A parent’s survival guide to keeping your Santa story consistent

Ah, the jolly holiday season is upon us! It’s that time of the year when we embrace the joy of giving, decorate our homes with tree(s, in my case) and lights, and juggle the delicate task of keeping the magic of Santa alive for the little ones. 

Picture this: you’re sipping your coffee, wrapped in a cozy blanket, and suddenly your little munchkin bombards you with a million questions about Santa. “How does Santa fit down the chimney?” “Can he eat all those cookies in one night?” And the toughest one, “Is Santa real?”

Oh boy, here comes the real challenge — keeping the story of Santa Claus consistent and alive without tripping over your own tongue!

First off, maintaining a believable tale about a rotund man shimmying down chimneys with a sack full of presents is no easy feat. I mean, forget the laws of physics for a moment, because logic and Santa seem to live in separate universes. “Yes, darling, Santa shrinks like Ant-Man to fit down the chimney, and those cookies? Well, Santa’s got a magical metabolism, you see!”

Then there’s the elaborate plan to keep up the charade. You find yourself hiding presents in the most inconspicuous spots — under the bed, in the attic, or behind that suspiciously large plant in the living room. All while maintaining a poker face that would make even professional card players envious.

Santa’s little helpers: keeping the magic alive

And let’s not forget those close calls when you almost slipped up! You’re in the store, and your kiddo points to someone in a red suit and exclaims, “Look, it’s Santa!” Your heart skips a beat, and you’re trying to come up with a convincing response faster than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. “Oh, that’s one of Santa’s helpers, you know, checking on everyone for the nice list!”

Behind the scenes of Santa: a parent’s guide to holiday storytelling

Then comes the digital age, where children are tech-savvy detectives, equipped with questions that would stump even the best improvisational actors. “How does Santa reply to all those emails?” “Why does his handwriting look like yours?” Well, thank goodness for those “Santa reply” apps and a unique penmanship that rivals Da Vinci’s.

And just when you think you’ve mastered the art of the Santa tale, your kid throws you a curveball. “If Santa can see me all the time, why doesn’t he catch me when I’m sneaking extra cookies?” It’s at this point that you wish you had a hotline to the North Pole for some emergency Santa storytelling guidance. 

But amidst the chaos and occasional slip-ups, there’s a magic in seeing the sparkle in their eyes as they marvel at the wonder of Santa Claus. The joy of the holiday season isn’t just about the presents or the perfectly wrapped gifts; it’s about weaving stories of wonder and spreading cheer.

So here’s to all the parents out there walking the tightrope of maintaining the Santa narrative — may your stories be believable, your hiding spots remain undetected, and your holiday season be filled with laughter and joy, Santa-approved!

You will also find some tips here.

by Jennifer Stewart

Co-founder of The Honest Talk. President and Founder of Syntax Strategic. She is one of the Ottawa Business Journal’s ‘Top Forty Under 40′, and was a finalist for Ottawa’s ‘Female Entrepreneur of the Year.’

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