So, Your Kids No Longer Believe in Santa? :: Here’s How to Still Have a Magical Christmas
It seems like kids are learning the truth about Santa earlier and earlier these days due to kids at school, social media, and other influences. Your momma heart so wants to keep the magic and excitement alive. You want to let them enjoy their childhood just a little longer, even if them not believing does give you a break from years of coming up with unique and funny ways to move that darn Elf on the Shelf. So how can you still make magical moments for your child and your family, when Santa is now just a distant apparition?
Milk and Cookies Together
Maybe you do not leave out milk and cookies for Santa anymore, but now you and your children can enjoy the time baking together for family or friends for the holidays. Just pull out the Christmas cookie cutters and the different colored icing and sprinkles and turn on the Holiday music and enjoy these moments together. After the cookies are done, you and your family can sneak a few right out of the oven and enjoy with a nice cold glass of milk. You no longer must wait until the kids are sound asleep to partake in this treat. The remainder of the cookies can then be shared with friends or neighbors.
Time to Move That Elf
No more sneaking around at night to move that Elf around, for your children to find in the morning and discover their crazy antics, now your child can be the “Elf Master.” Pull out those Elves and let your children use their imagination. They will delight in keeping their old friends around and letting you find them in their own made-up situations and scenarios. Let your grown child surprise you, their little siblings, or cousins with the newly made-up antics.
Becoming Santa
Now that your child knows Santa does not bring the presents, they may realize that not every child has the same opportunities and fortune that others have had. Let them be Santa for some other well deserving child, whether it be picking an “Angel” off a tree to sponsor a child or family, bringing toys to a “Toys for Tots” box near you, or dropping off at a local church. It can be fun to play Santa and take joy in Giving to others.
Passing Along the Magic Torch
Your child may want to be the new holder of the “Magic Torch.” Let them get the younger children hyped up with anticipation. They can help wrap presents and spread the reindeer food outside the house. Grown children can help fill stocking and place presents under the tree. Christmas magic can still be internalized through the excitement of others.
You Are Never Too Old for Christmas Movies and Lights
Gather up your coziest blankets and make some popcorn as you and your children watch those classic Christmas movies together. Nothing is more enchanting than the glow of the lights on the tree or a warm fireplace as you cozy up together. You will look back on these special holiday memories all year long. Take the family to see all the various Christmas displays around town as you play Christmas music in the car. There is no age limit on these fun holiday traditions. 
Christmas is about much more than a bearded man leaving presents on Christmas morning. It is much more than the Elves and Reindeer. Christmas is about family and generosity. It is about taking the time to be present with our loved ones and spending quality time together.
