How to Keep Your Kids Believing in Santa Claus

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By A. Suzanne Wells
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Miracle on 34th Street

The magic of Santa Claus only lasts for a few years. At a certain age, your kids will begin to have doubts fueled by other kids, and the reality that Santa can’t possibly deliver all those gifts in one night. Here are few ways to keep your kids believing in Santa Claus. It is fun for parents, too!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Never hint that Santa isn’t real! Set an example and keep the magic alive.
Step 2

Sit down with your kids and write a letter to Santa each year. Handwrite the letter. Take it to the post office and mail it. This will make for a nice memory later.
Step 3

When bigger kids figure it out, encourage them to go along with you in believing there is a Santa Claus. Younger kids will believe their siblings before they believe a parent – and the older kids will have fun playing along.
Step 4

Hide bigger gifts at a neighbor’s house or at the office. Kids are nosey; they will find them at home.
Step 5

Let Santa bring gifts that you have said “no” to.
Step 6

Leave cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve. Leave carrots for the reindeer. After the kids go to bed, eat some of each and drink the milk.
Step 7

Before bedtime, talk about how you won’t turn on the alarm – “We don’t want Santa setting off the alarm and waking up the neighborhood!”
Step 8

Place gifts under the tree from Santa wrapped in a different paper. (Dispose of or donate any leftover Santa wrapping supplies. You don’t want the evidence to be found.) Make sure the handwriting on the tag is different than on the other gifts.
Step 9

Let Santa leave gifts for the adults and the pets.
Step 10

If all else fails, use the Santa threat. “Well, if you don’t think he is real, you are going to be very disappointed when everyone else gets presents on Christmas and you don’t!”

Comments

jillmaria said

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on 9/2/2009 In our house, we go to great lengths to keep Santa real. We keep a key for Santa (you can buy one or use a skeleton key) on the front door Christmas Eve, we leave a big jingle bell in front of the fireplace, "hoofprints" and "bootprints" are left on the porch, and Santa's return letter is postmarked "the North Pole" (you can buy a stamp or contact your post office for Christmas addresses. Thanks!!

veryirie said

on 11/18/2008 These are wonderful tips for making Santa Claus real for kids. How fun!

bossypants said

on 11/18/2008 My dad had a Santa-like beard and wore red shirts all through the holidays. He was pressed into service by some parents of non-believers. He was most tickled, tho, when a little one would spot him out on errands, and their tiny jaws would drop in surprise! Thanks for the nice memories!