This classic Matt Damon SNL skit is so real, we feel attacked

Christmas is a magical time, but making all that magic happen isn’t exactly a walk in the park for parents. At some point after you’ve dressed your (unwilling) kids in holiday outfits for photos but before you fake-smile about the one and only gift you received (surprise! It’s a robe), parents have a jam-packed day of fun… starting at around 5:41 a.m.

In this classic “Best Christmas Ever” SNL skit, guest host Matt Damon and Cecily Strong play parents reminiscing about how truly awesome their day was—and giving some behind-the-scenes peeks into what spreading yuletide cheer really looks like for moms and dads.

There’s the child-present-attacking ritual long before the coffee hits, a flashback to Dad struggling to assemble a giant playhouse in the wee hours of the night, and kids fighting and shouting over their newfound spoils.

But that doesn’t even come close to the madness of hosting the family. Relatives who complain upon arrival? Check! Those who can’t stop spouting off about their political views? Check! So just how does one cope with so much delight? Mom claims, “I guess I was just full of Christmas cheer!” when shots clearly show she was fueling up with something else: wine and the occasional hidden cigarette.

Hands up if you can relate! A dad of four himself, Damon is probably no stranger to the joys of putting together impossible-to-assemble toys on Christmas Eve and being awakened before the sun rises to the screams of over-excited kids on Christmas morning.

Here’s to all the exhausted moms and dads making this Christmas the best Christmas ever, too.

Bored by that ever-present elf during the holidays? Here’s how to switch it up this year

There’s no pressure like the holidays to create lasting memories for our kids, but some of us aren’t ready to take on the nightly task of moving an elf around the house. Who wants to get out of bed because they forgot to set up an elaborate scene for Santa’s helper, night after night? If you’re looking for funny alternatives to Elf on the Shelf, look no further. We’ve got some funny, kind, and grown-ups only options we think you’ll love.

The Kindness Elves

kindness elves are alternatives to elf on the shelf
The Imagination Tree

As an alternative to the Elf on the Shelf, the Kindness Elves have arrived for the holidays to encourage littles to carry out acts of kindness every day this season. Each bundle comes with two Elves, accessories, a beautifully illustrated Storybook, and the 12 Days of Christmas Kindness ePack to get families spreading kindness in no time. 

Available at The Imagination Tree Store, $59.

Santa's Lazy Gnome

Lazy Gnome

Developed by a tired mom who couldn't keep up with the Elf on the Shelf tradition, Santa's Lazy Gnome is perfect for parents. Santa has hired a gnome to report back to him for his naughty and nice list, which means your family's guy can hang out on the mantle all. Season. Long. WIN! You can order your gnome on Lazy Gnomes for $29.

Shepherd on the Search

Amazon

The Shepherd on the Search ($22) is a faith-filled way to celebrate Christmas. During the Advent season, parents read the story of your shepherd's journey then hide your shepherd! Every year is a new opportunity for your shepherd's journey to start anew and end on Christmas day as the shepherd finds his way to the manger.

North Pole Ninjas

Amazon

The North Pole Ninjas ($6) are all about spreading kindness, and it shows in the beautifully illustrated picture book that tells the ancient legend that the North Pole Ninjas use for new recruits. The kit includes a plush and huggable "sensei" to guide Ninjas on their journey to carry out 50 special tasks, each packed in a special envelope. Your mission? To spread the holiday spirit, kindness, and love. 

Reindeer in Here

Reindeer In Here ($24) comes with a book and plush reindeer that celebrates how being different is normal! Your reindeer is a friend sent by Santa as the first gift of the holiday season and encourages kids to take their new friend on the go, so they can get to know your family and help Santa deliver their Christmas wishes. Created by a dad who wanted a positive Christmas tradition for his children, this tradition celebrates our individuality. Get this funny alternative to the Elf on the Shelf  here..

Mensch on a Bench

Amazon

Hanukkah will have some extra Funukkah with The Mensch on a Bench ($30) hardcover book and a 12-inch plush doll of Moshe the Mensch ($30). (For those not down with the lingo, "mensch" is a Yiddish word that means roughly "a good guy.") Kids will learn the story of Hanukkah with the help of Moshe. Moshe the Mensch tells the story of how he was present at the Temple in the time of Judah and the Maccabees, who defeated the Greeks and watched over the Menorah as everyone slept. Now he can help watch over yours!

