Is It Time To Do Away With Santa?

The Volt · 24-12-2009 11:58pm #1

Que 'scrooge' tags galore.

I was thinking about my own personal experiences as a child in regards to looking forward to Christmas and I'd be interested to hear other opinions. During my younger years, a belief in the supernatural that supposedly is Santa may have prompted me to have higher expectations of what to expect in relation to presents. Fast forward to present day and in these times I can see what's a need and what's a want for me.

Christmas has become so commericalized, not only does it strain the already strained pockets of parents (Hallmark etc pressure people into doing so) but religious or not (and I'm not), it de-values togetherness, spending time with family and compassion overall in my opinion.

I was listening to Gerry Ryan earlier on, he had kids telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas. There was one child in particular who asked for a piano, a guitar, a drumkit, games for her nintendo and a new playstation. I mean... gtfo! It's time that we rid ourselves of this nonsensical charade once and for all.

How about a Christmas without Santa? We eradicate the idea of a supernatural being who is omnipresent and replace him with a promise to children of ONE gift of their choice on Christmas Day (Well off people can still exploit this if they so wish but at least the average joe wont have to worry about debt as much). If kids believe from an early age that there is no such thing as Santa, will they be less inclined to ask for outlandish Christmas requests? And will the removal of Santa from Western civilisation be the cure to the commercialism that has destroyed the traditional values of Christmas time?

Piste · 24-12-2009 11:59pm

Absolutely not. DO NOT WANT.

mink_man · 25-12-2009 12:01am

you want to kill him?

Atavan-Halen · 25-12-2009 12:01am

Absolutely not!! Long live Santa!!

My name is URL · 25-12-2009 12:02am

Santa's an alcoholic child molester

Biggins · 25-12-2009 12:02am

Poor Santa - he's getting an awful bashing!

Scuid Mhór · 25-12-2009 12:02am

Where is your inner child, Voltwad?

Saibh · 25-12-2009 12:03am

Voltwad wrote: »

How about a Christmas without Santa?

:eek: short answer - no!

Will · 25-12-2009 12:04am

i know who's getting a lump of coal for christmas and maybe a few digs in his sleep tonight

bitemybanger · 25-12-2009 12:04am

Im guessing you dont have kids and if you do, God love them

PirateShampoo · 25-12-2009 12:04am

Il bring the Mince Pies and Sherry, if you bring the Sniper Rifle?

Buceph · 25-12-2009 12:04am

Just tell kids what my parents told me. They have to leave a cheque for Santa by the chimney because the elf unions are greedy buggers.

Biggins · 25-12-2009 12:05am

PirateShampoo wrote: »

Il bring the Mince Pies and Sherry, if you bring the Sniper Rifle?

Your not getting one of mine! :mad:

I'm keeping it - and its locked and loaded.
All I'm waiting for, is for Simon Cowell to show his head!

star-pants · 25-12-2009 12:05am

booooooooooooooooooooo - do not want!!
I

Santa

vsat · 25-12-2009 12:05am

My daughter is 7, and she is in with christmas full time,
so am I, 42 years old.

We all need something to get us over this hard time, so stop.:)

Happy Christmas

regards,

gerry

Jako8 · 25-12-2009 12:06am

Why don't we get rid of religion.

Far more problems will be solved then.

Santa is awesome.

Agricola · 25-12-2009 12:07am

Fúck no. I think Santa is a huge reason why so many grown-ups have such an affection for christmas. A) they remember how great it was for them when they were kids and

they get to watch their own kids excitement about it. Why would you want to eradicate that?

We all grow up quick enough and have to face the harsh realities of life. Let us have Santy!

The Volt · 25-12-2009 12:11am

It doesn't appear people have read my full OP

I'm far too young to have kids of my own but when I do I would want them to value other things

SlickRic · 25-12-2009 12:14am

santa rules.

so the f*ck what if kids believe in him for their childhood.

cheer up ffs.

Arnold Layne · 25-12-2009 12:15am

Voltwad wrote: »

Que 'scrooge' tags galore.
I was listening to Gerry Ryan earlier on, he had kids telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas. There was one child in particular who asked for a piano, a guitar, a drumkit, games for her nintendo and a new playstation. I mean... gtfo! It's time that we rid ourselves of this nonsensical charade once and for all.

