How to Have Santa Send a Letter to Your Child About the Real Meaning of Christmas

Let Santa send a letter to your children that teaches the real meaning of Christmas. Christmas can be a tough time in the current economic climate. No matter what your religious or spiritual orientation, don't let your children focus on what Santa can bring--things for Christmas that you cannot afford. Let Santa help by sending your child a letter that focuses on the real meaning of Christmas - time with family, sharing and caring for each other.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Access

1. 
    

   Think ahead. It's easy to get a letter from Santa sent to your child. However, in the current economic environment, you might want to think about what type of letter you want your child to receive. Let Santa help your child focus on time together with family and friends rather than on the expensive presents you might not be able to purchase this year.

2. 
    

   Sit down with your child and write a letter to Santa that asks for things that you know you can get for them. Samples would be: playing that board game together, going to the zoo, reading that favorite book, making a cake together, or making Christmas cards and crafts for gifts. All of these things can be free or cost very little and will help place your children's focus on the joys Christmas can bring.

3. Help your child understand the real meaning of Christmas by picking a letter from Santa that teaches this important lesson. The Ministerial Seminary of America is a reliable online source for letters from Santa that emphasize the real meaning of Christmas. Easy to use site where you can choose from Christian, Secular, or Spiritual themes.

Tips & Warnings

• Start sharing NOW with your children the fun things you are looking forward to doing, rather than receiving, on Christmas Day
• Let your children participate in the creation of a list of fun things you can do, rather than receive, on Christmas morning (games, puzzles, books, arts and crafts, or a Christmas play)
• Let your children help set and decorate the Christmas dinner table (in age appropriate ways)
• Let your children help decorate cookies (in age appropriate ways)
• Make a list of songs you will sing on Christmas day
• If you are Christian, draw a picture of the manger and the arrival of Baby Jesus to display on Christmas morning.
• If you are Christian, sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas morning.
• If you have a few gifts that are arriving from Santa, let Santa hide them with little notes on where they can be found. This will extend the joy and excitement of Christmas morning. Remember to make everything age appropriate.
• If you left cookies for Santa, leave a thank you note from him.
• If your children are old enough, make cookies for a local nursing home and go for a Christmas visit.
• If your children are in school, help them make Christmas Cards for their teachers and friends
• Don't send a letter to Santa that asks for things that you simply cannot get for your child this year.
• Don't tell your children that Santa is poor. Instead, tell them that giving gifts is not as important to Santa as teaching children to care and share.
• Don't wait to begin talking about the real meaning of Christmas with your children
• Don't wait to begin planning a fun Christmas day with song, games, dancing, etc.
• Don't wait to order your letter from Santa. Order early--before December 14th.

Resources

• A Special Santa Letter Finally, a letter from Santa that teaches Children the real meaning of Christmas.