Random last-year link on Santa...

[conuly]

Interesting post.

I'm only posting it to quote a specific comment:

I bet you don't believe in imaginary friends, either. Your world sounds so sterile and literal.

WTF is that supposed to mean? Of course he doesn't believe in imaginary friends! 'cuz they're imaginary. That's the meaning of the word!

What Anonymous means, of course, is "don't think they're appropriate", which is something else altogether. It's also a straw man - people don't lie to their kids about imaginary friends. People *do* lie to their kids about Santa. Children aren't expected to actually believe their imaginary friends are real. They *are* expected to believe that Santa is real. Whether or not you consider this a bad thing, the two things are not comprable.

Don't believe in imaginary friends. What a nonsensical set of words. It's like complimenting Shrubboy by calling him an incredible speaker. Not only are you wrong in the sense that you mean the word, but you're right in the literal etymology which nobody uses - he is quite honestly not credible. Whee, tangent!

Comments

[eofs.livejournal.com]

I don't remember any huge trauma when I stopped believing in Father Christmas. In fact, I don't even remember it happening. Shows how awful the event must have been.

I'm 20 and my brother's 24 and we will still, on Christmas Day, first open stockings and our 'present from Santa' as will our 30something cousin staying with us. Sometimes there'll also be a present from Santa for Dad, sometimes for the whole family (I've been known to have a word in his ear some years regarding the latter of those) and so on. It's a very important part of the Christmas tradition for our family.

And it was only a couple of years ago that I realised Santa's present was always something that would keep my brother and I occupied whilst Mum got up (stockings and Santa are done whilst we're in pyjamas/dressing gown, except for my father who requires waking several times and will then shower and properly get up - that's as much tradition as anything else) and then breakfast was made and cleared. Basically to keep up busy until presents were unwrapped. But now my brother and I are capable of entertaining ourselves for that time (and of course are more likely to be assisting) - a couple of years ago we spent the time showing each other flash animations, last year we watched the Weebl and Bob advent calendar on my computer.

Man, suddenly I want Christmas to be tomorrow.

[conuly]

I don't know that I ever believed in Santa. I'm not sure if this is so much a result of conscious effort on my parent's parts, or the fact that my dad looked like Santa. A lot. It gets hard to maintain your belief when here it is, July, and little kids are running up to your dad yelling "Papa Natali! Papa Natali!", and he's smiling and being friendly, walking the fine line between not disabusing them of their notions and yet, not lying to them - and then after they're gone he uses his favorite phrase ever: "Bah. Humbug".