Thats probably a kid who doesn't "belive" but thinks that they can still get what they want. I have a 3 1/2 year old who has been jumping up & down all day because its Christmas Eve; and all he wants is a truck & cars.

And you want to stop Santa because of some greedy kids who know better, and their parents, who should know better?

Rockn · 25-12-2009 12:15am

Aye get rid of him. The excuse parents always use for promoting the santa thing is that it makes Christmas more magical for the kids. BS. Kids like opening presents on Christmas morning, they don't care if they were brought by their parents or a fat red man.

Look at children being brought to see santa in a shopping centre. Half of them are too young to know who or what he's meant to be. And some are even afraid to go near him. I think santa is more for the parents then for the kids.

Might as well add in a "bah humbug" aswell.

star-pants · 25-12-2009 12:17am

Voltwad wrote: »

It doesn't appear people have read my full OP I'm far too young to have kids of my own but when I do I would want them to value other things

What's the harm though? And if you teach your children value then they may not ask Santa for everything in the toy shop. We were always told Santa can't give you everything, he has to give toys to all the boys and girls. I.e. don't be greedy.
I

the magic in the house. If you choose not to have your kids (if/when you have them) believe in Santa that's your choice. But for something that's magical and harmless and brings happiness and excitement into the family -that's something i'll choose for mine (if/when I have em)

The Volt · 25-12-2009 12:17am

Arnold Layne wrote: »

Thats probably a kid who doesn't "belive" but thinks that they can still get what they want. I have a 3 1/2 year old who has been jumping up & down all day because its Christmas Eve; and all he wants is a truck & cars.

And you want to stop Santa because of some greedy kids who know better, and their parents, who should know better?

Greed and spoilt children will always exist, that's a given. See my point re traditional values etc

Ruu_Old · 25-12-2009 12:17am

Can we get rid of Brian Cowen first?

Santy.

Rabies · 25-12-2009 12:18am

Voltwad wrote: »

Q

How about a Christmas without Santa? We eradicate the idea of a supernatural being who is omnipresent and replace him with a promise to children of ONE gift of their choice on Christmas Day

... and replace it with the idea that we celebrate the birth of some supernatural being who is imnipresent

Madness

Arnold Layne · 25-12-2009 12:19am

Jako8 wrote: »

Why don't we get rid of religion.

Far more problems will be solved then.

Santa is awesome.

True, at least Santa doesn't beg you for money every season; nor does he allow his elves to abuse kids.

There would be no problems in the Middle East, or in the rest of the World, as they can kill each other over which god is best , BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE SANTA.

HAPPY SANTA DAY

The Volt · 25-12-2009 12:20am

Rabies wrote: »

... and replace it with the idea that we celebrate the birth of some supernatural being who is imnipresent

Madness

I also stated I'm not religious but I enjoy the time off to relax with my family and friends for an extended period of time.

Buceph · 25-12-2009 12:21am

Rockn wrote: »

Might as well add in a "bah humbug" aswell.

Definitely needed that. Kids of a certain age certainly know about Santa and think the whole thing is awesome. Add in shows like the Late Late Toy Show (fecking brilliant being allowed stay up to watch it) and The Santa Clause on telly (and Elf in a few years to come) and they love it. I love it.

Bah humbug you Scrooge.

/Slurs Fairytale of New York.

Agricola · 25-12-2009 12:23am

Voltwad wrote: »

It doesn't appear people have read my full OP I'm far too young to have kids of my own but when I do I would want them to value other things

Would it be so hard to explain to children that Santa can only bring one present to them?

Kids like the one you wrote about on G Ryan are products of their parents upbringing. They're spoilt beyond belief and often the parents see it as an exercise in keeping up appearances. Their kid must have the best of everything and get more than everyone elses kid, (even if that means sadling themselves with debt for the following year)

There was never much money floating around when I was growing up. I was told Santa could only carry so much and he could bring me one "big" present and afew little surprises that I had no say on. I didnt feel like I missed out in any way, and really loved the whole santa and christmas thing when I was growing up.

