Reduce the 'gimmies' by giving Santa less credit

Reduce the 'gimmies' by giving Santa less credit


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SALT LAKE CITY — With the holiday season in full swing and with Christmas just around the corner, the feeling of magic and wonderment is ever-present in our surroundings. This is the season of giving, loving, joy and happiness, and of remembering the birth of Jesus Christ.

All of the aforementioned things are cause enough to bring about such wonderful and magical feelings. All too often, however, these things are overshadowed by the commercialization that is all-encompassing in our world today.

As a young child, I remember wishing and hoping for the things that I believed only Santa, in his sleigh pulled by reindeer, could bring me. I've seen it in my own children. As far as they were concerned, if they wished hard enough, Santa would bring them just what they wanted.

This way of thinking is all part of the childhood experience, and I wouldn't want to deny any of my children this.


... according to a little note our family received last year, Santa was only going to be filling their stockings and had left the gift-giving to us, the parents.

However, times are hard, money is scarce, and I know that I am not alone in saying that year after year, trying to produce “magic” can often be stressful and detract from that which is most important.

For years, I had tried to find a way to teach my children to be grateful for the gifts they had been given. I wanted them to know that they were truly blessed, while at the same time allowing for the childhood magic of Christmas to still remain in tact.

How did I do this, you ask?

Well, according to a little note our family received last year, Santa was only going to be filling their stockings and had left the gift-giving to us, the parents.

At first the note stung a bit, but immediately I saw the long lists of “wants” narrow down to lists of “needs” and “really wants.” No longer was Santa in our everyday verbiage.

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My husband and I had made the bold move of giving Santa less credit, and instead giving credit where credit was due. As a result, the wining had subsided, the constant asking for things had gone away, and we all were happier. Taking the small step to lessen the role that Santa played made room for us to focus on the true meanings of Christmas.

When we awoke Christmas morning, the magic was still there. The kids ran down the stairs, excited to peek in their stockings to see what little trinkets and treats Santa had surprised them with. When they opened the presents that were carefully wrapped by mom and dad, the smiles, hugs and thank-you's that were not as forthcoming years prior brought about a indescribable feeling of gratitude and love.

By making a small change in the way our family does Christmas, we have been able to bring back the feeling of giving, loving, joy and happiness, and of remembering our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: the real magic of Christmas.


Arianne Brown is a graduate from Southern Utah University, mother to five young kids and an avid runner. Contact her at ariannebrown1@gmail.com.

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