Alternative to the standard Dear Santa letter...

[OnNaturesCourse]

I'm looking for an alternative way to write to Santa.

Basically we do things a little differently in our house than the "usual". Our little one knows that we buy the Christmas gifts, but believes Santa's Elves come and take the gifts to the North Pole. Santa then checks his lists and decides if she's been good enough to recieve the gifts - if she hasn't then the gifts are taken to children without parents, or those in hospital, if she's been extra good Santa may decide to gift her a extra gift from him directly.

I was brought up with this understanding, and I have to say it helped me appreciate the gifts a lot more as I knew a lot of money was spent by my parents.

Writing to Santa wasn't that big a thing when I was little, I just used to tell my parents what I'd like.

But I'd like my little one to write to him but wonder how we can word it because obviously she won't be asking Santa for the gifts, she'd more be explaining that she believes she has been good and well behaved. Prehaps it could also have a "I've asked my parents for X and really hope I have been good enough for you to bring it on Xmas eve" sort of thing.

Any ideas/help? I'd really like to have the letter tradition in our family.

What about her making endeavours of what she will do for others in Advent?

I don't think it quite works as a concept really. So if she's 'good' then the poor boys and girls without parents/ in hospital get nothing? So to help others she has to be 'naughty' and miss out herself? I wouldn't do it this way. Maybe encourage her to 'earn' gifts for herself and others by being 'good' but honestly the traditional story is much simpler!

Yes I'd maybe omit the part about her gifts being given to orphans and unwell children if she's naughty, that's a little bizarre.

Crikey OP, you've managed to take a troublesome myth we tell our kids and make it even more troublesome! I think it's massively confusing to tell a child that them being good deprives poor orphans of presents - are you writing to Victorian Santa by the way? I think maybe give the letter a miss - it's too complicated.

I agree with Lonny. I find it very cruel and confusing to tell your DC that if she's good and well behaved sick kids and orphans don't get gifts. Its a very strange way to explain the naughty and nice list.

Maybe she could do a short list of 3 good deeds/ things shes been proud of this year and then list 1 present shes hoping for for xmas or asked her parents for x

Sweet Jesus xmas with a heavy layering of guilt about the "orphans" who get fuck all of your kid is good? Merry Christmas ho ho ho

I would be rethinking your ideas tbh because that is such a terrible way to explain things.

Jesus I asked for help with the letter, not a tear down of my family traditions.

Yeh it's just it's a really awkward letter to write because the story you've made up doesn't make sense, sorry.. dear Santa, I've been really good, so please punish the orphans..

@oiboi

Sweet Jesus xmas with a heavy layering of guilt about the "orphans" who get fuck all of your kid is good? Merry Christmas ho ho ho

🤣

Can you tweak it a bit OP? So the better your Dd behaves the more the poor little orphans get?

Dear FC
I've been really good this year so hope that I will be able to receive my ......... I also hope I've been good enough so the orphans/sick children will get lots too????

Simples. 🎅

What a joyless take on the Santa thing 🙄. Your poor child!

I'm always a bit baffled at how complicated some posters manage to make Santa. It's simple, there's no point taking the credit for the presents when your children are too young to understand the cost of things. By the time they do understand they've probably twigged that you're Santa anyway. Just let them have a bit of magic for a few short years. They have a lifetime to contemplate the other stuff.

@OnNaturesCourse

Jesus I asked for help with the letter, not a tear down of my family traditions.

I think that, by and large, you're being politely told that your 'family tradition' doesn't pass muster.

That’s such a sad myth to read. It’s such a mixed message for your DC. Why not just stick with FC makes the presents. It sounds so convoluted that he picks up presents from you and may or may not redeliver them.