If Christmas isn’t Santa’s birthday, why do we celebrate him?
JDaniel age 3 1/2
We had just stopped by a local hot dog restaurant to pick up lunch on Friday to take to my mom’s. (JDaniel and I always spend some time with my mom on Fridays and sometimes we surprise her with lunch.) The car hadn’t even made it out of the parking lot when he asked me the question above.
I was shocked that my not yet three years old had come up with the question. I really shouldn’t be. He comes up with questions like this a lot. He is just wired for them. Hearing how he processes and thinks through things is the best gift!
“No, it isn’t Santa’s birthday,” I replied. After a minute I added,” I am not sure when his birthday is.”
I don’t have anything against Santa. I really don’t.
JDaniel told me what he wanted from Santa when it looked like he wasn’t going to get to have the next door neighbor’s four years old write it for him. He didn’t want me to send a letter to Santa.
We chat about him from time to time and JDaniel has seen Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on television. He gleaned a lot about Santa by watching that show, but it also filled him with many questions.
He doesn’t get why Santa wouldn’t want to live someplace warm like South Carolina or how everything fits in one sleigh. I have tried to briefly explain the reasons why.
One of the things he doesn’t know is that Santa comes into the house deliver gifts. I think he would be nervous about someone we don’t know coming into our house. He thinks that Santa just lands on your front lawn. My husband asked JDaniel what he should do if he sees a man and his sleigh on the front lawn. JDaniel said, “Check to see if he has a lightsaber in his sack and then send him away.”
I have had to make some Santa choices.
Will I wrap presents from Santa in a different paper? I don’t know.
Will we put out chocolate or cookies for Santa? I have heard from a reliable source that he really likes Reese’s Cups so, I will leave them out.
Will I clarify that Santa comes into the house to drop off presents and eat the snack? No, I will not! I want him to sleep in his own bed on Christmas Eve.
Did we have a picture with Santa at the mall? JDaniel said that he won’t do anything but wave as we walked by him at the mall.
Will the pumpkins JDaniel has held onto since Halloween been eaten by reindeer that are hungry? Yes, they will. Reindeer are big pumpkin eaters and will need a snack too.
We will be having a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Day. If we find out when Santa’s birthday is, I will be very happy about eating a cupcake or slice of cake in his honor too.
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About Deirdre
Welcome! My name is Deirdre and I am JDaniel4's Mom. After teaching in Virginia for twenty years, I was a stay at home mom learning and growing beside my son JDaniel the 4th for five years. I recently went back to teaching at a local school here in South Carolina.
What a great post, and he does seem quite the thinker. It appears my daughter, about the same age, is the polar opposite! I think she would have jumped onto Santa’s lap if I let her, and she’s already told us we can’t light the fireplace on Christmas (even though we don’t use it at all) because Santa might get burnt!
Shellsays
Sounds like you have made the right choices for your family in deciding how to celebrate!
Sounds like JDaniel and Darbee Rae are thinking alike this year. I too have had to quickly come up with answers to sooo many questions this year like: Do you move my elf each night? Can I talk to that Santa since he has a different face? Ha! We must treasure this year because I have a feeling it won’t be long until they really figure all of this out!
What a thoughtful little guy! I’m sure we’ll have to start facing questions like that next year or the year after.
Carolynsays
That is so sweet, pretty clever of him!
MaryAnnesays
I think the Santa thing can get confusing for kids. My 5yo is already on to the fact that Santa is pretend. No idea how she figured that one out, but she’s happy to play at the makebelieve.
He’s a smart kid! I think it’s fun to see how everyone makes up their own story around Santa. Great call to have the reindeer eat the pumpkins. 🙂
Anniesays
I love that reindeers eat pumpkins!! That made me giggle 🙂
Sounds like JDaniel loves this time of year! I have not decided whether to play up Santa or tell my kids he is a pretend character….I should probably decide soon 🙂
Such a smart guy you have on your hands! Sammy think Santa comes through the back door since we don’t have a chimney.. our lock doesnt work (we put a stick in the door at night/when we leave. He things we should leave it unlocked for him.. mind you we told him he was pretend (he asked we told the truth).. but he still wants to believe so we will go w/ it!
What a wonderful mother you are! JDaniel will grow up to be a sensitive and thoughtful man. You both are blessed.
Betty (picture circa 1951)says
Out of the mouths of babes. I wish there had been blogging when my kids were little…or I had written down some of the clever things they said so I’d remember them. I can remember enjoying some of their logic, but I can no longer remember exactly what they said.
By the way, you’ve found a great way to get rid of the old pumpkins that he probably didn’t want to part with. Very clever.
Isn’t it amazing, the wonderful workings of a 3 year-old mind?
