Over the last few holiday seasons, I have noticed several posts on different social media platforms that encourage people to essentially be considerate of other parents/children when deciding what Santa gift will be put under the tree on Christmas Eve. I remember reading about it for the first time and it got me thinking…why is it anyone’s business what Santa puts under the Christmas tree for my children?
It’s not uncommon for people to have opinions on what others are giving their children for Christmas and to give unsolicited advice about it.
“They will expect it every year!”
“You will spoil them and turn them into brats!”
“Santa needs to give a less expensive gift!”
Then I asked myself, why do people care so much about what others give their children for Christmas?
If you haven’t read posts like this or haven’t seen any on Facebook yet, I assure you that the posts will come. I understand the reason for the post; be considerate of others, not everyone can afford lavish gifts, everyone’s circumstances are different, be kind, etc. The moral of the post is pure, sweet, and made with the best of intentions. I empathize with the situation in general and fully understand that not all people come from the same economic status and not all parents can afford extravagant gifts for their children. However, I still didn’t understand the logic in trying to tell other parents what type of Santa gift was appropriate. Whether the Santa gift is big or small. In almost every aspect, people want you to mind your own business when it comes to their family and children, vaccinated or not, eats sugar or not, co-sleeper, breastfeeding or formula feeding mama, etc. The list is literally endless. I would say that nearly every parent doesn’t want outside opinions about their parenting and what they do or don’t do for their children. Again, I ask myself…. why is Christmas and a Santa gift the exception to the rule? Why must every parent be concerned about what other parents are giving their children and what Santa isn’t?
I had become curious about how other parents felt about this, so I interviewed several parents, roughly twenty that were of various genders, social backgrounds, and economic backgrounds.
I was genuinely interested in what other parents’ opinions were in regard to what gift Santa leaves their children. I was surprised to find that it was split right down the middle between people having the opinion that parents should be considerate when selecting Santa gifts and that it is no one’s business what Santa leaves under the Christmas tree. I enjoyed listening to their reasoning on why they believed in what they did and came to one conclusion: both opinions came from the best of intentions and the people, all kind-hearted, are just trying to do the best they can in a way they think is best for their family.
It is easy to pass judgments quickly, especially when we don’t understand the reasoning behind something, but that doesn’t make it ok. I don’t even post a photo of my tree on Christmas morning when it’s filled with gifts because I don’t want to hear positive or negative comments on what my tree looks like and what is under it. My husband and I have often been judged for the Christmases that we have given our children throughout the years. What people don’t realize is that we work our butts off to make the type of Christmas happen that we want for our children. I shop throughout the entire year, I watch for sales, I shop on Black Friday, etc. Some years they have more than others and some years we spend more than other years. But the one thing that is constant is their gratitude for what is under that tree on Christmas morning and the love in our home.
I absolutely love all things Christmas: the music, the decorations, the reason for the season, and how much family time is spent together. It’s a love that I’ve had since I was a kid and I choose to share my love of Christmas with my children in a way that I feel is doable.
