Inappropriate Commercial

Just to warn you, a friend of mine had taken her daughter to see "Mega
Mind", only to have to answer a lot of questions, because apparently
one of the characters in the movie says there is no Tooth Fairy or
Easter Bunny.
So, you might want to steer clear of that one.

Call me old fashioned but I have always taught that Christmas is about
Christ.


Good Day

What a tangles web we weave when we start the lie in the first place.

All you had to do was say something about how everyone wants to be
Santa. And THAT part might have been the truth. We all give presents
like Santa, right?

Easy.

I only believed in Santa until I was 6. Why? Because I started
putting 2 and 2 together. When they get to the age they figure that
it out and don't take your word over the imperical data - it's time to
let it go. My 5 year old daughter still completely believes, but I
know my 7 year old is just keeping her mouth closed to keep getting
Santa gifts.

That being said, it seems logical they would want to either continue
the myth of Santa or place and time these commercials to not ruin that
myth for children. Less a complaint, more a suggestion since the myth
is good for their business.

about all the different Santa's sitting in the mall?

And again, this is only as damaging as you allow it to be - as others
have pointed out, if you frame it the right way, there won't be any
harm done.

tell junior that they meant "be like santa"?

like how people like to emulate their heros.


and then have him watch NCIS. Hey if a forensic genius believes in
Santa... who's to say she's wrong? :-)

The thing is that Santa references are all over. So, you'd probably
be better served by figuring out how to deal with them.

I'd say something like "Santa is really great, and people want to do
some of what he does to make the people they love happy" Or "Santa is
so busy right now that he needs lots of helpers"

I have seen an increase in Santa and Santa references on TV
commercials -- including the 7 p.m. timeslot, when young kids are
still up, and it really is inappropriate, IMHO.

I actually had a child at my store ask me this question - or something
similiar to it. She saw something on my name tag about "Being Santa."
I was also wearing a Santa hat.

"YOU can't be Santa," she said. "How can you? Why?"

"Well, I just like giving things. I'm not Santa...I just want to be
like him and I want to help your mom be like Santa too."

Seemed to satisfy her.

Why can't we all strive to be like Santa, anyway? Joy of giving and
whatnot...

I have 5 kids - ages 10 months though 13 years old. Over the years
there have been many many questions like that from my kids - whether
they have seen a commercial or someone has made a comment they
shouldnt have or even if they want to know why the santa at one mall
looks different then the santa at another store. That is when as a
parent you need to think on your feet. A simple answer and an off the
cuff remark would have smoothed this one over easily.

You stated you have a school aged child - I assure you, his friends at
school will help along with the "robbing of the magic of believing"
way quicker then any sears commercial.

I will never understand the fragility of some people's beliefs. When
the kids ask me if Santa is real, I turn it around and ask them if
they believe in Santa and then I point out that as long as they
believe, he is real.

Personally, I can believe in six impossible things before breakfast.
:)

When your kid asks why someone wants to be Santa, tell him the truth.
Some people find joy and fulfillment in giving to others and being
Santa is an easy way to do so. It doesn't take away 'belief' and
instead, it gives new avenues to expand that belief. Santa, the idea
of Santa isn't some narrow merchandizing gimmick, after all, but what
we make of it.

So, enjoy, believe, give, be the reason for the season.

Andrew K.,

As you wait to see if pulling the commercial and placing it at a more
costly run time happens maybe you can turn this into a teaching and
learning moment.

I don't see what age he is but I am sure you can turn this in to a win
for your side.

BillR.