I remember waiting to go and see Santa at the old K-Mart Mall. It was a big event. It was the ONE time that we would get to see Santa in a year. We didn't go back 6 times in the month of December. Santa didn't ride a helicopter to the mall. He didn't have a welcome back breakfast. Line ups were long. And you crammed as many kids into the Mall Santa photo as possible (to save money of course... those paper frames are expensive). And Santa surely didn't arrive at every event where a child may possibly be during the Christmas season.
When did things change so much?
Why have we allowed all of the extra hype (that was supposed to make things more magical) to take the magic out of Santa?
Now Santa is a click away. He'll send you personalized videos complete with your name and picture. He sends emails, has his own website and probably a naughty or nice app for iPhone. Oh, and lets not forget the "report card" that Santa hands out at the mall... as a 20-times-daily reminder. Santa has even dispatched millions of elves to millions of shelves just to make things more real and magical.
But has it?
Not from what I'm seeing.
My kids saw Santa at the mall. We could go again if we wanted to. They also have a full time elf reporter that is constantly playing tricks on them. Santa sent personalized videos and replied to Christmas Letters (by the way: I am sooooo thankful to Canada Post and the millions of elves that make the santa pen pal program so very special). They will see Santa 2 more times this weekend alone at various functions. Santa was in the play we saw last weekend. Santa was also at the preschool Christmas concert last night.
Seriously, JJ has seen Santa so many times that he has this, "Oh, hey, you again?" attitude. "Yup, still want the same thing. Nope, behaviour hasn't changed."
And the kids at school KNOW that the Elf on the Shelf is watching their every move.. and reporting back to the North Pole daily (we know because there are stamps, stickers, etc from SANTA everyday).... but do you think that motivates them to work harder?
I guess TOO MUCH of a good thing can really be a problem.
I want the olden days back. :)
I agree, Melanie. All that should happen is the child seeing the "REAL" Santa at the mall and have required picture taken.....and then Santa's "helpers" are at the various parties etc. because the "REAL" Santa is at the North Pole finishing all his work so he is ready for Christmas Eve. I feel sorry for all the little ones who are inundated with too many Santa's!! Bring back the olden days as you say.......my children believed in Santa far longer than other childrenas we lived the myth of Santa and the North Pole.....not what is on TV!
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