By: Heather O’Neill
Last month I wrote about how we shared the magic of Santa with my oldest son who was 10 at the time. When he 9, in the 4th grade, there seemed to be lots and lots of questions and I had the sense that this was going to be the last year for him.
He desperately wanted an iPod touch. “All the kids have them” he cried to me.
I figured this was easier than having the phone discussion as that was not something I was willing to even discuss with him yet.
So, Santa made sure that my 4th grader got this really cool technology that he so desperately wanted and I knew this would be the last year Santa’s magic would work this way for him.
Side note …. I can understand the concern when Santa purchases more expensive technology items. Not everyone can afford to do that and some parents want their kids to know who gave what item. Again, no judgment here, I’m just relaying how we presented this item to our son.
When my boys awoke on Christmas morning and headed downstairs, their eyes wide with excitement and their gasps of “He Came!” I stored that memory for safe keeping.
My younger, first grade son, had a few new toys and the coolest chocolate lab shirt ever made 🙂
My older son got some books and more less expensive items. (If you have more than one child, you understand the need to make sure they have exactly the same amount of gifts to open.) By comparison, I think my older son may have thought his brother’s gifts were a little cooler, until he saw the note from Santa.
Santa wanted him to work for his gift. He left a scavenger hunt with 10 envelopes with clues to find where his last gift could be.
As he worked his way around the house, the excitement was contagious. We were all so happy when he found his last gift and saw the joy on his face.
The extra work was definitely worth creating a little more magic this year.
Community Voices for Health 