All parents need to do is give kids realistic expectations. Ya dont need to take away santa from them to do that though.

Capt'n Midnight · 25-12-2009 12:27am

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/santa-lsquoburied-in-irelandrsquo-1976141.html

The remains of St Nicholas of Myra, the philanthropist who lived in the 4th century and was the bishop of Lycia, are thought to have been moved to Jerpoint Abbey some 800 years ago.

During his life, St Nicholas left anonymous gifts for the poor and his well-known generosity propelled him to sainthood shortly after his death in 346, inspiring the legend of the jolly man in the red suit.

Santa died a long time ago /Thread

The Volt · 25-12-2009 12:28am

Agricola wrote: »

Would it be so hard to explain to children that Santa can only bring one present to them?

Kids like the one you wrote about on G Ryan are products of their parents upbringing. They're spoilt beyond belief and often the parents see it as an exercise in keeping up appearances. Their kid must have the best of everything and get more than everyone elses kid, (even if that means sadling themselves with debt for the following year)

There was never much money floating around when I was growing up. I was told Santa could only carry so much and he could bring me one "big" present and afew little surprises that I had no say on. I didnt feel like I missed out in any way, and really loved the whole santa and christmas thing when I was growing up.

All parents need to do is give kids realistic expectations. Ya dont need to take away santa from them to do that though.

That's a fair point. I'm not saying I'm completely decided on this BTW, hence I left it as an open question. There is a major problem with how much the average expectations of children from Santa have risen though. Where does it end?

RoyalMarine · 25-12-2009 12:29am

dont do away with santa, just tone down the commercial value of it.

The Volt · 25-12-2009 12:30am

RoyalMarineComm wrote: »

dont do away with santa, just tone down the commercial value of it.

Don't the two support each other?

jd007 · 25-12-2009 12:46am

I blame the kids

Dudess · 25-12-2009 12:47am

It's not just about the "getting stuff", it's the sense of magic and fantasy. If parents are willing to spend a grand on each kid, that's their stupidity, not the Santa legend. And certainly not reason to punish children in general.

Capt'n Midnight · 25-12-2009 12:53am

Voltwad wrote: »

Don't the two support each other?

Yeah he gets a kickback from the Big Brands.

and in case you were wondering those presents in the shops have a huge mark up, even if they only sell one for every one Satan gives away they are still laughing all the way to the bank.

Just creates lots of little consumers who expect instant gratification

lalee17 · 25-12-2009 12:54am

Dudess wrote: »

It's not just about the "getting stuff", it's the sense of magic and fantasy. If parents are willing to spend a grand on each kid, that's their stupidity, not the Santa legend. And certainly not reason to punish children in general.

Agreed! OP is a SCROOGE

TheZohanS · 25-12-2009 12:55am

Is it time to do away with Voltwad? :mad:;):p:D

Agricola · 25-12-2009 12:56am

Voltwad wrote: »

That's a fair point. I'm not saying I'm completely decided on this BTW, hence I left it as an open question. There is a major problem with how much the average expectations of children from Santa have risen though. Where does it end?

Everyones expectations have risen over the last 15 years. Just ask the trade union leaders!

The fact of the matter is kids these days need to take the pain. There has to be an adjustment, not a fiscal adjustment, a xmas present adjustment! In this new climate, its just not prudent or viable for kids to be getting lots of presents. They need to take the pain now, so that their kids and grandkids can have a chance of having lots of presents!

opinion guy · 25-12-2009 1:06am

Won't somebody please think of the children !!!!!

Rockn wrote: »

Aye get rid of him. The excuse parents always use for promoting the santa thing is that it makes Christmas more magical for the kids. BS. Kids like opening presents on Christmas morning, they don't care if they were brought by their parents or a fat red man.

Look at children being brought to see santa in a shopping centre. Half of them are too young to know who or what he's meant to be. And some are even afraid to go near him. I think santa is more for the parents then for the kids.

Might as well add in a "bah humbug" aswell.

