I agree, Laga.

I remember my mother and mother-in-law being annoyed with us, because we didn't take the kids for photos with Santa. The thing is, we have two (big) family Christmas parties on my husband's side of the family, every year, and Santa makes an appearance. They all cried, every year, for years, even when they seemed happy to see him, before it actually happened. Why in the world would I torture them, by taking them somewhere, and making them sit on his lap?

I didn't force the issue with the kids, and didn't make them sit on his lap if they didn't want to, and took them off, if they said they wanted to, and then started to cry.

We do have a picture of Julia crying on Santa's lap, but that's because she was okay when we first put her up there, then she started to cry. Scott snapped the picture as I was reaching for her.

Scola, sorry you work in "Office Space", babe.

Tom - sending you calm ma~~~

I remember being concerned that Santa wouldn't find us when we moved because we had no chmmney. But I was good at fanwanking / hand waving back then, so I came up with some idea.But I am really not sure how strong my belief was in Santa. I 've always had a thing for the story. I liked fairies and brownies and elves and magic, etc. I wanted them to be real , but I am not sure I ever believed. So I was never untramatized by the unbelief. But I never felt lied to either. I understood the magic of story - which was different then a lie. even at a very young age. I Knew Mr. Rodgers was playing make belive - even if he had never said it.

Another fun bro story:

One Christmas we spent at Disney World. I asked my brother, James how Santa would find us. He said, "Who cares? We're at Disney World!!!"

When we were grown I related the story back to James and he said, "Wow, cool. I'm suprised I didn't say, 'there's no Santa Claus!'"

We always get presents from Santa when we're at my (Catholic side of the family) grandparents' house, but I don't ever remember being young enough not to realize that Granddaddy's handwriting and Santa's were exactly the same.

On the other hand, we also get presents from Golo, who is the giant that lives in Granddaddy's head. Golo is far more real than Santa.

You just reminded me that my brother's kids also receive gifts from "The Cheeky Elves." Last year the cheeky elves left a pair of Santa's underwear.

Instantly wants a Golo

On the other hand, we also get presents from Golo, who is the giant that lives in Granddaddy's head. Golo is far more real than Santa.

This reminds me of my father's "evil twin" who lived in the basement, but would come out when the boy next door was over. He was very convincing.

There's a whole menagerie that goes along with him, the most talkative being Sven and Olaf the Norwegian rats. They recite poetry.

Sven and Olaf the Norwegian rats. They recite poetry.