Peep On A Perch

Amazon

Now you don’t have to wait until Christmas for a magical friend thanks to Peep On A Perch ($6). That sugar-coated marshmallow chick we all know and love to eat is now in plush form and ready to join your family in the countdown to Easter. Designed to inspire good manners and kindness in kids, the Peep On A Perch works the same as the Elf.

with additional reporting by Shahrzad Warkentin

 

 

From parenting hacks to tips to get us through the tough parenting days, TikTok delivers

You either love TikTok or you hate TikTok, but if you fall into the latter, hold up for just one second and hear us out. Yes, TikTok is sometimes questionable, but there are some real gems of wisdom and advice that we’ve seen on the video platform and have personally tried out—resulting in some rock-star parenting moves. So if you aren’t too sus of TikTok parenting advice, check out these tried-and-true favorites below.

Toys are overrated. Especially for toddlers.

@holly_at_home_

#greenscreenvideo just trying something different 😂 #momtok #playpen #dramaticplay #experiment #tryingsomethingnew #momhumor #jokes #parentinghack

♬ original sound – holly | motherhood

Sometimes all you need is water and a paintbrush for a moment of peace.

@nannyamies

Quick, simple and effective! I leannon this a lot! 😉✍🏻🙌🏻 #childcaretip #parentinghack #toddlerhack #children #imbored #childcare #toptips #parentsoftiktok #parents #mumlife

♬ In Da Club – Instrumental Hip Hop Beats Crew

Silence is more terrifying than screaming.

@deal_family

MASS CONFUSION AT THE END!🤣 #parenting #parentinghumor #parenting101

♬ sonido original – Isandrep oficial

 

Duct tape is all you need to bring some quiet into your home (for the toys, not the kids).

@nicolestorydent

I hear the songs of their toys in my sleep. Trust me voluming down is better for everyone. #momlife #millennialmom #parentinghumor #relatable #humor #toddlermom #momsover30 #toddlerlife #honestmomconfessions #badmomsclub #momtruths #parentinghack #momtok

♬ original sound – Nicole Story Dent

Finding “unicorn mom friends” is hard. SO hard.

@annaleegrace15

And they do exist!! So if you havent found yours yet, keep looking!! ❤️ #momlife #momsoftiktok #babiesoftiktok #toddlersoftiktok #marriedlife #husbandwife #momtok

♬ original sound – Annalee

Spontaneous cuddles are always a good idea. PS: This 100% works for big kids too.

@nubiabrownn

Best reaction ever. ❤️🥰 #cuddlechallenge#toddler#mifamilia

♬ original sound – James Blake

Finger hearts has given us a new way to say goodbye to our kids, all while spreading the love.

@yourkoreandad

Sorry about my messy hair, but hope this answers your great question @naruek_gui #yourkoreandad #fingerheart

♬ original sound – Nick Cho @YourKoreanDad

All parents lose their temper—even Molly Sims—and that’s okay.

@mollybsims

And it works like a charm🍷 cc: @The Variety Show, this is hilarious 😂

♬ original sound – mollybsims

This 30-second lesson in gratitude might change your life.

@davidchoe

I Get To > I Got To #gratitude #mindfulness

♬ Steven Universe – L.Dre

This grocery shopping cart hack is a genius move for those of us who have kids that are getting too big to lift.

@lauren.clutter

MOM HACK for the grocery cart! Thanks for the tip @shannonldoherty 🤯 #momhacks #momcontent #thetiktokmom #parentingtips #CanYouWorkIt

♬ original sound – LAUREN

Our kids eat cauliflower and don’t even know it thanks to this secret-ingredient smoothie recipe.

@kianatom

3 secret ingr for creamier healthier smoothies. Frozen cauliflower rice (low cal. very nutritious), frz banana & spinach. #smoothies #foryourpage #fyp

♬ original sound – kiana_tom_flexappeal

Growing avocado trees (and learning a bit about science) is our new jam thanks to all the plantspo on TikTok.

