How to explain all the santas in zoos, malls, and everywhere

[HeadDreamer]

4yo popped this question to DH the other day. He was a bit stumped about what to say. So am I.

What do you tell your children when they ask where there are santas everywhere, given out presents, when he's only supposed to deliver presents on christmas eves on his sleigh?

They aren't the real Santa , they are just helpers

We just do the 'Santa's helpers' thing

But why are these helpers seeing children in the grotos? Fact finding for santa?

Yes why not? Fact finders is a good idea. The real santa is waaaay too busy! And you can always make him feel extra special by saying they dress like santa for the younger kids.

I used to tell mine the helpers thing because obviously FC was so very busy at that time of year but he would sometimes take a day off to see children so maybe, just maybe, he was where we were going that day...

Santa is so busy that he has to send out santas helpers to find out what everybody would like . I also made up an elaborate story of wardrobes of red coats at the north pole and armies of reindeer waiting to take the helpers to their work in the morning

Thanks. It seems santa's helpers and a busy FC is the general consensus.

Yeah busy busy fella

I've told my DC that there are so many children in the world and Santa can't see thermal at once, so he sends his helpers, but you never know if it one of his helpers or the real Santa.

But you never know when it's the real Santa . DD used to have great fun separating the real Santa from his helpers.

Cross post

When I was young I was always told it was Father Christmas' helpers.

One year it was near Christmas and I was starting to express my doubts about Father Christmas, so my mum took me to a large park near to our house to see him. I went along, sceptical and was faced with the best FC I had ever seen. Proper beard, plush suit. He sat me down and spoke to me by name, asked after my brother, even how I was getting on at school (naming my teachers). He told me that you always know the real Father Christmas because he has bells on his boots. I walked out of there fully convinced, then as we left it started to snow. (Turns out my DM knew him and told him I was wavering and to pull out all of the stops!)

Sorry to derail, it's just one of my favourite Christmas memories. I will be telling DD they are helpers too, and the real one will have the bells

Salem, that made me cry

That is lovely Salem.

My DS2 has SN and we attend a SN group. They have an annual Christmas party and even I am convinced that the Santa there is the actual real Santa. He has a proper beard, wears white gloves and his costume is the best I've ever seen, it has gold cut tons and everything. Shamefully, I teared up the first time I met him.

Sorry Jackie, happy tears I hope

lemony that isn't shameful! I would too. I think it brings back all of the magic and innocent of our childhood Christmas' and seeing it on the faces of others. It's pure.

I was also told that the FCs in department stores etc were Santa's helpers as he was so busy at the North Pole.

I go with the helpers / people dressed up thing. But sometimes it is the real Santa. I let the DCs decide if he was the real one or not.

Dd knows they're not all the real Santa. He has helpers and relatives but always pops into every place at least once over the Christmas period, even if only for half a n hour. So if she's really lucky,,she may get to see him. (She's been lucky twice where the santa was fantastic and definitely the real one)