I couldn’t compete, so this mama went the party-pooper way and blew Santa’s cover by the time my daughter’s 3 years old. Yep, I did. I told her Santa’s not real (I know, I know… shame on me!).
You have such a sweet, intelligent and inquisitive little boy there! Happy holidays to you both!
Def big thoughts for your little guy!!!! Thanks for dropping by today! Enjoy this amazing weekend with your little guy..my little one is 5…big one is 10 and little girl in the middle has a bday on new year’s eve…they grow fast, chubby cheeks and hands grow slim…but, the magic of a loving home…that continues!!!
Oh I love the birthday cake idea! what a wonderful tradition.
Of all my years I never thought once when Santa’s birthday was. What a great question =)
Nicole Riverasays
OK, you can’t drop a question like that on me and leave me hanging!! Surprisingly santaclaus.com slickly avoided the question only noting that Santa stopped counting once he reached 550 years old! (http://www.santaclaus.com/santa-claus-christmas-faq.php) However, another site says December 6th, using the birthday of St. Nicholas as a reference point (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_is_Santa_Claus%27_birthday). I don’t know if this information will lead to more or less questions from JDaniel, but I just had to find out for myself!! I love, by the way, that this 3.5 year old came up with a question that I don’t think ever crossed my mind in over 35 years! 🙂
I’m with the other posters…I never once thought about when Santa’s birthday might be. What a smart little fella! We did Santa Claus when my son was younger. I didn’t really want do, but he was in day care and it was a big deal. I couldn’t break his little heart. So I played along. Several years ago I told him the truth. He chose to continue to believe. Now at 14 he knows the truth.
We have done a birthday cake for Jesus every year. It is a great family tradition! WE even sing the birthday song. I make it a big deal. And I don’t think my son was ever confused. He knows the real reason for Christmas.
So my advice is to go with your heart and it will all work out ok. Blessings to you my friend! May you and JDaniel have a Merry Christmas!
The Preppy Girl in Pinksays
Wow! My girls are almost 10 & 8 and they have never asked when Santa’s bday is! Does Google know the answer to that ?! 😉 I think you are doing a great job stressing the importance of Jesus over Santa. For our family Santa is just one of the roses made of icing on a very delicious birthday cake for Jesus. Merry Christmas!
Very good questions to ponder! My grandson turned 3 a few weeks ago and this was the first year he knew about Santa Claus but my son and daughter-in-law kept it all low key. I guess you could say that Santa celebrates Jesus’ birthday too!
Whao..ur son is really thinking when he asked that question..my kids can’t be bothered about Santa as they are more interested in getting presents for themselves this xmas.
JDaniel is a smart and full of curiosity little guy, but you are a terrific mom to help clarify things in a thoughtful and considerate manner.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Lolasays
Season’s greetings and a Happy New Year to youl and yours especially JDaniel!
It’s been such fun stopping by here this past year and look forward to *seeing* you again in 2012!
upinthecosmossays
OMG, I live the questions kids come up with! Too funny, I think if I had kids they stop asking questions or would continue just to hear my answers cause they would be just as great…. if not better ! LOL!!
When I was little Baby Jesus brought the gifts on Christmas. The window was open when I entered the room because he just had flown away. Unfortunately I never managed to see him ! Although in Belgium it’s also the Santa bringing gifts, I kept to the German tradition of Baby Jesus with our son. Sometimes it was confusing for him, lol !
I’ve always been a bit surprised by the questions kids ask about Santa. Where do they get this information about how old he is, where he lives, if he has kids etc?
He’s a curious little boy! I wouldn’t have even thought that a child would ask that…but it’s a good question!
Ixysays
My parents just never pretended Santa was real and I always knew it was a guy in a suit. Even worse, I didn’t realize other kids thought he was real, which lead to some unfortunate moments on the playground. Yes, they called me “dreamcrusher”…
I’ll probably do the same with my daughter – acknowledge Santa but not pretend he exists. We’ll skip the pictures at the mall though. She’s at the age it would scare her, and I don’t like the idea of forcing her to be held by some strange man she doesn’t know and is scared of. I can imagine my mother in law rolling her eyes at that, but it’s how I feel.
Oh how I love 3 and 4 year olds, so full of innocently honest why’s! Good luck with explaining Santa. My hardest question from one of my kids years ago was… ‘So, if Santa can see me all the time and know if I’m good or bad…I Santa God?’ That was a tough one. Another story someday:)
Have a warm and cozy Christmas with your awesome JDaniel…
I just gave a sigh of pleasure. I’m finally getting over stuff enough to come back and visit.
I feel like I’m visiting you in your kitchen having this discussion.
Your son is really wise beyond his years. The questions he asks are ones we should all be asking ourselves.
I remember trying to figure out all those things to make Christmas ‘perfect’. I don’t think I ever did…but it sure wasn’t from lack of effort on my part.