@its.all.green.to.me

What I mean when I say I grow Avocados 🥑 #avocado #avocadovers #avocadoseed #avocadosarmy #avocadoqueen

♬ Originalton – Hi

Two Words: Cheerios. Sand.

@ellethevirgo

🌞🐠🌴 #fyp #sensoryplay #upcycling

♬ Laxed – Jawsh 685

Having older kids really is leveling up so hang in there, toddler parents!

@jagarcia728

Their first time going inside without mom or dad to buy something 😂😂 #parenting #parentinghumor #parentingdoneright

♬ Cool Kids (our sped up version) – Echosmith

Additional reporting by Andie Huber

 

One of the loveliest elements of the holiday season, the Christmas tree, can lose its luster pretty quickly once the new year arrives. Good news! The city’s Mulchfest program makes it easy for you to recycle your Christmas tree and do some good for the city’s parks and young trees. Here’s how to get rid of your Christmas tree and do a little green good this year. (Plus: the last day for sanitation tree pickup and recycling!)

Treecycle it: MulchFest2021

NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

MulchFest is back! NYC’s own “TREECYCLE” tradition is taking place from December 26, 2021 to January 9, 2022. Last year the city mulched more than 29,000 trees, and it's pumped to set a new record for 2022!

Bring your tree (free of all decorations, netting and wrapping) and it will be recycled into wood chips to nourish trees and plants on NYC streets and gardens. Drop it off at one of the many Mulchfest locations around the city (there are many in every borough), or bring it on "Chipping Weekend", January 8 and 9, to see your tree reduced to bits live.

Bonus: If your own backyard needs some sprucing up, you can get a free bag of mulch to take home with you after your tree is chipped. (Locations marked with an asterisk have mulch for the taking.)

Click here to find all Mulchfest info, including chipping and drop-off locations.

distelAPPArath via Pixabay

Spread the Love — and the Mulch!
Feel like spreading some of that green love around? You and the kids can volunteer to add that awesome mulch to city trees.  (The mulch helps protect young trees, shrubs and garden beds from the winter cold, helps plants retain moisture and provides a nice decorative touch.) Sound like the green, civic activity your family's been seeking? Events are happening in all boroughs on weekends in January. Click here to see locations, dates, and times and to register! (And remember, dress warmly, wear closed-toe shoes and a mask!)

Kick it To the Curb — and Still Recycle It!

Dates for Department of Sanitation Pick-Up
Bring your tree down for curbside pick-up by the Department of Sanitation from January 6-15. Trees will be recycled into compost for NYC’s public spaces (parks, gardens, etc.). Be sure to remove all decorations from the tree and do not place the tree in a plastic bag.

Note: trees left curbside with holiday decorations of any kind remaining on them will be collected as garbage. If your metal or plastic imitation tree has worked its last holiday season, dispose of it with your normal recycling and it's off your hands.

Have Someone Else Do the Heavy Lifting — and Still Recycle It!: Removal Services

If you’re unable to physically take your tree down to the curbside or to a MulchFest chipping location or drop-off site, don’t worry. Services like NYC Trees can come to your home, remove the tree, and take it directly to a recycling location for you. Starting at $80 for a four-to-five-foot tree, NYC Trees makes the tree removal process (and clean up!) about as easy as it gets. (If you want them to take off your lights, ornaments, etc. expect to pay more.)

908-318-4220
Online: nyctrees.com

—Ilyssa Smith

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Looking for a fun and easy way to teach your kids about kindness? Consider joining the Kindness Rocks Project. This creative project has artists of all ages spreading happy thoughts by way of painted rocks. The idea is simple—paint something inspiring or cheerful on a rock and leave it for someone else to find. Don’t know where to start? Read on!

What It Is

Pixabay

What's a rock got to do with kindness? Plenty, according to Megan Murphy, the Massachusetts woman who accidentally started the Kindness Rocks movement when she scribbled a few inspiring words on a rock and left it on a Cape Cod beach. Her Kindness Rocks Project has since gained worldwide attention, with inspirational, hash-tagged rocks popping up in at least seven countries and garnering millions of views on social media.

