Yes, Virginia there is a Santa...

[Luigi's Girl]

The Blue Fairy,
Awesome letters! Santa's letter is exactly how I feel and what I believe. My children are 17 and 14 and we still leave out milk and cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer and we sprinkle oatmeal combined with glitter onto the lawn so it will be easier for the reindeer to find us. It's just wonderful traditions for everyone to carry on. I say rent and watch "The Santa Clause" movies and "Elf" with your DD soon after Thanksgiving and I bet it will recharge you and your DD's beliefs.

 

[cancilla]

It's intereting how different families handle Santa. We've never pretended that Santa is real with our son. We read him Christmas stories, and he has a Santa Playmobil figure and a Santa puppet, and in the days leading up to Christmas we often play Santa just before he goes to bed (he closes his eyes and I make the noises of Santa coming and putting out presents).

My son is now seven, and he's actually getting more into Santa each year. This last Christmas, he wrote a note to Santa to leave out with milk and cookies for him. He also made presents for my wife and I and snuck them out on Christmas morning so that Santa would have brought us something. It was so sweet!

I feel that we'll always have Santa in our house, and my wife and I will never have to go through the "why did you say he was real when he wasn't?" thing (which, I have to admit, I'd feel pretty bad about).

--Dominick

 

[j's m]

I also have an 11 year old that believes in Santa. We never imagined he still would believe. He figured out about 6 years ago that the characters at Barnes and Noble weren't real, that Disney characters weren't real (of course we still have to see them, hug them, sleep with them, be photographed with them and do character meals so go figure) but he won't give up Santa and the Easter Bunny.

Two years ago, school friends said they weren't real and he was shocked. I didn't hear the story from him, but from another mother. Now we're still sure he really believes, but 1% of me thinks he SAYS he believes so he can get extra presents. But as an only, he gets plenty all year.

He'll be starting middle school this year, so who knows what he'll hear then. I just hope he has enough sense to not believe in the Drug Fairy.

 

[kelleigh1]

I spent most of my free time today reading the DIS. There were several threads which I found to be very depressing and after a while, I just couldn't read anymore because the digs at other posters were just getting to be too much.

But I can honestly say that this thread has really made me feel better. The innocence of children! It's a wonderful thing. I'm glad that everyone has shared their stories and even though it's hot and humid and I'm sweating like you wouldn't believe...I'm already starting to feel the Christmas spirit.

Blue Fairy: I know that no matter what you do for Christmas this year, it will be a special one for your daughter.

 

[chrome64]

To the Blue Fairy, I understand your pain, my dd is 10 and I'm not sure how much she believes anymore. I found something special right after Christmas last year that might add back a little bit of the magic.

http://www.elf-magic.com/

These are elves that come and live in your house from Thanksgiving until Christmas night. To prevent another heart break, you could tell her the truth up front about the elves but maybe let her help create the magic. Take a look at their website and keep in mind that you can find the elves cheaper on the most popular auction websites.

Maybe the elves could come visit your house for a short "Christmas in August."

My response to my daughter when she has asked about Santa to this point has been: "Santa is real only if you want him to be"

Sending you lots of Pixie Dust and an extra helping of magic.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I just asked my DS15 when he knew there was no santa, and he just looked at me....