I know I’m visiting this very late but I truly want to say, getting to know you through your blog has been one of my very best gifts of 2011.
JDaniel is a deep thinker, isn’t he?
Really interesting! I love how much thought you’re putting into your sweet boy’s questions, and heart.
My mom used to bake a Jesus birthday cake at Christmas too. That’s a clever idea… to feed the leftover pumpkins to Santa’s reindeer.
Your son is very quick. I love how little kids’ minds work.
What a great post, and he does seem quite the thinker. It appears my daughter, about the same age, is the polar opposite! I think she would have jumped onto Santa’s lap if I let her, and she’s already told us we can’t light the fireplace on Christmas (even though we don’t use it at all) because Santa might get burnt!
Sounds like you have made the right choices for your family in deciding how to celebrate!
Sounds like JDaniel and Darbee Rae are thinking alike this year. I too have had to quickly come up with answers to sooo many questions this year like: Do you move my elf each night? Can I talk to that Santa since he has a different face? Ha! We must treasure this year because I have a feeling it won’t be long until they really figure all of this out!
I love how insightful he is! Maybe Jesus and Santa share a birthday?
I have never even considered Santa’s birthday…he’s a little smartie 😉
I always just assumed Santa’s birthday was on Christmas… never thought to ask!
As to why we celebrate Santa? I’d say to my child (if asked) that we don’t celebrate Santa… Santa is helping us to celebrate Baby Jesus!
Good for you! Good for you for remembering and teaching your son why we really celebrate Christmas. My post has a similiar theme today.
What a thoughtful little guy! I’m sure we’ll have to start facing questions like that next year or the year after.
That is so sweet, pretty clever of him!
I think the Santa thing can get confusing for kids. My 5yo is already on to the fact that Santa is pretend. No idea how she figured that one out, but she’s happy to play at the makebelieve.
He’s a smart kid! I think it’s fun to see how everyone makes up their own story around Santa. Great call to have the reindeer eat the pumpkins. 🙂
I love that reindeers eat pumpkins!! That made me giggle 🙂
Sounds like JDaniel loves this time of year! I have not decided whether to play up Santa or tell my kids he is a pretend character….I should probably decide soon 🙂
My daughter keeps asking how Santa has time to visit all the children in one night. Eek, the questions they come up with!
JDaniel sounds like a very smart little guy! I love all the questions he came up with. You’ve got your hands full!
Such a smart guy you have on your hands! Sammy think Santa comes through the back door since we don’t have a chimney.. our lock doesnt work (we put a stick in the door at night/when we leave. He things we should leave it unlocked for him.. mind you we told him he was pretend (he asked we told the truth).. but he still wants to believe so we will go w/ it!
What a wonderful mother you are! JDaniel will grow up to be a sensitive and thoughtful man. You both are blessed.
Out of the mouths of babes. I wish there had been blogging when my kids were little…or I had written down some of the clever things they said so I’d remember them. I can remember enjoying some of their logic, but I can no longer remember exactly what they said.
By the way, you’ve found a great way to get rid of the old pumpkins that he probably didn’t want to part with. Very clever.
Isn’t it amazing, the wonderful workings of a 3 year-old mind?
I couldn’t compete, so this mama went the party-pooper way and blew Santa’s cover by the time my daughter’s 3 years old. Yep, I did. I told her Santa’s not real (I know, I know… shame on me!).
You have such a sweet, intelligent and inquisitive little boy there! Happy holidays to you both!
Def big thoughts for your little guy!!!! Thanks for dropping by today! Enjoy this amazing weekend with your little guy..my little one is 5…big one is 10 and little girl in the middle has a bday on new year’s eve…they grow fast, chubby cheeks and hands grow slim…but, the magic of a loving home…that continues!!!
Love the questions! JDaniel is such a deep thinker 🙂
Oh I love the birthday cake idea! what a wonderful tradition.
Of all my years I never thought once when Santa’s birthday was. What a great question =)
OK, you can’t drop a question like that on me and leave me hanging!! Surprisingly santaclaus.com slickly avoided the question only noting that Santa stopped counting once he reached 550 years old! (http://www.santaclaus.com/santa-claus-christmas-faq.php) However, another site says December 6th, using the birthday of St. Nicholas as a reference point (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_is_Santa_Claus%27_birthday). I don’t know if this information will lead to more or less questions from JDaniel, but I just had to find out for myself!!
I love, by the way, that this 3.5 year old came up with a question that I don’t think ever crossed my mind in over 35 years! 🙂
I’m with the other posters…I never once thought about when Santa’s birthday might be. What a smart little fella! We did Santa Claus when my son was younger. I didn’t really want do, but he was in day care and it was a big deal. I couldn’t break his little heart. So I played along. Several years ago I told him the truth. He chose to continue to believe. Now at 14 he knows the truth.
