In our family, we have a special way of telling our sons about Santa without lies. It involves both good acts and Christmas spirit.
When they are 6 or 7, I take 1"for milkshakes" at the local2. We get a table, order our drinks, and the following speech is made:
"You sure have3a lot this year. Not only are you taller, but I can see that your4 has been stronger as well. In fact, I think you are ready to 5 a Santa Claus yourself."
"You have probably found that most of the Santas that you see are people 6 like him. Well, now you are ready to do your first job7 a Santa."
The children usually pick someone they know. They choose to find something that the person really needs, and 8 let them know where it comes from.
My oldest son chose the old lady next door. He9that she came out every morning to get her paper in bare feet, 10 he realized she needed slippers. We went to the supermarket and a warm pair of slippers for her. He wrote on a card, "Merry Christmas from Santa", then put the 11 under her gate. The next morning, she was out getting her paper, wearing the slippers. You can imagine how 12he was at that moment.
Over the years, he chose a good number of neighbors and friends, always coming up with special presents just for them. One year, he polished up his bike and gave it to one of our friend's daughters. This family is too 13to get a new one for the girl. When she saw the bike in the yard with a big bow on it, the look on her face was almost as 14 as the one on my son's.
When the time came for my next son to join the "Santa club", my oldest came along to help with the speech. 15 of the club's members have ever felt that they had been lied to — because they were let in on the Secret of Being a Santa.