Completey agree - its all for the parents. Personally if I ever have kidds I have no intention of deliberately lying to them. I have to say in my own case I found out about santa from another kid when I was nine. I can still remember the sense of betrayal I felt towards my parents for basically lying to me in order to get me to behave/do what they want (cause I was by no stretch a bad kid). I also would think its a sense of betrayal I carried over into my surly/Kevin the teenager years. I'm sorry - but what do parents expect to get. You lie to your kids for years about Santa, tooth fairy, easter bunny, etc and whatever, then wonder why they get all pissed off, rebellious and cranky when they become teenagers and discover everything you told them was a lie. Teenagers are a modern invention - just like Santa. Related things? Hell yes.

Mimikyu · 25-12-2009 1:06am

This post has been deleted.

m@cc@ · 25-12-2009 1:09am

Santa is the reason for the commercialisation of Christmas in the same way McDonalds is responsible for obesity.

Buceph · 25-12-2009 1:09am

opinion guy wrote: »

Won't somebody please think of the children !!!!!

Completey agree - its all for the parents. Personally if I ever have kidds I have no intention of deliberately lying to them. I have to say in my own case I found out about santa from another kid when I was nine. I can still remember the sense of betrayal I felt towards my parents for basically lying to me in order to get me to behave/do what they want (cause I was by no stretch a bad kid). I also would think its a sense of betrayal I carried over into my surly/Kevin the teenager years. I'm sorry - but what do parents expect to get. You lie to your kids for years about Santa, tooth fairy, easter bunny, etc and whatever, then wonder why they get all pissed off, rebellious and cranky when they become teenagers and discover everything you told them was a lie. Teenagers are a modern invention - just like Santa. Related things? Hell yes.

When you mature and stop blaming your parents you'll figure it out. Some things are magical, and it's a magic we create ourselves. Coming together and sharing a belief, not in something greater than us, but in something innocent and special that holds true for all our hopes.

smodgley · 25-12-2009 1:15am

TheZohan wrote: »

Is it time to do away with Voltwad? :mad:;):p:D

Laughed at that nice one mod:D

The Volt · 25-12-2009 1:18am

TheZohan wrote: »

Is it time to do away with Voltwad? :mad:;):p:D

Sound

opinion guy · 25-12-2009 1:35am

Buceph wrote: »

When you mature and stop blaming your parents you'll figure it out. Some things are magical, and it's a magic we create ourselves. Coming together and sharing a belief, not in something greater than us, but in something innocent and special that holds true for all our hopes.

MUWUHAHAHAHAHA.

First I said - remember the effect it HAD on me - not HAS.
Second - blah blah blah yacekty smackety (spot the reference anyone). But really - you're response to my measured argument is some things are magic, shared belief etc etc. Christianity forum is that away

>>>

stripysocks85 · 25-12-2009 1:38am

DO NOT GET RID OF SANTA!

I think that's what brings the magic of Christmas - I wish I still believed in Santa, in a weird sort of way. It's a wonderful feeling for the younger ones to believe and hope that this man in a red suit in a sleigh is going to fly around the world and bring you presents that you want

I realise it can put financial strain on families, and of course you can't always give the kids what they want, but you know this day is coming every year, put a little bit away each week, and buy some presents in the sales etc. It doesn't HAVE to put you in financial debt for the following year!!!

I love the magic of Santa, and yes it's not celebrating the true meaning or purpose of Christmas, but celebrating Jesus' birthday can not replace the excitement and wonder that Santa's visit can

Merry Christmas everyone

cue brute · 25-12-2009 1:44am

i think we should get rid of santa what with the recession and everything - whatever funding he's getting should be withdrawn and the balance put towards social welfare, homelessness or some other needy cause

Capt'n Midnight · 25-12-2009 1:50am

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

punkindrublic · 25-12-2009 1:53am

Santa ruined my childhood so I say he should be gone! I spent one half of it doubting his existence and the other half whinging when my suspicions turned out to be true!

stripysocks85 · 25-12-2009 1:54am

punkindrublic wrote: »

Santa ruined my childhood so I say he should be gone! I spent one half of it doubting his existence and the other half whinging when my suspicions turned out to be true!

Your parents didn't do very well in disguising the Santaness then.... at most, you'd be 2 years being suspicious/doubtful of his existence, unless of course you were being sarcastic, but surely that's unheard of in AH???

Is It Time To Do Away With Santa?

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