We have done a birthday cake for Jesus every year. It is a great family tradition! WE even sing the birthday song. I make it a big deal. And I don’t think my son was ever confused. He knows the real reason for Christmas.
So my advice is to go with your heart and it will all work out ok. Blessings to you my friend! May you and JDaniel have a Merry Christmas!
Wow! My girls are almost 10 & 8 and they have never asked when Santa’s bday is! Does Google know the answer to that ?! 😉
I think you are doing a great job stressing the importance of Jesus over Santa. For our family Santa is just one of the roses made of icing on a very delicious birthday cake for Jesus.
Merry Christmas!
Such a shame we couldn’t just celebrate the two on separate days. I happen to know that goats like pumpkins too. 🙂
Awww, so sweet! I have a three-year-old, too. I agree that hearing their questions is the best gift! Merry Christmas. 🙂
Oh, such innocent as well as thoughtful questions! I admire how you’re listening to him, answering him…. 🙂
Very good questions to ponder! My grandson turned 3 a few weeks ago and this was the first year he knew about Santa Claus but my son and daughter-in-law kept it all low key. I guess you could say that Santa celebrates Jesus’ birthday too!
It’s amazing the questions kids will come up with about Santa. My 5 year-old questions everything because she’s always thinking, thinking, thinking.
Such smart little thinkers.
What a lovely post! Isn’t it amazing the DEEP thoughts that come from children – they are often wise beyond their years!
P.S. When you find out Santa’s birthday – could you let me know, too?
Whao..ur son is really thinking when he asked that question..my kids can’t be bothered about Santa as they are more interested in getting presents for themselves this xmas.
I love your little boy and his questions, he is so smart. And I love how your answer him every time. Great mom.
Wishing you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and all the best in 2012.
JDaniel is a smart and full of curiosity little guy, but you are a terrific mom to help clarify things in a thoughtful and considerate manner.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Season’s greetings and a Happy New Year to youl and yours especially JDaniel!
It’s been such fun stopping by here this past year and look forward to *seeing* you again in 2012!
OMG, I live the questions kids come up with! Too funny, I think if I had kids they stop asking questions or would continue just to hear my answers cause they would be just as great…. if not better ! LOL!!
When I was little Baby Jesus brought the gifts on Christmas. The window was open when I entered the room because he just had flown away. Unfortunately I never managed to see him ! Although in Belgium it’s also the Santa bringing gifts, I kept to the German tradition of Baby Jesus with our son. Sometimes it was confusing for him, lol !
It won’t be long before JDaniel sorts all this information out. Belief in Santa is short in the grand scheme of things. Just saying. 🙂
I’ve always been a bit surprised by the questions kids ask about Santa. Where do they get this information about how old he is, where he lives, if he has kids etc?
He’s a curious little boy! I wouldn’t have even thought that a child would ask that…but it’s a good question!
My parents just never pretended Santa was real and I always knew it was a guy in a suit. Even worse, I didn’t realize other kids thought he was real, which lead to some unfortunate moments on the playground. Yes, they called me “dreamcrusher”…
I’ll probably do the same with my daughter – acknowledge Santa but not pretend he exists. We’ll skip the pictures at the mall though. She’s at the age it would scare her, and I don’t like the idea of forcing her to be held by some strange man she doesn’t know and is scared of. I can imagine my mother in law rolling her eyes at that, but it’s how I feel.
What a smart little guy!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
What a cute post. I just love his curiosity and perspective…and how comfortable he is letting you know what he thinks and feels.
=)
That’s such a tough question. But, I think you handled (and are handling) it well. He’s so wise!
darling. you handled these questions magnificently!
That’s one very smart young man! And sounds like he’s got one great mom!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I love when younger kids come up with spectacular, make an adult stop and think questions.
Oh how I love 3 and 4 year olds, so full of innocently honest why’s! Good luck with explaining Santa. My hardest question from one of my kids years ago was… ‘So, if Santa can see me all the time and know if I’m good or bad…I Santa God?’ That was a tough one. Another story someday:)
Have a warm and cozy Christmas with your awesome JDaniel…
Hi!
Oh my gosh.
I just gave a sigh of pleasure. I’m finally getting over stuff enough to come back and visit.
I feel like I’m visiting you in your kitchen having this discussion.
Your son is really wise beyond his years. The questions he asks are ones we should all be asking ourselves.
I remember trying to figure out all those things to make Christmas ‘perfect’. I don’t think I ever did…but it sure wasn’t from lack of effort on my part.
I know I’m visiting this very late but I truly want to say, getting to know you through your blog has been one of my very best gifts of 2011.
Looking forward to a creative and bright 2012!