"The project isn’t about rocks per se, it’s about connection," Murphy said. "People find a rock, and they relate to the message on the rock. Then they connect with the fact that there is a human being on the other end of that rock, and they don't feel so alone." It can be as simple as scrawling "Hope" on a stone and tossing it on the sidewalk on your way to work, or as complex as painting an entire rock with Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and leaving your masterpiece up for grabs.

 

How It Works

Third Serving via Unsplash

First, you should join a local rock-painting group. A quick Google or Facebook search of "kindness rocks" and your hometown will probably turn up something. If not, rev up the bandwagon and rock it on your own, like this altruistic seven-year-old from San Francisco.

Here's What You'll Need

Amazon

- Smooth rocks (you can scavenge outside for them or you can find a whole bag at Home Depot or on Amazon)

- Acrylic paint

- Paintbrushes

- Fine point paint pens (optional, but makes writing words way easier)

- clear spray-on sealer like Krylon for sealing rocks (parents should do this)

Step One: Prep Your Rock

Melissa Heckscher

Since rocks are porous, it's best to lay down a layer of paint to act as a primer and backdrop for your finished masterpiece. There's no need to paint the bottom of the rock (that just makes it harder to handle as it's drying.).

Step Two: Write Something (or Paint a Picture)

Melissa Heckscher

When the primer coat is completely dry, let your littles use a paint pen to write something on their rock. To help them come up with something, try asking them simple questions about kindness: What is kindness? What is a 'kind' thing to say? What message would make you happy to see on a rock? What could you hear someone else say that would make you feel special?

And, don't feel bound by words; painting cute or happy pictures works, too (Smiley faces and rainbows, anyone?)!

Step Three: Hashtag It! 

Melissa Heckscher

Write a hashtag on your rock to help whoever finds it realize that they can share it with the world. Our favorite is #thekindnessrocksproject, but there are gobs of smaller groups out there for those who want to keep it local. Don't forget to check your social media channels to see if someone shared your rock! 

 

Step Four: Seal It

Melissa Heckscher

Once your rock is dry, spread a layer of Mod Podge over it. This will keep the paint from chipping and will seal it against water. (Plus it will make your rock look shiny and awesome.)

Step Five: Leave Your Rock Somewhere to Be Found

iStock

Let your kids scatter their well-wishes around your neighborhood, in a park, or on the sidewalk on their way to school—basically, anywhere the rocks can be found by someone else!

Tip: Don't hide your rock so well that it can't be easily found—and don't put it on private property where passersby will think it belongs to someone. 

 

— Melissa Heckscher

 

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This last year has brought a ton of changes when it comes to celebrating birthdays. From drive-by parades to Zoom gatherings, birthdays got a makeover we didn’t know they needed

Is it time to say goodbye to another soiree staple? This birthday charcuterie board has us thinking yes. So long, birthday cake!

photo: The BakerMama

Completely customizable, the birthday dessert board is packed with the all the goodness b-days have to offer, like the one featured above from The BakerMama who was way ahead of the trend. Fill it up with mini cupcakes, cookies, popcorn, cake pops––there’s no wrong way to birthday charcuterie!

Not only does this dessert concept avoid the “blowing out the candles and spreading germs everywhere” moment (thanks, COVID), but it also works great for guests with food allergies. Parents can thoughtfully include allergy-friendly snacks or create a completely unique board so kiddos don’t feel left out.

Whether you’re hosting a family-only event or planning your next party when things are back to normal, birthday charcuterie boards are a surefire win.

––Karly Wood

 

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Just in time for Random Act of Kindness Day (tomorrow, Feb. 17), we’ve made a list of our favorite ways for kids to spread joy and kindness to the world around them. From easy ways to volunteer (from home) with your kids to little steps to make the world a better place, we’ve got a ton of ideas for Bay Area kids.

iStock

1. There's lots that kids can learn about empathy from animals. While we can't donate items to our local SPCAs right now, we can spread kindness by offering to walk a neighbor's dog for them. 

2. Incorporate Meatless Mondays into your family’s dinner plans. Here’s our great list of plant-based recipes to get you started.

