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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think kids Xmas films should not make them doubt Santa’s existence???

33 replies

user1474665108 · 07/12/2018 15:47

I’ve been trying to find a Christmas movie for my two dds. My seven year old is very clued in and inquisitive so I want a Christmas movie that doesn’t cast doubt on Santa. Yet every one I’ve found so far has at least one character who doesn’t believe. I’ve abandoned Netflix and now they are colouring in....

OP posts:
Florries · 07/12/2018 15:50

Arther Christmas?

RomanyRoots · 07/12/2018 15:56

I think most have a doubter, but usually they believe in the end.
Polar Express is good, The Grinch, Mrs Christmas was one of our dc's favourite, it has song and dance a bit too.

Underpressureidiot · 07/12/2018 15:59

Arthur Christmas is excellent, Muppets, doesn’t the Santa clause have a normal man becoming Santa? Haven’t watched it but think it’s very much pro-Santa being real

Houseonahill · 07/12/2018 16:00

Elf?

MynameisJune · 07/12/2018 16:02

The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix is new this year. It has a character that doesn’t believe but by the end he does.

Icecreamdreams · 07/12/2018 16:02

Miracle on 34th street! Love that film, makes me want to believe again at 27 Grin

AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 07/12/2018 16:02

Christmas Chronicles! Proves beyond doubt that he is real. And really sexy (Kurt Russell with silver hair and beard - who knew?!)

Oysterbabe · 07/12/2018 16:05

I was going to say miracle on 34th Street.

CryingMessFFS · 07/12/2018 16:07

I know what you mean. I enjoyed The Christmas Chronicles recently but it did the whole ‘oh Santa isn’t real’ at the beginning then they all believe blah blah. I really don’t like when films cast doubt on his existence. Some that are good - The Grinch, The Santa Clause 2 (not the first one) and 3, The Nightmare Before Christmas (maybe scary for more sensitive little ones), Arthur Christmas are the ones off the top of my head and I think the Muppets one too

Bunnybigears · 07/12/2018 16:09

Home Alone 1 and 2

mikado1 · 07/12/2018 16:11

I love miracle on 34th but it's all about the mother not believing abd the fake store Santa. Yes it comes good but lots of doubt!

NewishMum85 · 07/12/2018 16:29

It's only short (25 mins) but what about Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas? It's on YouTube here:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc-FI2zGsAs

ItWasntMeItWasIm · 07/12/2018 16:31

I know exactly where you are coming from - why introduce the concept that Santa isn't real!?

sirfredfredgeorge · 07/12/2018 17:16

Because all the kids are fully aware that santa might not be real and the challenging of the belief is part of what makes the films enjoyable for kids.

And a clued in and inquisitive 7 year old will already be fully aware that santa isn't real, they won't need a film to place any doubt. The majority of unknowing uninquiring 7 year olds will have plenty of questions too.

Imustbemad00 · 07/12/2018 17:19

I won’t let my 6 year old watch miracle on 34th st because of this, and it’s my favourite Christmas film.

3out · 07/12/2018 17:21

The Christmas Chronicles doesn’t go as far as the brother disbelieving does it? It’s implied, but what he says is that no one has ever seen Santa.
Can’t go wrong with a Muppets Christmas Carol.
We like Arthur Christmas, too. And The Santa Clause 1&2 (they go downhill after that)

Icecreamdreams · 07/12/2018 17:23

I don’t know - but I can’t imagine a story line for a Santa film where everyone believed at the start? Wouldn’t it be a bit gushy? Probably not for the kids I suppose... had to google to remember the name of this one but Santa Clause - The movie? It’s 1985 so might seem really old now but it was a big film of believers!

Oakenbeach · 07/12/2018 17:37

Why mustn’t a film contain anyone who doubts Santa’s existence at any point? My children believed in Santa (one still does) until they work it out. I don’t think it’s healthy at all to artificially shield, persuade, manipulate children into believing once they’re at the age they can question and critically analyse.

memememe · 07/12/2018 17:40

elf!

AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 07/12/2018 17:43

My 9 year old is still a staunch believer, despite being very inquisitive - she's watched all the Xmas films - even Gremlins where Phoebe Cates offers up the immortal lines "and that's how I found out there was no Santa Claus". Eeek!

Parttimewasteoftime · 07/12/2018 17:45

Arthur Christmas is great and Polar Express.

Laiste · 07/12/2018 17:46

Muppets xmas carol all the way! Grin

DD and I watched Polar Express for the first time last week and I was unimpressed! (DD4 got bored) I found it odd. I didn't like where Santa lived and i found the clone'ish elves creepy.

There i've said it!

Popfan · 07/12/2018 17:49

I used to feel the same when my DS was younger! How about the Nativity films? No mention of FC in these and funny too!

Monkeynuts18 · 07/12/2018 18:28

Miracle on 34th Street is entirely about believers and non-believers. They have a court case about whether Santa is real or not! Elf also has a bit of non-believing.

Muppets, the Grinch (there’s some Christmas doubt but not Santa-related), Home Alone.

AlbusPercival · 07/12/2018 18:31

Santa’s apprentice is on Netflix and doesn’t cast doubt

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