My kids have always known that the real reason for Christmas and Easter is Jesus, but we have also done the whole santa and easter bunny thing. A couple of years ago, when I told them there was no Santa or Easter bunny, the first thing my son said to me was “You lied to us?” I had to explain that yes, I did, but it bothered me that I was doing that and that’s why I had to tell them the truth. I had also been struggling with the kids thinking that if I told them to believe in Santa and the Easter bunny, would they put God in the same category? Anyway, my kids still want all the candy and presents (they are kids) but we keep the focus on Jesus instead of the goodies.
On a side note, this year we just gave the kids one Easter treat, but they saved their own money and hit the Easter candy sales the day after!

This is what we do as well.

We teach our children around these holiday’s what the “orginal” meaning of the holiday is, how “Christianity” was incorporated in to them. Then we read them what the Bible says about putting Gods before them. We learn about what Jesus celebrated, and what he did not! We are for truth in everything, even our Christian life

Lauren,

Thanks for the insider info That’s so funny. I guess it depends on how it is explained to the children. If parents are like, “We just don’t do that!” and are all strict and rigid about it, then the kids might not respect their reasoning, or even understand their reasoning. And if the “no” isn’t replaced with a “yes”, then the kids may resent being “different”. I think if you explain to your children, in a way that they can understand, why you celebrate differently, then they may be more willing to accept that. And if you make it fun, and not so “religious” and strict, then they won’t feel like they missed out on something.

I agree with you! We didn’t raise our kids to believe in Santa or the Easter bunny, and it was tough on the grandparents. I just hated to lie to my children! I felt it was wrong! Now that they are all older (26, 21, 16)I still feel like it was the right choice! Good for you and keep it up!

Im so not trying to tell you what you are doing is wrong because I think what you are doing with your children is great, I just always share this story about my husband when people talk about the easter bunny or santa.

My husband grew up in a VERY religious home and was never taught to believe in Santa Clause, but they got gifts from mama and daddy “hoho”, but now my husband goes totally overboard for holidays! I swear hes gonna have our house looking like the Griswalds if he has his way and hes all about making Santa and the Easter bunny seem real.

It just goes to show that just because we raise our children a certain way does not mean they will always have the same views as we do.