3. Make sure that local kids are ready for school by hosting a backpack drive. While this has gone virtual for 2021, you can typically collect new backpacks and the supplies to fill them through Operation Backpack

pixabay

4. Get the kids painting kindness rocks. It's a fun activity and then you can leave them in neighbor's yards or create a giveaway box for your front yard for people to take one as they walk by. 

5. Practice Kitchen Table Kindness by participating in activities that can keep children meaningfully engaged while spreading kindness to others. 

6. Visit one of our favorite donut shops with the little ones… and buy an extra dozen to give a neighbor.

7. Eat locally-grown foods and order a veggie box from a local CSA to support local growers. 

8. Join forces with Surfrider Foundation to protect the ocean and beaches. See how to volunteer here

9. Teach your kids to be kind to themselves and practice mindfulness and meditation through the practice of yoga. This creates an outward ripple effect for them to create love and joy in the world.

10. Drop off flowers or a lovely plant for a neighbor or family member who is feeling isolated.

Kate Loweth

11. There are loads of awesome fairy gardens in the Bay Area and you can join in this fun kindness-spreading activity in your own yard. 

12. Join your local Buy Nothing group and get your kids to clear out those toys and books they have outgrown. 

13. Share these stories of inspiring Bay Area kids and get your little ones thinking about how they can help out in their community. 

istock

14. Cover your driveway with inspirational chalk messages or draw some art and hang it on your windows to make passersby smile. 

15. Order up a few of these books with diverse characters from your nearby indie bookstore and add them to nearby Little Free Libraries near you. 

16. Spread kindness every day! Download our kindness calendar so this act can become part of your everyday life, not just once a year! 

—Kate Loweth

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photo: istock

Breaking news! We just got word from the North Pole that Santa Claus and his elves are considered essential workers after all. The Elf High Council spent months debating and spreading holiday cheer and it was deemed more necessary than ever. Not to worry, they’ve been self-quarantined at the North Pole by sheer logistics and geography. Still, the elves are worried that St. Nick’s annual trip around the world may expose him to COVID-19. He could also potentially be an infection vector, visiting billions of homes in one night and traveling through quarantine zones and pandemic hotspots like Des Moines, Iowa (despite strict travel bans!).

Long term consequences were reviewed and studied since Santa is in a high-risk group: over the age of 85 (he’s 1,750 years old) and obese (between 250 lbs. and 350 lbs.—that’s a lot of cookies!). 12-year-old Holly L. of South Georgia proclaimed that “magic” would keep him safe from infection. Others in her 6th grade class are not so sure, especially Aaron, who is well known to be on the naughty list and failing band. Though, early calculations predict that there were way less children on the good list this year.

The added concern of bringing COVID-19 home to the workshop and infecting his workforce was stated by The Fair Labor Association on behalf of Elf Toymakers Union. If the workforce and supply chain of the North Pole goes down, we may risk more than just this Christmas it could be the end of all Christmas. Plans are in place for Santa and his reindeer to completely isolate in a secured bunker for 14 days upon returning to the North Pole. Despite disruptions in the supply chain for the toy workshop raw materials and logistics planning for no contact delivery (drones have been beta tested with mixed results), Santa and his spokes-elf announced that Christmas will run as planned. The toys are mostly ready. They also released this WHOville approved list of appropriate actions to keep Santa and your families safe.

