LilSugar

In the Motherhood: Is 8 p.m. an Appropriate Time to Out Santa?

LilSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:00:09 -0700

Last night, I couldn't wait to tune into what likely will be ABC's new hit, In the Motherhood. But, before I could settle into my seat, Santa was outed. Moments into the premiere, Emily told her two young children - Esther and Bill - that St. Nick was a charade. It was a funny story line and one many mothers can relate to, but my 5-year-old daughter was in the hall and overheard. Luckily she assumed the character on television was just tricking her children, but lots of youngsters, particularly those ages 6, 7, 8 and 9, who still believe in Santa are still awake at that hour. Do you think 8 p.m. is appropriate time to announce the truth over the boob tube?

Photo courtesy of ABC

Do You Use Santa as a Threat?

LilSugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:00:08 -0800

We all know the story about the kid who got a lump of coal for Christmas. But, the other day I was out shopping and overheard a mom telling her son that if he didn't get back in the stroller she'd call Santa. The lil guy was sick of shopping and just wanted to go home. Do you use this tactic?

lil Tip: Pay Attention While Playing Santa

LilSugar — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:00:20 -0800

When my uncle played Santa last year at our Christmas dinner, my kids called him out within minutes. So I was a lil hesitant when my husband agreed to be St. Nick at my daughter's preschool holiday party. Once he was outfitted in the fluffy red suit, he deepened his voice and was careful not to focus much attention on her as he came through the door or interacted with the other children. Though she didn't let on that she knew it was her dad while he was there, later in the day she told me that he had come to class as Santa. When I played dumb, my daughter said she was sure it was him because he was wearing Adidas and his wedding and anniversary rings. But, she didn't mind since Santa was busy in the North Pole and asked him to fill in. If you're planning to dress up as the jolly old guy this holiday, pay attention to the details - kids notice everything!
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Keeping Tabs on Santa Is Just a Click Away For Kids!

LilSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:00:29 -0800

If your darlings are starting to doubt the existence of Santa, northpole.com will make them reinstate their faith. Aside from offering wee ones the opportunity to exchange letters with the jolly old fellow, the online destination gives children a chance to see where St. Nick and the reindeer are with its Santa tracker. It also posts a countdown to Christmas by the day, hour, minute, and second, not to mention that kids can keep tabs on their good deeds or partake in educational activities at the elf clubhouse. Youngsters can take a quick quiz and find out if they are on the naughty or nice list and improve their behavior before the red-suited man arrives on his sleigh!

Tell Mommy: Where Do You Hide Gifts From Santa?

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:00:05 -0800

It's time to stow your holiday purchases so lil snoopers don't ruin their surprise. As a child, I always liked finding my presents under the tree, but one of my friends used to scour her house until she located her loot, then she'd tear a corner and take a peek. After, she re-wrapped them so her parents wouldn't notice and acted surprised on Christmas morning.

I keep my kids' gifts from St. Nick in our storage closet in the garage. Where do you hide presents for your lil ones prior to Santa's arrival?

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Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Holidays

LilSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:00:30 -0800

Before babies, holidays were about buying a dry-clean-only cocktail dress and party hopping with my husband. New Year's was the end all involving a preparty, an event, an after bash, not to mention a day to lay on the couch and recover from it all. Oh, how things have changed!

As a mom, the impending celebrations mean marathon-mall trips, turning into a circus act to entertain the lil troops while waiting in line, and holding my tongue so I don't slip about the reality of Santa Claus.

Speaking of which, I'm starting to think the jolly ole guy got off easy. No matter how fat he gets, he still looks snazzy in his red suit and he's got so many employees, all he has to do is make deliveries. St. Nick's never had to navigate his way through a crowded Target with a stocked cart only to find that the crown jewel of all gifts was out of stock. I get the holiday hassle and he gets the glory.

This year's Christmas will again be a race to put up the tree as my mother calls to confirm that I've finally purchased one and we'll make our way to three family events. My husband will build toys in a basement workshop just hours before they are unwrapped, while I tip toe around to display the presents without waking our overly curious kids. But watching our children squeal with excitement Christmas morning makes it well worth the while.

And, they'll be time to relax on New Year's when we skip the social scene, pop some champagne, and ring in 2008 with our lil ones at home.

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Lil Treasures: Letter From Santa

LilSugar — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 06:00:23 -0800

Children barely get a chance to be kids. So I'm a proponent of nearly anything that keeps that childhood sense of awe intact. And, since this is the season when youngsters mail their wish-lists off to the North Pole, what better way to keep the spirit of Christmas alive than with a reply sent straight from Santa?

Since 1952, The Miller Family of the North Pole have been sending Santa letters to boys and girls around the world. For $7.50, parents can order them from Santa Claus House. Each letter is personalized with the recipient's name and has the option for customized text. Postmarked from the North Pole, it has "Santa's Official Mail" seal, a jumbo "Santa's Good List" sticker and a photo of Santa and Mrs. Claus enclosed. Best of all, the letters are available in several formats so siblings can receive different versions and of course, the correspondence arrives just in time for Christmas.

At What Age Will You Talk to Your Tot About Santa?

LilSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:00:45 -0800

It begins innocently enough - your lil one asks you to help him write a letter to Santa to ask for a new drum set, and puts out homemade cookies to nourish the jolly man as he makes his way through the night, and presents magically appear under the tree. Thus the story of Santa Claus perpetuates to a new generation of children.

But at some point, usually once the kids are in grade school, a rumor begins to gain momentum, and within days, your tyke is asking you if Santa is real.

When do you plan to tell your child the truth about the man in the red hat?

Lil Tip: Santa's Happy Customers

babysugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:00:01 -0800

I just took my lil angel for her first Santa picture and was anxious to see her reaction to the long white bearded man cloaked in red. Luckily, she did pretty well and didn't push out that pouty lower lip until the last minute of her photo session. As I grabbed her out of Santa's hands, he gave me a great pointer that I'd like to share with you.

Before visiting Santa again, pull out the previous year's pictures to get your child excited about seeing the jolly guy. She'll be fired up to go back and visit him. Santa claims to have had many happy customers year after year based on his wise counsel.

I hope this comes early enough for you to try it this holiday season, I'll be trying it next year!
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Website lil Loves: Santa's Nice List

LilSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Most lil ones are anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival later this week. For those children who still believe that behaving themselves is key to a pile of presents under the tree from Old Saint Nick, they may be feeling a bit of regret for pushing their younger brother yesterday. Disney Family has created a great tool for parents to use, so that tots can check in on Santa to see if they made his "nice" list or not. It only takes about a minute to do, but is well worth seeing the wonder in your wee one's eyes.

I looked and sure enough I made the list; my guess is that your child will, too.