So we took the kids out for pizza tonight. It is usually Kid's Night and there is a clown there and she paints faces and gives the kids little trinkets.
Tonight the clown was there, but ALSO ...... SANTA CLAUS!
(Bear in mind, we are STILL in the town where we know everyone and are going to escape from at the end of this month ...)
He sat on his Santa throne and he was giving presents out to all the kids that came up and sat on his lap.
Both of our girls were looking longingly at Santa. In front of the tree. With presents and kids all around him.
I leaned over and told my oldest "You know, if you want to go up there and sit on his lap you can. You don't have to tell him you don't celebrate Christmas. If he says 'Merry Christmas', just say thank you. If he asks what you want for Christmas, just tell him some things you want. Like some of those Star Wars action figures or something."
She sat there thinking about it for a little bit more.
I also told her, "I know a lot of our friends don't do Christmas, and might think that it is weird that you sat on Santa's lap. We probably shouldn't tell them about it. But, if you are okay with that then go ahead, and have fun!"
So her and our youngest both walked up and sat on his lap. They told Santa what they wanted, and then they each got a present. Our oldest got a jump rope, and our youngest got some bubble stuff.
Tonight they went to bed, and I think they have already forgotten about it.
That's fine though. It was a nice "Santa stigma-breaker" for next year when we can go all out.
-ithinkisee