  • Clean your home really well. Especially the room with the tree. Drench the floor and furniture with PineSol brand PineSol #PineSol. Vodka works too. (Santa just loves the piney smell of PineSol. This is not a paid endorsement).
  • Please place a fresh disposable mask on your front door for Santa to use at your house.  Fresh single use hand sanitizer is also welcome.
  • All cookies must be individually wrapped. A hot cup of tea in a biodegradable to-go cup is also welcome. Santa is a fan of Earl Grey but Mrs. Claus wants him to drink herbal rosehip and citrus with a splash of elderberry. Judy the elf says skip the cookies and leave a roll of toilet paper instead. #panicbuy
  • Do not, we repeat, do not let children wait for Santa in the room with the tree. Asleep or not, their mere presence can spread COVID. Lock up your sugar plums in their bedrooms. We see you when you are sleeping. It’s creepy, right?
  • Santa’s new PPE suit was designed by a hazmat crew and could potentially be scary to children who expect the Coca-Cola Santa attire. We’ve rebranded for the pandemic. #safeSanta
  • If possible, run an air purifier in the room with the point of entry.
  • If you would like a no contact option, please note that in your “Christmas Letter to Santa” and presents will be left on the doorstep. For those being extra careful, make a note and we will shrink wrap everything. Wait until New Year’s Day to actually open and unwrap.
  • Regarding Christmas Wishes: Santa’s magic can do a lot but it cannot bring Grandma back to life. Or make parties and playdates safe again. Santa can still do puppies though. 2020 is a good year to ask for puppies. (No contact delivery with shrink wrap option does not apply to puppies).
  • If you’d like to donate your Christmas Wish to help the starving children next door whose parents are not allowed to work but whose landlord still has to pay the bank…please write soon. #GhostofChristmasFuture

It is our fondest hope that this time next year, Santa will return to malls, storefronts, nursing homes, and children’s hospitals spreading holiday cheer instead of a potentially dangerous variation of SARS, uninterrupted by the traffic jam of Grim Reapers who would like it known that they are overworked and underpaid and miss their families too. Please note that if you wish to opt out of Santa deliveries this year, that’s okay too. #savesanta #highrisk #essentialworkers

 

Danelle Lejeune's photography and writing is about motherhood, farming, feminism, and finding the beauty in a post glacial landscape. She keeps bees and torments the neighbors with learning to play the Cajun accordion. Her teenage girls are the cause of her grey hair and laugh lines.   

In a typical year, Santa’s helpers can be found at malls, restaurants, and parks, happy to listen to your little ones Christmas lists and relay the message to the Big Guy, himself. But 2020 isn’t typical, and finding a Santa in Atlanta could be a little trickier than usual. The solution? Hire a Santa to head to your home, or park, or playground, and observe a socially distant visit with your elves. Keep reading for where to find a Santa for hire, below.

Santa Rick

Santa Rick is a Santa Claus for hire in metro Atlanta, as well as throughout Georgia and the Southeastern United States. Available for private parties, events, home visits, photos, parades, and even for special deliveries, you can count on Santa Rick to be just the jolly ole' elf you need this season.

Extra Nice: With any Santa Rick booking, you can also hire live reindeer (with or without sleigh), balloonists and face painters, Christmas carolers, a Santa chair or bench, and photographers (who can print “on the spot” souvenir photos, or provide digital downloads).

404-936-2888
Online: santarick.com

The Real Black Santa

The Real Black Santa

The Real Black Santa is taking virtual visits to a whole new level this holiday season, bringing Christmas cheer and joy to your family through the computer. Partnering with Jinglering, you can celebrate the Christmas season with The Real Black Santa safely in today's new norm.

678-753-4441
Online: therealblacksanta.com

Santa Willie

Santa Willie is a performing Santa for hire that will bring the spirit and excitement of the holiday season to any special event in your home or office. Santa Willie performs primarily in the East Cobb, North Atlanta area but will travel to locations in the Greater Atlanta and North Georgia area.

Extra Nice: In small group, home visits, Santa Willie does not require children to wear a mask; however, he has his favorite festive ones to don to keep everyone comfortable. He also disinfects his suit and brings extra pairs of gloves everywhere he goes. Be sure to talk to him about your Covid precaution needs, and he's happy to accomodate. 

404-834-2696
Online: santawilliega.com

Sugar Hill Santa

Santa Jeaux has a summer home in Sugar Hill, Georgia, so when he's. not at the North Pole it's easy to find him in the Atlanta metro area. At his home visits, children of all ages will be delighted with his Christmas stories, songs and a bit of Christmas magic. And won’t they be surprised and excited to find out that he knows their names, the names of their pets, school teachers and even their personal elves?!

Extra Nice: As part of a home visit, Santa Jeaux can be booked to eat dinner with the family, all the while spreading the joy of the season with the children. At the end of the meal, when mom says that she forgot to fix a dessert, Santa Jeaux can come to the rescue with the ingredients for making and decorating Christmas cookies with your children.

