shred on evidence that Christmas presents were in the house.

Being one of 12 kids, my mom NEVER took us to the stores with her. I have faint memories of being in the store with her, maybe twice in my life before the age of 14. So, at Christmas time, I never saw all the people buying. Had I, I would of questioned the whole "deal" long before I did.

I do not take my kids out shopping with me at this time of year, either. I don't have much patience, and dealing with crowds, long lines, and kids that want everything they see, no thanks. They stay home with dad. Until this year. We went to the mall to get a family picture taken, and the kids Christmas pictures. The Marines were set up collecting Toys for Tots. My 7 yo DD asked what they were doing, and before I could think about it, I said they were collecting toys for families who don't have any money, so the kids can have a happy Christmas. She seemed confused. Santa brings presents to EVERYONE. Why should it matter if the family is poor? OUCH. What do I say? As I am thinking, DS sees something in a store, and drags DD over to check it out, so she forgot all about her question, but I know she is going to bring it up again.

How do you explain that it is difficult for poor families to have a Christmas, while at the same time, keeping the Santa fantasy alive?

 

[Sandcass]

I have told my kids that of course Santa brings poor children gifts, but they don't get as many gifts from their friends & family as we do. This works for my kids because we have a HUGE family (DH is oldest of 11) and Santa only brings a portion of their gifts. They get spoiled by Gma's, aunts, etc.

 

[Aurora63]

Maybe explain that even though santa brings presents to everyone, he can only bring a few for each child. And parents like to be able to give gifts to their children, and if they don't have enough money, thats where toys for tots comes in? Maybe that would work.

 

[sleepyone]

Maybe explain that even though santa brings presents to everyone, he can only bring a few for each child. And parents like to be able to give gifts to their children, and if they don't have enough money, thats where toys for tots comes in? Maybe that would work.

I'm hijacking this thread to say, I'm a sucker for calico's and yours is an especially beautiful girl!!!

I agree with everyone else about, saying the parents want to be able to give gifts as well.

 

[Aurora63]

I'm hijacking this thread to say, I'm a sucker for calico's and yours is an especially beautiful girl!!!

I agree with everyone else about, saying the parents want to be able to give gifts as well.

Thanks. aw:

 

[monkeyboy]

never had a real great x-mas

to many kids not enuff $

 

[debster812]

Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me!

We went through this 2 years ago with DS. We were dropping off some toys to our town's Toys for Tots.

I explained that we were VERY lucky, we had a nice house, DS is able to have nice things, he's never hungry, the house is warm, and he has LOTS and LOTS of toys.

I went on to explain that there are some children who are not so lucky, and sometimes Santa has to bring them 'boring' things like money for heat, food, warm clothes, etc, so people like us do what we can, so the children can have some toys at Christmas.

I hope it helps

 

[golfgal]

I am on the board for a Toys for Tots type program and we tell people that ask (kids mostly) that Santa has a HUGE job to do and we are just helping him out. On our distribution day we have shirts that say "Santa's Helpers" on them. They never question us on that one.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking of telling her that Santa brings them toys, but their mon and dad can't afford to get them anything. I never got a present from my mom or dad, we got one gift, from Santa. Then of course a gift from each one of my siblings, so we ended up with a bunch, but, one gift from Santa, and it does not occur to me I can use the "mom and dad give gifts" angle. My kids DO get gifts from DH and I, so they will relate.

 

[Nancy]

I told my kids that the Moms and dads have to help Santa and we send him money so he can get the toys. Toys for Tots were for the families who had Moms and Dads that couldn't afford to send Santa money, so we helped Santa out and gave hime toys. That worked fine for the girls.