404-557-7670
Online: sugarhillsanta.com

St. Nick Express

St. Nick Express

At St. Nick Express, portraying Santa is a family tradition. This particular St. Nick learned the traditions of feeding reindeer, making toys and wrapping presents from his dad and uncle, who both also portrayed Santa. For families looking for authenticity, this Santa is also a member of the Order of Real Bearded Santas.

706-499-6363
Online: stnickexpress.com

Santa Martin

Santa Martin is available for home events, including cookies with Santa, breakfasts with Santa, and parties. He's also available for special "Sneak Peaks," where your kids can catch a glimpse of him placing their gifts under the tree.

Extra Nice: Add a special treat to your holiday event and include Mrs. Claus! She is such a big help to Santa and loves children of all ages. Mrs. Claus is also available without Santa for private bookings such as storytelling and photo shoots.

678-777-7627
Online: santamartin.com

Featured photo courtesy of iStock.

—Shelley Massey

 

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Is Santa Real? This might be one of the questions we dread the most as parents. And when you have kids of varying ages, it can be a delicate balance between truth and spoiling it for the younger crew. So how do you answer when your kid wants to know if Santa Claus is real? We polled our community of moms to find out! 

Think On Your Feet

Mike Arney via Unsplash

Two years ago, a boy in my daughter's 3rd grade class told her that Santa isn’t real, it’s the parents, and to watch for more packages than usual being delivered leading up to Christmas. She told us about it, but didn’t 100% believe him. So I said, “Maybe he’s saying that because he’s been naughty and is afraid he won’t get anything.” Not sure if it totally worked, but she still believes and she’s 10.
–Jesseca S.

Recruit for the Team

iStock

Here's our answer: Santa is real, but just not in the way that you think. We all team up to create the magic of Santa and Christmas together. Mom and Dad do some of the work along with other people in the world, like the Santa at the mall. So, now that you're in on the secret you get to be on the team and create the magic for other people.
—Kate K.

The Secret of Santa

jill 111 via Pixabay

In our family, we have a special way of transitioning the kids from receiving from Santa, to becoming a Santa. This way, the Santa construct is not a lie that gets discovered, but an unfolding series of good deeds and Christmas spirit. When they are 8 or 9—whenever you see that dawning suspicion that Santa may not be a material being—that means the child is ready.

I take them out "for coffee." We get a booth, order our drinks, and the following pronouncement is made:

“You sure have grown an awful lot this year. Not only are you taller, but I can see that your heart has grown, too.” I point out 2-3 examples of empathetic behavior, consideration of people's feelings, good deeds etc, the kid has done in the past year.

“In fact, your heart has grown so much that I think you are ready to become a Santa Claus. You probably have noticed that most of the Santas you see are people dressed up like him. Some of your friends might have even told you that there is no Santa.  A lot of children think that, because they aren't ready to BE a Santa yet, but YOU ARE.”

Read what happens next in Leslie Rush’s family here. It’s genius!

Use the Force

jill 111 via Pixabay

Any time one of my kids indicates any level of non-belief I just tell them what my mother always told me, "if you don't believe, you don't receive." I think they are too terrified to risk it. I know that I was!  
—Kate L.

Deep Thoughts

Samuel Holt via Unsplash

When my daughter has asked if Santa is real, I ask her if she thinks he is real. She usually thinks about it & says yes. She's only five though so I know at some point that will stop working.
—Sarah F.

True Story

Jakob Owens via Unsplash

My sons are 5 and 1.5, so they haven't had the "is he real" thoughts yet. I think if they ever ask, I'll tell them that he was a real person a long time ago, and now everyone helps to keep his memory alive ♥️🎅
—Sarah C.

Pass It On

Toa Heftiba via Unsplash

When they got older I told them that Santa is about the spirit of Christmas and spreading joy and we are the ones that carry that on. They seemed to like that and they love that we take toys and donate every year to a shelter by us as a reminder that there are always people less fortunate.
—Karen C.

The real answer? There is no “right” answer. All kids are different and no two families alike. 

—Amber Guetebier

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